Boulder and Weld counties · Insurance bad faith
Longmont Insurance Bad Faith Lawyers
Longmont insurer wrongly denied your claim? We investigate and hold them accountable for bad faith.
What Makes an Insurance Claim Bad Faith
Bad faith happens when your insurer fails to handle your claim fairly and promptly. The law requires insurers to investigate reasonably, communicate clearly, and make decisions based on the actual policy language and facts. If they delay without cause, deny a legitimate claim, or offer far less than the policy requires, they may be acting in bad faith. We see this in uninsured and underinsured motorist cases, property damage disputes, and first-party benefits claims throughout Longmont, Boulder, Loveland, Lafayette, Erie, and Firestone.
We analyze whether your insurer followed the policy, whether they had a reasonable basis for their decision, and whether they explained their position honestly. Bad faith is not just a mistake—it is a breach of the duty your insurer owes you from the moment you file. If you suffered a loss on U.S. Highway 287, Colorado Highway 119, Hover Street, Ken Pratt Boulevard, or anywhere else in the region, and your claim was mishandled, we can help you recover.
How We Build Your Bad Faith Case
We start by obtaining your complete claim file—the policy itself, all correspondence, recorded statements, medical records, wage submissions, coverage letters, payment records, and internal evaluations your insurer made during the process. These documents are obtained through discovery in litigation and often reveal the insurer's true reasoning, their initial reserve (what they thought the claim was worth), and how their evaluation changed—or didn't change—over time. We also request the full timeline: when you filed, when they acknowledged receipt, when they assigned an adjuster, when they requested medical or wage information, and when they paid or denied.
Bad faith is proved by showing that the insurer's delay or denial was unreasonable given the policy, the facts, and the information available to them. We work with medical and financial experts to demonstrate the value of your claim and to show that the insurer's stated reason for denial does not hold up under scrutiny. If the claim file shows the adjuster knew a benefit was covered, the injury was real, and damages were clear—yet they denied or delayed anyway—that is the evidence of bad faith that a jury at the Boulder County Justice Center or Weld County Combined Courts will recognize.
Local investigations may involve Longmont Public Safety and Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, policies covering Longmont residents and disputes that may proceed in Boulder County Justice Center or Weld County Combined Courts.
Insurance bad faith cases require a clear record of how your claim was handled. Collect and preserve:
- The original insurance policy and all endorsements or amendments
- Every piece of correspondence with the insurer (letters, emails, phone records, claim summaries)
- Your complete claim submission, including medical records, wage loss documentation, repair estimates, or other supporting materials you provided
- Any recorded statements or interviews you gave to the insurer's adjuster
- All coverage determination letters, denial letters, or explanation of benefits
- Payment records showing what was paid, when, and for what benefit
- Internal insurer documents obtained during discovery (claim notes, reserves, evaluation reports, supervisory communications)
- A timeline documenting when you filed, when the insurer received your claim, when they made contact, and when they paid or denied
- Communications showing the stated reason for any delay or denial
- Evidence of resulting harm—additional medical bills, credit reports showing unpaid debts, employment records showing missed work, or other documented losses
Preserve originals and timestamps. Longmont Public Safety and Boulder County Sheriff's Office records may include accident or police reports relevant to underlying injury claims. If your claim involves an accident on U.S. Highway 287 or Colorado Highway 119, UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital or other medical records will be critical. Your case will be reviewed in Boulder County Justice Center or Weld County Combined Courts depending on jurisdiction.
Medical Evidence and Claim Evaluation
In bad faith cases, we examine how thoroughly—or how poorly—your insurer reviewed your medical records. Did they order an independent medical exam? Did they hire a nurse reviewer who disagreed with your doctor without good reason? Did they request records but then ignore them for months? We obtain copies of every submission you made to the insurer and trace when they received it, how long they took to respond, and what they said about it. Treatment at UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital or any other provider is recorded, and your insurer must account for that evidence.
We also look at wage loss claims, property damage estimates, and any other elements of your damages. If your insurer undervalued your medical treatment, ignored recent imaging or specialist opinions, or relied on outdated reserves, these patterns go to the heart of whether they acted in bad faith. Medical and vocational experts help us demonstrate what a reasonable insurer should have concluded.
Official Longmont hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Examples of Damages You May Recover
- The benefit amount you should have received under your policy
- Interest on delayed or wrongfully withheld payments
- Emotional distress and harm from the insurer's breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing
- Attorney fees and costs of litigation
- Punitive damages if the insurer's conduct was reckless or intentional
These claims are brought in the Boulder County Justice Center or Weld County Combined Courts, where a jury can award both compensatory and, where warranted, punitive damages.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Longmont — 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.
Longmont Insurance bad faith FAQ
What does 'bad faith' mean in an insurance claim?
Bad faith means an insurer has failed to treat your claim fairly and promptly. Colorado law requires insurers to investigate first-party claims (claims you make on your own policy) in good faith, pay valid claims without unreasonable delay, and have a reasonable basis for any denial. Bad faith can include ignoring evidence, delaying payment without justification, misrepresenting policy language, or paying far less than the claim is worth without reasonable investigation. We analyze the insurer's investigation, communications, and payment history to determine whether their conduct crossed the line.
How long do I have to file a bad faith claim in Longmont or Boulder County?
Deadlines depend on the specific policy, the type of benefit you claimed, the nature of the alleged bad faith, and when you discovered the wrongful conduct. Colorado does not have a single deadline that applies to all insurance bad faith claims. Some claims may need to be filed within two years under one legal theory, while others have different limits. Because timing is critical and varies by case, you should preserve the policy and all claim-related documents now and contact us for a case-specific review of your deadline.
Can I sue my insurance company for denying or delaying my claim?
Yes. If you have a valid claim under your policy and the insurer denies it or delays payment without a reasonable basis, you may have a bad faith claim. You must show that you complied with the policy, filed a proper claim, the insurer investigated or refused to investigate, and their denial or delay was unreasonable. You can seek the unpaid benefit amount, plus damages for your resulting harm—medical bills, lost wages, emotional distress, and sometimes punitive damages if the insurer acted with intent to injure or with reckless disregard. We handle these claims on a contingency basis.
What happens if my claim involved an accident on U.S. Highway 287 or another Longmont road?
If you were injured in an accident and filed a claim under your auto policy's uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, or medical payments coverage, your insurance company still must handle that claim in good faith. We review whether they properly investigated, obtained police reports from Longmont Public Safety, obtained medical evidence from UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital or your providers, and whether they unreasonably delayed or underpaid your benefit. Bad faith can occur even when there is an underlying injury claim.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge for a bad faith claim?
We handle insurance bad faith claims on a contingency fee basis. That means McCormick & Murphy earns an attorney fee only if your case is settled or won in court. You do not pay an upfront fee for legal services. Case costs—such as filing fees, discovery expenses, expert reports, or investigation—are separate from the attorney fee and are typically advanced by the firm; those costs are discussed and agreed to as the case develops. This structure allows you to pursue your claim without upfront legal costs.
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