If you’ve been in a car accident, you count on your insurance company to stand by you. You expect fair treatment, prompt responses, and the coverage your car insurance policy promised. Unfortunately, too many accident victims discover that instead of acting in good faith, some insurance companies use common bad faith tactics. They also employ unfair strategies to delay or deny rightful compensation.
The truth is, not all insurers act in your best interest. Some engage in bad-faith insurance practices designed to protect their bottom line, not your well-being.
These tactics violate the duty of fair dealing and can lead to a bad-faith lawsuit. Under California law and in many other states, policyholders have legal rights when an insurance company acts in bad faith.
Here’s what you need to know about common bad faith tactics, how they impact your car accident claim, and how a strong legal team can protect you.
What Is Insurance Bad Faith?
Insurance bad faith happens when your insurer fails to honor the terms of your insurance contract or intentionally undermines your insurance claim.
It’s more than just poor service—it’s a breach of legal and ethical obligations. These tactics make it harder for you to settle claims, delay the claims process, and often cause financial and emotional strain.
The Most Common Bad Faith Tactics
Here’s a quick rundown of the most common bad faith tactics that often cause plenty of damage to victims.
1. Deliberate Delays in Claim Handling
One of the most widespread bad faith tactics is dragging out your claim for no valid reason. You may have submitted all your medical records, repair invoices, and police reports, but the insurance company fails to act within a reasonable time frame.
This is not a coincidence—it’s often a calculated move to pressure you into accepting a lowball settlement.
Delays like these are not just frustrating—they’re illegal in many jurisdictions, including under California law. You’re entitled to answers and action, not silence.
2. Denials Without Just Cause
It’s heartbreaking when an insurance company denies your claim outright—especially when you know it’s valid. Too often, insurers provide an invalid reason or none at all. They hope you’ll walk away rather than push back. This is a clear sign of insurance bad faith and can open the door to a bad faith lawsuit.
3. Offering Unfairly Low Settlements
Another common tactic? Offering you less than your claim is worth. A low-ball settlement offer might not even cover your medical expenses, let alone lost income, property damage, or pain and suffering. The insurance adjuster might try to convince you it’s the best you’ll get. It’s not.
You have the right to fair compensation. A trusted car accident lawyer can calculate the full value of your claim and challenge any attempt to shortchange you.
4. Twisting Policy Language
Sometimes, insurers selectively quote or misinterpret your insurance policy to avoid paying what they owe. They may claim exclusions that don’t apply or conveniently ignore sections that support your rightful claim.
This type of manipulation is more than just misleading—it’s a deliberate attempt to avoid responsibility and a textbook case of acting in bad faith.
5. Failing to Properly Investigate
A valid claim deserves a full, unbiased review. Yet some insurance companies skip crucial steps or conduct surface-level investigations. When they fail to conduct prompt and thorough investigations, they miss key facts—sometimes intentionally.
A proper investigation includes reviewing damage, talking to witnesses, and examining medical evidence. If your insurer skipped these steps, it may be in violation of your insurance contract and subject to legal action.
6. Using Threats or Intimidation
It’s alarming, but some insurers resort to making threatening statements. Whether it’s suggesting your premiums will skyrocket or hinting at criminal charges, these tactics are designed to scare you into backing down. This behavior is illegal and can strengthen your case in a bad-faith lawsuit.
7. Watching Your Social Media
It’s become standard for insurers to monitor social media posts. A simple picture of you smiling at a birthday party could be twisted to argue your injuries aren’t serious.
While they’re watching for inconsistencies, they often use innocent content out of context. It’s another example of unfair tactics designed to discredit your legitimate claim.
Your Legal Rights as a Policyholder
When you’ve paid for insurance coverage, you deserve protection, not resistance. If your insurance company refuses to honor the policy in a timely and fair way, you’re not powerless. You can file a bad faith lawsuit and seek damages beyond your initial claim, including:
- Compensation for all unpaid medical bills
- Reimbursement of lost wages and lost income
- Additional damages for emotional suffering
- Punitive damages if the behavior was extreme
The law is on your side. You deserve transparency, efficiency, and fairness—not games or excuses.
Why Taking Legal Action Matters
Holding an insurance company accountable sends a clear message: you won’t be manipulated. Legal action helps you get what you’re owed and prevents others from experiencing the same mistreatment. It’s about protecting your future and standing up to unethical insurance industry practices.
A skilled, experienced personal injury lawyer knows how to expose bad faith insurance claims, challenge denials, and push back against deceptive practices. They’ll fight for your rights every step of the way.
How an Attorney Can Help
An experienced car accident lawyer will:
- Review your insurance policy in detail
- Track communication and missed deadlines
- Demand a timely and fair settlement offer
- Collect evidence of misconduct or false tactics
- Represent you in court if needed
From the start, your attorney’s goal is simple: ensure you receive what you’re rightfully owed—and nothing less.
Keep Everything Documented
When dealing with a claim, document everything. Save copies of:
- Emails and phone calls with your insurer
- All communications regarding your insurance claim
- Bills for medical expenses, car repairs, and lost income
- Records of threats, misleading advice, or delays
Solid documentation strengthens your case and helps prove your insurer was acting in bad faith.
Final Thoughts
If your insurance company denies or delays your claim, or if you believe they’ve used any of these bad faith insurance tactics, you don’t have to face it alone. The team at Bourassa Law Group has helped countless clients fight for the justice and compensation they deserve.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Bourassa Law Group
We understand the emotional toll these battles take, and we’re here to guide you through it. Let Bourassa Law Group evaluate your case, identify bad faith conduct, and push for the compensation you’re entitled to—quickly, aggressively, and confidently.
Contact Bourassa Law Group today for a free consultation. We’ll hold the insurance company accountable—and help you move forward with strength and certainty.
1-800-870-8910