Insurance Defense Lawyers and Attorneys

Insurance defence attorneys are retained by carriers to defend policyholders in claims made against them: auto and premises liability, professional liability, construction and product claims, coverage disputes and declaratory judgment actions, and bad faith defence.

The relationship is triangular — the carrier pays, the insured is the client, and the attorney owes duties to both. Reservation of rights letters, consent-to-settle clauses and the difference between defence and indemnity are the recurring questions.

Before you hire

• Policyholders: if a claim exceeds your limits or coverage is disputed, consider independent counsel of your own in addition to assigned defence counsel.
• Carriers and self-insured businesses: ask about trial experience and about reporting and billing practice under your guidelines.
• Notify your insurer promptly. Late notice is itself a coverage defence in many policies.

Insurance claims lists attorneys who act for policyholders against carriers.