{"id":358014,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:18","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/insurance-lawsuit-initial-info-to-gather.html"},"modified":"2026-01-30T17:08:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T22:08:00","slug":"insurance-lawsuit-initial-info-to-gather","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/insurance-lawsuit-initial-info-to-gather.html","title":{"rendered":"How To Prepare for an Insurance Lawsuit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

How To Prepare for an Insurance Lawsuit<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Insurance disputes can arise when a carrier denies payment or handles a claim unfairly. In rare cases, policyholders can sue the insurance company directly if there\u2019s evidence of bad faith, such as an unreasonable denial or failure to honor policy terms. An insurance lawyer can evaluate the dispute and pursue compensation through negotiation or litigation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Most insurance claims<\/span> are paid without issue. But if the insurance company<\/span> denies your claim, you typically must file a personal injury lawsuit<\/span> against the responsible party. For example, if you are hurt in a car accident<\/span>, you usually submit a claim with the at-fault driver\u2019s insurance carrier.<\/p>\n

If your claim isn\u2019t paid, you will sue the driver personally for damages. In this scenario, the insurance company<\/span> must legally represent the other driver. But you would not name the insurance carrier as a defendant in your civil complaint.<\/p>\n

But sometimes, you can\u00a0sue the insurance carrier directly<\/a>. It is rare, but if your personal injury lawyer<\/span> can prove that the insurance company<\/span> operated in bad faith, you may have a claim for damages.<\/p>\n

This article explains how to file suit against an insurance company<\/span>. You\u2019ll learn about:<\/p>\n