Legal Question in Insurance Law in California

Re: Rear-end Accident Law Suite

Yes, if the plaintiff obtains a verdict over $15,000, you will be required to pay the difference.

However, if this happens, you may have a claim for "bad faith" against your insurance company. You should talk to the attorney retained by your insurance company to find out why your insurance company has not settled the case. Ask him/her how much risk you face of a verdict in excess of $15,000.

If you are not comfortable with the responses you get, you should write a letter to both your attorneys and the insurance company requesting that they settle the case within your policy limits.

Re: Rear-end Accident Law Suite

I would write my insurer (the adjuster who is handling the matter) and my attorneys (who are probably house counsel for the insurer) and demand that the case be settled within your policy limits, at no cost or expense to you. Also ask for copies of all communications (past and future) to and from your lawyers to anyone, including to and from the insurer. If something doesn't feel/seem right, contact your own private attorney right away and don't let things get out of hand, since you could wind up being responsible. Pressure by you now could save you a lot of trouble later.