Unreasonable Delays in Claims: Getting Justice When Time Matters Most

Delays cause stress and financial harm — we push insurers to act quickly.

Why Insurance Companies Delay Claims and How an Attorney Can Help

When your insurance company stalls, the delay can be devastating. Bills pile up, repairs are left unfinished, and families are left without stability. Delays aren’t just inconvenient—they’re often a deliberate tactic used to pressure policyholders into settling for less. At Elizabeth A. Citrin, PC, we recognize the toll these tactics take on survivors and victims already struggling to move forward. Elizabeth approaches each case with urgency and compassion, demanding timely action from insurers and pursuing accountability when they fail to respond. We make sure your claim doesn’t get lost in endless waiting, and that your rights remain protected throughout the process. You don’t have to face the stress of uncertainty alone—our firm fights to move your claim forward and restore peace of mind.

When you first contact Elizabeth A. Citrin, PC about a partial denial, we immediately begin with a compassionate intake to hear your story and review every detail of your claim. From there, our team conducts a full policy and claim file audit, examining the declarations, endorsements, exclusions, denial letters, adjuster notes, timelines, and all correspondence to identify where the insurer may have acted in bad faith. We secure independent inspections, medical records, engineer reports, financial documents, or repair estimates as needed to establish the true value of your losses and compare it to the insurer’s decision. This process allows us to pinpoint specific violations—such as undervaluation, unreasonable delays, or misinterpretation of policy language—and build a strong foundation for legal action. By the end of this step, you will have a clear, plain-language strategy that explains your rights, outlines the insurer’s violations, and maps a path toward recovering the full coverage you deserve, all while having direct access to Elizabeth every step of the way.

With your policy and claim file fully analyzed, the next step is to launch a thorough independent investigation that strengthens your case and challenges the insurer’s position. We gather expert reports, contractor and engineer evaluations, medical documentation, financial records, and any other evidence needed to establish the true scope of your losses. Our firm also interviews witnesses, secures photographs, and preserves communications to create a detailed record of how the insurer has failed to act in good faith. By comparing the insurer’s obligations under Alabama, Mississippi, New York, or Connecticut law with their actual conduct, we highlight every instance of delay, denial, or undervaluation. This evidence not only proves your right to coverage but also sets the stage for pursuing additional damages such as emotional distress or punitive damages when the insurer’s misconduct is clear. Throughout this process, Elizabeth explains every step in plain language so you always understand how the investigation strengthens your position and builds leverage against the insurance company.

Once the evidence is secured, Elizabeth A. Citrin, PC moves into the advocacy stage, where we directly confront the insurance company with a comprehensive demand package. This includes a clear summary of your losses, expert reports, financial calculations, and a timeline of the insurer’s bad faith actions. We reference specific policy provisions and applicable state laws to show how the insurer has violated its duties and emphasize the financial, emotional, and practical harm caused by their misconduct. Our goal at this stage is to compel the insurer to resolve the claim fairly and promptly, avoiding further delays or intimidation tactics. Elizabeth leverages her nearly 25 years of experience in negotiations to push for full compensation, while keeping you informed and empowered throughout the process. If the insurer refuses to act in good faith, this step ensures that your case is fully prepared for litigation, with a complete evidentiary record that can stand up in court.

If the insurer still refuses to honor your claim, Elizabeth A. Citrin, PC is fully prepared to escalate your case into litigation. At this stage, we file a detailed bad faith lawsuit outlining every violation of your policy and applicable law, from partial denials to coercive settlement tactics. We pursue not only the full value of your original claim but also additional damages for emotional distress, financial losses, and punitive damages designed to hold the insurer accountable.

Unreasonable Insurance Delays – Holding Insurers Accountable for Stalling Tactics

Many clients facing a partial denial later discover their insurer has also undervalued their claim or caused unreasonable delays. If your claim was denied outright, you may want to review our page on unfair claim denials to understand how these tactics differ. Policyholders often encounter overlapping issues, such as excessive proof demands or misinterpretation of policy language, which can make recovery even more difficult. If you’ve experienced threats or ultimatums from your insurer, our bullying and coercion page explains how we fight back against intimidation. Some clients come to us after being completely ignored by their insurance company, and our ignored claims page details how we can step in when communication breaks down. Others face refusal by insurers to approve or deny their claims altogether, leaving them in financial limbo—our refused approvals page covers this in detail. Explore each of these pages to better understand how Elizabeth A. Citrin, PC can connect the dots in your case and fight back against every form of bad faith insurance practice.

How long can an insurance company legally delay handling my claim in Alabama? While Alabama law doesn’t specify an exact number of days, insurers are required to acknowledge, investigate, and resolve claims promptly and fairly. Unreasonable delays—such as months without updates, endless extensions, or ignoring provided evidence—can amount to bad faith. These tactics are designed to wear down policyholders, but they are not acceptable. Elizabeth A. Citrin pushes back against stalling, ensuring your claim moves forward and seeking damages for financial and emotional harm caused by unnecessary delays.

What kinds of damages can I recover if my insurer drags out my claim unnecessarily?

What kinds of damages can I recover if my insurer drags out my claim unnecessarily? If your insurer delays without a valid reason, you can recover not only the original claim benefits but also damages tied to the delay—such as additional repair costs, lost wages, or relocation expenses. In Alabama, bad faith law also allows recovery for mental anguish and, in severe cases, punitive damages when insurers intentionally stall to protect profits. Elizabeth A. Citrin carefully documents the impact of delays and fights to hold companies accountable for every dollar you’ve lost.

What rights do I have if an adjuster uses threats or intimidation during the claims process?  You have the right to fair and respectful treatment, and intimidation is never acceptable. If an adjuster threatens you, pressures you into accepting less than your claim’s worth, or uses ultimatums, this may constitute insurance bad faith under Alabama law. You may be entitled to recover not just your benefits but also damages for emotional distress and punitive damages against the insurer. Elizabeth A. Citrin defends policyholders from bullying and ensures insurers are held accountable for coercive tactics.