Dealing with a home insurance claim can be an arduous process. From communicating with the insurance company to evaluating complicated documents to potentially hiring a home insurance attorney, there are probably a lot of questions on your mind. One of the most pressing questions concerns what type of lawyer to hire.
To help simplify the process, learn about the qualities and experience you should look for when hiring a home insurance attorney.
Experience Is Everything
When it comes to hiring a lawyer, the key factor is experience. What is their track record like? Have they handled cases like yours before? Remember, not all bad faith attorneys are created equal. Some are better suited for certain types of cases than others.
As you go through the process of selecting a lawyer, make sure they have the necessary experience to advocate for your interests in court. This could literally be the difference between successful and unsuccessful litigation.
What Is Their Trial Record Like?
One of the easiest ways to evaluate an attorney’s experience is by looking at their trial record. This will tell you whether they’ve taken a home insurance case all the way to trial and what the results were.
Unfortunately, there are many lawyers out there who accept home insurance cases without the intent of ever taking them to trial. This is ultimately a waste of your time, money, and effort that could be spent working toward successful litigation.
Why Is Courtroom Experience Important?
When it comes to hiring the right bad faith attorney, courtroom experience is crucial because it could result in a larger settlement.
A savvy lawyer who possesses a working knowledge of courtroom procedures and decorum will understand how to fight for a larger settlement. Attorneys with little experience and a lack of knowledge regarding home insurance cases are generally awarded smaller settlements.
Be honest with yourself when you’re considering whether selecting an attorney without the right experience is a risk you are willing to take. If your goal is to win a larger settlement and hold the insurance company accountable for prolonging your claim, then you are going to want to err on the side of experience.
What if You Can’t Find Information Online?
If you can’t find any information online pertaining to the lawyer’s record and trial experience, you should reach out to their office and inquire directly. After all, this is a crucial question that has major implications for your claim. You deserve to know the answers.
A qualified home insurance attorney with a stellar record isn’t going to be shy about their experience. If you ask them about their trial history, they will likely be able to provide documentation rather quickly. This is the type of attorney you want to handle your claim.
Watch Out for Red Flags
When searching for information, you may come across red flags pertaining to the attorney’s past or current behavior. Do not take this information lightly — it could be the difference between weeks of wasted effort and successful litigation.
One of the main red flags you should be aware of is from bad faith attorneys who only seem concerned with the overall settlement amount. There are many components to a home insurance trial, and solely focusing on the litigation doesn’t really do anything to help your claim or help you present a better case.
Set the Right Expectations
Remember that every case is different. From the loss you’ve incurred to the insurer’s demeanor and internal processes, there are a lot of factors in play that make every situation unique. As a result, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Understanding this fact is essential to setting the right expectations.
Setting the right expectations greatly reduces your chances of your getting confused or overwhelmed throughout the process. You’ll be less likely to get impatient if specific aspects of the trial take longer than others. Additionally, cultivating more awareness regarding all that is involved will help you stay alert and make better decisions.
Personality Matters
Experience is undoubtedly the most important quality to look for when seeking a lawyer for your home insurance claim. However, you also want to make sure they are someone you enjoy dealing with.
This is why an initial consultation is so important. It will give you a chance to see if their personality is compatible with yours and decide whether you will work well together.
Ready to Get Started? Contact the Professionals
If you are ready to get started on settling your claim, contact Brasher Law today. Our experienced bad faith attorneys have the knowledge and initiative required to successfully represent your interests in court. We have vast experience dealing with insurance companies and will happily provide a trial record upon request.
Don’t wait another day to do something about your claim. Contact us today.
