Montana Insurance Coverage Lawyers

Insurance claims can be tricky in Montana, especially since Montana has unique laws imposing duties on insurance companies that may not exist in other states. Insurance law is far more nuanced than simply filing a claim and waiting to see if the insurance company agrees to compensate the individual who filed the claim. 

In some instances, an insurance company may have a duty to defend its insured client against a claim by providing a Montana insurance lawyer. In other circumstances, the insurance company may even have a duty to pay certain portions of claims before the dispute is settled. However, before settlement offers and investigations can begin, the first step to any claim is a complex analysis of whether insurance coverage exists. 

If you intend to file an insurance claim. It’s wise to consider insurance issues from the start and hire a trusted and experienced Montana insurance claim attorney. Whether you are facing coverage disputes or bad faith issues, an experienced attorney has the knowledge and skills to help ensure a successful outcome.

Insurance Coverage in Montana

Whether you have a right to insurance benefits depends on what your policy says. However, the policy is a boilerplate contract written by the insurance company. For that reason, there are rules of interpretation that benefit the consumer. If any terms in the policy are ambiguous, then the ambiguity must be resolved in favor of the consumer and against the insurance company. A term is ambiguous if it can have more than one reasonable meaning to an average consumer.

Furthermore, exclusions and other words of limitation must be construed strictly and narrowly. If the insurer wants to exclude something from coverage, they must be precise in their policy language. Additionally, if a consumer has to hire an insurance claim lawyer in Montana to get the benefits they were entitled to, the insurance company will ordinarily be required to pay for the consumer's legal fees and costs. 

Do You Need a Montana Lawyer for an Insurance Claim?

In addition to the rules that govern insurance policy construction and interpretation, Montana law provides rules that govern how insurance companies handle claims. For example, insurance companies cannot deny claims until they have conducted a reasonable investigation. The insurance company may not misrepresent facts or policy provisions. And claims must be paid promptly, fairly, and equitably when it is reasonably clear that the claim is supposed to be paid. These are just a few of the rules designed to protect insurance consumers. When insurance companies break these rules, they can be sued for the damages caused by the violation. 

Many people expect that they will get a fair settlement or insurance benefit if they have paid their premium, cooperate with insurance adjusters, and follow the requirements for filing a claim. However, that is not always the case. Insurance companies may offer low settlements or deny the claim entirely. Seeking legal help before dealing with the insurance company can protect your rights to fair compensation. As a policyholder, you are entitled to a fair settlement. When the insurance company fails to investigate honestly or refuses to pay a clearly covered claim, it’s known as acting in bad faith. Tactics that may indicate the insurance company is behaving in bad faith include:

• Delaying payments

• Ignoring the person making the claim

• Misleading policyholders regarding their policy coverage

• Offering significantly less than the claim’s worth

• Requiring an excessive amount of claims processing paperwork

• Interpreting the language of the contact in an unreasonable manner

• Failing to provide a good reason for claim denial

A skilled Montana insurance attorney can determine whether the insurer is using faulty insurance tactics and take action to help you get the appropriate compensation for your claim. At Morrison, Sherwood, Wilson, & Deola, PLLP (MSWD), we have the expertise, experience, and resources to help you take actions against an insurance company acting in bad faith.

The Three Kind of Insurance Disputes MSWD Handles

Many types of insurance disputes may arise when dealing with insurance companies. At Morrison, Sherwood, Wilson, & Deola, PLLP we can help with the following types of insurance disputes:

• When a health insurance company refuses to pay medical expenses

• When a disability insurance company refuses to pay or cuts off disability benefits

• When a homeowner’s insurance company refuses to pay for fire loss or other property damage

• When a business insurance company refuses to pay for losses to the business

• When a life insurance company refuses to pay after someone dies

• When a person is in an accident and the liability insurance company of a negligent driver refuses to make payments for medical expenses, wage loss or other damages

• When a person or business is sued and their own liability insurance company refuses to defend them

People trust their insurance to be there when bad things happen; that’s why they buy insurance coverage. When insurance companies start to put their own interest above their policyholders, it can significantly impact the lives of those who depend on their insurance to protect them. Insurance and insurance law is complicated.  Insurance companies shouldn’t take advantage of the fact that their policyholders are not insurance experts, but they often do. If you intend to file an insurance claim or are dealing with an insurance dispute, contact our Montana insurance claim attorneys at MSWD. We can help make sure you get what you paid for and hold your insurance company accountable when it acts in bad faith. 

Montana Insurance Coverage Lawyer at Morrison Sherwood Wilson Deola 

Morrison, Sherwood, Wilson, & Deola, PLLP has a long history of protecting the rights of everyday Montana residents. We believe those who have been wrongfully injured should be fairly compensated. Insurance companies should treat people fairly and provide them with the compensation they are owed. At Morrison, Sherwood, Wilson, & Deola, PLLP, we know that dealing with insurance companies on your own can be challenging, which is why we are here to help. Our law firm is determined to help you protect your rights and pursue the fair and just compensation you deserve. MSWD is here to help. Schedule a consultation at (406) 442-3261 or fill out our contact form.