City and County of Broomfield · Insurance bad faith
Broomfield Insurance Bad Faith Lawyers
Broomfield insurer unreasonably denying or delaying your claim? We investigate and hold them accountable.
What is Insurance Bad Faith?
Bad faith can occur when an insurance company fails to investigate your claim properly, delays payment without justification, or denies a claim that falls clearly within the policy's terms. In Broomfield and across Colorado, insurers must act in good faith when evaluating first-party claims, including those for uninsured or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage after a collision on U.S. Highway 36, 120th Avenue, or elsewhere in the City and County of Broomfield.
We focus on cases where an insurer's conduct goes beyond a simple coverage dispute. If your claim was delayed for weeks or months without explanation, denied based on an incomplete investigation, or paid at a fraction of its true value, we analyze the policy language, the insurer's communications, internal evaluations, and the full claims timeline to determine whether bad faith occurred.
How We Build Your Bad Faith Case
Discovery in a bad faith lawsuit reveals the insurer's internal documents: claim file notes, coverage analyses, reserve amounts, recorded statements, and communications with adjusters and medical reviewers. We obtain these records through litigation and compare them to what the insurer told you. Inconsistencies between internal evaluations and the stated reason for denial are often key evidence.
We also examine the handling timeline. Did the insurer request information repeatedly, causing delays? Did it obtain all necessary medical and wage records before making a decision? Did it contact witnesses and police reports from the Broomfield Police Department or local hospitals like UCHealth Broomfield Hospital? By reconstructing the complete claims history, we show whether the insurer's actions fell below the standard of reasonable care required under Colorado law.
Local investigations may involve Broomfield Police Department, policies covering Broomfield residents and disputes that may proceed in Broomfield Combined Courts.
Gather and preserve these items to support an insurance bad faith claim:
- The complete insurance policy and all policy amendments or endorsements
- Your original claim submission and the date you submitted it
- All written correspondence from the insurer, including acknowledgment letters, coverage determinations, and denial letters
- Any recorded statements you gave to the insurer or its representatives
- Medical records, bills, and reports related to your claim
- Wage loss documentation or proof of economic loss
- Coverage letters or reserve information from the insurer (obtained through discovery)
- Internal evaluations, claim notes, or adjuster files from the insurer (obtained through litigation)
- Payment records showing what was paid, when, and how much
- A complete timeline of all claim-handling events—dates you called, what you were told, when responses arrived
- Any correspondence with the Broomfield Police Department or UCHealth Broomfield Hospital if the claim arose from an accident or injury
- Communications showing the insurer's stated reason for any delay or denial
- Evidence of unreasonable delay (such as months without response or action)
- Any communications with the insurer's counsel or settlement discussions
Store originals and provide copies to your attorney. Do not alter or discard documents.
Medical Evidence and Damage Documentation
In UIM claims and other first-party disputes, medical records from UCHealth Broomfield Hospital, wage loss statements, repair estimates, and other supporting documents form the foundation of the claim's value. We work with medical and vocational experts to establish the full extent of your injuries and economic losses, which the insurer should have considered during evaluation.
If the insurer failed to obtain key medical records, mischaracterized your injuries, or applied arbitrary discount factors without justification, those failures become part of the bad faith claim itself. We document every submission you made and every response—or lack of response—from the insurer to show how mishandling harmed your claim.
Official Broomfield hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Examples of Bad Faith Damages Available in Broomfield
- The full amount wrongfully withheld, delayed, or underpaid under the policy
- Interest on the unpaid or underpaid benefit from the date it should have been paid
- Emotional distress and mental anguish caused by wrongful denial or delay
- Punitive damages if the insurer's conduct was reckless or intentional
- Your reasonable attorney fees and litigation costs
These claims are filed in the Broomfield Combined Courts, and Colorado law allows recovery beyond the policy limit when the insurer's conduct is severe enough to warrant punitive damages.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Broomfield — and read client testimonials.
After I was hit by a drunk driver with no insurance, my own insurer refused UM benefits. McCormick & Murphy sued for uninsured motorist benefits and bad faith. A jury awarded me over $900,000.
C. O., Denver · UM / bad-faith verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Broomfield Insurance bad faith FAQ
What is insurance bad faith, and how does it apply to my Broomfield claim?
Bad faith can occur when an insurer fails to evaluate a claim fairly and promptly or denies a claim without a reasonable basis. Colorado law requires insurers to handle first-party claims (claims you make against your own policy) in good faith. If an insurer unreasonably delays payment, denies coverage without proper investigation, or underpays a valid claim, it may be liable for bad faith. We analyze the policy language, the insurer's investigation steps, internal documents from discovery, and the timeline of handling to identify whether the insurer's conduct was unreasonable.
How much time do I have to file a bad faith claim in Colorado?
Insurance deadlines depend on the specific policy terms, the type of benefit (medical, uninsured motorist, disability), the insurer's own conduct, and the legal claims available. Some policies set short claim-filing deadlines; others do not. Colorado law also sets statutory timeframes for certain claims. The key is to preserve your complete claim-handling timeline—every date, call, submission, and response—and obtain a case-specific review of your deadlines. Contact us promptly so we can review your policy and claim history and advise you on applicable deadlines and claims.
What evidence do I need to prove bad faith?
You must show: (1) a valid insurance policy and covered benefit; (2) a properly submitted claim; (3) the insurer's investigation and the stated basis for any delay or denial; (4) that the delay or denial was unreasonable; and (5) damages caused by the bad faith. This means we need the policy itself, your entire claim file, all correspondence, the insurer's internal evaluations and reserves (from discovery), proof of what you claimed and when, and documentation of any loss—medical bills, wages, or other harm—caused by the denial or delay. The complete timeline is critical.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge for bad faith cases?
McCormick & Murphy handles insurance bad faith claims on a contingency fee basis. That means we earn an attorney fee only if your case is settled or wins at trial. You pay nothing out of pocket unless we recover money for you. Advanced case costs—such as court filing fees, expert reports, or discovery expenses—are separate from the attorney fee and are discussed with you upfront. This arrangement allows you to pursue a claim without worrying about legal fees while we work toward recovery.
How do I report an insurer's bad faith conduct to authorities in Broomfield?
Bad faith claims are typically resolved through litigation, but you may also file a complaint with the Colorado Division of Insurance, which oversees insurer conduct statewide. If your claim involves a vehicle accident or injury that involved the Broomfield Police Department, those records may be relevant to your bad faith claim. Your attorney can advise whether regulatory complaints are appropriate for your situation. The primary remedy, however, is a lawsuit in Broomfield Combined Courts, where we can recover damages for the insurer's unreasonable conduct.
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