Why Some Lawyers Choose to Sue Insurance Companies Instead of Settling

Can you sue your insurance company? The answer is a resounding Yes!

Insurance companies are not allowed to engage in bad faith practices to deny property damage claims. Texas law provides a litany of actions that are deemed bad faith conduct that you can sue your insurer for. It’s important to hire a skilled property damage lawyer to sue your carrier for bad faith acts.

“Suing the insurer" is a phrase that is often used to describe a property insurance policyholder's last resort when the insurance company wrongfully denies a claim or delays payment. The phrase conjures up images of a David and Goliath struggle, with the policyholder fighting an uphill battle against a large, faceless corporation.

In reality, suing an insurance company is not always a David and Goliath battle. In many cases, policyholders who sue their insurers are actually fighting against Goliath's smaller cousin. Many insurance companies that are sued by policyholders are much smaller companies that are subsidiaries of larger insurance companies.

More property owners are taking their carriers to court when they are mistreated by insurance adjusters or had their property damage claim denied. The number of policyholders suffering property damage is steadily increasing. In Texas, claims for roofing hail damage and hurricane damage are quite common.

Since the Texas Freeze in 2021, more property damage claims were being filed for water damage from pipes bursting. Roughly one in 50 insured homes have a property damage claim caused by water damage or freezing each year, according to the Insurance Information Institute. When your home has been flooded by a sudden pipe burst, watch out for bad faith claims handling by your insurance company. You don’t want to waste time haggling with your insurance company when you know they are not processing your claim in good faith. Failing to make settlement offers, failing to provide an estimate, and denying coverage when your property damage is actually a covered cause of loss are indicators of bad faith.

(Source: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/homeowners-insurance/when-to-hire-lawyer/)

If your insurer is delaying payment of your claim or you have had your property damage claim denied, it is essential that you contact a skilled property damage lawyer to assist with this often-complex process. The attorneys at the Cedrick D. Forrest Law firm are experienced, willing, and ready to advocate on your behalf to ensure that your property is repaired and that your rights are not jeopardized.