Should I Get a Lawyer to File My Insurance Claim?

Insurance coverage is intended to reimburse you for losses resulting from personal injuries or property damage. Common types of insurance policies include: 

• Auto insurance for car accidents and collisions 
• Homeowners insurance for storm damage, water damage, fallen trees, etc. 
• Health insurance to cover medical bills and other health care expenses 

Most insurance claims are relatively straightforward and can be completed without the help of a lawyer. As long as the claim is covered under your policy and you provide the insurance adjuster with all the necessary information to assess your claim (such as medical records or police reports), the process should go smoothly.  

However, there are times when having a lawyer’s expertise can be essential — for example, if you have a large claim for property damage or the claims adjuster unreasonably denies your claim. This article will cover some things you should consider before seeking legal help. If you have any questions about your insurance situation, don’t wait to get them answered by an attorney. Speaking with an insurance claim lawyer can give you peace of mind and clarity about your next steps. 

When Is It a Good Idea To Get a Lawyer? 

Let’s look at a couple of insurance scenarios to see how a lawyer can help.

Getting Legal Help To Initially File a Claim 

“As a general rule, I don’t think it’s necessary for policyholders to retain legal counsel when filing a claim,” says Nathan D. Meyer, an attorney at Jaburg Wilk in Phoenix, Arizona, whose practice focuses on representing insurance companies. 

That said, “there are times when a policyholder needs or should retain counsel. For example, suppose an insurance company makes unreasonable requests. In that case, it can be helpful to have [a lawyer] guide the policyholder through the process. But most times, assuming everything is above board, and the policyholder has nothing to hide, the insurance company is willing to take most of the insurance investigation on themselves.” 

Meyer adds that you might need legal counsel for complex commercial claims. “For example, say you’re a hotel owner, and a storm ripped the roof off your hotel. As a result, you can’t get revenue by renting those rooms out. You may need to get experts involved to map out the loss of earnings and revenue in that sort of case.”  

Without expert guidance in this sort of case, it will probably be challenging to figure out compensation. “But for most personal lines claims, I wouldn’t say it’s necessary for policyholders to retain counsel just to present a claim.” 

As a general rule, I don’t think it’s necessary for policyholders to retain legal counsel when filing a claim… there are times when a policyholder needs or should retain counsel… But most times, assuming everything is above board, and the policyholder has nothing to hide, the insurance company is willing to take most of the insurance investigation on themselves.

Getting a Lawyer To Appeal a Claim Denial 

But what happens if the insurance company keeps denying your claim?  

David B. Ezra, an insurance lawyer at Berger Kahn in Lake Forest, California gives some guidance: “If the insurance company has told you two or three times that they don’t see your claim as covered, but you’re looking at the policy and you think it is covered, that’s the time to go chat with an attorney.” 

How can an attorney help in this situation? “An attorney can look at your policy and the insurance company’s denial letters and consider how the courts, in past decisions, have interpreted the wording of similar policies and situations,” Ezra says. 

Basically, a good attorney can let you know if you have a good case. That doesn’t mean immediately jumping into a lawsuit, adds Ezra. “Instead, they might send the insurance company a letter citing some judicial opinions that might influence its thinking. Based on the lawyer’s communication, the insurance company might reach some sort of compromise on the settlement offer or change its position entirely. If that process still doesn’t get anywhere, you’ll sit down with your lawyer and decide if it’s worth filing a lawsuit.” 

The letter that a lawyer sends the insurance company “could be in the form of a demand for payment, depending on the claim and where things are in the process,” says Ezra.  

“For example, if you have assessed the exact cost that went into getting someone to repair your house from water damage — replacing the floors, etc. — you might include that amount in the letter. But often, it will be nothing more than getting the coverage decision reversed. Once that happens, you focus on valuing the claim.” 

If the insurance company has told you two or three times that they don’t see your claim as covered, but you’re looking at the policy and you think it is covered, that’s the time to go chat with an attorney. An attorney can look at your policy and… [let you know if you have a good case].

Have Legal Questions About Your Insurance?

If you are not receiving the insurance coverage that you paid for, experienced lawyers in our directory are only a phone call away.

Find a lawyer today

What Do Insurance Lawyers Charge? 

The amount that lawyers charge for their legal services, and the billing methods they use, vary from attorney to attorney. Fees also depend on the sort of case you have. Factors that play into cost include: 

• The lawyer’s level of experience 
• The types of cases the lawyer handles  
• The size of the law firm where the lawyer practices 
• How complex your case is 
• The amount of money at stake in your case 

Working on a Contingency Fee

Many insurance lawyers charge on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid a percentage if they win the lawsuit on your behalf. What this means for you as a potential client is that there are no upfront costs to getting legal help.  

“Many people will want contingency fee attorneys so that they have less downside if they don’t win,” says Ezra. “Contingency fees are fairly common in bad faith cases, especially if there’s not a large amount of money at stake.”  

Given the risk of nonpayment, lawyers tend to be selective in agreeing to contingency fee cases. Ezra concludes, “Most of the time, you’ll be looking at contingency fee attorneys. When you get to higher dollar amounts, it’s more likely to have an hourly fee attorney or a hybrid fee situation.”  

When meeting with an attorney for the first time, it’s best to discuss billing upfront .  

Find an Experienced Insurance Claims Attorney 

Look for an insurance law attorney in the Super Lawyers directory for legal help.