the City and County of Denver · Insurance bad faith
Denver Insurance Bad Faith Lawyers
Denver insurance bad faith lawyers for delayed, denied, or underpaid claims. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
What Is Insurance Bad Faith?
McCormick & Murphy are Denver insurance bad faith lawyers when an insurer delays, denies, or underpays a valid claim. We review the policy and the claim file, the records from Denver Health, and we file in Denver District Court when the insurer will not pay a fair number.
Bad faith can occur when an insurer fails to handle your claim fairly and promptly, even though the policy clearly covers your loss. Colorado law requires insurers to investigate claims reasonably, communicate their decisions transparently, and pay valid claims without unnecessary delay. When an insurer ignores evidence, misinterprets the policy, or simply stalls without explanation, it breaches its duty to you.
We see bad-faith claims in many contexts across Denver and the surrounding areas—from uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage disputes after a wreck on I-25 or I-70, to denial of medical or property benefits. The injury is not just the initial loss; it is the insurer's refusal to make you whole when it had a legal obligation to do so.
What We Examine
To prove bad faith, we reconstruct the entire claim-handling timeline. We obtain the policy itself, all correspondence between you and the insurer, recorded statements, medical and wage records you submitted, coverage letters, and payment records. We also request the insurer's internal evaluations and reserves—documents that often reveal how the company actually viewed your claim behind closed doors.
We compare what the policy says against what the insurer claimed it said. We review the investigation the insurer conducted and the explanation it gave for any delay or denial. If the insurer's stated reason does not match the facts in the claim file, or if there was no reasonable investigation at all, that evidence becomes central to your case.
Local investigations may involve Denver Police Department or Colorado State Patrol, policies covering Denver residents and disputes that may proceed in Denver District Court.
Gather and preserve these documents to support a bad faith claim against your insurer:
- Original insurance policy and all endorsements or amendments
- Proof of premium payment and policy status at time of claim
- Written claim submission (date received by insurer)
- Insurer's acknowledgment of claim receipt and coverage determination letter
- Medical records, wage statements, and bills submitted to support the claim
- Recorded statements given to the insurer or adjuster
- All correspondence from the insurer (letters, emails, phone notes)
- Internal insurer documents obtained in discovery: claim file notes, reserves, evaluations, denial letters with stated reasons
- Proof of any delay in investigation, payment, or response
- Communications with adjusters, claims handlers, or company representatives
- Timeline of all claim-handling events from initial report through final decision
- Any written explanation for partial payment, underpayment, or denial
- Evidence of similar claims handled faster or paid in full by the same insurer
- Documentation of out-of-pocket expenses or harm caused by the delay or denial
- Police report or Colorado State Patrol report (if motor vehicle–related)
- Medical records from Denver Health Medical Center or other treatment providers
- Wage loss documentation and employment records
Medical Evidence and Claim Records
In bad-faith cases, medical records and provider bills are critical. They show the nature and extent of your injury, the treatment you needed, and whether the insurer's denial of coverage was reasonable or pretextual. We work with medical professionals to interpret complex records and to connect the dots between your condition, the care you received, and the insurer's obligations under the policy.
Wage loss documentation, hospital records from Denver Health Medical Center or other Denver-area providers, and ongoing treatment notes all build a complete picture. The insurer's own medical file review—if it conducted one—is also important evidence. When the insurer's retained doctor disagreed with your treating physician, we analyze whether the insurer gave that disagreement appropriate weight or simply used it as an excuse to deny your claim.
Official Denver hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Examples of What Bad Faith Damages Include
- The actual amount the insurer wrongfully withheld or underpaid—your unpaid claim
- Interest accrued on the unpaid benefit from the date payment was due
- Costs you incurred because the claim was delayed or denied—medical bills, late fees, lost housing, or other consequential harm
- Attorney fees and litigation costs, which Colorado law allows in bad-faith cases
- Statutory damages under Colorado's Unfair Trade Practices Act if the insurer's conduct was particularly egregious
We pursue these damages in Denver District Court or through settlement negotiations before trial.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Denver — 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.
Denver Insurance Bad Faith Lawyers FAQ
Do I need Denver insurance bad faith lawyers?
Call Denver insurance bad faith lawyers when an insurer delays, denies, or offers less than the medical bills. The Denver office is in Denver, CO.
What counts as bad faith by an insurance company in Colorado?
Bad faith can occur when an insurer fails to handle a first-party claim fairly and promptly. This includes unreasonable delay in investigating or paying a valid claim, denying a claim without a reasonable basis, underpaying a covered benefit, or failing to communicate clearly. Colorado law requires insurers to act in good faith and deal fairly with policyholders. If your insurer has delayed, denied, or underpaid a benefit you believe you are entitled to, you may have a bad faith claim.
How much time do I have to file a bad faith claim in Denver?
Insurance deadline rules depend on your specific policy, the type of benefit involved, and when you discovered the unreasonable conduct. Your policy may set limits on how long you have to bring a claim. State law also imposes deadlines. Because timing is critical and varies by situation, you should preserve all policy documents and your complete claim timeline and request a case-specific review of your deadline as soon as possible.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge for bad faith cases?
McCormick & Murphy handles bad faith claims on a contingency fee basis. This means the firm earns an attorney fee only if your case is settled or won. You pay nothing upfront for the attorney fee. Case costs—such as filing fees, investigation expenses, and expert reports—are separate and are discussed with you before being incurred.
What documents should I keep if I think my insurer is acting in bad faith?
Keep everything related to your claim: the original policy, all letters and emails from the insurer, records of phone calls and conversations, medical bills and records you submitted, wage statements, proof of payment or denial, and any internal company documents you receive during the process. Also maintain a written timeline of key dates—when you filed the claim, when the insurer responded, when they denied or delayed payment, and any communications about the reason for the decision. These records are essential to proving unreasonable conduct.
Can I pursue bad faith if my claim involves uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage in Colorado?
Yes. Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims are first-party claims covered by your own policy, and your insurer must handle them fairly and promptly. If your insurer has delayed, underpaid, or denied your uninsured or underinsured motorist benefit without reasonable basis, you may have a bad faith claim. This applies whether the accident occurred on I-25, Federal Boulevard, Colfax Avenue, or any other road in the Denver area.
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