can i tell my insurance company who i want as an attorney

As an insured one of the rights you have is the right to select your own lawyers and typically your own environmental consultant. To put this in context, the attorney defending your claim works for you and not your insurance carrier. The insurance carrier must pay for the defense of the claim.

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Should I contact a lawyer before talking to an insurance company?

Aug 21, 2016 · No. Two reasons. First the insurance company must only deal with your attorney, not you. Second, if you want to take that offer simply tell your attorney and they will do it. They might argue and ask you to wait to get a better offer but in the end it's your case and you call the shots. So tell your attorney and let them know exactly why.

Do I need a lawyer to review my life insurance policy?

When an insurance company retains a lawyer to “represent” you on your claim, this is referred to as a tripartite relationship. A tripartite relationship refers to the relationship among an insurer, it’s insured, and defense counsel retained by the insurer to defend the insured against third-party claims. This relationship can present ...

Can an insurance company act as your agent?

Feb 01, 2015 · So if you have a lawyer, you should definitely never talk to the insurance company yourself. Anything that you say to the adjusters can be used against you during the handling of your case. Your lawyer is the only one who should speak with the insurance company, because they have your best interests at heart. Plus, they are very experienced in knowing how to handle …

Why do I need a lawyer for a car insurance claim?

When you hire an experienced law firm, like John Foy & Associates, the insurance company will know who they are and how your case is handled will be a huge difference. While you should contact your insurance company as well as your lawyer, your first call, after seeking medical attention, collecting the other driver’s information, and taking photo evidence should be to …

Can you lie to insurance companies?

Intentionally lying to your insurance company is a form of fraud, and could result in fines, community service, or even jail time. If you lie to your insurance provider, you could be denied coverage, quoted higher rates, or face penalties like fines, community service, or even prison.Dec 8, 2021

How long does an insurance company have to investigate a claim?

Generally, the insurance company has about 30 days to investigate your claim. Pro tip: Your state's statutes of limitations will also determine how much time you have to file and settle a claim.

What should I not tell an insurance company?

Avoid using phrases like “it was my fault,” “I'm sorry,” or “I apologize.” Don't apologize to your insurer, the other driver, or law enforcement. Even if you are simply being polite and not intentionally admitting fault, these types of words and phrases will be used against you.Dec 8, 2020

Why would an insurance company investigate a claim?

Insurance companies often conduct claims investigations to evaluate the legitimacy of a claim. The investigation process helps the claims adjuster make an educated decision about how to proceed with a claim. Insurance claims investigations are used to combat the prevalence of false or inflated claims.Nov 4, 2019

What do insurance investigators ask?

As part of the process, the insurance investigator may and likely will ask for any of the following pieces of information: Contact information that you obtained for the other driver at the accident scene. Images or photos of your car and/or the scene of the accident. To inspect your car for damages.

What should you not say to an insurance claim?

Never say that you are sorry or admit any kind of fault. Remember that a claims adjuster is looking for reasons to reduce the liability of an insurance company, and any admission of negligence can seriously compromise a claim.

Do insurance companies try to get out of paying?

Insurance companies will seek to decrease or eliminate payments for injuries caused by an insured person's actions. After becoming injured, victims of accidents want nothing more than to move on from the traumatizing experience.

Are insurance adjusters honest?

Are Insurance Adjusters Trustworthy? The general answer to this question is: NO. This is not to accuse all insurance adjusters of being dishonest people. However, it is important to remember that all insurance adjustors have some sort of loyalty to their employer.Apr 20, 2017

Heather Danielle Lee

Your attorney CANNOT decline a settlement offer that you want to accept. Any settlement is your decision and your decision only. I would not advise that you go behind your attorney's back, and as long as he or she still represents you, the opposing party will likely refuse to discuss the matter directly with you.

Frank Justin Shaughnessy

No. Two reasons. First the insurance company must only deal with your attorney, not you. Second, if you want to take that offer simply tell your attorney and they will do it. They might argue and ask you to wait to get a better offer but in the end it's your case and you call the shots. So tell your attorney and let them know exactly why.

