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(253) 272-5226When you’re the victim of a car accident, you expect to be treated fairly. After all, the crash wasn’t your fault. So, it can feel confusing and frustrating when the insurance company makes it hard for you to get the compensation you deserve.
Let’s look at five signs your insurance company might not be negotiating in good faith.
It’s important to know your rights during the insurance claims process. In Washington State, insurance companies have a legal duty to act in good faith and deal fairly with policyholders.
RCW 48.30.010 prohibits unfair or deceptive practices by insurance companies. This includes misrepresenting policy provisions, failing to promptly communicate, or offering unfair settlements.
RCW 48.30.015 gives policyholders the right to sue if their insurer acts in bad faith, unfairly denies a claim, or violates specific claims-handling rules.
To recap, insurance companies must:
If your insurance company violates these duties, you may have the right to pursue a bad faith claim in court.
One common tactic insurance companies use is to delay the process. They might take a long time to return your calls or answer your questions. They may also be slow to provide information or updates about your claim.
So, why would they do this? Delays help the insurance company in several ways. The longer they wait, the longer they keep their money. They may also hope you’ll get frustrated and give up or accept a low offer just to move on.
Worse, insurance companies know that injury claims have time limits. If they can drag things out long enough, you might miss the deadline to take legal action.
Another bad faith tactic is when the insurance company lies about what your policy covers. They might tell you that your accident or injuries aren’t included, even if they are.
This works in their favor if you don’t fully understand your policy. In some cases, they may twist the wording or ignore key details. They’re counting on you to trust them without asking questions.
Tip: If something doesn’t sound right, ask for the exact policy language in writing. Better yet, speak to a personal injury lawyer who can review your coverage with you.
Some insurance companies try to shift the blame for the accident onto you. If they succeed, they can reduce or deny your claim entirely.
They may use tricky questions or act like they’re on your side, trying to get you to say something they can use against you. That’s why we always tell accident victims: never give a recorded statement without legal help. What you say can be taken out of context later.
Insurance companies are supposed to review all the facts when deciding your claim. But in some cases, they may choose to ignore important evidence that proves your side.
For example, you might have dash cam footage showing the other driver ran a red light. But the insurance company could refuse to consider it or say it’s not enough. This kind of behavior shows they aren’t interested in the truth, just in saving money.
One of the clearest signs of bad faith is when the insurance company gives you a very low offer. Sometimes, it’s so low it feels like an insult.
They’re hoping you don’t realize what your claim is really worth. They may even use pressure tactics, like saying this is your “only chance” or that the offer will disappear soon.
Sadly, we’ve seen victims accept low offers too soon, only to find out later that their injuries are worse than they thought. By then, it’s too late. Once you accept a settlement, you usually can’t ask for more money.
We’ve seen these tactics from insurance companies play out time and time again. That’s why attorney Erik Ladenburg wrote a free eBook called What Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Know.
It’s packed with helpful tips and insights to protect yourself during the claims process.
You can download your free copy by filling out the short form on our website. It’s a quick read that could make a big difference.
A personal injury lawyer can be your voice when you’re up against an insurance company that’s acting unfairly. At Ladenburg Law, we deal with these bad faith tactics every day. We know what to watch for, and how to fight back.
In fact, the sooner you get a lawyer involved, the better. We can help protect your rights from the start, gather strong evidence, and make sure the insurance company plays by the rules.
The team at Ladenburg Law Injury Attorneys has been helping accident victims for decades. We know how to handle tough insurance companies, and we’re ready to stand by your side.
There’s no risk to you. Consultations are always free, and we only get paid if we win you a settlement.
Call us today at (253) 272-5226 or fill out the short form on our website. Let’s see how we can help.