If an insurer refuses to provide a defense in a personal injury case, can the insured retain a high-respected law firm?

29 Thus, we have no problem with the fact that IMCERA retained a well-respected law firm to defend it, even though Liberty might have selected a different firm had it provided a defense. (See Arenson v. National Auto. & Cas. Ins. Co., supra, 48 Cal.2d at p. 538, 310 P.2d 961 [where insurer wrongfully refused to provide a defense, insured could properly retain a "well-known, able and skilled attorney"].)