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When Insurance Won’t Pay

by | May 7, 2018 | Allen A. Ritchie

Allen's Answers

Home Owners Insurance

Here on the Gulf Coast we know what weather can do to property. What you might not know is that some insurance companies are quick to accept your premiums but very slow, if ever, to pay your damage claim. That is when you need a lawyer.

There are basically two ways insurance companies fail to deliver: Breach of Contract, where they simply don’t do what they said they would do and Bad Faith, this usually means they delay, delay, delay writing a check.

I have said this before and I will say it again … this type of behavior from the people you trusted to take care of you when you need it the most infuriates me. It is the lowest of the low.

Here are some examples from my and other attorneys’ case files. I hope this never happens to you but there is a possibility that it will.

  • A storm damages the house and the insurance company offers a small amount, far less than the rebuild cost. At least they didn’t refuse to pay, that has also happened.
  • A family is burglarized, and some family heirlooms are taken. The insurance company denies their value and refuses to pay.
  • One family that saw their house burned found the insurance company accuse them of arson although the police never did.

Mostly you don’t know if you have a case until you come talk to someone. I have read more fine print words on insurance policies than I can count. But it doesn’t cost you anything to check it out.

Here is my big piece of advice: don’t wait too late. It can take a while to fight an insurance company and win. Start early. If you think you are being taken advantage of, you probably are.

If you have an insurance dispute or are hurt by a slip and fall, traffic accident or other person injury, you can talk to us at the Law Firm of Eiland and Ritchie for free. We want to help you get back on your feet.

Also join us on NBC 15 LawCall here in Mobile every Sunday night at 10:30 right after the news. We will take your calls live.

Allen Ritchie

Alabama personal injury lawyer

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