how to find lawyer to sue your car insurance company

by Prof. Macie VonRueden 4 min read

To find an experienced attorney, you should visit your state bar association’s website, which should run a referral service. You can search for attorneys by location and specialty. You should look for an attorney who handles car accidents.

Full Answer

Can I sue an insurance company without an attorney?

In order to find the “best” lawyer for suing an insurance provider, you have to look for an attorney who is best suited for your specific circumstances. So, two questions you should ask yourself right now are, “Why do I want to sue?” and, “Whose insurance company do I want to sue?”

How do I Sue my Car Insurance Company?

However, insurance companies are required by law to timely pay out a properly filed insurance claim. Thus, it is important to first properly submit, in writing, your claim to the insurance company, before filing suit. Additionally, federal law holds that insurance companies owe their insureds an “implied covenant of good faith and fair ...

Do I need a lawyer for an auto insurance claim?

Feb 16, 2022 · Take pictures of a property, like your car or home, immediately after an accident. Keep track of expenses you incur, such as medical bills, repairs, attorney’s fees, and lost wages. Be honest in your assessments and record-keeping. Choose an attorney with extensive experience in insurance litigation.

What happens when you file a lawsuit against your insurance company?

If you believe your insurance company has handled your claim unfairly, contact a car insurance dispute attorney to review your case. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling insurance dispute cases and are well-equipped to handle the tactics used by insurance companies to avoid honoring valid claims. The attorneys at Morgan & Morgan Insurance Recovery Group can …

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How do you fight against insurance companies?

Request a formal review by the insurance company. The customer service representative can tell you the specific procedures required. Then, state your case for appeal in writing, and send the letter via certified mail with return receipt requested. Make sure to do this immediately.

Can you ask the insurance company for a settlement?

Once you've made an estimate, you'll need to send a demand letter to the insurance company demanding fair compensation. A Demand Letter is a formal letter that outlines all of the damages you incurred from your accident. The objective with your demand letter is to make a case for the compensation you're entitled to.Aug 20, 2020

What is it called when an insurance company refuses to pay a claim?

Bad faith insurance refers to an insurer's attempt to renege on its obligations to its clients, either through refusal to pay a policyholder's legitimate claim or investigate and process a policyholder's claim within a reasonable period.

How do you fight a car insurance claim?

How do you fight an insurance claim that's been denied?Review Your Claim Denial or Settlement Offer Letter. ... Research Your Auto Insurance Claim Rights. ... Write a Claims Appeal Letter. ... Hire an Insurance Claims Attorney. ... What if the other driver's insurance denied the claim?More items...•Nov 8, 2021

How do I get the most from my insurance claim?

6 Ways To Get the Most From Home Insurance ClaimsHome Insurance Claims: 6 Ways to Get Your Home Back to Normal. by Joe Mont. ... Carefully review coverage. ... Take photos and video. ... Document the damage. ... Make temporary repairs. ... Don't assume something isn't covered. ... Gird for battle.

Can someone sue you after insurance pays?

In most cases, yes, but an insurance payout does not prevent a civil lawsuit against you. You may have heard the statistic that human error is responsible for 94 percent of car crashes.Aug 23, 2021

Can you contest a car insurance claim?

If you want to dispute a car insurance claim against you, collect relevant evidence and file an appeal with your insurer. Most insurance companies have an internal dispute resolution process where challenged claims are reviewed.

Is there a chance that an insurance company can refuse to pay the insured?

Unfortunately, you may have a valid claim, and the other driver's insurance company refuses to pay for it, you need to pursue it or even involve an insurance lawyer. Some insurance companies are slow in paying out benefits but will eventually settle the claim.Jun 20, 2018

Who Is the Best Lawyer to Sue an Insurance Company?

When seeking legal counsel to sue an insurance company, there are many important considerations to take into account. Of course, you want the best...

Why Are You Suing an Insurance Company?

As we stated before, there are a few reasons why somebody would want to sue an insurance provider. You want to be represented by an attorney who ha...

