People purchase insurance in many different forms to protect themselves and their families from the financial costs associated with loss or damage of their home, personal property, health or life. Generally, if you suffer a loss for which you hold a valid contract of insurance, you are entitled to compensation or benefits as described in the policy.
An insurance policy is a contractual agreement imposing obligations on both the insurer and the insured. The insurance settlement process can be complex, time consuming and frustrating. It is often the first time since signing the insurance contract, that you, as the insured, have had contact with your insurance provider. Usually, certain procedural steps must be taken before your insurance company will accept or reject your claim, and furthermore, there are specific timelines regarding when you are able to sue for recovery of funds against your insurance provider. Section 23 of British Columbia’s Insurance Act stipulates that in the case of property loss, a legal action must be commenced within two years after the date that the insured knew or ought to have known the loss occurred, and in all other insurance claims, within two years after the date the cause of action arose. In most cases, this means that you have two years from the date of your insured loss to either resolve the claim with your insurer, or start a legal action against your insurance company.
As an insured, your typical obligations require you to pay your premiums, and in some instances, to notify your insurance provider of any material changes to the thing insured that will affect the insurance company’s risk. When a loss occurs, you have additional responsibilities. You are required to provide notice and proof of your loss within a certain time period and failure to do so can negatively affect your claim. Further, you are required to act in good faith by providing truthful information about your claim at all times.
The insurance company has obligations as well. The person assigned to handle your claim must evaluate it and decide whether to accept or reject it. The insurer does so by assessing the evidence supplied and interpreting the policy. Often the insurer will solicit the help of an adjuster to conduct the full review of your claim. Your insurance provider is legally required to act in good faith toward you and is required to make their insurance decisions on “reasonable grounds.” If your insurance company acts unreasonably or is found by a court to have acted in “bad faith,” you may be entitled to significant compensation over and above your insurance benefits and legal costs. Examples of “bad faith” might include failure to properly investigate a claim, making threats against an insured, unreasonable delay in handling a claim, or unreasonably interpreting an insurance policy against an insured.
A power imbalance is often created between you, as the insured, and your insurance provider. Having experienced a loss, you are likely in a financially vulnerable position. The lawyers at MacIsaac & Company have years of experience negotiating with insurance providers assisting clients to receive fair compensation. Our lawyers have the knowledge and experience to handle all aspects of your claim and will help you gain a fair settlement through negotiation, mediation or trial.
As a beneficiary collecting life insurance you may encounter problems with the insurance provider when making your claim. Failure to disclose an accurate medical history to the insurer, including prior medical conditions, medical tests or examinations, or any other material fact that may affect eligibility for life insurance, and may operate to void the life insurance contract. Our lawyers can advise you regarding the exceptions to this general rule.
