Insurance Law is a broad area of law that covers such things as injury claims, loss of property, disability claims and claims for damage due to fire and vandalism. Most people have purchased insurance, but many are hard-pressed to explain what they are insured for, and what their rights are if they suffer a loss. In the wake of 9/11, insurance companies are more aggressive than ever in defending claims. Dealing with a difficult insurance adjuster can often be as difficult as dealing with the loss itself.

There are two branches to insurance law. The first is "no fault" insurance, where an insurance company is directly responsible for a loss pursuant to an insurance contract, irrespective of who caused the loss. For example, if a house is insured against fire and it burns down, the insurance company is liable for the loss of the house, regardless of how it was caused. The second branch is "at-fault" insurance. This is where a person's own insurance is responsible for the accidental loss caused to another. Using the same example, if the house burned down because an electrician was negligent, then the electrician's insurance company is responsible for the loss.

It is wise talk to a lawyer before purchasing insurance, so that you understand what the insurance will cover, what is excluded, what the deductibles are, and what the turnaround time is for payment on a claim. Know what you are buying, and what the benefits would be if you make a claim. This information will help you make sound decisions in allocating your personal or business finances.

One of the greatest difficulties with insurance claims is that insurers tend to point to one another when a loss occurs, and the claimant is left to deal with two or more insurance companies that are each saying another insurer is responsible. This situation can be confusing and time-consuming, especially when a person's life or business is already disrupted by the loss. To add to the difficulty, there are strict reporting requirements and time limitations in insurance contracts that can act to make an insurance contract void if they are not properly complied with. If you are looking to collect proceeds from an insurance company, you would likely benefit from consulting a lawyer about what you are entitled to, and how to maximize your benefits. Knowing your rights and obligations will help make the most of an unpleasant situation.

Cardinal Law’s Insurance Law practice includes:

• major loss claims
• disability claims
• property damage or loss