Brian L. Greben

If you instruct your attorney to call the insurance company and tell them you changed your mind, he should listen to you.

What is a claim handler?

The claim handler has a job to do and they are oftentimes evaluated and rewarded on, among other things, metrics associated with how much your claim costs in comparison to “similar” claims . Additionally, most insurance carriers do not have separate environmental claim departments.

Who is Stephen Henshaw?

Stephen Henshaw, CEO at EnviroForensics & PolicyFind has over 30+ years of experience and holds professional registrations in numerous states. Henshaw serves as a client manager and technical manager on complex projects involving contaminated and derelict properties, creative litigation, deceased landowners, tax liens, non-performing banknotes, resurrecting defunct companies and cost recovery. Henshaw’s expertise includes a comprehensive understanding of past and current industry and waste handling practices and the fate and transport of chlorinated solvents in soil and groundwater. He has served as a testifying expert for plaintiffs and defendants on high profile cases involving causation and timing of releases, contaminant dispersion, allocation, damages, past costs, and closure estimates. He has a strong knowledge of state and federal regulations, insurance law, RCRA, and CERCLA. He has managed several hundred projects including landfills, solvent and petroleum refineries, foundries, metal plating shops, food processors, dry cleaners, wood treating facilities, chemical distribution facilities, aerospace manufacturing facilities, and transporters and provides strategy instrumental in funding projects and moving them to closure.

What do you need to know about insurance?

What you need to know about your insurance coverage: You have the right to select your own lawyer and typically your own consultant. Understanding your rights as an insured will benefit you in several ways. As an insured one of the rights you have is the right to select your own lawyers and typically your own environmental consultant.

What rights do you have as an insured?

As an insured one of the rights you have is the right to select your own lawyers and typically your own environmental consultant. To put this in context, the attorney defending your claim works for you and not your insurance carrier. The insurance carrier must pay for the defense of the claim. Within reason, the “duty to defend” by an insurance ...

What is the duty to defend?

Within reason, the “duty to defend” by an insurance carrier includes paying for your legal defense and includes assessing and determining your liability and exposure. The only way to understand your liability and exposure is to collect enough data to determine the extent and magnitude of the problem and to determine the cost of the cleanup.

What is a tripartite relationship?

In the former, you have to understand who employs your attorney. When an insurance company retains a lawyer to “represent” you on your claim , this is referred to as a tripartite relationship. A tripartite relationship refers to the relationship among an insurer, it’s insured, and defense counsel retained by the insurer to defend the insured against third-party claims. This relationship can present actual or potential conflicts between the insurer and the insured, placing defense counsel in a difficult, and often confusing, positions.

Why is it important to understand your rights?

It’s imperative you understand your rights in order to make the best decisions pertaining to selecting the best legal counsel and that attorney providing the best legal defense for you. The best thing that you can do is to understand your rights.

Why Must You Speak to Your Insurer After a Crash?

The last thing that many victims want to do after an accident is to discuss the events with their insurance company. While you don’t necessarily have to share all of the traumatic details of your accident with your insurance company, you do have certain obligations as an insured that you must abide by.

What Should You Not Say to Your Insurer?

It can prove difficult to speak with an insurance company representative. Before you make or accept a call from the insurance company, understand that the adjuster will likely try to get as much information from you as possible. You have the information that they want, and you must remain in control of the conversation at all times.

What Information Should You Provide to Your Insurer?

A call with your insurer will take effort on your part to navigate and avoid areas of discussion that don’t benefit you at this time. You should provide certain bits of information to your insurer in your initial phone call after an accident, which we discuss below.

How Can Your Statements to Your Insurer Affect Your Case?

Many accident victims underestimate the impact a phone call or communication with your insurer can ultimately have in your case. Most people are careful in conversations with opposing insurance companies, but you may let down your guard with your own insurance company mistakenly under the belief that it will operate in your best interests.

Do You Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

Hiring a personal injury attorney after a car accident can provide many benefits. Your lawyer can serve as an intermediary with insurance companies and at-fault parties throughout your claim. Once you retain an attorney, all parties must divert their communications to your attorney and away from you. Your insurance