We can help you get a larger settlement for your insurance claim

A: Sometimes it’s difficult to tell, but they sure do. You will find plenty at the Department of Financial Services web site, www.fldfs.com. Here’s a section of the law we really like:

Title XXXVII Chapter 626 INSURANCE FIELD REPRESENTATIVES AND INSURANCE OPERATIONS View Entire Chapter 626.9541 Unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices defined.– (1) UNFAIR METHODS OF COMPETITION AND UNFAIR OR DECEPTIVE ACTS.–The following are defined as unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices:

(i) Unfair claim settlement practices.
1. Attempting to settle claims on the basis of an application, when serving as a binder or intended to become a part of the policy, or any other material document which was altered without notice to, or knowledge or consent of, the insured;
2. A material misrepresentation made to an insured or any other person having an interest in the proceeds payable under such contract or policy, for the purpose and with the intent of effecting settlement of such claims, loss, or damage under such contract or policy on less favorable terms than those provided in, and contemplated by, such contract or policy; or
3. Committing or performing with such frequency as to indicate a general business practice any of the following:
a. Failing to adopt and implement standards for the proper investigation of claims;
b. Misrepresenting pertinent facts or insurance policy provisions relating to coverages at issue;
c. Failing to acknowledge and act promptly upon communications with respect to claims;
d. Denying claims without conducting reasonable investigations based upon available information;
e. Failing to affirm or deny full or partial coverage of claims, and, as to partial coverage, the dollar amount or extent of coverage, or failing to provide a written statement that the claim is being investigated, upon the written request of the insured within 30 days after proof-of-loss statements have been completed;
f. Failing to promptly provide a reasonable explanation in writing to the insured of the basis in the insurance policy, in relation to the facts or applicable law, for denial of a claim or for the offer of a compromise settlement;
g. Failing to promptly notify the insured of any additional information necessary for the processing of a claim; or
h. Failing to clearly explain the nature of the requested information and the reasons why such information is necessary.
(j) Failure to maintain complaint-handling procedures.—
Failure of any person to maintain a complete record of all the complaints received since the date of the last examination. For purposes of this paragraph, “complaint” means any written communication primarily expressing a grievance.