San Diego First-Party Insurance Attorney

If you’ve been injured in an accident in San Diego that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. When claiming from your own insurance company, get the help of an experienced first-party insurance claim lawyer. The personal injury attorneys at Hamparyan Law Firm have over 20 years assisting people injured in all types of accidents, including car crashes, slip and falls, dog bites, and more. We have extensive experience dealing with first-party insurance claims against your own auto, health, or disability insurer.

Why Work With a First-Party Insurance/San Diego Bad Faith Insurance Claim Attorney?

After an accident, you’ll likely need to file one or more insurance claims, including claims with your own auto insurer (if the accident involved a vehicle) or health insurer (for treatment related to your injuries). The claims adjusters handling these first-party claims work for the insurance company, not for you. Their goal is to pay as little as possible.

Having an experienced San Diego first-party insurance claim lawyer on your side levels the playing field. At the Hamparyan firm, we deal with claims adjusters every day and know the tactics they use to minimize settlements. We’ll protect your rights through every step of the claims process. 

Call Hamparyan Personal Injury Insurance Attorney for a Free Consultation

If your first-party insurance claim has been denied or you believe the insurer is acting in bad faith, call (619) 550-1355 for a free consultation with our experienced San Diego insurance lawyers. We have helped clients across San Diego County get fair claim settlements.

What is a First-Party Insurance Claim?

A first-party insurance claim is filed by a policyholder against their own insurance company, as opposed to a third-party claim filed against another person’s insurer. Common examples of first-party claims include:

• Health insurance claims for medical treatment or medication costs
• Homeowners insurance claims for property damage or loss
• Auto insurance claims for vehicle repairs or replacement
• Business or commercial insurance claims for lost income, property damage, etc.

The value of a first-party claim depends on the type of policy, damage amount, injuries sustained, and other factors. Getting fair compensation often requires providing documentation, estimates, bills, and proof to justify the claim amount.

Working With a First-Party Bad Faith Insurance Attorney

A first-party bad faith insurance lawyer can assist you through the claims process and improve many aspects of your settlement negotiations. These are some of the beneficial roles of a first-party insurance claim attorney:

• Estimating realistic claim value based on losses
• Navigating complex claim procedures and rules
• Negotiating firmly and knowledgeably with insurers
• Taking legal action if needed to recover owed benefits.

Duties Insurance Companies Owe You in First-Party Claims

Under California law and the implied covenant of fair dealing, insurers must act in good faith in handling insurance claims. Good faith dealing includes these insurer obligations:

Properly Investigate Your Claim

Insurers must gather all relevant information, conduct interviews, obtain needed documents, commission medical exams if applicable, and determine the true value of your loss based on the policy terms and evidence.

Avoid Unnecessary Delays

They must complete investigations and make decisions within a reasonable timeframe. Typical cases resolve in days to months. Lengthy, unreasonable delays may constitute bad faith.

Make Fair Settlement Offers

Lowball offers that don’t reasonably reflect your incurred costs and losses may indicate bad faith, especially if clearly supported by evidence.

Promptly Pay Covered Claims

If your claim is accepted, the insurer must pay immediately or within 30 days. Failure to promptly pay can strengthen a bad faith claim.

Spotting Bad Faith Practices in First-Party Claims

Insurance companies are legally obligated to handle claims in “good faith” but data shows many valid claims in California and San Diego are initially denied or delayed. Watch for these common unreasonable behaviors that could support a lawsuit against your insurer:

• Denying claims without conducting proper investigation
• Delaying decisions for months when paperwork is complete
• Requesting invasive medical exams meant to intimidate
• Ignoring evidence supporting your claim
• Making unreasonably low settlement offers
• Failing to pay insurance coverage limits when clear losses exceed them
• Forcing you to file suit to receive entitled benefits.

These tactics allow insurers to avoid or reduce rightful payouts, even when policyholders have paid premiums for protection. Document all interactions and never accept an unsatisfactory offer until consulting an experienced lawyer. The strength of your bad faith case depends on proper evidence. We at Hamparyan Law Firm can help you gather evidence and build a case, so reach out to us as soon as you can.

Key First-Party Insurance Claim FAQs

What is the first-party insurance claim process?

