FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW DOES A POLICY LIMIT TRACE WORK?
A policy limit trace provides the most probable liability insurance limits for the at-fault party based on information related to the defendant, the vehicle, and the circumstances of the attorney-provided information.
HOW DOES COASTAL HANDLE COMMERCIAL POLICY RESEARCH?
Coastal operates the most advanced commercial research department in private investigations, bar none. It is built on deep underwriting knowledge, real-world carrier behavior, and a constant pursuit of better, faster, and more accurate results. We specialize in complex commercial cases, combining industry expertise with a refined internal framework to deliver clear, actionable insight in even the most layered trucking and auto cases. Commercial policy research requires more expertise to determine the most probable liability limits. In order to provide the highest accuracy possible, we charge a higher rate for commercial policy searches. To pursue transparency, and for your convenience, we are releasing a full Commercial Case Support breakdown here on 04/01/2026.
DO YOU OFFER BULK PRICING?
Yes. We're proud to offer discounts and member benefits for members of professional associations and recognized trial lawyer organizations.
WHICH POLICIES HAVE THE QUICKEST TURNAROUND TIME?
We aim for industry-leading turnaround times, with personal auto policies typically delivered within 1–3 days, making them Coastal Research’s fastest deliverable.
WHAT IF I DON'T KNOW THE INSURANCE CARRIER?
Our Policy Existence service helps you identify the insurance carrier based on real investigative field work and multiple data sources. While results are not guaranteed, this process includes our staff utilizing 3–5+ hours of field investigation to identify if an individual held insurance at the time of loss.
DO I NEED TO SUBMIT AN INCIDENT REPORT?
We strongly encourage clients to submit as much relevant information as possible when requesting a result. Any lawfully shareable document related to the case can greatly assist in improving the precision of our findings.
HOW ACCURATE ARE THE RESULTS?
While Coastal Research does not guarantee absolute accuracy, we consistently achieve over 95% accuracy based on an audit of completed cases.
HOW IS PAYMENT HANDLED?
You will receive your results first, and our accounting team will issue an invoice thereafter. Payment can be made via credit or debit card, ACH authorization, or check.
WHAT IS YOUR INCORRECT-RESULT POLICY?
While absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed, any verified limits that differ from our findings result in an immediate refund, so you can always rest assured.
DO YOU CHARGE CLIENTS IF YOU DON'T FIND RESULTS?
There are no charges for Personal policies when their limits cannot be determined. Due to the required manpower and field work needed for commercial discovery, a no-hit fee applies to Policy Existence. Even in the absence of a confirmed policy, results will include all relevant information uncovered through our process.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU FIND A COMMERCIAL POLICY ON A PERSONAL REQUEST?
We bill clients for the type of policy that we discover. If you request a personal policy and we find that the subject claim/policy reflects a commercial policy, the invoice will reflect the type of policy found.
WHY DOES POLICY LIMIT RESEARCH EXIST?
Insurer nondisclosure of policy limits remains a widespread issue that hinders fair settlement negotiations and exposes injured parties to excess judgments. Policy Limit Research was created to combat insurance non-disclosure and provide probable liability coverage when timely disclosure is delayed or refused. This provides attorneys with fair insight on how to proceed when assisting their injured client.
WHAT SEPARATES COASTAL FROM COMPETITORS?
Our network of investigative partners, internal team, and resources is actionable, allowing for broad reach and depth. We continuously vet new partners and refine the best methods to deliver accurate information while protecting our clients. Our goal is to be your ideal partner during pre-litigation.