Insurance companies have always tried to hold onto their money for as long as they can and often reluctantly pay out claims. Even when they do pay out a claim it is often less than the amount necessary to cover the victim’s outstanding bills. But why pay more if they can get away with paying less?
Anderson Cooper of CNN recently investigated offers from insurance companies for less money than necessary to cover car accident victims’ bills such as medical expenses and lost wages from time off work. He and his colleague discovered what all too many lawyers have been seeing for years now, insurance companies will offer a low settlement with the hopes that the accident victim will take what they can get. The insurance companys’ theory, if it’s a small accident with low bills who’s going to take the insurance company to court for an extra $5,000 or $10,000? The reality is that it is difficult to wait these insurance companies out because of time and expense of going to trial.
Sadly, the insurance companies are getting the settlements they want and injured people are walking away with less than they deserve. However, one woman would not let Allstate get away with paying less than she was entitled to and she played the waiting game. It took her three years to get there, but she won $167,000 instead of accepting the $15,000 that Allstate offered.
Comments for this article are closed.