[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/bad-faith-insurance-claim-in-georgia\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/bad-faith-insurance-claim-in-georgia\/","headline":"What Is a Bad Faith Insurance Claim in Georgia?","name":"What Is a Bad Faith Insurance Claim in Georgia?","description":"Have you recently filed an insurance claim only to be frustrated by an unfair denial? Does it seem like your insurance adjuster is never available when you need to speak with them? If your insurance company is neglecting or refusing to honor the terms of your policy agreement,...","datePublished":"2022-08-08","dateModified":"2026-02-26","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/author\/kenbernard\/#Person","name":"Ken Bernard","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/author\/kenbernard\/","identifier":7,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2c8989e3a6ded75e4fe0fae6e90fc6dfec65eaf7676e8cefa113ad6e8e2d6c66?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2c8989e3a6ded75e4fe0fae6e90fc6dfec65eaf7676e8cefa113ad6e8e2d6c66?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Sherrod & Bernard, P.C.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SB-Logo-1.png","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SB-Logo-1.png","width":300,"height":109}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/insurance-claims.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/insurance-claims.jpg","height":666,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/bad-faith-insurance-claim-in-georgia\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-Elx4FbIXg4#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-Elx4FbIXg4","name":"What if the insurance company is trying to blame me for causing the wreck? | Sherrod & Bernard","description":"If you are determined to be at fault for a wreck, it could mean a complete denial of your personal injury claim. After a wreck, the insurance companies involved will begin their own investigation. When all of the information is compiled, the insurance companies will make their own determination as to how a wreck happened and who was at fault. \n\nAt Sherrod & Bernard, we refuse to play the insurance companies' blame game and when the insurance company attempts to avoid paying you just compensation for your injuries, we file suit and prove your case in court.\n__\nSherrod & Bernard, P.C. - Personal Injury Lawyers in Douglasville\n8470 Price Ave \nDouglasville, GA 30134\nPhone: (770) 920 - 8350\nwww.sherrodandbernard.com","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/-Elx4FbIXg4\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/-Elx4FbIXg4\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/-Elx4FbIXg4\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/-Elx4FbIXg4\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/-Elx4FbIXg4\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2019-08-23T11:00:00+00:00","duration":"PT39S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-Elx4FbIXg4","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCNK4EK-AuNLyADEP1Gsgx7w#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCNK4EK-AuNLyADEP1Gsgx7w","name":"Sherrod and Bernard","description":"When you are in a legal bind, you need an experienced attorney you can count on to provide you with skilled representation and sound legal counsel. Every lawyer under the sun will tell you that he or she is the right person for the job, but you need a firm backed with a successful track record. You need the firm of Sherrod & Bernard, serving the Douglasville area.\n\nAfter attending the University of Georgia together, attorneys John Sherrod and Ken Bernard founded the law firm of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. in 1992. From the very beginning, the goal of our firm has been to provide each and every client with the quality personal service and skilled representation they deserve. You can count on our work ethic and our commitment to our clients.\n\nYou need a highly skilled attorney to successfully resolve your legal issues. One of our lawyers can help. Schedule a free consultation by calling our Douglasville office at 770-920-8350.","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/uK-5K9pyHHwlk4D1Wclej9JOOudzsipnxVRsoc1u0fyFTl1Ykw0P1mMXhCw6PbtfZAwzpbuF_A=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-Elx4FbIXg4#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-Elx4FbIXg4#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-Elx4FbIXg4&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-Elx4FbIXg4#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":328815}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-Elx4FbIXg4#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":36}]},"about":["Bad Faith Insurance Claim"],"wordCount":1103,"articleBody":"Have you recently filed an insurance claim only to be frustrated by an unfair denial? Does it seem like your insurance adjuster is never available when you need to speak with them? If your insurance company is neglecting or refusing to honor the terms of your policy agreement, you may have grounds for a bad faith insurance claim.Georgia law requires all insurance providers to act in \u201cgood faith\u201d\u00a0when working with policyholders and reviewing legitimate claims.\u00a0Insurance \u201cbad faith\u201d occurs when insurance companies refuse to cover valid claims, even when policyholders are current on their payments and should be eligible for coverage.When an insurance company acts in bad faith, policyholders can often seek compensation by filing bad faith insurance claims. The compensation available in a bad faith insurance claim can pay for the coverage policyholders should have received in the first place and cover additional costs or losses a policyholder incurs due to bad faith insurance practices.If you suspect your insurance provider has not been acting in good faith, the Georgia attorneys of\u00a0Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., can evaluate your case at no charge to determine whether you have grounds for a bad faith insurance claim. Contact us today to learn more about your legal options in a free initial consultation.