There are moments when you need to turn to your insurance company for help. But what if your claim is denied?
Dealing with these disputes can be a long and painful process. Getting in touch with the best insurance lawyers in Calgary can not only increase your chances of getting your settlement, but also make the process less stressful overall.
Luckily for you, we’ll cover those today, from their rates to their pros and cons.
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How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Insurance Lawyer in Calgary?
Insurance lawyers usually charge on a contingency basis. This means that the client pays the lawyer a percentage of the settlement, if and when the case is resolved.
The typical rate falls between 30 to 45% of the settlement amount. But, this may vary depending on the settlement size and type of insurance claim.
Your lawyer may also bill you for disbursement fees. These include photocopying, sending documents, medical reports and filing costs, among others.
The Best Insurance Lawyers in Calgary
Now you’re aware of the general fees to expect when hiring an insurance lawyer, check out some of the best firms in Calgary below.
1. Field Law LLP
| PRODUCTS | Bonds and sureties, construction, cyber liability, directors and officers liability, fidelity coverage, general liability, homeowner and tenant insurance, host liquor liability, motor vehicle, occupier’s liability, professional liability, property loss, vehicles, sports and events |
| WEBSITE | https://www.fieldlaw.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 400-444 7 AVE SW Calgary, AB T2P 0X8 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | 403 260 8500 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Field Law LLP has been in the business of solving legal concerns for over 100 years. Among the many awards under their belt, Field Law has been recognized by Canadian Lawyer Magazine as one of the top law firms in Western Canada.
40 of their 120 lawyers specialize in insurance. Among them are professionals who previously practiced in-house for insurance firms, so you can be certain that they know the ins and outs of insurance law.
Field Law is praised by their clients for working quickly and empathetically. In the face of illness, accidents or death of loved ones, these are the kind of people you want to have on your team.
In addition to their duties on cases, Field Law updates their clients about trends and developments in insurance law. The firm mounts learning seminars and periodically sends out email bulletins to keep their clients informed.
Pros
- 100-year tenure
- Large team of 40 insurance lawyers
- Keeps clients updated via seminars and email bulletins
Cons
- Team is divided across three offices, with only one office in Calgary
- Claims of higher rates versus competitor firms
Customer Reviews
If it’s a time-tested firm you’re looking to hire, look into Field Law LLP as one of your prospects. Before anything else, read up on what their past clients have to say about their experiences:
“I was very lucky to have been referred to Field Law after being bounced around several other law firms and being told no one could help. I had the privilege of having Predrag Tomic in my corner and I couldn’t have asked for anyone better.” —Hayley Neufeld
“Service was prompt, the information provided was very helpful, and it far exceeded my expectations.” —Taylor Grantham
2. McLennan Ross LLP
| PRODUCTS | Accident insurance, auto liability, aviation, bad faith litigation, business interruption, casualty, comprehensive liability, construction, directors and officers liability, disability, employment liability, environmental liability, errors and omissions, fidelity and surety, homeowners’ insurance, licensing, life insurance, malpractice, oil and gas, products liability, professional liability and malpractice, property losses, reinsurance, sickness insurance, specialty lines |
| WEBSITE | https://mross.com/ |
| ADDRESS | Suite 1900, Eau Claire Tower, 600 3rd Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2P 0G5 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | 403 543 9120 |
McLennan Ross LLP has been recognized as one of the top 10 regional firms in Western Canada by Canadian Lawyer Magazine. In this survey, lawyers across the country praised McLennan Ross for their attentiveness and timely service, two things which can make or break an experience for a client.
McLennan Ross LLP is also a Meritas member. Meritas is an invitation-only network of firms hand-picked for exceptional service and legal advice.
At present, McLennan Ross has over 100 lawyers on their team. While they focus heavily on labour cases, the firm has 12 insurance lawyers who are experienced in the fields of car, property, casualty, general and professional liability.