Whose Insurance Company Are You Suing?

You should only be suing your own insurance company, because even if you receive financial compensation from the defendant’s insurance provider, yo...

How to Find the Best Legal Counsel to Sue an Insurance Company

There are many ways to determine who is the best lawyer for your specific circumstances. So, now that you understand how to narrow your search effo...

What Are The Steps After My Insurance Company Denied My Claim?

There are many strategies your insurance company will use to deny your claim because they do not want to give you a payout. The insurance company m...

What If My Appeal was Turned Down?

Remember to ensure your policy actually does cover the damage you are dealing with, as many people wrongfully assume that they are covered when the...

When Can I Sue My Insurance Company?

There are many reasons insurers will sue their insurance company. Understanding the reasons you can sue your coverage company, and the process for...

Why is it important to have a legal team?

That’s why it’s also important to have a solid legal team on your side to fight for what’s fair. In most cases, your legal team will identify the person who’s responsible for an accident , and hold them liable for financially compensating those who were needlessly injured . When you receive a financial settlement from the defendant’s insurance ...

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How to file a lawsuit against an insurance company?

After you decide to file a lawsuit against your insurance company, you should perform the following steps: Send a written letter to your insurance company requesting them to send in writing their denial of your claim and a detailed reasons as to why your claim was denied, as well as demanding they payout your claim;

Why do insurance companies sue?

The following is a list of several legal theories and reasons of why an insured may sue their insurance company: 1 Failure to Pay On Time: As mentioned above, insurance companies have a duty to act in good faith. Therefore, if an insurance company does not make reasonable efforts to timely pay our a properly filed claim, then the insured may be able to make a bad faith claim. Another bad faith may occur when an insurance company offers an unreasonably low amount of money to settle a claim. 2 Failure to Represent: Another common reason why an insured may sue their insurance company is if their insurance company refuses to defend them in a lawsuit against them, as provided under the insurance policy. Further, if the insurance company accepts an unreasonably low settlement for the insured’s claim while representing them, the insured may also have a bad faith claim against the company. 3 Breach of Contract: The most common legal theory that insurance companies are sued upon is a breach of contract theory. An insured may sue their insurance company if the company fails to follow the terms of the insurance policy.

What is insurance contract?

Insurance is essentially a contract (the “insurance policy”) in which one party agrees to pay a premium in exchange for the other party (the “insurer”) to provide coverage for the insured. In the event that a loss occurs due to an event that was covered by the insurance policy, the insurance company will protect the insured from any losses, ...

How to notify insurance company of a claim?

Although it may seem obvious, you should first notify your insurance company of your claim by filing an insurance claim with the company, as it is your duty as the insured to let the insurance company know that a covered incident has occurred. You may notify your insurance company by either a phone call, an online claim form, ...

What happens when an insurance company breaches its duty of good faith?

When an insurance company breaches their duty of good faith and fair dealing, such as by wrongfully denying a properly filed and covered claim, then the insured may recover not only their actual claim damages, but punitive damages as well.

Can an insurance company deny a claim?

For example, in an automobile case dealing with car insurance, the insurance company may deny an insured’s claim if it is shown that the insured was responsible for the accident or grossly negligent.

What happens if you win a breach of contract?

When you succeed in a breach of contract claim, you are first entitled to actual damages, which includes what you were supposed to receive under the contract. Additionally, some jurisdictions allow for the recovery of out of pocket expenses, such as attorneys fees, and in some cases punitive damages.

What is an insurance attorney?

An insurance attorney can explain the kinds of damages available to you, since each state has different rules about the types of damages you can pursue in a given lawsuit.

Why does my insurance company deny my claim?

Reasons an Insurance Company May Deny Your Claim. An insurance company has an arsenal of reasons to give you for denying your claim, some legitimate, some not. Some of the more common reasons include: Lack of coverage: They may argue that your claim isn’t covered by your insurance policy. Examine your policy’s exclusions section to better ...