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat Are the Signs of a Bad Faith Claim?Any time you sign an insurance contract or policy agreement, there is an implied understanding that your insurance provider will act in good faith.When insurance companies act in good faith, policyholders should expect the following:Timely responses \u2013\u00a0You are entitled to receive a determination for your claim, whether the insurance company decides to approve or deny it, within a reasonable timeframe. Insurance companies should not refuse to respond to policyholder inquiries or take excessively long to resolve valid claims.Clear explanations \u2013\u00a0If an\u00a0insurance company denies all or part of your claim, you are entitled to a clear explanation outlining the denial decision and how that decision is based on the terms of your policy.Honest efforts \u2013\u00a0Insurance companies have an obligation to make honest efforts to help you resolve your claim and reach a fair settlement.When you pay for an insurance policy, you have a right to expect the financial and legal protection you have paid for with your premiums.Unfortunately, insurance companies commonly attempt to protect their profits rather than their policyholders by engaging in bad faith behavior, such as:Intentionally providing bad recommendations or advice to policyholdersRefusing to cover claims that are legitimate and valid under the insured\u2019s policyNeglecting or refusing to investigate the circumstances surrounding a claimDelaying or refusing to pay a settlement or judgment for no valid reasonPurposely undervaluing the property or assets involved in a legitimate claimMinimizing the value of a claim without a clear or valid reasonNeglecting or refusing to respond to policyholder claims or inquiries promptlyRefusing to provide prompt or reasonable explanations for claim denialsMisrepresenting the terms of a policy agreement or a denial of coverageRefusing to defend policyholders from lawsuits despite agreeing to do soAltering a policy agreement without the policyholder\u2019s knowledge or approvalRescinding or canceling an insurance policy to avoid covering a valid claimWhat Are the Types of Bad Faith Insurance Claims?There are two key \u201ctypes\u201d of bad faith insurance claims, which mainly differ based on the type of coverage available under the policy agreement.These two types of bad faith insurance claims include:First-party bad faith insurance claims \u2013\u00a0First-party insurance policies are designed to pay for losses incurred by the policyholder. For instance, a first-party auto insurance policy would cover your own medical expenses if you were injured in a\u00a0car wreck. In a first-party bad faith insurance claim, the insurance company refuses to cover a valid claim for some loss that you sustained.Third-party bad faith insurance claims \u2013\u00a0Third-party insurance policies, also known as \u201cliability\u201d insurance policies, are designed to pay for other people\u2019s losses when you are at fault in some way. For instance, a third-party auto insurance policy would cover another driver\u2019s medical expenses if they were injured in a car wreck you caused. A third-party bad faith insurance claim could result if the insurance company refuses to defend, indemnify, or settle another party\u2019s claim to protect you from liability.What Can I Do If My Insurance Company Acts in Bad Faith?If you believe your insurance company has acted in bad faith, the first thing you should do is take a moment to step back and\u00a0evaluate your case\u00a0impartially.\u00a0After all, if you are already dealing with the stressful aftermath of an accident, injury, or some other loss, it\u2019s easy to allow frustration to cloud your judgment.Many insurance companies acting in good faith take a long time to settle claims simply because the investigation and review processes are inherently time-consuming. And just because you don\u2019t get the settlement offer you were hoping for in the timeline you were expecting, it doesn\u2019t automatically mean your insurer is acting in bad faith.If you\u2019re still reasonably certain you have grounds for a bad faith insurance claim, you can begin taking legal action by consulting a knowledgeable lawyer for guidance.\u00a0During your initial consultation, you\u2019ll want to have all your claim-related documentation and correspondence on hand to review with the attorney. A Georgia personal injury lawyer can help you evaluate your situation and determine whether they can establish a strong foundation for your claim.Contact a Bad Faith Insurance Claim Lawyer TodayAny time you\u00a0file an insurance claim, it\u2019s because you\u2019ve already suffered some type of loss, injury, or another unfortunate incident. If you have paid your premiums and held up your end of the insurance policy agreement, you deserve to have your claim settled fairly and promptly.Bad faith behavior on the part of the insurance company you\u2019ve paid to provide coverage to you is an actionable wrong. Such behavior should be grounds for a bad faith insurance claim. With a successful claim, you could recover the compensation you should have received initially and additional money for incidental losses you suffered due to a bad faith denial.If you have questions about filing a bad faith insurance claim in Georgia, don\u2019t hesitate to get in touch with the team at\u00a0Sherrod & Bernard, P.C.\u00a0We can answer your questions and review your case for free when you contact us for an initial strategy session.Visit Our Georgia Bad Faith Insurance Lawsuit Law Offices"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What Is a Bad Faith Insurance Claim in Georgia?","item":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/bad-faith-insurance-claim-in-georgia\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]