Definition of "Defense costs"

Expense of defending a lawsuit. To mount a legal defense against civil or criminal liability, a defendant faces expenses for lawyers, investigation, fact gathering, bonds, and court costs. Of critical importance in purchasing liability insurance is not only the limits of coverage under the policy but also the obligation of the insurance company to defend the insured against suits, even if a suit is without foundation. Because legal defense costs can be extremely high, the consumer should consider liability insurance that pays all defense costs in addition to the policy limits.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Insurance Terms

Special insurance that covers warehousers liability to customers whose property is damaged by an insured peril while in the custody of an insured warehouser. Policy deductibles may range ...

Date at which an insurance policy goes into force. ...

An act or violation that consists of two wrongs: tort negligent act or omission by one or more parties against the person or property or another party or parties, liability insurance is ...

in life insurance, difference between the face value of a life insurance policy and its cash value (also known as "pure amount of protection"). ...

Waiver of an impairment of an applicant for health insurance by attaching an endorsement to the health insurance policy stating that the policy will pay no benefits in connection with the ...

Risk that substantially fails to meet the requirements OF INSURABLE RISK. ...

Agreement of two or more insurance companies to provide a product or service. ...

Insurance company that sells property and casualty insurance only to industrial insureds. These companies are separately licensed and separately capitalized to market insurance to cover the ...

Period of time of insurance coverage. If a loss occurs during this time, insurance benefits are paid. If a loss occurs after this time period has expired, no insurance benefits are paid. ...

Popular Insurance Questions