What to Do When Your Insurance Company Refuses to Pay

Is Your Insurance Company Refusing to Pay a Valid Claim?

Have you suffered a covered loss under your insurance policy that the company is refusing to pay? Unfortunately, valid insurance claims are sometimes rejected when an insurance carrier decides to place profit over people. This is not just wrong – it is illegal.

Holding Insurance Companies Responsible for Their Obligations – and Legal Violations


If your claim has been unjustly denied, Angotti & Straface Attorneys at Law is able to provide the effective legal representation and assistance you need to get the optimal results for your case. In addition to providing steadfast litigation for your insurance claim, our firm is able to hold the insurance company fully responsible for any unfair, dishonest, misleading, or otherwise illegal actions uncovered on their part. If our insurance claims legal team finds that your insurance company has acted in violation of any of the statutes they are bound to by law, Angotti & Straface Attorneys at Law will also pursue all available corrective, disciplinary, and punitive legal remedies against them to the maximum extent possible. Insurance companies cringe when they see our firm listed on filings – and they should. We are not afraid to take any of our cases to trial. On the contrary, our legal team always looks forward to the opportunity to secure another trial victory. We never back down.

Why Is My Insurance Carrier Denying My Claim?

Although you are a paying customer, your insurance carrier does not actually work for you. That is to say, your best interests are not the main priority for your insurance company. As a for-profit business, your insurance company’s goal is to accept the premiums you pay and invest this money to maximize the company’s profit. Simply stated, denying payment for claims meets your insurance company’s goal of financial gain. Insurance companies may use several tactics to protect their financial interests at your expense. They may:

1. Deny responsibility for your loss.
2. Make an offer that is far less than your claim is worth.
3. Refuse to speak with you at all.
4. Insist that you immediately provide a recorded statement (NEVER provide a recorded statement without legal representation!)
5. Delay action on your claim (by requesting unnecessary documents and materials).
6. Defend against your valid claim as long as possible .

Is This Legal?

No.

If you have a valid claim for a covered loss, it is not legal for your insurance company to break their contractual obligations and deny your claim for payment.

Learn more about the laws and regulations that govern insurance practices in West Virginia and file a consumer complaint at the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner.

What Can I Do If My Insurance Company Denied My Claim?

If your insurance company has denied your valid claim for compensation for a covered loss, has caused an unreasonable delay in paying your claim, is acting in bad faith, or is otherwise taking action to avoid fulfilling their legal obligation to settle your claim, your only recourse is to fight back. Contact Angotti & Straface Attorneys at Law immediately. We provide effective legal representation for all types of insurance policy coverage disputes.

Personal Injury Claims

Insurance Industry Attorneys and “Independent” Medical Examinations


Your insurance company has its own team of attorneys whose sole purpose is to defend against and minimize payouts on claims. In some cases, including certain workers compensation and personal injury claims, insurance companies hire doctors who they pay to perform controversial “independent medical examinations” (IMEs) to determine whether or not you are ill or injured. Can you guess what the outcome of this examination will be? Despite your actual injuries (and their actual cause) the result of an IME may indicate that you are healthy and uninjured or that your illness or injury can be attributed to age or some previous illness or injury. Despite the questionable nature of this practice, it is legal.

Fight Back: Obtain a TRULY Independent Medical Examination



One of the best ways to secure recourse against medical examiners who are selected based on their relationships with insurance companies is to fight fire with fire, so to speak. You may choose to obtain a medical examination that is truly independent. Schedule an exam on the same day as your “independent medical examination” with an experienced medical professional who is known for practicing medicine with integrity – and who is in no way affiliated with the insurance company who is responsible for paying your claim.

Fight Back: Obtain Powerful Legal Representation

Regardless of the type of valid insurance claim that has been denied by your insurance company, the success of your case depends on securing the backing of powerful, competent legal counsel. When challenging a large national insurance carrier, you need a firm with the resources, skill, experience, integrity, temperament, and dedication necessary to provide effective representation. At Angotti & Straface Attorneys at Law, our legal team has aggressively protected the rights of our clients since 1952.

Are you ready to hold your insurance company fully accountable for all of their responsibilities? If so, Angotti & Straface Attorneys at Law is ready to fight on your behalf. Contact Angotti & Straface now: (304) 292-4381.