what lawyer do i need if an insurance company is sueing me

by Dr. Raina Ullrich IV 9 min read

Can you sue an insurance company without a lawyer?

Jul 14, 2021 · If an auto insurance company is suing you, you need to talk to your own insurance company as soon as possible. Most auto insurance policies provide car accident lawsuit coverage. Most auto insurance policies provide car accident lawsuit coverage.

Should I settle with the insurance company without a lawyer?

Although not a requirement for filing a lawsuit against your insurance company, an experienced financial attorney may be in your best interests, in order to make sure that your claim is taken seriously and that you receive the best remedy for your situation.

Does your insurance company Want you to hire an attorney?

While insurance companies are here to help you, they also want to pay you as little as possible. These businesses are looking to make a profit. That is why you should consider hiring a personal injury attorney for your case. If you require assistance suing an insurance company, call the Law Offices at Sadaka Associates at (800) 810-3457. Our legal team will schedule a consultation …

How long does an insurance company have to sue?

If you believe that your agent or provider has failed in their duties, you may consider suing an insurance company for negligence. Speaking with a skilled tort attorney will help you determine the best path forward. The skilled legal experts at Morgan & Morgan have decades of experience representing victims of negligence.

How do I fight an insurance company?

Step 1: Contact your insurance agent or company again. Before you contact your insurance agent or home insurance company to dispute a claim, you should review the claim you initially filed. ... Step 2: Consider an independent appraisal. ... Step 3: File a complaint and hire an attorney.Mar 3, 2022

Why would an insurance company sue?

You can sue your insurance company if they violate or fail the terms of the insurance policy. Common violations include not paying claims in a timely fashion, not paying properly filed claims, or making bad faith claims.Feb 16, 2022

Can an insurance company take me to court?

If you have trouble getting your money back, you can take the insurance company or driver to court. If your insurance company have dealt with the claim, they should claim the excess back for you.

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.

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...

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 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.

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 does not indemnify the insured?

Thus, lawsuits often arise when an insurance company does not indemnify, or protect, the insured from a covered act under the policy or when an insurance company otherwise does not fulfill their end of the contract, such as by wrongfully denying an insurance claim.

What is a contractual relationship between an insured and an insurer?

Therefore, a legal contractual relationship exists between an insured, the person who agrees to pay a premium for coverage, and an insurer, the company/group which agrees to protect the insured if a covered event occurs. Thus, lawsuits often arise when an insurance company does not indemnify, or protect, the insured from a covered act under ...

What is the most common legal theory that insurance companies are sued upon?

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 the obligation of a liability insurance company?

When you buy liability insurance, part of the insurance company’s obligation is to provide a defense for you if you are sued. The insurance company will do this by hiring and paying for an experienced attorney to represent you in court.

Why do insurers send reservation of rights letters?

In some cases your insurer may send you a reservation of rights letter. This is because your insurer is required to defend you on any claim that could be covered. If the lawsuit against you involves some claims that might be covered and others that are not covered, the insurer will have to offer you a defense.

Does an insurance company pay for a lawyer?

If the verdict in the case indicates that you were liable on a claim that is not covered, the insurance company will not pay the claim, even though they paid for the lawyer. The appointed lawyer is not required to represent you in any counterclaims that you might have against other parties.

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.

Why do insurance companies manipulate language?

Unfortunately, insurance companies often interpret and manipulate the language in their policies to minimize or deny valid claims. Insurance providers have a significant self-interest to protect their cash reserves and to avoid payouts to policyholders.

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 to do if your insurance company does not provide legal counsel?

If the insurance company does not provide legal counsel, you should identify, interview, and engage a litigation attorney.

What to do if you don't have an attorney?

If you have insurance, you should submit the lawsuit to your insurance company and they will provide an attorney free of charge. If you do not have an attorney, you should contact one as soon as possible. Report Abuse. Report Abuse.

What to do if you have auto insurance?

If you have auto insurance put them on notice and they will hire an attorney to defend you. If not you need a lawyer that practices in the area of civil defense.

What to do if you have not been served with suit papers?

If you have not yet been served with suit papers, notify the agent and claims department immediately and give them all of the information they ask for.

What happens if you don't have insurance?

