Tornado Insurance Denial in Oklahoma May Qualify as Bad Faith

Tornado Insurance Denial in Oklahoma May Qualify as Bad Faith

Homeowners whose houses were destroyed by the recent tornadoes in the Oklahoma City area may be having problems with their insurance providers, especially if the insurance carrier is Allstate.  According to a story in Crain's Chicago Business, under a program launched in October 2011, Allstate will pay only the actual cash value of a roof that needs to be replaced if the roof is more than 10 years old.  Basically, if a homeowner with Allstate insurance needs a new roof -- which very likely includes the majority of the homes recently damaged -- they will have to cover the cost above the depreciated value of the roof under the House & Home program. Because this policy is different from how roof damage was previously handled, a homeowner may find themselves literally without a roof over their head.  It is possible that homeowners with this problem may have a bad faith issue with their insurance company.

Insurance bad faith refers to the failure of an insurance company to provide coverage for a legitimate claim filed by one of its insured policy holders.  Bad faith can take many forms and can occur at any stage of the claim review and payment process.  Insured people can sue an insurance company that acts in bad faith.

Read a related story in Crain's Chicago Business:  Allstate looks to make homeowners pay more for roof repairs If you are having problems that you feel are because your insurance company is not honoring its contract with you, then you should talk with a law firm that has experience with bad faith and insurance denial.  The insurance bad faith lawyers at Carr & Carr Attorneys  can help you determine your next steps.  When a catastrophe happens, you need someone on your side if you have to battle an insurance company. Contact us using this form