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New Jersey Insurance Disputes

Whether your insurance carrier denies your claim, delays paying the claim, or underpays your claim, the attorneys at theWolf Law can help. Fighting an insurance claim with your insurance company can be a difficult and intimidating process. Many people feel helpless when their insurance company refuses to pay on a policy. The attorneys at theWolf Law know your rights and can force insurance companies to pay you the money you deserve.

When denying a claim, insurance carriers often cite to policy provisions that they allege excludes coverage for your loss. As a result of the passage of Hurricane Sandy through New Jersey on October 28 and 29, 2012, many peoples homes were destroyed due to a combination of wind and flood waters. Insurance companies often deny coverage in these cases, citing to policy provisions that exclude coverage for losses due to flood. Often times, however, the damage caused by storms such as Hurricane Sandy can be attributed to wind or wind-driven water. For example, if a tree falls on your roof, any water that enters your home should not be considered flood water, which is defined as rising water and storm surge. When this happens, we are available to ensure that your policy actually covers the damage you are dealing with. We will review your policy and advise you of what your rights are. If we think that your damage is covered, we will advise you of how to proceed. As attorneys, we can work from a position to strength to obtain full benefits on your behalf.

Additionally, if you feel that your insurance company has wrongfully denied, delayed payment, or underpaid your claim, you may have a bad faith claim. Thirty-six years ago the Supreme Court of New Jersey in Rova Farms Resort, Inc. v. Investors Ins. Co. of America recognized that insurance companies have an affirmative duty to act in good faith in representing their insureds. This duty obligates your insurance company to pay reasonable claims in accordance with your insurance policy in a timely manner.

Unfortunately, in an attempt to save money, some insurance carriers deny or underpay claims by their insureds. If your provider denies a legitimate claim, delays payment unreasonably, or underpays a claim, they may be acting in bad faith. If it is found that your insurance carrier exercised bad faith with respect to your claim, you may be able to recover punitive damages, which are designed to punish the company for wrong doing. A legitimate dispute or disagreement over coverage or benefits will likely not give rise to a bad faith claim. Recovering bad faith penalties, moreover, requires strict compliance with New Jersey law and the terms of your insurance policy.

Insurance policies often limit the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit against them, usually one or two years. Therefore, it is imperative that you retain an experienced attorney as soon as you insurance carrier denies or hesitates in paying your claim.

If you need help reviewing your policy provisions or if you feel that your insurance company has acted in bad faith by either denying, delaying, or underpaying your claim, you should contact theWolf Law. Our attorneys will work to obtain the benefits your deserve.