Pittsburgh Bad Faith Claim Lawyer

Fight Back Against Claim Denials and Delays With Our Bad Faith Insurance Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA, on Your Side

Insurance coverage is meant to provide peace of mind and security in the event of an accident, poor health, or a natural disaster. What happens when your insurance company denies coverage, refuses to pay a valid claim promptly, or otherwise lets you down? A Pittsburgh bad faith claim lawyer can review your situation at no cost and determine whether you can hold your insurer accountable for violating Pennsylvania’s bad faith laws.

At AlpernSchubert, P.C., we have a reputation for handling more insurance bad faith cases on the plaintiff's side than anyone in Western Pennsylvania. In this highly technical area of legal practice, which many law firms avoid handling, we possess decades of dedicated experience in proving that insurers’ conduct constitutes bad faith. As your bad faith insurance attorney in Pittsburgh, PA, we won’t let massive insurers get away with conduct that violates state law and policyholders’ trust. We’re uniquely equipped to pursue compensation for the clients we serve in cases in which insurers have denied claims or otherwise failed to meet their obligations.

If you’re ready to fight back against your insurance company’s conduct, we’re ready to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

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What Pennsylvania Policyholders Need to Know About Bad Faith Insurance Practices and Their Legal Options

Insurance disputes aren’t uncommon in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area, but establishing bad faith on the part of the insurer and grounds for taking legal action because of it requires more than just a disagreement. You need to demonstrate that your insurance company’s conduct constituted bad faith under Pennsylvania law.

What Is Bad Faith?

Although paying out claims is never in the interest of for-profit insurance companies, policyholders typically expect that their insurers will honor contractual promises in good faith. That means dealing with you with honesty and fulfilling its duties properly when a claim arises out of a covered event. When an insurance company fails to do so, we refer to its conduct as bad faith. Bad faith in insurance matters often pertains to denying valid claims without a reasonable basis.

Pennsylvania law not only establishes conduct that constitutes bad faith but also provides for legal recourse for policyholders harmed by their insurer’s actions. Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 8371, if a court determines that the insurance company’s conduct constituted bad faith, it may:

• Award you interest on the amount of the claim (equal to the prime rate of interest plus 3% from the date the claim was made)
• Award punitive damages against the insurer
• Require that the insurance company pay your court costs and attorney fees

Because state law permits such outcomes, taking legal action against an insurer that handled your claim in bad faith can result in compensation beyond what the claim was originally worth, had the insurer paid it promptly and properly from the start.

Why You Might Need a Bad Faith Lawyer in Pittsburgh, PA

What exactly does it mean for an insurance company to act in bad faith? You may need a bad faith lawyer if your insurance company is:

• Denying coverage without a reasonable basis or without an investigation
• Failing to conduct a thorough investigation of your insurance claim within a reasonable time frame
• Delaying processing or paying your claim unreasonably
• Refusing to engage in good-faith negotiations, instead remaining committed to a settlement offer that is too low to fairly address your losses

Insurance contracts and claims are complicated, and a denial, a request for more documentation, or an offer that seems low to you may or may not constitute bad faith on the part of your insurer. To assess whether the insurance company’s conduct is truly in bad faith and to take effective legal action, you need professional knowledge of Pennsylvania law and local legal procedures.

Steps to Take When Dealing With Insurance Denials

If you believe that your insurer may be acting in bad faith, you need to take timely, strategic action. The most important steps to take when dealing with an insurance company’s bad faith conduct include the following.

Review Your Insurance Contract

You have submitted a claim to your insurer, but the company has argued that the issue isn’t covered. Disputes over when and whether coverage applies in a situation are common, and insurers throughout Western Pennsylvania have been known to deny claims without adequate cause.

To get to the bottom of this dispute, you need to thoroughly review the insurance policy. This policy is a legally binding contract between the insurance company and the policyholder, and it should specify terms such as:

• The policy date and coverage period
• Definitions that clarify what events or circumstances are and are not covered
• The policy limits (the total amount the insurance company will cover)

A close examination of the insurance contract holds the key to uncovering whether the insurer’s denial aligns with its contractual obligations or whether its conduct could constitute bad faith.

