Reviews Backed by Real Results
Our reviews don't stand alone. See the actual settlements behind the client experiences described above.
- $1,300,000 — Auto accident, Bronx, NY (spinal surgery)
- $1,100,000 — Auto accident, Ocean County, NJ (spinal surgery)
- $1,000,000 — Closed head injury, New York County
When the Company That Owes You a Payout Becomes the Problem
Insurance companies collect premiums with a promise: when something goes wrong, they will be there. When a serious accident turns that promise into a denied claim, a delayed payout, or a lowball offer designed to make you give up, that is not a business disagreement — it may be insurance bad faith. As an insurance bad faith lawyer near you, we hold carriers accountable when they break the rules they agreed to follow.
What Insurance Bad Faith Actually Looks Like
Bad faith is not simply a dispute over how much your claim is worth. It is a pattern of conduct by an insurer that crosses the line from aggressive negotiation into unlawful treatment of a policyholder or a third-party claimant. Common forms include:
- Denying a valid claim without a legitimate reason or without conducting a proper investigation
- Unreasonably delaying a coverage decision or payment after liability is clear
- Offering a settlement so far below the actual value of the claim that no reasonable insurer would make it
- Misrepresenting policy language to avoid paying what is owed
- Failing to respond to communications within the timeframes required by law
- Pressuring an injured person to accept a fast settlement before the full extent of their injuries is known
If you have experienced any of these, you may have a bad faith claim on top of your underlying personal injury case.
Why Insurance Bad Faith Cases Require a Different Kind of Lawyer
A standard personal injury claim focuses on proving what happened and what it cost you. An insurance bad faith case adds a second layer: proving that the insurer's conduct was unreasonable, and in some cases, intentional. That requires a lawyer who understands both personal injury litigation and the obligations insurers carry under New York and New Jersey law.
At IJA Law Group, we have built cases from both sides of that equation. We know how carriers document their claim files, how adjusters are trained to minimize exposure, and where the paper trail reveals conduct that cannot be defended. We bring that knowledge to every bad faith matter we handle.
What You Can Recover in a Bad Faith Claim
When an insurer acts in bad faith, the damages available to you may go beyond what you would have recovered on the underlying claim alone. Depending on the facts and the applicable state law, recovery may include:
- The full value of the original claim the insurer wrongfully denied or delayed
- Consequential damages caused by the denial — financial harm you suffered because the payment was withheld
- Attorney's fees and litigation costs in certain cases
- Punitive damages where the insurer's conduct was particularly egregious or systematic
New York and New Jersey each have their own frameworks governing insurer obligations and bad faith liability. Our team knows both, and we assess which avenue gives you the strongest position before a single demand letter goes out.
Answers to Common Questions About Insurance Bad Faith
What is the difference between a low settlement offer and insurance bad faith?
A low offer alone is not necessarily bad faith — insurers are allowed to negotiate. Bad faith occurs when an insurer denies, delays, or undervalues a claim without a reasonable basis, or when it engages in conduct designed to prevent you from receiving what you are owed. The distinction often comes down to the insurer's internal conduct and documentation, which is why having an attorney review your file matters.A low offer alone is not necessarily bad faith — insurers are allowed to negotiate. Bad faith occurs when an insurer denies, delays, or undervalues a claim without a reasonable basis, or when it engages in conduct designed to prevent you from receiving what you are owed. The distinction often comes down to the insurer's internal conduct and documentation, which is why having an attorney review your file matters.Can I file a bad faith claim against my own insurance company?
Yes. Bad faith claims can arise from first-party coverage — your own auto, homeowner's, or underinsured motorist policy — as well as from third-party liability situations. If your own carrier is dragging its feet on a legitimate UM/UIM claim or denying coverage it should be providing, that conduct can support a bad faith action.Yes. Bad faith claims can arise from first-party coverage — your own auto, homeowner's, or underinsured motorist policy — as well as from third-party liability situations. If your own carrier is dragging its feet on a legitimate UM/UIM claim or denying coverage it should be providing, that conduct can support a bad faith action.How long do I have to bring an insurance bad faith claim in New York or New Jersey?
Statutes of limitations vary depending on the type of claim, the policy involved, and which state's law applies. In New York, contract-based claims generally carry a six-year window, while tort-based bad faith claims may be subject to a shorter period. New Jersey has its own framework. Because these deadlines can be shorter than they appear and because the clock may start at a different point than you expect, contacting an attorney as soon as you suspect bad faith is critical.Statutes of limitations vary depending on the type of claim, the policy involved, and which state's law applies. In New York, contract-based claims generally carry a six-year window, while tort-based bad faith claims may be subject to a shorter period. New Jersey has its own framework. Because these deadlines can be shorter than they appear and because the clock may start at a different point than you expect, contacting an attorney as soon as you suspect bad faith is critical.Does pursuing a bad faith claim affect my underlying personal injury case?
The two claims are legally distinct, but they are often connected in practice. Resolving the underlying personal injury case may affect the bad faith claim depending on how and when the settlement occurs. An attorney who handles both simultaneously can structure the resolution to preserve your rights on both fronts — which is exactly how we approach these cases.The two claims are legally distinct, but they are often connected in practice. Resolving the underlying personal injury case may affect the bad faith claim depending on how and when the settlement occurs. An attorney who handles both simultaneously can structure the resolution to preserve your rights on both fronts — which is exactly how we approach these cases.What should I save if I think my insurer is acting in bad faith?
Keep every piece of communication from your insurer — letters, emails, texts, voicemails, and claim portal messages. Document every phone call with the date, time, and name of the representative. Save all denial letters, reservation-of-rights letters, and any written explanations of coverage decisions. This documentation becomes the foundation of a bad faith case, and gaps in the record work against you.Keep every piece of communication from your insurer — letters, emails, texts, voicemails, and claim portal messages. Document every phone call with the date, time, and name of the representative. Save all denial letters, reservation-of-rights letters, and any written explanations of coverage decisions. This documentation becomes the foundation of a bad faith case, and gaps in the record work against you.
Serving Clients Across the NYC Metro Area and Northern New Jersey
IJA Law Group represents clients in insurance bad faith matters throughout the region. Our White Plains office serves as our base, and we handle cases across the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Nyack in New York, as well as Essex County, Bergen County, and Hudson County in New Jersey. If your insurer is based elsewhere but your claim arose in our service area, we can evaluate your options.
When an insurance company refuses to honor what it owes you, you need a lawyer who will not let that stand. Contact IJA Law Group to have your situation reviewed by an attorney who will give you a direct answer — not a form letter.
Serving White Plains, the Bronx, Queens, New York County, Nyack, and northern New Jersey, including, but not limited to Essex County, Bergen County, Hudson County. Free consultations. Spanish-speaking service available.
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