If you have been sued by an insurance company in Sweden, you likely have many questions. Here we answer 15 of the most common questions about what it means and what you can do.
.
.
1. Can an insurance company really sue me?
Yes, an insurance company can take you to court in Sweden if they believe you owe them money or have breached the terms of your insurance policy.
.
.
2. Why would an insurance company want to sue me?
The most common reasons include repayment claims for wrongful payouts, recourse claims if you caused damage, breaches of the insurance contract, or suspected insurance fraud.
.
.
3. How will I know if I have been sued?
You will receive a letter from the Swedish District Court (tingsrätten) stating that you have been sued and specifying what the insurance company is demanding.
.
.
4. What is a lawsuit (stämningsansökan)?
It is a document submitted to the court by the insurance company describing what they are claiming from you and why.
.
.
5. What must I do when I receive a lawsuit?
You must respond to the court within the specified time limit, otherwise, the court may issue a judgment without hearing your side.
.
.
6. How much time do I have to respond?
The letter from the court will specify the deadline, but it is typically 2 weeks from the date you receive the documents.
.
.
7. What happens if I don’t respond at all?
The court may issue a default judgment (tredskodom), meaning you automatically lose and must pay the full amount claimed.
.
.
8. Do I need a lawyer?
It is strongly recommended to seek the help of a lawyer or legal advisor to ensure you can defend yourself properly.
.
.
9. Is it expensive to hire a lawyer?
Often, your home insurance or business insurance includes legal expense coverage (rättsskydd), which can cover a large part of your legal costs.
.
.
10. How does legal expense coverage (rättsskydd) work?
Legal expense coverage helps pay for your legal costs if you are involved in a legal dispute, provided the policy terms are met.
.
.
11. Can I win against an insurance company in court?
Yes, if you have the law on your side and can present evidence and legal arguments, it is entirely possible to win.
.
.
12. What is a recourse claim (regress)?
It means the insurance company seeks to recover money they have paid out to someone else if they believe you were responsible for the damage.
.
.
13. Can I negotiate with the insurance company before it goes to court?
Yes, it is often possible to reach a settlement (förlikning) to avoid a full court process.
.
.
14. What happens if I lose the case?
You may be required to pay the amount claimed by the insurance company as well as their legal costs and your own.
.
.
15. What happens if I win the case?
You will not have to pay the claim, and the insurance company may be ordered to reimburse your legal costs.
.
.
Do You Need Legal Assistance?
If you have been sued by an insurance company in Sweden, it is important to seek legal help as soon as possible to protect your rights and improve your chances of success.