Gather All Documentation

In insurance bad faith claims, every interaction could provide evidence to support your argument that the insurer’s conduct constitutes bad faith. Compile all written forms and correspondence, along with any electronic messages (email and text) exchanged with the company. Put together a log of telephone conversations and voicemails. You should also maintain a list of every insurance adjuster, agent, or representative you interact with, whether by phone, email, or written correspondence.

Any documentation you have that can show when you initiated the claim or provided information and how the insurer handled the claim can be valuable in building your bad faith case against the insurance company.

Contact an Experienced Bad Faith Attorney

Now that you have the most important information readily available, it’s time to consult an attorney. Most policyholders rarely deal with insurance company disputes, and they often don’t know exactly what rights they have under Pennsylvania law or what conduct is acceptable or unacceptable on the part of insurers. A professional’s knowledge of PA law and the legal process is critical for building a strong foundation and effective strategy for your claim.

Understand the Deadlines

In Pennsylvania, you only have a limited time to take action against an insurer that approaches your claim in bad faith. Missing legal deadlines could bar you from recovering compensation.

Time limits in insurance bad faith claims are often complicated. Although many bad faith claims are subject to a two-year time limit, some cases may fall into other categories that impose different statutes of limitations. Legal deadlines often give you a certain amount of time after the date of the misconduct, but in cases in which an insurer is accused of acting in bad faith, this starting date isn’t always clear.

Did the act of bad faith only occur when the insurer denied a claim or refused to continue engaging in negotiations, or did it begin earlier? If the insurer has dragged out the processing of the claim, how does that impact the time you have now to file a bad faith lawsuit?

An attorney is in a better position to fully assess time limits, as well as other requirements and procedures that may apply to your unique situation. Working with a knowledgeable lawyer early on ensures that you’re ready to meet deadlines.

Launch a State Investigation

In Pennsylvania, the state regulates insurers and their conduct. Notifying the Pennsylvania Insurance Department of the challenges you’re facing can prompt a state investigation of your insurer and its handling of your case.

Send Your Insurer a Settlement Demand Letter

Litigation is costly and time-consuming, so in many cases, it makes sense to attempt to resolve a case out of court before initiating a lawsuit. An important step that our law firm takes on behalf of our clients is submitting a settlement demand letter to the insurance company. In this letter, we will argue why the insurer should pay the claim, support these arguments with documentation, and provide notice of our intent to file a lawsuit on your behalf if the insurer does not respond in a timely manner.

Of course, if your insurer is already acting in bad faith, asking them to pay your claim now may seem redundant. In some instances, getting an attorney involved encourages the insurer to change its approach and negotiate a reasonable settlement. However, even if the insurer ignores or refuses to comply, the settlement demand letter still serves an important purpose. It documents that you have made every reasonable effort to settle the claim with the insurer.

File Your Lawsuit in PA Court

If the settlement demand letter doesn’t produce results, we will file a lawsuit against the insurance company on your behalf. The litigation process includes multiple steps, such as a formal discovery of information and legal proceedings. We will represent you at every stage, so you never have to worry about managing the demands of your lawsuit on your own.

Even after litigation commences, many legal issues will eventually be resolved through settlement negotiations. However, if negotiations aren’t enough, our Pittsburgh bad faith claim lawyer is prepared to take your case all the way to court and present all arguments in your favor during trial. The goal is to illustrate to the judge or jury that the insurer’s conduct met the definition of bad faith and that awards of interest, punitive damages, legal costs, or other remedies are appropriate.

AlpernSchubert, P.C.’s Bad Faith Insurance Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA, Stands Up to Insurance Companies

Having trouble resolving a valid claim with your insurance company? These companies are large, influential, and consistently represented by strong legal counsel. To take them on in court and win, you’re going to need knowledgeable legal advocacy of your own.

A Pittsburgh bad faith claim lawyer at AlpernSchubert, P.C., has the resources to hold even the largest insurers in the area accountable for unfair or unreasonable conduct. Our law firm protects policyholders’ rights, ensures the insurers are held to their contractual obligations, and seeks the full compensation permitted under Pennsylvania law for our clients impacted by bad-faith conduct.

