17 Insurance Attorney Interview Questions and Answers

An insurance attorney is a lawyer who represents clients in insurance disputes. These disputes can involve issues such as insurance coverage, bad faith claims, or denials of coverage.

An insurance attorney must have a thorough understanding of state and federal insurance laws. He or she must also be able to navigate the complex world of insurance regulations.

If you’re an insurance attorney, you may be called upon to represent clients in court. You may also be asked to give depositions or to participate in mediations or arbitrations.

No matter what your role is in an insurance dispute, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions during an interview. Here are some sample insurance attorney interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your next interview.

Are you familiar with the laws and regulations regarding insurance in this state?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with the laws and regulations of their state. Use your answer to highlight any specific knowledge or skills that will help you succeed in this role, such as:

Example: “I am familiar with the insurance laws and regulations in my current state, and I would be happy to learn about the laws here. In my last position, I worked on a case where we needed to understand the laws regarding insurance claims for flood damage. I researched the laws and helped our client file an appeal when they were denied coverage for their claim.”

What are the most important qualities for an insurance attorney to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the necessary skills and abilities to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight your communication, problem-solving, teamwork and leadership skills.

Example: “The most important qualities for an insurance attorney are strong communication and analytical skills. These two skills allow me to understand my clients’ needs and find solutions that work best for them. I also think it’s essential to be a good team player because working with other attorneys is often part of the job. Finally, I believe having leadership skills is beneficial because I can use these skills to motivate my colleagues.”

How would you rate your negotiation skills? Can you provide an example from your previous job?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the skills and experience necessary for this role. When answering, consider providing a specific example of how you used your negotiation skills in your previous job.

Example: “I would rate my negotiation skills as strong. In my last position, I had to negotiate with several insurance companies on behalf of my clients. One client was involved in a car accident where they were at fault. The other driver’s insurance company wanted to pay them only $5,000, but we argued that it should be closer to $10,000. After some back-and-forth, we reached a settlement of $8,500.”

What is your experience with working on complex litigation cases?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with handling complex cases and how you approach them. Use examples from past work experiences to highlight your skills, abilities and knowledge in working on complex litigation cases.

Example: “I have worked on several complex litigation cases throughout my career as an insurance attorney. In one case, I represented a client who was injured in a car accident that involved two other drivers. The client suffered serious injuries and needed extensive medical care. My team and I had to gather evidence and interview witnesses to build our case against the other parties. We also had to negotiate with the opposing party’s attorneys to reach a settlement agreement.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to provide legal advice that was contrary to what the client wanted, and how you handled the situation.

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to provide honest feedback and recommendations. In your answer, try to emphasize how you helped the client understand why a certain course of action was best for them.

Example: “In my first year as an insurance attorney, I had a client who wanted me to help him get out of paying his auto insurance claim. He claimed that he wasn’t at fault in the accident, but when I looked into it further, I found that he had been speeding right before the crash. When I told him about this, he became upset, but I explained that if we didn’t pay the claim, our company could lose its license to operate. Eventually, he understood and agreed to pay the claim.”

If hired, what would be your priorities during your first month on the job?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are eager to get started and make an impact. Your answer should include the steps you would take to become familiar with the company, meet your new colleagues and begin working on cases.

Example: “My first priority during my first month at this company would be to learn as much as I can about the insurance industry. I would read through all of the policies and procedures so that I am fully aware of how things work here. I would also want to meet my team members and ask them any questions I have about their roles in the company. Finally, I would start reviewing case files and learning more about the claims process.”

What would you do if you discovered that an insurance company had been withholding information from a client or claimant?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle a conflict with another professional. Your answer should show that you are willing to stand up for your clients and their rights, even if it means challenging someone else in the workplace.

Example: “If I discovered an insurance company had been withholding information from a client or claimant, I would first try to resolve the issue internally by speaking with my supervisor or other relevant parties at the company. If this didn’t work, I would contact the appropriate person at the insurance company to let them know about the situation and ask them to release any pertinent information to my client or claimant. If they refused, I would file a formal complaint with the state’s department of insurance.”

How well do you understand the claims process? Can you provide an example?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the claims process and how you apply it in your work. Use examples from previous experience to show that you understand the steps involved in a claim, including gathering evidence, filing paperwork and communicating with clients.

