Insurance companies profit by paying less than they owe. Montana law gives you powerful tools to fight back.
Montana has some of the strongest insurance policyholder protections in the United States. The Montana Insurance Fair Conduct Act (MIFCA) (Mont. Code Ann. §§ 33-18-201 et seq.) creates a private right of action for claimants whose insurers unreasonably deny or delay claims. Under MIFCA, a successful claimant can recover:
MIFCA is one of the most powerful insurance accountability tools in any state. Most insurance companies know they're exposed to liability far exceeding the original claim value if they misbehave in Montana — which is exactly why having an attorney who knows how to invoke these protections matters.
Our client sustained shoulder and cervical injuries in a rear-end collision. The at-fault driver's insurer made an initial offer of $18,000 — on a case with $90,000 in documented medical bills alone. When we sent a formal MIFCA notice of the insurer's unreasonable conduct, they settled for $425,000 within 30 days. Montana's bad faith law works — but you have to know how to use it.
MIFCA has procedural requirements. A claimant must send written notice to the insurer identifying the specific unfair trade practice alleged and providing a reasonable opportunity to cure. The notice must be carefully drafted — a defective notice can forfeit MIFCA's additional remedies even when bad faith is otherwise clear. We draft and send these notices as a routine part of handling disputed claims.
If you believe your insurer is acting in bad faith — denying your claim without explanation, delaying for months, offering you an insultingly low settlement — call us before you accept anything or sign anything. A free evaluation costs you nothing; accepting an inadequate settlement costs you everything.
Insurance companies have teams of lawyers protecting their bottom line. You deserve the same protection. Call us before you accept any offer or sign any release.