People count on their insurance agents to ensure they have the coverage they need, and they count on them to provide services when they need to file a claim. These professionals have specific duties to their clients.
While most insurance agents handle their duties in an ethical and legal manner, there are times when an agent may do something that’s considered negligence. This can include a variety of things, so anyone who’s working with an insurance agent should understand what actions aren’t legally acceptable.
What are the agent’s duties?
The agent’s duties include ensuring that they explain policy details in a way that enables you to make an informed decision and taking the time to recommend adequate coverage to meet your needs. They must submit applications and handle processing in a timely and suitable manner.
What are examples of negligence?
Negligence often involves misrepresenting what a policy covers, which can be detrimental because you may believe that you have the coverage you need when that’s not the case. Failing to procure coverage and missing deadlines that cause a lapse in coverage are also forms of negligence. It’s also possible that negligence on their part could result in claim denials.
If you suffered loss because of negligence on the part of your insurance agent, you may opt to file a claim against them. These cases may include several elements because you must show that the agent owed you a duty, breached said duty and that your harm was caused by that breach of duty.
It may be beneficial to work with someone who understands insurance agent negligence and who can assist you with getting your case together. There are time limits for these matters, so swift action is important.