Effective attorneys use a strategic approach in handling first-party insurance claims. The general process includes:

Step 1: Thorough Investigation

• Collecting police reports, medical records, related bills, and all relevant documentation
• Photographing property damage, injuries, and accident scenes
• Interviewing witnesses
• Consulting with medical experts regarding injuries and treatment.

Step 2: Demand Letter and Negotiations

• Presenting the insurer a demand letter detailing your losses
• Negotiating firmly using evidence and skilled argumentation to reach fair settlement.

Step 3: Litigation When Necessary

• Filing a lawsuit against the insurer if warranted
• Taking the claim to trial before a judge and jury if needed.

What should I do if the insurance company denies my first-party claim?

If your first-party claim gets denied, don’t panic. The first step is requesting a detailed explanation in writing for why your claim was denied. Review this carefully, as sometimes denials occur due to misunderstandings or lack of documentation that can be remedied by providing additional information. If the reasons seem invalid or unreasonable, or if you have provided all relevant proof, consider appealing the denial or consulting our experienced Hamparyan insurance lawyers for advice. 

How long will it take to resolve my first-party insurance claim?

The timeline for resolving a first-party insurance claim can vary greatly depending on factors like claim complexity, extent of damages and injuries, level of documentation provided, and insurer responsiveness. Typically, straightforward claims with clear losses may settle within a few months, while major claims involving extensive property damage, severe injuries, or denial disputes may take six months to a year or longer. Having an experienced lawyer can help expedite legitimate claims and take action if excessive delays occur. Call Hamparyan if your claim is dragging on without reasonable updates or resolution.

Is there a time limit for taking legal action against my insurer?

In California, the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit against an insurance company for bad faith claim handling is two years from the date of denial or bad faith act. However, it’s wise to consult a lawyer much sooner because many cases need timely action.

If you’ve experienced unfair claim delays, denials, or deception, or if you suspect you are a victim of bad faith insurance, all us at (619) 550-1355 for a free case review.

How much is my first-party claim worth?

Estimating the value of a first-party insurance claim depends on the specific policy terms and losses incurred. Key components often include:

• Medical costs from accident injuries
• Lost income and bills due to missed work
• Repair or replacement expenses for damaged property
• Other out-of-pocket costs related to the incident.

An experienced bad faith insurance lawyer can assess all documentation and use past case experience to provide a fair claim valuation and negotiate the maximum justifiable settlement.

Experienced San Diego Attorneys at Hamparyan Law Firm Can Help With Your First-Party Claim

Bad faith insurance practices are unfortunately common when it comes to first-party insurance claims in San Diego. An experienced insurance bad faith attorney from Hamparyan Law Firm can be invaluable in getting fair claim settlements. We know how to counter questionable insurer tactics and make sure policyholders receive the benefits they are entitled to under the terms of the insurance policy. 

When filing a first-party insurance claim, it’s important to understand your rights. San Diego insurance dispute lawyers can help injury victims and homeowners determine if they are facing bad faith delays or denials.

By contacting a lawyer in San Diego specializing in these cases, you can find out if you have grounds for a bad faith lawsuit against the insurer to recover damages. The Hamparyan law firm has a good track record in this field, highly rated by professional bodies like Super Lawyers and Avvo. 

Protecting the rights of policyholders is a priority for us at Hamparyan Law Firm. Our skilled San Diego bad faith attorneys ensure claims are handled properly and that insurers uphold good faith and fair dealing. With our lawyer in your corner, you’ve got a much better chance of a favorable resolution, whether from a settlement or verdict.

Call Our Experienced Bad Faith Insurance Lawyers Today

Don’t let an insurance company give you the runaround on your valid claim. Hamparyan Law Firm will stand up for your rights and fight to recover the maximum claim settlement you deserve. Call us at (619) 550-1355 for a free consultation with a San Diego first-party insurance claim attorney today.

With over 20 years of experience, Hamparyan Law Firm have handled a wide range of complex first-party claims in San Diego and recovered over $100 million for clients. Our aggressive and knowledgeable legal team will fight to get you fair claim compensation. 

We have extensive expertise with denied or disputed claims involving health insurance, homeowners/renters coverage, automobile policies, disability benefits, life insurance, and more. Our firm has earned numerous professional recognitions, including being named the Super Lawyers #1 San Diego Personal Injury Attorney. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for your free consultation.