Professional Terminology: What is an insurance lawyer called? What is an insurance lawyer called? Insurance lawyers are known by several professional titles including insurance defense attorney, coverage counsel, bad faith attorney, and claims lawyer. The specific title depends on their role, whether they represent insurance companies or policyholders, and their

Coverage Assessment: Do I need a lawyer if I have insurance? Do I need a lawyer if I have insurance? Sometimes yes, because insurance coverage has limitations, exclusions, and conflicts of interest that may require independent legal representation. While insurance provides significant protection, certain situations warrant hiring your own attorney

Basic Definition: What is the duty to defend on a car insurance policy? What is the duty to defend on a car insurance policy? The duty to defend is your insurance company’s legal obligation to provide and pay for an attorney to defend you against lawsuits alleging covered claims, even

Immediate Consequences: What happens if someone sues you for more than your insurance covers? What happens if someone sues you for more than your insurance covers? You become personally liable for the excess amount above your policy limits, potentially putting your assets at risk including savings, property, and future wages.

Can I negotiate with an insurance company? Can I negotiate with an insurance company? Yes, you can and should negotiate with insurance companies when they offer settlements below fair value. Insurance adjusters expect counteroffers and often have authority to increase initial settlement amounts by 20-40% through skilled negotiation tactics. Most

Will my car insurance provide a lawyer? Will my car insurance provide a lawyer? Yes, most car insurance policies include legal defense coverage when you are sued for damages or injuries caused by accidents. Your insurer typically provides and pays for an attorney to defend you in court, but only

Do auto insurance companies usually settle out of court? Do auto insurance companies usually settle out of court? Yes, auto insurance companies settle approximately 95% of claims out of court through negotiations, mediation, or arbitration. Insurers prefer settlements because they cost less than trials, provide predictable outcomes, and avoid negative

Should I take my insurance company to court? Should I take my insurance company to court? Consider litigation when your insurer acts in bad faith, denies valid claims without justification, or offers settlements significantly below fair value. However, court action should be your last resort after exhausting all other dispute

Do insurance companies pay attorney fees? Do insurance companies pay attorney fees? In most cases, no – insurance companies do not automatically pay attorney fees for policyholders pursuing claims. However, specific circumstances can require insurers to cover legal costs, including bad faith claims, contractual provisions, and statutory violations where fee-shifting

When to hire a lawyer for an insurance claim? When to hire a lawyer for an insurance claim? You should consider legal representation when your insurer denies a valid claim, offers an unfairly low settlement, delays payment unreasonably, or when your claim exceeds $10,000. Complex cases involving serious injuries, property