What Insurance Dispute Services Does Brodsky Law Offer?
Insurance companies in California are bound by strict obligations under the California Insurance Code and the Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations (Cal. Code Regs. tit. 10, §2695 et seq.). These regulations require insurers to acknowledge claims promptly, conduct thorough investigations, and offer fair settlements within specified time frames. When an insurer fails to meet these obligations — whether by unreasonably delaying a claim, denying coverage without adequate justification, or undervaluing a legitimate loss — policyholders have legal recourse. Sasha Brodsky has represented clients in insurance disputes throughout Santa Cruz County and California since 1998, holding insurers accountable to the standards the law requires.
A bad faith insurance claim arises when an insurer unreasonably withholds benefits owed under a policy. California courts have long recognized the tort of bad faith, rooted in the landmark decision Comunale v. Traders & General Ins. Co. (1958) 50 Cal.2d 654, which established that insurers owe a duty of good faith and fair dealing to their policyholders. Insurance Code §790.03 further enumerates specific unfair claims settlement practices under the Unfair Insurance Practices Act (§790 et seq.), including misrepresenting policy provisions, failing to adopt reasonable standards for investigating claims, and not attempting in good faith to effectuate prompt and equitable settlements when liability is clear.
Insurance disputes arise in both first-party and third-party contexts. First-party claims involve disputes between policyholders and their own insurers — such as homeowner's insurance denials, health insurance coverage disputes, or uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) claims. Third-party claims involve liability coverage disputes where an insurer refuses to defend or indemnify its policyholder against claims brought by others. UM/UIM disputes are particularly common in personal injury cases, where an at-fault driver carries insufficient coverage to compensate the injured party. In these situations, the injured party's own insurer is obligated to step in, but frequently disputes the extent of damages or the applicability of coverage.
Remedies for insurance bad faith in California can be substantial. Beyond recovery of the policy benefits owed, a policyholder may seek consequential damages, emotional distress damages, and — where the insurer's conduct is particularly egregious — punitive damages. Sasha works to document insurer misconduct thoroughly, building cases that demonstrate the gap between what the law requires and how the insurer actually handled the claim. His scope of counsel includes but is not limited to:
Whether your insurer has denied a legitimate claim, offered a settlement far below the value of your loss, or acted in bad faith during the claims process, Sasha provides experienced counsel through every stage of an insurance dispute — from initial coverage analysis and demand letters through litigation and, when warranted, pursuit of punitive damages. He works to ensure that policyholders receive the benefits they are entitled to under their policies and California law.
For more information about personal injury representation, visit our Personal Injury page. Contact Sasha Brodsky to discuss your insurance dispute matter.