Insurance Disputes & Bad Faith Lawyers
Often, after someone experiences an injury or property damage due to an accident, you will hear the words “this is what insurance is for.” People pay insurance premiums for their homes, vehicles, health and disability and, in turn, expect to be covered when an accident or incident occurs that could potentially cause financial ruin. We all like to assume that the insurance company will put our best interests above their financial profit. Unfortunately for many people, the peace of mind that they believe their monthly premiums afford them can be taken away by an insurance company that does not act to protect their interests.
Key Takeaways
- Insurance is a legal promise, not just a product: Policyholders pay premiums expecting protection — insurance companies are legally bound to honor that expectation, not prioritize profits over valid claims.
- Florida law specifically protects residents from unfair claim practices: The state’s “unfair claim settlement practice” statute creates enforceable duties for insurers — violations give rise to “bad faith” claims.
- Insurers have two core obligations under a liability policy: They must both defend their insured against claims and pay damages up to the coverage limits — cutting corners on either can expose the insured to personal financial liability.
- Insurer misconduct can leave policyholders personally on the hook: If a company refuses to settle a case it should have settled and a judgment exceeds policy limits, the insured — not the insurer — bears that excess cost.
- Bad faith claims commonly stem from poor insurer conduct: Failing to investigate, ignoring settlement offers, denying coverage without justification, or hiding behind policy exclusions are frequent triggers for disputes.
- A denial or dispute is not the final word: Policyholders have legal recourse when an insurer acts in bad faith — including the right to challenge coverage denials and pursue additional damages beyond the original claim.
Florida has adopted special laws to make sure insurance companies treat Florida residents fairly when handling claims. Florida has an “unfair claim settlement practice” statute setting forth the duties of insurers. Violations of these duties are frequently called “bad faith” claims.
Your Insurer Said No. We May Be Able to Help. Greg Linehan Law reviews insurance disputes for free and advises you honestly on your options.
Obligations of Insurance Companies
Insurance companies have two main obligations under an insurance liability policy. First, the insurance company must investigate and defend its insured against any claim or lawsuit. Second, the insurance company must pay, up to the coverage limits, for any damages caused by the conduct of their insured. If the insurance company, in an effort to save money, attempts to defend a case that should and could have been settled and, thereafter, results in a judgment being entered against their insured which exceeds the policy limits, then their insured is left to personally pay for the amount of damages which exceed the policy limits. This personal exposure to the insured is oftentimes caused by improper actions by an insurance adjuster or poor policies and procedures instituted by an insurance company. Failure to properly investigate a claim, failure to respond to settlement offers, or failure to confirm or deny coverage are just a few of the common examples of poor insurance company claim management practices.
Why Sarasota Policyholders Choose Greg Linehan Law for Insurance Disputes
- Deep Knowledge of Florida Bad Faith Law — Greg Linehan understands Florida Statute §624.155 and has used it to hold Sarasota-area insurers accountable for unreasonable claim denials and settlement delays.
- Experience Across Insurance Dispute Types — From auto accident liability disputes to uninsured motorist coverage fights and property damage claim denials, the firm handles the full spectrum of insurance bad faith cases.
- Documentation and Evidence Strategy — Greg Linehan Law builds a paper trail of insurer misconduct from day one — preserving communications, denial letters, and claim timelines that support a bad faith lawsuit if needed.
- Negotiation Backed by Litigation Credibility — Insurers respond very differently when they know the attorney across the table is willing and able to take a bad faith case to a Sarasota County jury.
- Client-Focused Communication — Insurance disputes are stressful. Greg Linehan keeps clients informed at every stage so you understand exactly where your claim stands and what the next steps are.
- No Fee Unless We Win — You pay nothing to pursue your insurance dispute with Greg Linehan Law unless and until compensation is recovered on your behalf.
Reasons Claims Arise
Many insurance disputes and insurance bad faith claims arise when the insurer does not act to protect the best interests of the insured individual. Sometimes, this is the result of the insurance company attempting to void coverage due to misrepresentation in the original insurance application, denying that there is a covered claim, or denying a claim due to a policy exclusion. Other times, this is the result of the insurance company not properly evaluating the claim or not complying with the offer that has been extended to them.
