In law, as in life, things can change quickly—and not always for the better. When it comes to legal malpractice insurance, a sudden shift usually means one thing: a claim has been filed against you.

If that ever happens, there are several important steps you’ll need to take. But one step matters more than all the others:

Report the claim or potential claim immediately.

This cannot be overstated. As soon as you become aware of an issue, you should contact your carrier—whether by phone, email, mail, or fax. However you choose to report it, just make sure you do.

At INF, we encourage clients to include us on all claim-related correspondence. This allows us to follow up directly and ensure proper documentation is in place from the beginning.

You might think reporting a claim is a no-brainer—but too many insureds hesitate or delay. Why?

• Denial: Hoping the issue will disappear
  
• Discomfort: Avoiding the stress of reliving the situation
  
• Delay: Believing there’s more time than there actually is
  

Unfortunately, these delays can lead to devastating consequences. When a claim is finally reported late, coverage can be denied—simply because of the timing. This is not a situation you want to be in.

So here’s the bottom line: 

If you suspect a malpractice claim is coming, report it immediately.

Think of it as giving yourself a free shot from a buried lie. It’s the first—and most critical—step in protecting yourself, your firm, and your future.