Money Matters

The U.S. insurance industry has trillions of dollars in assets, enjoying average profits of more than $30 billion a year. America’s insurance companies have consistently tried to deny claims, delay payments, confuse consumers, and retroactively refuse anyone who may cost them money.

Corless Barfield Trial Group is a trial-ready team with experience litigating virtually every type of insurance coverage case in Florida. Our lawyers are highly knowledgeable about the insurance industry and the issues challenging it, and they have first chair trial experience that few firms can match. Corless Barfield has the commitment, experience, and resources to successfully represent clients in homeowner and commercial policy disputes as well as motor vehicle insurance.

Friend or Foe?

Any person dealing with a property insurance dispute or personal injury claim will likely come into contact with an insurance company. While the world of insurance litigation is exceedingly complex, having an appreciation for some of the basic principles with regard to how insurers operate can help you receive the maximum recovery possible for your incident.

Insurance companies go to great lengths to make their insureds believe that they are not only friendly but that they also represent your interests and needs.  The reality is, your insurer is not your friend and they are in the business of making money for their employer, not you. Their job is to protect their own interests rather than those of their customers.

Our first party insurance litigation attorneys represent businesses and homeowners in lawsuits against insurance companies. We handle first party insurance claims involving:

• Property damage insurance
• Commercial coverage
• Business interruption insurance
• Health insurance
• Environmental coverage

 Settle For More

Insurance adjusters hope you do not retain counsel to address your insurance dispute. They are trained to discourage people from retaining counsel because those who are represented by attorneys have recovered more compensation historically than those who elect not to seek representation. Policyholders represented by counsel are likely to receive more money for their claims than if they had chosen to deal directly with the insurance company.

It is important to understand that your insurance company may offer you an easy and quick resolution is if it is in the company’s best interest to do so. If the insurer can take a much smaller hit when you accept its initial offer, the company wins and is happy to pay the much smaller claim rather than risk being forced to pay a much larger amount. If your insurance adjuster offers you a quick settlement, that means the insurance company has determined it will make more money by settling early.

It may not be in your financial interest to settle directly with your insurance company.  Insureds may actually benefit from the insurer’s delay tactics. Remember, if you are represented by counsel, an attorney will be a zealous advocate for you, will be experienced enough to understand the realistic value of your claim, and will have the skill and expertise to get the most out of your position. If you are having a dispute with an insurance company, contact an attorney. Call Corless Barfield Trial Group toll-free at (877) 517-5595 or locally at 813-258-4998.