How to Choose a Homeowners Insurance Lawyer
More than 1.3 million lawyers work in the United States.[1] If you can’t agree with your homeowners insurance company, you may need legal assistance to resolve your claim.
A lawyer will be your representative in conversations with your homeowners insurance company. And if you go to court, your lawyer will represent you then too. It’s important to choose the right professional. Here’s how to find one.
Key Facts
Key Facts
- A home insurance lawyer could help you resolve homeowners insurance claims.
- Reasons for hiring a homeowners insurance attorney include delays, claim denials, and disputed claims.
- Hiring a public adjuster is another way to handle negotiations with your home insurance company to settle a claim.
Determining Your Specific Needs
Some homeowners insurance claims are relatively simple. You file paperwork, the company gives an offer on the payout, and you agree to it. But others are much more complex, and a lawyer’s help is required.
Before you hire a home insurance lawyer, consider working with a public adjuster. This person works for you and can compare your damage to your policy benefits. With the assessment complete, your public adjuster can work with your insurance company on your behalf. Sometimes, this is enough to help the two sides agree on a settlement.
But if your public adjuster can’t help or your insurance company disagrees with their assessment, a lawyer can step in. This professional can connect with your adjuster, gather the evidence, and work with your insurance company. In worst-case scenarios, your lawyer can represent you in a legal case against your insurance company.
Choosing the Right Homeowners Insurance Lawyer
A lawyer does important work in resolving a homeowners insurance claim. It’s critical to find a professional who is both qualified and easy to work with. These steps may help:
Research Potential Lawyers
In an American Bar Association study, 87% of lawyer respondents said they had a website.[2] And more than 80% said their firms use at least one social media platform.[2] It should be easy to conduct an online search and compile a list of lawyers who could be right for you.
Asking friends, family, and coworkers for recommendations may be wise too. If your area is often hit by big storms or other home-wrecking incidents, people around you may have experience with local lawyers.
Evaluate Experience & Expertise
Several types of lawyers exist, including some who handle a range of legal issues without specializing in a particular area of the law.[3] However, some focus exclusively on working with insurance companies and representing the needs of policyholders.
Ask your potential lawyer how many insurance cases make up a typical yearly caseload. Ask about their win rate for cases similar to yours, and find out how much the final payout was worth.
Determining Compatibility
Lawyers are human beings with quirks, ticks, and habits just like anyone else. You’ll be working together very closely, so it’s important to ensure you’re compatible.
If it’s possible, hold your interviews in person. Ask your questions and gauge how easily you can speak to your lawyer. If you’re uncomfortable, it’s best to move on to the next name on the list.
Assess the Fee Structure
Lawyers are ethically obligated to charge fees that are reasonable — not excessive.[4] But lawyers can (and do) pick how they bill their clients.
Most lawyers set an hourly fee for the work they do.[4] But others accept a percentage of the settlement you gather from your insurance company, known as working on contingency. The difference between these two methods could result in cost savings (or losses).
Any lawyer you choose should tell you how your final bill will be created. Ideally, this person will also give you an estimate of your total cost. Don’t be afraid to keep looking if you think your potential lawyer charges too much.
Making Your Decision
After interviewing several lawyers, you should have a short list of those you think might work for you. Ideally, one will stand out to you as the perfect partner. But if not, you should have enough information to make a decision.
Weigh the pros and cons of each potential lawyer. Trust your instincts, and choose the lawyer who you ultimately feel most confident working with.
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing a Homeowners Insurance Lawyer
We’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about how to choose a homeowners insurance lawyer.
Interview several legal experts, ideally in person. Assess their skills and qualifications in handling claims like yours, and ensure you feel comfortable working with them.
You’re not required to hire a lawyer to either file or resolve a homeowners insurance claim. It is generally viewed as a last resort. If you’re not working effectively with your company or aren’t getting satisfactory results, a lawyer may be helpful.
It depends. Your lawyer should explain the cost of your case very clearly before you get started.
Many homeowners insurance lawyers work on contingency, where they take a percentage of the final payout you receive. If you don’t receive a payout, they don’t get paid.
The right lawyer should have experience in cases like yours. That means they’ve worked with insurance companies many times and gotten successful results. Don’t let someone with no experience practice on your case.
A homeowners insurance lawyer can negotiate directly with your insurance company for a higher claim. Your lawyer can also argue your case in court if you go to trial to resolve your differences.
Sources
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Demographics. American Bar Association.
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2020 Websites and Marketing. (November 2020). American Bar Association.
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What Lawyers Do. (September 2023). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Fees and Expenses. (December 2020). American Bar Association.