What are the obligations of insurance companies?

Every insurer has many obligations to its policyholders. They must abide by the terms of the contract (the policy), act in good faith, and avoid unfair trade practices. Their precise duties vary from state to state, since the insurance industry is generally regulated at the state level. However, these obligations typically require the insurance company to refrain from the following: 1 An inadequate and delayed investigation into the claim 2 Refusing to pay a claim where liability is reasonably clear 3 Failing to approve or deny a claim within a reasonable or specified timeframe 4 Denying a claim with little or no explanation as to the reason for the denial 5 Failing to defend you in a liability lawsuit where at least one of the claims is potentially covered by your liability policy 6 Denying a claim based on an application misstatement after the period of contestability has past

Can you sue for breach of contract?

Every state allows for a breach of contract action since your insurance policy is a type of contract. Many states also allow you to pursue a bad faith tort lawsuit. Additionally, you may be able to sue under your state’s unfair trade practices laws. Many states have codes or statutes which pertain directly to trade practices within ...

What is an application error?

Application errors: An insurer may claim you made certain misrepresentations on your original application that nullify the coverage of your policy. Claim errors: Check your policy to see what the requirements are for notifying the insurance company of a claim. Some timelines are as short as 24 hours. Insurance fraud: Submitting false ...

How to keep track of your insurance?

Maintain records of your insured property, including receipts and pictures of what’s insured. Take pictures of a property, like your car or home, immediately after an accident. Keep track of expenses you incur, such as medical bills, repairs, attorney’s fees, and lost wages.

What does "denying a claim" mean?

Denying a claim with little or no explanation as to the reason for the denial. Failing to defend you in a liability lawsuit where at least one of the claims is potentially covered by your liability policy. Denying a claim based on an application misstatement after the period of contestability has past.

What to do if your car insurance company denies your claim?

If you believe your insurance company has handled your claim unfairly, contact a car insurance dispute attorney to review your case.

What happens if a car accident is denied?

When a car accident occurs and a claim is denied, it can place a serious financial burden on the policyholder. For these individuals, it is important to understand that the coverage available under their policies and to obtain the assistance of an attorney who can help dispute the insurance company’s actions.

What are the different types of auto insurance?

Understanding the coverage available under your policy can help simplify the claims process. Automobile insurance policies can include six different types of coverage, including: 1 Bodily Injury Liability: applicable to injuries sustained to someone else at your fault 2 Medical Payments/Personal Injury Protection: applicable to treatment of injuries of the driver and passenger in your own vehicle 3 Property Damage Liability: covering damage inflicted on another’s property 4 Collision: covering damage to your car from an accident with another car 5 Comprehensive: covering losses due to flood, fire, or theft 6 Uninsured Motorist Coverage: applicable when you are hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver

What is collision insurance?

Collision: covering damage to your car from an accident with another car. Comprehensive: covering losses due to flood, fire, or theft. Uninsured Motorist Coverage: applicable when you are hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver.

What is medical insurance?

Medical Payments/Personal Injury Protection: applicable to treatment of injuries of the driver and passenger in your own vehicle. Property Damage Liability: covering damage inflicted on another’s property. Collision: covering damage to your car from an accident with another car.

Why Might An Insurance Company Deny Your Claim?

An insurance company might give you a variety of reasons for refusing your claim. The list below shows the most frequently used reasons:

Suing Your Insurance Company in Small Claims Court By Yourself

Taking your insurance company to small claims court is an option most people choose. This path is favorable to those who don’t want to hire an attorney and want to avoid hefty legal fees. However, small claims cases still require a payment to file. These are the general steps to sue your insurance company by yourself:

Actions That Can Be Taken Against The Insurance Company

Depending on the type of lawsuit, you will need to prove that the insurance company’s actions breached a contract or resulted in significant damages. Below describes types of lawsuits and how your case will be handled in court:

What To Keep In Mind Before You Sue Your Insurance Company

Any correspondence with the insurer and its employees must be documented for your own record. Save all emails, make notes of phone calls, and write down the key dates and people you spoke to.