Pros
- Recognized for superior service and client relations
- Offers relevant COVID-19 that may affect cases via their website
- Offers virtual consultations
Cons
- Team of lawyers is spread across three offices
- Puts a heavier focus on litigation and labour law
- Complaints of high consultation charges
Customer Reviews
If you don’t mind paying a higher price for award-winning service, McLennan Ross LLP may just be your match. Below are some reviews from their previous clients:
“Professional and caring. They acted on my inquiry right away. They perhaps could benefit from charging their clients a bit less. I am happy with the quality of their services.” —Bernard Richter
“The paralegals are very proficient, very prompt and a pleasure to work with.” —Ron Goryniuk
3. HMC Laywers LLP
| PRODUCTS | Insurance coverage disputes, occupiers’ liability, professional negligence, property and casualty litigation |
| WEBSITE | https://hmclawyers.com/ |
| ADDRESS | #1000 903 8th Ave SW Calgary, AB T2P 0P7 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | 403 269 7220 |
If you find yourself in a grave situation that may need to be taken to court, consider calling HMC Lawyers LLP.
Their team of insurance lawyers has defended cases at courts across Alberta and Western Canada. You can trust that these folks are experienced at fighting for their clients’ rights—and winning.
HMC Lawyers extends their services to individuals and insurance companies alike, so you can rest easy knowing their team has worked on both sides of the desk.
They were only established in 2010, but HMC Lawyers already has a library of reviews from satisfied clients. Their successful track record consists of various insurance claims, with most being related to personal injury.
Pros
- Team of 12 insurance lawyers
- Previous experience with representing insurance companies
- A tried-and-tested choice for mediating personal injury cases
Cons
- A newer firm compared to the rest on this list
Customer Reviews
Check out some feedback from HMC Lawyers’ previous clients:
“HMC Lawyers LLP was very responsive, knowledgeable and respectful in helping me understand a Commercial Insurance Policy. Thank you.” —Robert Lambert
“Sean Jeffers was our lawyer for 3 injury accidents, and I had a long medical history that Sean and his team had to research and defend our claims for injury. We were very pleased with the outcome of our mediation.” —Elizabeth Booth
4. JSS Barristers
| PRODUCTS | All risks and property insurance, brain damage and major neurological cases, commercial general liability, director and officer insurance, disability insurance, excess insurance, life insurance, occupiers’ liability, paraplegic and quadriplegic cases, professional liability insurance, self insurance, serious personal injury |
| WEBSITE | https://jssbarristers.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 800, 304 – 8 Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta T2P 1C2 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | 403 571 1520 [email protected] |
Not every law firm in Calgary can enjoy receiving a Canadian Law Award, but JSS Barristers basked in that glory just this year.
Not ones to rest on their laurels, they back up their impressive number of awards with consistent performance. Their team of lawyers has successfully defended individuals and large insurance firms at every level of court.
Keeping their clients well-informed, JSS Barristers regularly publishes updates on recent legal developments. They have also put together a COVID-19 resource center—a thoughtful gesture during these uncertain times.
Additionally, JSS Barristers is one of the few Calgary law firms with a Chinese-focused practice group for Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking clients.
Pros
- Recognized by Chambers Canada as one of Alberta’s top litigation firms
- Represents both individual insurance clients and insurance companies
- Able to service Chinese-speaking clients
Cons
- Insurance expertise is heavily focused on health-related claims
Customer Reviews
Eager to learn more about JSS Barristers? Take a look at these reviews.
“Competent legal services.” —Arlene Blake
“Their understanding of the substantive and procedural law is second-to-none and they are amongst the most courteous, professional and ethical lawyers I have worked with.” —Benchmark Litigation
5. SVR Lawyers
| PRODUCTS | Aviation, bodily injury defence, commercial general liability, construction, coverage, directors and officers liability, employment practice liability, energy, equipment breakdown, life and disability claims, healthcare defence, malpractice, product liability, professional discipline, property and casualty, social and commercial host liability, sports and recreation, subrogation |
| WEBSITE | https://www.svrlawyers.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 1500, 222 3 Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2P 0B4 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | 403 261 9043 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM |
SVR Lawyers has been a go-to option for individuals dealing with insurance claims for 35 years. Currently, 22 out of 31 lawyers on their team practice insurance law.