If you do not have insurance, then you should not have been on the road at all. You will have to hire a personal injury attorney; they usually advertise on TV, billboards, lavatory walls, buses, and any structure or medium possible. Of course, you will have to pay up front. so, it is always best to have auto insurance.

What to do if you don't have insurance on your car?

If you did not have insurance then you need to hire an attorney that handles civil matters to determine what is the best approach to take. Report Abuse.

Jeffrey Mark Adams

Look around for "insurance defense" or "civil litigation - defense" lawyers. If a lawyer is listed as an insurance defense lawyer, they handle your type of case although usually on contract with an insurance company. Warning: it will probably not be cheap to resolve. You might want to see what they...

Ryan Alexander

Civil attorney who is licensed in Kentucky. Also, "trying to sue" me is cryptic. You need to confirm if you have actually been sued.

Timothy Bernard Spille

Generally, you want to hire a civil defense attorney who routinely defends personal injury cases. I hope you have now secured automobile liability insurance for your vehicle. You will soon learn that paying an insurance premium is a bargain compared to paying for a...

Lars A. Lundeen

I agree with the other attorneys who have responded to your question. You will need an attorney that is well versed in defending personal injury cases specific to motor vehicle accidents.

Christopher S Ison

You need someone with experience defending personal injury law suits. Generally this would be taken care of by your insurance; however, since you did not have insurance the burden will be on you to find and retain an attorney. You can look on Avvo for attorneys who practice in your area...

Why do you report an accident to your insurance company?

Another big reason to report the accident to your insurance company is so that you can reap the benefits of the services they can provide you in the event you are sued.

Why is it important to contact your insurance provider immediately?

It is vital that you contact your insurance provider immediately and bring them up to speed because they will play a major role in your case. You should have already reported the accident to your insurance company and given them a detailed report of what happened.

Can an auto accident lawsuit be settled out of court?

More often than not, an auto accident lawsuit settles out of court as there are benefits to both parties. You or your insurance company can make an offer to the other party to avoid going to trial. You can offer up a sum of money that is within your policy limits to avoid any risk of having to pay out of pocket.

What do you state in a lawsuit?

In the lawsuit, you state what the insurance company did or failed to do that amounts to good faith. You must show that the insurance company failed to act in good faith when it comes to processing your claim and honoring the terms of your policy. You must explain how the insurance company’s actions hurt you financially.

What does it mean to be rude to an insurance company?

Being overly rude or threatening in a way that’s meant to avoid paying a claim. Trying to overwhelm you with work. Misrepresenting what the policy says and what it means. There may be other actions by the insurance company that amounts to bad faith.

What are some examples of insurance fraud?

Insurance fraud depends on the exact circumstances of the case. Here are some examples of insurance company bad faith: 1 Refusing to pay a claim when the claim is valid 2 Trying to pay less than the claim is worth 3 Offering too little of a settlement based on undisputed facts 4 Denying facts when the evidence supports them 5 Causing unreasonable delays in the case 6 Ignoring phone calls, emails and other attempts to communicate 7 Trying to intimidate someone making a claim 8 Being overly rude or threatening in a way that’s meant to avoid paying a claim 9 Trying to overwhelm you with work 10 Misrepresenting what the policy says and what it means

What is bad faith insurance?

Bad faith occurs when an insurance company takes steps to avoid honoring an insurance policy or fairly paying a claim. Insurance companies must go about their business honestly. They must be fair with their customers and with third-parties that make claims against the insurance policies. If an insurance company tries to avoid paying a valid claim, ...

What are some examples of bad faith insurance companies?

Here are some examples of insurance company bad faith: Refusing to pay a claim when the claim is valid. Trying to pay less than the claim is worth. Offering too little of a settlement based on undisputed facts. Denying facts when the evidence supports them.

Why did the Florida Supreme Court say that insurance companies must act in bad faith?

The Florida Supreme Court said that because the insurance company’s actions contributed to a judgment that was probably higher than it would have been , the insurance company acted in bad faith. The Court said that an insurance company must act with the same urgency as if they’re in the shoes of the policyholder.

How much notice do you need to give to an insurance company before filing a claim in Florida?

Finally, it covers failing to work fast enough to resolve a claim. Florida law requires you to give the insurance company a 60-day notice before filing a civil action. The law allows for punitive damages in some cases.