Sue Your Insurance Company With DoNotPay

Instead of handling everything yourself, sue an insurance company with DoNotPay! All it takes is a couple of steps:

What Other Companies DoNotPay Can Help You Sue?

Thousands of users have used the Sue Now product to easily sue in small claims court. DoNotPay can also help you sue:

How to get a copy of my insurance policy?

First, your assigned legal team will ask to see a complete copy of your insurance policy. If you don’t already have this, you can request it from your broker or insurance company. Next, your team will contact your insurance company to determine the status of your claim.

What happens when a policyholder pays insurance premiums?

At Morgan & Morgan, our attorneys understand that when a policyholder who has paid insurance premiums submits a claim to their insurance company, they expect the company will act in good faith and honor the validity of the claim. However, many times the insurance company does not do what is right and honor the claim. Disputes often arise after an insurance company denies a valid claim, many times without a legitimate reason or explanation.

How do insurance companies make profit?

Insurance companies generate a greater profit when policyholders do not file claims or fail to collect on claims submitted under their policies. Some insurance companies habitually deny claims—regardless of their legitimacy—and will only investigate a claim if the policyholder takes legal action.

What is independent adjuster?

The insurance company’s “independent experts” or “independent adjusters” have determined that no covered loss occurred or is excluded from the policy.

Does insurance honor claims?

However, many times the insurance company does not do what is right and honor the claim. Disputes often arise after an insurance company denies a valid claim, many times without a legitimate reason or explanation.

What happens when you file a lawsuit with your insurance company?

Once you file a lawsuit, your insurance company must assign its own attorney to the case. "There will be a period of silence while they pick a lawyer and review the file," Bach says. Your insurance agent will cease to be a helpful guide through the claims process, says Douglas Heller, executive director of the Consumer Watchdog organization.

What to do if you are angry with your insurance company?

If you’re angry enough to consider filing a lawsuit against your insurance company, make sure you do so only as a last resort, after all negotiations have failed. If there is an acceptable alternative, a courtroom is the last place you want to be.

What to expect when filing a lawsuit?

If you proceed, here’s a taste of what to expect: A lawsuit will likely be costly and highly adversarial. It will probably slow down or halt your claims process overall, not speed up your payment. And don’t expect your insurance company to come crawling back after you file a lawsuit. "The insurance companies generally will not continue ...

What to do if you are contacted by insurance company?

If you are contacted by your insurance company's attorney, don't speak with him or her without speaking to your own lawyer first. Alternatively, simply tell them to speak with your lawyer about any issues relating to your case.

How to resolve a dispute with your insurance company?

1. Contact your insurance company. Your first step should always be to contact your insurance company to try to resolve your dispute before threatening litigation. Contact your insurance company and talk with your insurance agent to see if you can work the issue out on your own.

What happens if you have an insurance policy?

If you have an insurance policy in place, an event happens giving rise to a claim on that policy, and the insurance company does not act as it is supposed to (by denying your claim, delaying payment, paying you less than you are owed, etc.), you may have to resort to litigation to get the money you deserve.

What is a duty to defend?

When an insurance company has a duty to defend, they will be required to hire legal counsel to represent you in covered claims. It also includes a promise to cover all legal fees and costs.

What is cause of action in insurance?

In law, the "cause of action" is the formal way of stating that you have the right to file a lawsuit in light of a particular series of events.

What to do if you don't have a copy of your insurance policy?

If you do not have a copy, or have somehow misplaced or lost it, contact your insurance provider and request a copy of your insurance policy. Read your insurance policy thoroughly.

What happens if your insurance company denies your claim?

If your insurance company denies your claim, delays payment, or pays you less than you are owed, you may have to sue them in order to get the money you deserve. Once you know you’re in the position to sue, contact your insurance company to try to settle the issue one last time.

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