Santa Rosa Office
815 5th Street, Suite 200
Santa Rosa, CA 95404-4516
Phone: 707-525-1212
Toll Free: 866-878-5267
Fax: 707-544-1388


Sacramento Office
1001 G Street, Suite 301
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-448-1010
Toll Free: 866-878-5267

Quick Contact

Insurance Disputes

Our insurance lawyers have detailed knowledge of the insurance industry and the legal requirements binding insurance companies. We use this expertise to help people who have had their insurance claims wrongfully denied.

Many people who have had their claims denied give up, believing there is nothing they can do to fight the wealth and power of the insurance company. But the truth is, you are not powerless.

The law provides many protections, and insurance companies can be made to pay large awards if they wrongfully deny a claim. Our lawyers have special skills and expertise in this complex area of the law. We represent people who have had their claims denied under home, life, health, and disability insurance policies, and we routinely win substantial settlements and awards for our clients.

Common Questions

What limits does the law place on insurance companies when it comes to denying claims?

  • Implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing
By law, each insurance policy includes an “implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing,” which means that the insurance company is required to act fairly and in good faith in handling claims. Over the years, the courts have ruled that in practice, this means insurance companies must promptly and thoroughly investigate all claims that are presented to them, and must fully pay those claims that are covered by the terms of the insurance policy.
  • Insurance laws, rules, and regulations
In addition, there are many rules and regulations issued by the California Department of Insurance which insurance companies are required to follow when dealing with the people of the State of California. These rules cover everything from the types of exclusions and limitations the insurance company can put into its insurance policy to the procedures the insurance company must follow in handling a claim.

If you have an insurance claim that was denied, it is possible that your insurance company failed to follow the law. Only an attorney experienced in insurance claims will be able to determine this and to help you to secure the coverage to which you are entitled.

Our insurance law lawyers at Teal Montgomery & Henderson have extensive experience in representing claimants against insurance companies who have wrongfully, and in bad faith, denied coverage. Our attorneys know the insurance industry well, and are able to bring their extensive experience of this industry, and their knowledge of the rules and regulations covering it, to help you get your claim paid.

If my insurance company wrongfully denies my claim, what are my legal rights?
When an insurance company wrongfully denies a claim, often referred to as a bad faith denial, you have these legal rights:

  • To file a lawsuit against the company
  • To seek compensation for the money owed to you under your insurance policy
  • To seek compensation for any harm you may have suffered because of your insurance company’s refusal to pay the claim.
  • In some cases, to seek punitive damages—money that the insurance company must pay as a punishment for its misdeeds (Punitive damages are meant to create a strong incentive for insurance companies to follow the law and pay claims that are covered by the policies they sell.)
  • To recover a part of the attorney’s fees when bringing a case against your insurance company for a wrongful denial

How can Teal Montgomery & Henderson help me get my insurance claim paid?
Insurance cases are complex and can be confusing. There are many laws, rules, and regulations governing insurance companies and the language of the insurance policy covering your claim may be difficult to understand.

You will need to hire an attorney who is experienced and knowledgeable in these types of cases. The attorneys at Teal Montgomery & Henderson are insurance law specialists who will thoroughly examine your situation to determine if your insurance company’s denial of your claim was wrongful and in bad faith. We have years of experience in handling these types of cases and have successfully prosecuted many lawsuits against insurance companies who have broken the law and their promises to their insureds.

Often, just bringing us into your case will prompt your insurance company to pay your claim. If not, we are well equipped to file a lawsuit and recover for you the full compensation to which the law entitles you under your policy.