Pittsburgh Insurance Fraud Lawyer

Insurance Fraud Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA

Most people hear the term “insurance fraud” and think of overstated damages, staged car accidents, or arson-for-profit. Most people don’t realize that insurance companies commit fraud, too. If you feel like you were the victim of insurance fraud due to an undervalued property claim, you should seek guidance from an experienced Pittsburgh insurance fraud lawyer.

Hire an Insurance Fraud Lawyer Who Gets Results

Ryan R. Smith Law Offices is led by a versatile Pittsburgh insurance fraud lawyer with a well-rounded foundation across various practice areas. Our experience and knowledge base are unmatched in Pittsburgh. We provide professional legal skills of the highest standard.

We defend our clients, protect their rights, or advocate for what is rightfully owed to them. Our firm is both aggressive and empathetic about our clients’ cases and takes a personal approach to representation. Read our reviews, and then experience the difference our firm can make.

When an Insurance Company Commits Fraud

It’s not hard to recognize when a policyholder has received a deflated settlement that doesn’t come close to covering the damages of the claim. Insurance companies can be intimidating to victims considering challenging an undervalued property claim settlement.

When you hire an insurance fraud lawyer to provide legal guidance, they can work for a settlement worthy of the damages you’ve incurred. Their efforts can help you get a fair settlement in an insurance fraud case.

Pittsburgh Insurance Fraud Laws

There are laws in Pittsburgh that make it a crime to falsify insurance claims or inflate damages to get more money from an insurance company. Consequently, some laws protect policyholders from insurance companies intentionally undervaluing property claims to minimize settlement amounts.

Often referred to as the Pennsylvania Bad Faith Statute, 42 Pa. C.S.§ 8371 makes it possible for policyholders to seek damages if their insurer acts in bad faith. Claimants can seek interest, punitive damages, and attorney fees under this law. Under Pennsylvania’s Unfair Insurance Practices Act, insured parties of all types of insurance policies may file a civil action against their insurer.

Some examples of bad faith conduct include:

• The insurer denies a claim with no justifiable reason.
• The insurance adjuster fails to investigate properly or thoroughly.
• The insurance company offers an insufficient settlement that is significantly less than the documented damages.

Filing a Bad Faith Complaint

To file a bad faith claim against an insurance company in Pittsburgh, you must go through the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. To take legal action, file your complaint through the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, located on the 15th floor of Strawberry Square in Harrisburg. The Insurance Fraud Section is located on the 16th floor.

To file a state or federal court claim, hire a private insurance fraud attorney for ideal results. By merely filing a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General, you may have to wait for processing, as over 50,000 complaints are filed each year.

Each complaint is reviewed and processed. Some are sent to a more appropriate agency, but this does take time. An attorney is the optimal means for getting potential results more quickly.

How a Pittsburgh Insurance Fraud Lawyer Can Help Your Insurance Fraud Case

It is important to partner with an experienced Pittsburgh insurance fraud attorney when facing seasoned insurance providers. These companies have their own team of lawyers with a repertoire of tricks to justify unreasonable claim denials or lowball settlement offers. Successful cases require convincing evidence that the insurer recklessly disregarded the lack of a basis for denial or an insufficient claim payment.

A Pittsburgh insurance fraud lawyer can specifically help undervalued property claims by:

• Partnering with the right third-party professionals to assess or appraise damages
• Challenging the insurance company’s assessment
• Presenting evidence of overlooked costs within the insurer’s estimated costs
• Obtaining discovery of adjustor notes, evaluation reports, corporate emails, and previous similar claims filed against the insurance company
• Effectively negotiating for full compensation plus other damages Pennsylvania insurance fraud laws allow for
• Litigating if necessary
• Protecting your rights

FAQs

How to Prove an Insurance Company Acted in Bad Faith?

To prove an insurance company acted in bad faith, an experienced insurance fraud lawyer can present your case that the insurer acted in a way that resulted in a denied, delayed, or undervalued payment for your claim. Evidence that shows the provider ignored evidence in support of your claim, refused to communicate, or severely underpaid your claim is necessary for these types of cases. An attorney can gather evidence necessary to support your insurance fraud case.

What to Do When Insurance Lowballs You in Pennsylvania?

When an insurance company lowballs you, do not accept the offer, and do not sign a release. Rather, in writing, formally reject the offer and request that the insurer send you a justification in detail explaining why they offered the amount.

Submit a counteroffer with supporting evidence that shows damages and losses, as well as estimates, invoices, receipts, photographs, and anything that shows losses. Call a PA insurance fraud attorney if you do not get positive results.

What Is the 80% Rule in Insurance?

The 80% rule in insurance refers to a clause in some homeowners’ insurance policies that requires policyholders to maintain insurance coverage for at least 80% of the total replacement cost for their home. This amount of coverage is required for a full payment for partial losses. Otherwise, the insurance company only pays a portion of a homeowner’s property damage claim.

Can You Sue an Insurance Company for Fraud?

Yes, you can sue an insurance company for fraud. If the insurer acted in bad faith by undervaluing your property claim, wrongfully denied your claim, or delayed payment for no reason, you can file a claim against them. An insurance fraud lawyer can help you seek damages, such as adequate compensation, interest, legal costs, and possibly punitive damages.

Connect With a Pittsburgh Insurance Fraud Lawyer With Insurance Fraud Claim Experience

If you were offered an undervalued insurance claim settlement or your valid claim was unjustifiably denied altogether, you have everything to gain by discussing your case with an aggressive Pittsburgh insurance fraud attorney. Ryan R. Smith Law Offices has the experience and resources you need to get valid payment from your insurer. Contact our office to discuss how we can legally help you get an adequate settlement for your claim.