Myrtle Beach Bad Faith Insurance Attorney Conway Insurance Lawyer When Claims are Denied or Delayed - 22 Years Experience

What is a insurance bad faith?

Insurance bad faith is when an insurance company unreasonably denies or delays the payment of a valid claim. In 1983, the South Carolina Supreme Court recognized that in an insurance contract, there is an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Shortly after the court recognized this action, Dirk Derrick brought his first bad faith action while representing an older gentleman who had purchased a farmer's disability policy years before. The farmer had become disabled and a national insurance company out of Illinois, flew an adjuster down to South Carolina to try to buy back his policy so they didn't have to pay benefits. In doing so, the adjuster lied to the farmer about his benefits terminating. After a lawsuit was filed, Dirk Derrick flew to the the insurance company's home office in Chicago, Illinois and found a document that proved the adjuster was intentionally lying, not just making a mistake. Because of that document, the offer to settle went from $50,000.00 to $500,000.00. The case settled the day the trial was scheduled to start.

Another farmer victim of the same adjuster came in to speak with Dirk Derrick. When the insurance company would not pay the same settlement amount, the case was tried before a jury in Horry County and the farmer received a verdict of $39,000.00 in actual damages and $500,000.00 in punitive damages.

Another example of a bad faith verdic t obtained by Dirk Derrick involved a case against Lloyd's of London for denying a fire loss claim without justification. In that case, Lloyd's of London actually sued Dirk's client before they were sued. During the discovery phase, a document was found from Lloyd's local agent who acknowledged no justification to deny the claim and suggested Lloyd's sue first to obtain a favorable position at trial.

Bad faith claims arise from a number of situations, but it usually involves the victim paying premiums for years, and then the insurance company wrongfully denying benefits when they become due.

What can I do?

If you feel that your insurance company isn't granting you the benefits you deserve or is trying to terminate your policy without reason or have another insurance concern, contact The Derrick Law Firm. With offices located in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach and Conway, Dirk Derrick will be your personal attorney who will try his best to get you the benefits you are entitled.

The Derrick Law Firm is located in Conway, the county seat and the location of the Horry County Courthouse. Mr. Derrick serves clients throughout Horry County including those from Myrtle Beach, Cherry Grove Beach, Little River, North Myrtle Beach, Atlantic Beach, Surfside Beach, Garden City, Carolina Forest, Loris, and Aynor. The Derrick Law Firm also accepts cases from surrounding counties including Georgetown, Georgetown County, Marion, Mullins, Pawley's Island, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach, Florence, and Dillon. A substantial part of our practice is representing visitors to our area from other states.

Library for Denied / Delayed Insurance Claims:

What can you do to protect yourself against insurance company tactics?
Description: What you can do to protect yourself from insurance company tactics: appealing a denial, putting everything in writing, and not giving up.
Canceling for a Call
Description: Insurance companies can document your phone calls and later treat them as a claim.
Abandoning the Sick
Description: Insurance companies can cancel an individual's insurance when they need it most -- when they become seriously ill.
Discriminating by Credit Score
Description: Many people find themselves in financial crises that damage their credit score through no fault of their own and insurance companies may use this against them.
Confusing Consumers
Description: Insurance companies can convince customers that the policy they are buying covers everything, but when a claim is made can claim that nothing is covered.
Delaying Until Death
Description: Insurance companies can deny or delay claims long enough knowing the claimant will eventually give up.
Denying Claims
Description: Summary of the tactics used by insurance companies to deny and delay claims to increase their own profits.

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Case Results for Denied / Delayed Insurance Claims:

Insurance company lies to a farmer and then stops his benefits

Awarded: "$539,000"

Insurance company lies to farmer about benefits

Awarded: "$330,000"

Logger wins bad faith insurance verdict versus LLoyd's of London

Awarded: "$160,000"

Videos about Denied / Delayed Insurance Claims:

Consumer Guides

The Truth About Your South Carolina Injury Claim

The Truth About Your Social Security Disability Claim

The Truth About Your South Carolina Workers' Compensation Claim

Guide to Buying Car Insurance in South Carolina

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Contact Form

The Derrick Law Firm
802 Main Street
Conway, SC 29526
Phone: 843-484-0707
Toll Free: 800-704-5412

Get Directions

The Derrick Law Firm
Grand Strand Business Ctr
1293 Professional Dr, Ste D
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Phone: 843-248-7486
Fax: 843-248-7510

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The Derrick Law Firm
North Myrtle Beach Business Ctr
1019 Hwy 17 South
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Phone: 843-248-7486
Fax: 843-248-7510

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Video Library

Denied / Delayed Insurance Claims: