Yes, you do need to respond to subrogation letters and if you don't, your insurance will likely drop you. Basically, your insurance company is trying to see if someone else was responsible for your injury, for example, maybe you were injured in a car accident, a work injury, or something of the like.
When you file a claim, your insurer can try to recover costs from the person responsible for your injury or property damage. This is known as subrogation. For example: Your insurance company pays your doctor for your treatment following an auto accident that someone else caused.
They have to be 99% sure the facts are as you say they are. Civil court, where subrogation cases are heard, has a lower bar, setting burden of proof at “a preponderance of evidence,” which is legalese for “more likely than not”. The court just needs to be pretty sure the facts are as they say you are.
Defenses to defeat an insurer's subrogation rights, including asserting that the statute of limitations has run or that a valid waiver of subrogation exists or other limitations of liability. Additionally, defense counsel may contest the amount and measure of recoverable damages.
Insurance companies don't have forever to make a subrogation claim. While the statutory limitations period can vary depending on the type of subrogation claim made—and in which jurisdiction it is made—the standard statute of limitations ranges from one to six years.
Ways to Fight a Subrogation Claim for Property Damage Showing you are not at fault for the damage. Challenging the amount of the claim. Subrogation waiver. Technical violations of subrogation claims. Negotiate the claim.
In most subrogation cases, an individual's insurance company pays its client's claim directly, then seeks reimbursement from the other party's insurance company.
California law states your insurance company must file a subrogation claim within three years of the accident that caused your injuries.
Information To Include in Your Letter Give the basics. Tell your story. Explain how you want to resolve the problem. Describe your next steps. Send your complaint letter. Your Mailing Address Your City, State, Zip Code Your email address
If you have insurance and someone files a subrogation claim against you, the best step you can take is to notify your insurer immediately. Most insurance contracts require you to let them know about accidents in a timely manner, regardless of who's at fault.