After an accident or personal injury, you expect the insurance company to evaluate your claim fairly and follow Rhode Island law. Unfortunately, many injured people discover the opposite: delays, lowball offers, or unexplained denials that make recovery even harder. When an insurer acts dishonestly or unreasonably, it may be committing insurance bad faith, a serious violation that can significantly impact your case.
Knowing how to recognize these tactics—and understanding your rights—can protect your claim and help you secure the compensation you deserve. With guidance from an experienced personal injury attorney in Rhode Island, you don’t have to face the insurance company alone. To learn more about injury cases in general, you can explore Injury Law for an overview of your rights.
What Is Insurance Bad Faith?
Insurance bad faith occurs when an insurance company fails to handle a claim with fairness, transparency, or honesty. While insurers are allowed to investigate claims, they must do so reasonably. When they avoid paying a valid claim, delay without cause, or misinterpret their own policy language, they may be acting in bad faith.
Bad faith can affect any type of injury case—from auto collisions to workplace injuries. If your injuries were caused in a crash, you may find additional helpful information in our Car Accident section.
Common Bad-Faith Tactics Used by Insurance Companies
Insurance companies will rarely admit to bad faith. Instead, their actions often appear subtle or routine until you realize they follow a pattern. Here are the most common warning signs:
Unreasonable Delays
Repeated requests for documents, lost files, slow responses, or vague “investigations” may indicate an intentional delay tactic.
Lowball Settlement Offers
Insurers may offer far less than the true value of your medical bills, lost wages, and long-term injuries, hoping financial pressure forces you to accept.
Denying a Claim Without a Valid Reason
Every denial must include a clear explanation. If not, it may signal improper handling of your claim.
Misrepresenting Policy Language
Some adjusters falsely claim coverage doesn’t apply or interpret the policy in a way that hurts the injured person.
Failing to Investigate the Claim
If the insurer denies your claim without reviewing evidence, speaking to witnesses, or examining medical records, it may be acting in bad faith.
If you’ve experienced any of these issues, speaking with an attorney is important.
How Bad Faith Can Harm an Injury Victim
Bad-faith practices don’t just create frustration—they can jeopardize your recovery. Delayed or denied claims can:
- Prevent you from getting timely medical care
- Increase financial strain
- Create uncertainty about long-term treatment
- Pressure you into accepting less than you deserve
You don’t have to face this alone. To see how our firm has helped others push back against unfair insurers, you can read our Testimonials or browse our Case Results.
Your Rights Under Rhode Island Law
Rhode Island requires insurers to treat claimants fairly and prohibits deceptive or unreasonable claims practices. If an insurer violates this duty, you may be entitled to additional compensation beyond the value of your injury claim.
Depending on the circumstances, victims of bad faith may recover:
- Compensation for the full value of the underlying claim
- Damages caused by delays or denial
- Attorney’s fees
- In some cases, punitive damages
An attorney can review your situation and determine whether the insurer’s conduct amounts to bad faith.
What to Do If You Suspect Insurance Bad Faith
You can take several important steps to protect yourself:
Keep All Documentation
Save emails, letters, medical bills, estimates, and notes from phone calls. This helps your attorney identify patterns of bad faith.
Continue Medical Treatment
Do not stop treatment, even when the insurer delays payment. Gaps in care can weaken your claim.
Avoid Handling Negotiations Alone
Adjusters may pressure you into statements or settlements that harm your case. Direct communication through your attorney protects you from mistakes.
Contact an Attorney Early
A knowledgeable lawyer can stop improper behavior quickly and ensure your claim is handled correctly. Injuries that occur on the job, for example, may require reviewing the rules under Workers’ Compensation if your claim involves workplace insurance issues.
How Almagno Law Holds Insurance Companies Accountable
At Almagno Law, we understand how to identify and challenge insurance bad faith. Our team
- Reviews all claim documents for evidence of wrongdoing
- Demands proper investigation and fair valuation
- Negotiates aggressively with adjusters
- Pursues additional damages when bad faith is proven
- Guides clients through each step with clear communication
To learn more about our experience, visit our About page. You can also explore more legal resources in our Blog or reach out through our Contact page to schedule a consultation.
Do You Have a Bad-Faith Case?
You may have a valid bad-faith claim if the insurer:
- Delays your claim without explanation
- Denies your claim unfairly
- Offers an unreasonable settlement
- Misrepresents policy terms
- Fails to investigate properly
If something feels wrong, it’s worth having a legal professional review your situation.
Conclusion
Insurance companies are legally required to act in good faith when handling injury claims. When they delay, deny, or undervalue valid claims, they can cause significant harm to injured Rhode Islanders. Recognizing these warning signs is the first step toward protecting your rights. The next step is speaking with a skilled personal injury attorney in Rhode Island who can challenge these tactics and ensure your claim is treated fairly.
If you believe you’re experiencing insurance bad faith, learn more through Injury Law or reach out through our Contact page to speak with Almagno Law today.
Legal Disclaimer
This blog and the information contained on this website are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Reading this blog does not create an attorney-client relationship with Almagno Law or any of its attorneys. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.