115 – 19 Dallas Road
Victoria, BC - V8V 5A6
(Shoal Point at Fisherman’s Wharf)
+1 (250) 381-5353
email
200 - 190 Ingram Street
Duncan, BC - V9L 1P1
+1 (250) 746-4422
email
By appointment only
+1 (250) 334-3110
email
LARRY MCCREA LAW CORPORATION
Address
#3 – 95B Highway 97
100 Mile House, BC V0K 2E0
Phone 250-395-1151 / Fax 250-395-1153
office@lmccrea.com
www.lmccrea.com
MACISAAC & COMPANY
Address
By appointment only
Courtenay, BC
Phone (250) 334-3110 / Fax (250) 334-3108
courtenay@macisaacandcompany.com
STASIUK & COMPANY
Address
201 – 10300 – 10th Street
Dawson Creek, B.C. V1G 3T6
Phone 250-782-5297 / Fax 250-782-7746
stasiukreception@neonet.bc.ca
Address
200 – 190 Ingram Street
Duncan, B.C. V9L 1P1
Phone (250) 746-4422 / Fax (250) 746-1811
macduncan@macisaacgroup.com
BUCKLEY & COMPANY
By appointment only
Phone 250-372-1404
shawn@buckleyandco.ca
buckleyandco.ca
KIMMITT WRZESNIEWSKI
Address
202 – 1433 St. Paul Street
Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 2E4
Phone (250) 763-6441 / Fax (250) 763-1633
info@kimmitt.ca
kimmitt.ca
By Appointment Only
Call Toll Free 1-800-663-6299
Or email info@macisaacgroup.com
CHRISTOPHER H. JOHNSTON LAW CORPORATION
Address
208 Broadway
Nakusp, B.C. V0G 1R0
Phone (250) 265-0108 / Fax (250) 837-7194
info@nakusplawyer.com
www.nakusplawyer.com
NOWOSAD & COMPANY
Address
8700 Market Street
PO Box 1289
Port Hardy, BC, V0N 2P0
Phone (250) 949-6031 / Fax (250) 949-2633
nowosad1@telus.net
NOWOSAD & COMPANY
Address
Box 308, 1750 Campbell Way
Port McNeill, B.C. V0N 2R0
Phone (250) 956-3228 / Fax (250) 949-2633
nowosad1@telus.net
BVD LAW CORPORATION
Address
450 Vancouver Street Prince George, BC V2L 5N2
Phone (250) 614-1283 / Fax (250) 614-1284
bvdlaw@telus.net
RODWAY & PERRY
Address
1 – 699 Beach Road
P.O. Box 138, Station Main
Qualicum Beach, B.C. V9K 1S7
Phone (250) 752-9526 / Fax (250) 752-9521
rodwayandperry@shaw.ca
GARY LILIENWEISS
Address
342 Kinchant Street
Quesnel, BC V2J 2R4
Phone 250.992.9090 / Fax 250.992.9779
garyjl@telus.net
ARROW LAW CORPORATION
Address
202 First Street East (beside The Cabin)
P.O. Box 2639
Revelstoke, B.C. V0E 2S0
Phone (250) 837-6171 / Fax (250) 837-7194
info@revelstokelawyer.com
www.revelstokelawyer.com
VERDURMEN AND COMPANY
Address
450 Lakeshore Drive
P.O. Box 826
Salmon Arm, BC, V1E 4N9
Phone (250) 833-0914 / Fax (250) 833-0924
vlex@telus.net
RALSTON AND ASSOCIATES
Address
606 – 15216 North Bluff Road
White Rock, BC, V4B 0A9
Phone 604-581-0807 / Fax 604-581-0809
stephen.h@ralstonandassociates.ca
ralstonandassociates.ca
By Appointment Only
Call Toll Free 1-800-663-6299
Or email info@macisaacgroup.com
By Appointment Only
Call Toll Free 1-800-663-6299
Or email info@macisaacgroup.com
BUCKLEY AND COMPANY
By appointment only
Phone 250-372-1404
shawn@buckleyandco.ca
buckleyandco.ca
Address
115 – 19 Dallas Road
Victoria, BC, V8V 5A6
Phone (250) 381-5353 / Fax (250) 380-7272
victoria@macisaacandcompany.com
BUCKLEY AND COMPANY
By appointment only
Phone 250-372-1404
shawn@buckleyandco.ca
buckleyandco.ca
SIRRS LLP
Address
PO Box 6060, 5220 51st Avenue
Wetaskiwin, Alberta T9A 2G3
Phone (780) 352-3301 / Fax (780) 352-5976
mail@sirrsllp.com
sirrsllp.com
SIRRS LLP
Address
5034 – 49 Avenue
PO Box 4546
Ponoka, Alberta T4J 1E1
Phone (403) 783-6021 / Fax (403) 783-8363
mail@sirrsllp.com
www.sirrsllp.com
SIRRS LLP
Address
4714 – 50 Avenue
Rimbey, Alberta
Phone (403) 843-6986 / Fax (403) 843-3799
mail@sirrsllp.com
www.sirrsllp.com