Delayed or Underpaid Insurance Claims 

Has Your Insurance claim been delayed or lowballed? 

For many California policyholders, the biggest fight with an insurance company doesn’t begin with an outright denial. It starts much earlier, often in ways that feel subtle at first, a request for “more documentation,” an unexplained review period, a partial payment that doesn’t come close to covering the damage, or a settlement offer that leaves far too many expenses uncovered. When you are depending on your insurance policy to protect your health, your home, your income, or your business, a slow or insufficient payout can be just as devastating as a complete denial. Delayed or underpaid claims leave families and business owners financially on the edge, often at the worst possible moment. 

At DL Law Group, we know how quickly these delays and lowball offers can spiral into deeper harm. Our attorneys have more than 80 years of combined experience holding insurers accountable for the promises they make, and the obligations they often try to avoid. With a practice dedicated to disability law, health insurance disputes, ERISA claims, bad faith insurance practices, life insurance, and long-term care insurance, we have spent decades challenging the nation’s largest insurance companies and recovering tens of millions of dollars in verdicts, settlements, and paid claims on behalf of our clients. 

We understand the frustration and helplessness policyholders feel when their insurance company delays, undervalues, or intentionally drags out a claim. You paid your premiums. You lived up to your end of the bargain. When your insurer refuses to honor its end, DL Law Group steps in. We fight to ensure your insurance company pays what it owes and pays it when it owes it. 

Our office is strategically located in San Francisco, steps from City Hall and within a short distance of both the state and federal courthouses. This central location gives our clients convenient access while positioning us at the center of California’s legal and regulatory landscape. And because we represent clients across the state, from Los Angeles and Orange County to the Central Valley, Sacramento, and the Bay Area, we are equipped to confront insurance companies no matter where the claim originates. Every case we handle is taken on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no fees unless we win. 

The Cost of Insurance Claim Delays 

When an insurance company stalls, the impact reaches far beyond paperwork. A delayed claim affects real people, living real lives, with real financial pressures. Medical insurance delays can be devastating. When treatments, surgeries, or medications depend on timely approval, even a short delay can disrupt care or force patients to pay out of pocket for essential health needs. For those already facing severe medical conditions, these delays introduce unnecessary risks and anxiety. Policyholders with disability claims often find themselves in an especially vulnerable position. They are unable to work, relying on disability benefits to cover rent, food, and medical needs. A delayed check can mean missed mortgage payments, credit damage, and mounting financial pressure at a time when health challenges are already overwhelming. 

California recognizes the harm these delays cause. Under the Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, insurers must respond promptly, investigate efficiently, and make timely decisions. When an insurance company chooses to delay without a good reason, it violates the law. DL Law Group steps in to compel action, enforce regulatory deadlines, and, when appropriate, pursue penalties for bad faith delay. Our team pushes insurers to meet their obligations before the consequences of delay become catastrophic for our clients. 

How Insurance Companies Undervalue Claims 

A slow payout is only one side of the problem. Many policyholders receive an offer that seems suspiciously low, leaving repairs unfinished, treatments unpaid, or business losses overlooked. These lowball offers are not accidents. Insurance companies have developed sophisticated strategies to reduce claim values and protect their bottom lines. 

Biased adjusters may be used to assess damage, often focusing on minimizing repair estimates rather than accurately evaluating them. Independent estimates, whether contractors, medical providers, or specialists, are frequently ignored or dismissed. Critical labor costs may be omitted; replacement materials downgraded, or necessary procedures conveniently left out. Damage is sometimes misclassified as “cosmetic” rather than structural or labeled “pre-existing” even when evidence clearly contradicts that conclusion. 

The result is predictable: policyholders receive offers far below what they need and deserve. Many accept these low settlements simply because they feel they have no other choice, or because insurers imply that no further payment will be considered. 

At DL Law Group, we refuse to let insurers rewrite the facts. We bring in independent experts, contractors, medical professionals, and forensic accountants to uncover the actual value of the claim. Our team thoroughly reviews every detail, from the initial adjuster’s report to policy language, repair estimates, medical documentation, and financial records. With this evidence, we challenge undervalued assessments and demand full and fair compensation. We present a clear picture of the losses suffered and the coverage owed, so insurers cannot hide behind incomplete evaluations or biased assessments. 

Legal Remedies for Delay or Underpayment 

California law offers powerful remedies for policyholders whose insurance companies delay or underpay their claims. A successful claim may secure the full payment of the benefits initially owed, but that is only the beginning of what victims may be entitled to recover. When payments have been unreasonably delayed, insurers may be required to pay interest on the withheld funds. In cases involving bad faith, policyholders may seek additional compensation for emotional distress, financial losses, and other damages resulting from the insurer’s misconduct. The law recognizes that insurance companies wield enormous power, and when they misuse it, they must be held accountable. 

DL Law Group uses the full strength of the California Insurance Code, including § 790.03 and § 790.10, to prove unfair claims practices, unreasonable delays, and systematic attempts to reduce or avoid payouts. These statutes outline specific violations, ranging from failing to conduct proper investigations to using coercive tactics to push policyholders into accepting unfair settlements. Our attorneys are well-versed in these laws, and we have decades of experience using them to secure justice for clients across California. We do not hesitate to pursue litigation when necessary, and our track record of recovering tens of millions demonstrates our ability to hold insurance companies accountable for their bad-faith conduct. 

Protecting Policyholders Across California 

DL Law Group is committed to protecting insurance consumers throughout the state. Whether handling disability, ERISA, health insurance, life insurance, or long-term care insurance, our team understands both the statewide regulations that govern insurers and the local market patterns that influence how claims are handled. 

We regularly represent clients in cities large and small, from the dense urban centers of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego to the communities of the Central Valley, Sacramento region, and Northern California. Our statewide presence means we understand the different approaches insurance companies use across areas, and we are prepared to challenge them no matter where the dispute arises. 

Our contingency structure ensures that every client, regardless of financial situation, has access to strong legal representation. There are no fees unless we win, and we never tolerate insurer abuse. We believe that policyholders deserve someone in their corner who understands the law, the tactics of insurers, and the full value of the benefits they paid for. 

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today 

If your insurance claim is dragging on without explanation, or if the payout you received feels incomplete or unfair, now is the time to take action. Delay and underpayment are not just frustrating; they are harmful. And you have legal rights designed to protect you. The law is on your side, and so are we. 

DL Law Group invites you to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case, review your policy, and understand your options. You do not have to face your insurance company alone. With a team that has spent decades challenging major insurers and securing substantial results, you gain the confidence of having skilled advocates fighting for the benefits you deserve. 

If your insurance claim is taking too long or your payout feels suspiciously low, don’t wait. Contact DL Law Group today and let us help you get the compensation your policy promises and the justice you are entitled to.