The American Association for Justice recently published an extensive report listing the Top Ten Worst Insurance Companies In America; and considering all of the big names on this list, you should not be surprised to find your company on there.
Beginning with Allstate and ending with Liberty Mutual, with companies such as AIG, Conseco, WellPoint and Farmers in between, the list is a comprehensive and detailed report built on research and investigation of court documents, FBI records, state investigations and more. This is no late night TV show top ten list, but 29 pages packed with disturbing information.
As you read through the report, underlying the frustration and anger is a sinking feeling that this is a David and Goliath situation. As the insured, you’re likely to feel trapped, especially after reading about things such as the Powerpoint slide prepared for Allstate which features “an alligator and the caption ‘sit and wait’—emphasizing that delaying claims will increase the likelihood that the claimant gives up. According to former Allstate agent Shannon Kmatz, this would make claims ‘so expensive and so time-consuming that lawyers would start refusing to help clients.’”
If it was only one corrupt insurance company about which we were reading, it wouldn’t be so disheartening. But a list of ten (and you can be sure these ten aren’t the only ones employing the tactics of ‘deny, delay, defend’) indicates that it’s not an anomaly but a business model. These companies profit from lying, evading and taking advantage of their policyholders. It’s a situation that cannot continue.
Luckily the report isn’t all gloom and doom. The bad is tempered with the good, if you know how to see it, as with this quote about Unum, listed as the second worst Insurance Company, “Despite doctors’ orders to stop working, Unum told [the insured] he was not disabled and could still work—a decision the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals would later describe as ‘defying medical science.’” It is shocking to read about the reprehensible acts of these insurance companies, but encouraging to read that judges and juries do side with the insured in many cases, ordering the insurance companies to pay what they have promised.
Cases can be won. Change can be made. And you can get your claims paid. Our firm specializes in taking on Goliath, and we’re dedicated to helping you get the security you deserve.
Schwartz, Conroy & Hack is the premier disability insurance law firm in the United States. To see how we can help you, contact us.
Evan S. Schwartz
Founder of Schwartz, Conroy & Hack
833-824-5350
[email protected]
