Educated Guidance And Counsel For Victims Of Bad Faith Insurance
Wisconsinites are honest, earnest, hardworking people. They look out for their neighbors and are willing to lend a helping hand. Sadly, many insurance companies in the state don’t uphold those same values. Many don’t adequately compensate their policyholders when they face a serious emergency.
It is easy to feel let down and tricked when your insurer promises to help you but refuses to cover the damages. However, bad faith insurance practices are illegal in Wisconsin, and there are ways to push back against these types of practices. With over 50 years of combined experience in the insurance industry, our lawyers at MGW Law know how to identify bad faith practices and hold insurers accountable.
Wisconsin’s Legal Framework For Bad Faith Practices
Wisconsin takes a tort-based approach to bad faith insurance. Under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA), it is illegal for businesses in the state to mislead customers about their products or services. If a business violates these rules, it could face civil forfeiture and have to pay thousands of dollars in fines in addition to plaintiff damages.
Wisconsin also sets clear business practice guidelines for insurance companies to hold them to a high standard when serving their customers. For example, insurers must adhere to a 60-day decision period and conduct proper claim investigations. If they don’t, they could face penalties.
How The State Monitors And Regulates Insurers
The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance is the state agency that oversees the insurance industry and its practices. Filing a complaint with the office can help build your case against the insurance company. We can help you with filing to ensure everything is complete and accurate. That way, you can make solid progress in holding the insurance company accountable.
Available Remedies For Bad Faith Insurance In Wisconsin
Since Wisconsin operates on a tort-based system for bad faith insurance practices, legal remedies can vary depending on the specifics of your situation. Here are a few examples of remedies you may be able to obtain compensation for:
- Punitive damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to collect compensation beyond the compensation your insurer pays you for your claim.
You Don’t Have To Navigate Complex Insurance Laws Alone
Bad faith insurance rules in Wisconsin can be vague, complex and ever-changing. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Fortunately, you don’t have to try and figure everything out alone. With our years of experience in Wisconsin insurance law, we are here to help. Call our Manitowoc-based office at 920-383-3911 or visit our contact page to schedule an initial consultation. No matter who you are or what part of Wisconsin you live in, we are here to help you with your most complex bad faith insurance needs.