Example: “I have worked on many different types of insurance claims throughout my career as an attorney. I know that each type of claim has its own set of procedures for gathering evidence, filing paperwork and communicating with clients. For example, when working on a personal injury case, I would first meet with the client to discuss their injuries and gather any medical records or other documentation they have about the incident. Then, I would file all necessary paperwork with the court and send copies to the insurance company.”

Do you have experience working with insurance contracts?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with insurance contracts. Use examples from past work experiences to highlight your skills and expertise in this area.

Example: “I have worked on several projects where I helped clients understand their insurance policies, including how to read a contract and what they should expect when filing a claim. In my last position, I was responsible for reviewing all new client paperwork before sending it to the underwriter. This included ensuring that all information was accurate and that the policyholder understood the terms of their contract.”

When reviewing a contract, what is your process for checking for potential issues or problems?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and what steps you take to ensure that you’re meeting client expectations. Use examples from past experiences where you’ve identified potential issues or problems with a contract and helped clients resolve them.

Example: “I always start by reading through the entire contract, looking for any inconsistencies in language or missing information. I also check for dates of expiration, whether there are any clauses that may be unfair to either party and if all parties have signed the contract. If I notice anything that seems unusual or out of place, I’ll ask my client about it so we can discuss possible solutions.”

We want to maintain a strong reputation for providing excellent customer service. What is your philosophy on customer service?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you would interact with their clients. Use examples from previous work experiences or discuss what you would do in a situation where you needed to provide excellent customer service.

Example: “I believe that providing excellent customer service is an important part of my job as an insurance attorney. I always strive to be friendly, helpful and empathetic when working with clients. For example, if someone calls me with a problem, I make sure to listen carefully and answer all of their questions. If they need help understanding something, I try to explain it clearly so they can understand the issue.”

Describe your experience working with insurance agents.

This question can help interviewers understand your experience working with insurance agents and how you might interact with them in the future. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific time when an agent helped you or a situation where you had to work with one.

Example: “I’ve worked with many insurance agents throughout my career as an attorney. I find that they are often very knowledgeable about their company’s policies and procedures. However, sometimes they don’t know all of the laws surrounding insurance claims. In these situations, I try to explain the relevant laws to the agents so they can relay the information to their clients.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of the skills and experiences that qualify you for this role. Focus on what makes you unique from other candidates and highlight any transferable skills or certifications you have.

Example: “I am passionate about helping people find affordable insurance solutions. I also understand the importance of upholding client confidentiality and maintaining ethical standards in my work. In fact, I recently completed an online course on professional ethics as part of my continuing education requirements. This knowledge helps me stay up-to-date on current laws and regulations.”

Which insurance areas do you want to focus on during your time with our company?

This question is a great way for an interviewer to learn more about your career goals and how you plan to achieve them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list the insurance areas that interest you most and why.

Example: “I have experience in both personal injury law and commercial insurance law, so I would love to focus on helping our clients with their commercial insurance claims. In my previous role, I helped several small businesses file claims after they experienced property damage or theft. It was rewarding to help these companies get back on their feet again, and I think I could do even more good as an attorney.”

What do you think are the most important qualities for an insurance attorney to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the necessary skills and abilities to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight your relevant experience, education or other qualifications that make you a strong candidate for this position.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities an insurance attorney can have is patience. This job requires us to work with clients who are often frustrated by their experiences with insurance companies. Having patience allows me to listen carefully to my client’s concerns and explain things clearly so they understand what we’re doing to resolve their issue. It also helps me remain calm when I’m speaking with someone who is upset.”

How often do you update your knowledge of insurance laws and regulations?

This question can help interviewers understand how much you value your education and the importance of continuing to learn. It can also show them that you are committed to staying up-to-date on industry news and changes. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific instance where you learned something new about insurance law or regulation and applied it in your work.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my knowledge of insurance laws and regulations. I have taken several online courses through the American Bar Association’s Continuing Legal Education program. These courses helped me learn more about the different types of coverage available and how they apply to various situations. They also taught me some strategies for finding information quickly when I need it.”

There is a new law that impacts how insurance companies can handle claims. How do you handle this change?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle new laws and regulations that impact your work. Use examples from past experience to show how you adapt to changes in the law.

Example: “I always make sure I stay up-to-date on any new laws or regulations that may affect my clients’ claims. In my last role, there was a change in state law regarding insurance companies paying for medical bills. The law stated that if an insurance company denied a claim, they had to provide evidence of why it was denied. If they couldn’t provide evidence, then they were required to pay the bill. This change made it more important than ever to ensure my client’s claims were submitted correctly so they could avoid denials.”