Do I Need a Lawyer to Deal With Insurance Companies?

If you have been in an accident or your home has suffered damage, you might be wondering if dealing with your insurance is something you can do or if you should get a lawyer to help.

In what cases should you get a lawyer to help with an insurance claim?

If your claim is small and straightforward, you will probably be able to settle with the insurance company without any issues. Other cases are more complicated, and the chances for a dispute may also increase, such as when:

• You have a claim, but you and the insurance adjuster do not agree on how to proceed.

• Your claim is extensive and complex.

• You have a large claim, such as when your house has been damaged by fire or has suffered quit a bit of damage from a flood, a hurricane or other event.

• Fault is hard to establish.

These are just a few examples of situations where legal help will yield completely different results. If your case is complicated, it is a good idea to reach out to a lawyer before talking to your insurance representative. In most cases, this initial consultation will be free, and you may benefit from receiving some solid legal advice before deciding how you want to move forward.

Would a lawyer help if the claim has already been denied?

Chances are that the insurance company will not change its mind once it has come to a decision regarding a claim. Working with a lawyer might help you present new evidence and might result in a different opinion on the insurance's part. However, it is always a better option to get legal help before the insurance denies the claim. This way, you have the highest chances of having your claim approved from the beginning.

In many cases, insurance companies know that the claimant does not have experience in dealing with them and may use shaky reasoning to deny a claim. This is something they would not be able to get away with when a lawyer is involved.

Get a lawyer before the claim is denied. Otherwise, you may be facing an appeal, which is not an easy matter that implies no more than filing a few forms. On the contrary, the process may be drawn out, and you may find yourself in court with a lawsuit in your hands.

How can a lawyer increase your chances of success?

During your consultation with your lawyer, they will ask questions to understand and evaluate your claim. Based on this information, they will be able to determine whether your claim is worth pursuing. If you do have a case, a lawyer will use their expertise to help you with your claim.

When the insurance company knows you do not have a lawyer, it is likely that the offer you will get will be low. They hope that you are so desperate to fix the damage that you will grab the money and run. Or they may deny it, knowing that there will be nothing more that you can do to change that denial. However, if they are aware that you have a lawyer working with you to prove your claim, your odds will improve.

If you have doubts as to the strength of your claim, contact our firm for an initial consultation.

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