Skilled New Orleans Insurance Law Firm Supports Your Claim
Bad faith insurance claims in New Orleans
Insurance companies are legally obligated to investigate, adjust, and settle claims in good faith. If you believe your flood, fire, earthquake, hurricane, or other insurance claim has been unreasonably denied in Louisiana, our knowledgeable lawyers are ready to uphold your rights.
We have extensive experience handling unfairly rejected claims and have a reputation for helping victims receive the damages they deserve. Additionally, we are well-versed in the various bad faith laws in the state, including, Louisiana Revised Statute 22:1973 and 22:1892. If an insurer acts in bad faith and violates your rights, you may be entitled to receive other damages in addition to those listed in your original claim.
What is a bad faith insurance claim in Louisiana?
While you may be anxious to receive compensation for a fire, hurricane, or theft claim on your insurance, not every insurance delay is a bad faith claim. Under Louisiana law, your insurance company is required to treat you fairly by adjusting and paying your claim upon receipt of satisfactory proof of loss. The law prevents insurance companies from willfully delaying and denying your claim for no good reason.
If your insurance company refuses to respond to your claim, or your calls, or if you find you have been misled about your insurance coverage, you may have a bad faith insurance claim. Consider these points:
- In Louisiana, insurance claims must be paid within 30 days of receipt of satisfactory proof of loss.
- Except in the case of a catastrophic loss, your insurer should initiate adjustment of your claim within 14 days of receiving notice of the claim.
- Your insurance company may not misrepresent facts about the insurance or provisions of your policy, or deny coverage based on alterations made to an insurance application about which you were given no notice.
- Insurance companies may not deny or fail to pay claims based on arbitrary or capricious reasons.
If you feel your insurance company is not dealing with you in good faith, you can register a complaint with the Louisiana Department of Insurance. While the Department of Insurance can investigate your claim and provide you with information, it cannot offer legal advice or representation against your insurer to recover the amount of your claim.
The laws covering bad faith insurance practices are meant to protect consumers and provide punitive penalties to insurance companies who do not treat their clients fairly. The financial penalties for a judgment of a bad faith insurance claim can be anywhere from fifty percent of the original damage claim to two times the original claim, or more.
If you have tried to work with your insurance company on damages covered under a valid insurance policy, we can help you receive the compensation owed you under your policy, and pursue a bad faith insurance claim on your behalf if appropriate.
Contact a highly regarded first party insurance law firm in New Orleans today
Venezia & Associates (APLC) is determined to help victims of fires and natural disasters secure rightful compensation. Let us deal with the insurance companies so you can focus on recovering. Call (504) 486-3910 or contact us online to schedule a consultation to discuss your case with a skilled lawyer today.