Are You In Good Hands? Maybe Not.
As you may or may not know, Progressive Insurance Company has received a lot of unwanted attention this week after an Internet story went viral about how Progressive refused to pay on a perfectly legitimate claim by one of its very own policyholders who had been killed in a tragic car accident. Instead of supporting the insured driver, Progressive supported the at-fault driver, who caused the accident by running a red light. Although the insured driver’s claim was legitimate, Progressive actively litigated against its insured client! Based on our experience as plaintiff attorneys and advocates for the injured, this type of conduct is nothing new for us at the Charles E. Boyk Law Offices, LLC, and unfortunately, we are not surprised.
If you think your insurance company’s main goal is to protect you and your family, think again because often times this is simply not the case. Many insurance companies grab your attention by promising you are in “good hands” and guaranteeing they are “like a good neighbor.” However, nothing could be further from the truth. The majority of insurance companies truly care about their bottom line, and their bottom line is best protected by charging insured clients at each and every opportunity, even when the results can be absolutely devastating and heartbreaking to injured persons. For example, if you are forced to make an uninsured or underinsured claim against your insurance company like the driver in the situation referenced above, be prepared for your company to take action against you. This may include your own insurance company finding witnesses who do not support your statement about how the accident happened, requiring you to go to an Independent Medical Examination, accusing you of malingering and faking your symptoms or offering you a low settlement figure.
In sum, your “good neighbor” can quickly turn into your worst enemy. The “good hands” that promised to help will often knock you down. Details regarding insurance nightmares are discussed in our book, “The Ultimate Guide to Buying Car Insurance in Ohio,” which offers information about what you can do to avoid these situations and make sure you are protected. Remember, if you have been injured in a car accident, you owe it to yourself and your family to retain an attorney who is knowledgeable and experienced in handling automobile injury cases. Don’t be a pushover for the insurance company. Call the Charles E. Boyk Law Offices, LLC today.
