How Can a Lawyer Help With an Insurance Dispute?

Most people pay for insurance policies for years without ever expecting they will actually have to fight to obtain the coverage they were promised. Unfortunately, this is something that happens far more often than many people realize, and if you are currently dealing with an insurance company that has delayed, undervalued, or outright denied your claim, you should continue reading and contact an experienced civil litigation lawyer to learn more about how our legal team can help you with an insurance dispute. Here are some of the questions you may have:

What types of insurance disputes commonly lead to litigation?

Insurance disputes can arise in a wide variety of circumstances, and, unfortunately, many policyholders do not realize there is an issue until after they submit a claim and receive a denial letter or significantly reduced offer. Though insurance companies are supposed to provide coverage pursuant to the terms of a policy, disagreements over interpretation are relatively common, especially when substantial amounts of money are involved. Some of the most common insurance disputes that may lead to litigation are as follows:

• Denied homeowner’s insurance claims
• Commercial property damage disputes
• Business interruption claims
• Auto insurance coverage disputes
• Life insurance benefit disputes
• Health insurance claim denials
• Delayed claim investigations
• Underpayment of valid claims
• Coverage disputes involving policy exclusions
• Bad faith insurance practices

How can a civil litigation lawyer help during an insurance dispute?

There are several ways in which a civil litigation lawyer may assist during an insurance dispute, but one of the primary functions of an attorney in these matters is to protect policyholders from unfair treatment and ensure insurance companies are acting in accordance with both the policy itself and applicable law. Some of the ways a lawyer may help during an insurance dispute are as follows:

• Reviewing the insurance policy in full
• Determining whether coverage was improperly denied
• Gathering documentation and evidence supporting the claim
• Communicating directly with the insurance company
• Negotiating a fair settlement
• Filing a lawsuit when necessary
• Pursuing compensation for bad faith conduct
• Representing clients during litigation, mediation, or trial

What should you do if your insurance claim was denied?

If your insurance claim was denied, it is important to understand that a denial does not necessarily mean the matter is over. In many situations, denied claims can still be challenged successfully through additional negotiations, appeals, or litigation. However, because these matters can quickly become complicated, it is generally best to speak with an attorney before making any major decisions. If your claim was denied, you should strongly consider taking the following steps:

• Keep copies of all communications with the insurer
• Preserve photographs, receipts, estimates, and related evidence
• Request a written explanation for the denial
• Avoid signing documents before having them reviewed
• Contact an experienced New Jersey civil litigation lawyer

Ultimately, insurance companies are businesses, and their interests do not always match up with the interests of the people paying for coverage.

If you have additional questions or would like to speak to a knowledgeable attorney about your circumstances, please don’t hesitate to contact Gruber, Colabella, Thompson, Hiben & Montella today.