SVR Lawyers is also a member of the Risk Management Counsel of Canada (RMC). The RMC is a network of insurance defence law firms selected for their top-notch client care and cost-efficiency.
In addition to serving individual and corporate clients, SVR’s team also represents large-scale insurance companies.
When faced with a dispute that may entail a large loss, it would be wise to work with a lawyer who has experienced playing both sides of the fence.
Pros
- Majority of their team practices insurance law
- Represents both individual insurance clients and insurance companies
- Recognized by insurance law firm network, Risk Management Counsel of Canada
Cons
- Complaints of slow communication
Customer Reviews
SVR Lawyers is a crowd favorite in the field of insurance law. Here’s what some of their previous clients have to say:
“It was important for me to have someone that was responsive and competent. I never waited more than 24 hours for a reply and am very happy with the resulting agreement that was created, as it represented a solution that was best for all parties involved, which was important to me.” —Sandro Nigg
“Kalyn was always there when I needed her. She was professional and transparent. I would recommend Kalyn and her firm for your needs.” —Gladys Elliott
6. Sidhu Lawyers
| PRODUCTS | Bicycle Accident Car Accident Motorcycle Accident Pedestrian Accident Recreational Injury Slip and Fall Injury |
| WEBSITE | https://injury-lawyer-calgary.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 400, 909 – 17th Ave SW Calgary, Alberta, T2T 0A4 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone and Fax: 1 (403) 800-0314 Email: [email protected] |
| OPERATING HOURS | Contact for more details |
Sidhu Lawyers is a law firm that specializes in insurance lawyers. They are one of the most successful law firms for this niche.
They are a Calgary-based firm that offers services for both businesses and individuals. They are proud to offer quality legal advice, at competitive prices, with unmatched customer service to the people of Calgary.
The firm has over 14 people on staff and they have handled more than 1,000 cases under their belt. They have a range of experience from claims to general litigation and also handle residential real estate disputes through negotiation and litigation.
Sidhu Lawyers has gone through several changes over the years, but they have never forgotten where they came from – their roots as an award-winning small firm with a strong emphasis on client service. The firm continues to thrive today with lawyers who are committed to providing high-quality legal services at competitive rates while maintaining an unparalleled level of client service.
Pros
- Has experience working with ICBC claims and other areas of personal injury law
- Completely transparent with their clients
- Comprehensive case reviews
Cons
- Mainly specializes in personal injury law
Customer Reviews
Here’s what some people have to say about Sidhu Lawyers:
“Mr. Sidhu and his staff went above and beyond that I could have asked for to complete my file in record time. Exemplary service which I have never experienced from a lawyer in my last two decades in Calgary. Thank you very much.“
“Mr. Sidhu was very professional and dealt with our requirements very efficiently. Highly recommended his services.“
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Insurance Lawyer
Insurance claims can be tricky. It can be difficult to foresee how insurance lawsuits will pan out, and for how long.
You’ll want to choose a law firm that can defend you and your unique case. Here are some aspects to think about when choosing an insurance lawyer in Calgary.
Experience
Look into your lawyer’s track record. Do they have past experience in dealing with cases like yours?
What about their experience in court? Not all insurance cases are taken to court, but in the case yours does, you want to be certain that you’ve got your bases covered.
Insurance Knowledge
Does your lawyer have experience defending big insurance companies? Having a lawyer who has seen both sides of the coin can be beneficial when working through your insurance claim.
Transparent Charges
Clarify payment terms from the get-go. Inquire about the percentage they’ll be charging for the contingency fee, as well as potential disbursement fees you might have to cover.
Frequently Asked Questions about Insurance Lawyers
That concludes our round-up of the best insurance lawyers in Calgary. With these lawyers in your corner, you can increase your chances of achieving a settlement, minus the stress.
If you’re on the hunt for a new insurer after a dispute, consider taking a look at our list of the best insurance firms in Calgary.