We don’t back down, and we don’t accept insurers’ unethical conduct. Our legal team has seen firsthand the lengths that some insurers have gone to just to avoid paying claims fairly, and we’re committed to fighting back with honesty, integrity, and dedication to standing up for what’s right.

Types of Bad Faith Insurance Cases We Handle in Western Pennsylvania

Bad faith claims in Pennsylvania can be pursued against insurers offering any type of coverage or policy. What matters isn’t the type of property or circumstances you’re insuring but rather whether the insurer engages in unreasonable conduct when it’s time for the company to meet its contractual obligations.

At AlpernSchubert, P.C., we have a record of successfully bringing claims that involve the following types of insurance company misconduct:

• Auto insurance bad faith: Denying coverage of accident-related property or medical expenses, or refusing to settle an auto accident claim against the policyholder within policy limits
• Homeowners' insurance bad faith: Wrongfully denying coverage without a proper investigation, undervaluing a homeowner’s repair costs, or employing unfair interpretations of policy language to avoid liability
• Life insurance bad faith: Unreasonably denying death benefit claims, accusing beneficiaries of misrepresentations without evidence, and delaying claim payment
• Health insurance bad faith: Denying or delaying medically necessary treatments or services, failing to reimburse policyholders for covered costs without reasonable cause, or making policies that ignore medical evidence
• Disability insurance bad faith: Selectively interpreting medical evidence or records to deny benefits in valid disability claims
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist bad faith: Refusing to fairly compensate a policyholder who is seeking compensation under their UM or UIM coverage by offering unfairly low settlements, failing to evaluate medical and wage-loss evidence, or delaying payments without cause

For all your bad faith insurance claims and insurance coverage needs, our team is here to protect your rights and pursue everything you deserve.

How AlpernSchubert, P.C., Can Help

At AlpernSchubert, P.C., we intervene in bad faith legal actions of all kinds. Our clients turn to us in matters of:

• Denials of valid insurance claims
• Insurers’ failures to pay a claim within a reasonable timeframe
• Failures to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation
• Unreasonably inflexible stances in settlement negotiations
• Insurance errors and omissions, in which the policy the salesperson sold you is not what you received

We fight to secure the outcomes our clients deserve, including the coverage or benefits owed to them under their insurance policy and any other appropriate legal remedies, such as interest or punitive damages. We’re here to provide the legal support you need throughout the claims process, from the free initial consultation, where we review the facts and begin formulating a tailored strategy, through negotiations, litigation, and a trial if necessary.

Why Choose AlpernSchubert, P.C., as Your Pittsburgh Bad Faith Claim Lawyer?

Who you choose to handle your bad faith insurance claim matters. Whether you’re dealing with a denial of a valid claim, an unreasonably delayed payout, or a burden of proof placed unfairly on you, our Pittsburgh bad faith insurance lawyer team has the knowledge and skills to take action.

Comprehensive Support for Bad Faith Insurance Claims

With both breadth and depth of knowledge and experience, we take on challenging bad faith insurance claims involving policies of all kinds, from life and disability insurance to auto and homeowner policies.

Unmatched Experience in Bad Faith Practice

Not only does our team of attorneys have more than 100 years of combined legal experience, but we also have a history of handling more bad faith cases of all kinds than any other plaintiffs’ law firm in Western Pennsylvania.

Exclusive Representation for Plaintiffs

We never work for insurance companies, only plaintiffs and policyholders. Unlike many law firms that represent both sides, we’re focused on helping people secure the outcomes they deserve, not protecting the profits of massive insurance companies.

Contact a Pittsburgh Bad Faith Claim Lawyer at AlpernSchubert, P.C., Today for a Free Case Review

The only way to determine for sure whether you have a bad faith claim against your insurer is to discuss the specific facts of your case with an experienced attorney. That’s why we offer free, no-obligation consultations. We will review your situation, advise you of your options, and explain to you how we could help you recover not only the value of your original claim but, if applicable, bad-faith damages like interest and punitive damages.

From our office location in Pittsburgh, we serve clients in Allegheny County, Lawrence County, Washington County, and throughout Western Pennsylvania.

For help from a bad faith insurance attorney in Pittsburgh, PA, contact AlpernSchubert, P.C., online or call 412-556-2326 today.