Cincinnati Personal Injury Lawyer - Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Grange Insurance Company May Settle Bad Faith Class Action Suit Relating to Use of Colossus

Alison De Villiers — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 11:31:17 GMT

Grange Insurance Company has proposed a nationwide bad faith class action settlement for Grange insureds who submitted UM/UIM bodily injury claims, pursuant to Grange auto policies between January 1, 1999 and December 12, 2007. Those affected must submit claims for consideration by April 3, 2008.

The lawsuit against Grange alleges that Grange underpaid people for UM/UIM bodily injury claims by using a computer program known as COLOSSUS, or other programs known as Claims Outcome Advisor and InjuryIQ. Specifically, Grange underpaid UM/UIM bodily injury claims through the use of COLOSSUS and conspired with others to reduce the amounts paid for general damages for bodily injury claims submitted under the UM/UIM portion of auto policies.

Bad faith actions like this one reveal the insurance industry's continued attempts to take money away from policyholders and put it into the pockets of the shareholders. The victims in this case are Grange's own policyholders, who paid premiums to Grange. Grange owes a duty of good faith to policyholders and should not work against them when they seek fair compensation for bodily injuries.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Alison De Villiers

DON'T GO CHEAP! BUY UNINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE

Brett Goodson — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:47:40 GMT

In an effort to save a few dollars, many Ohio residents are rejecting uninsured motorist coverage from their auto insurance. This bad decision can cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, while relatively inexpensive, can be a real lifesaver in a time of need. Simply stated, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, bought as part of your auto insurance package, provides for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and permanent impairment coverage in the event the motorist at fault in an auto accident is either uninsured or underinsured.

All Ohioans should consider what they are giving up by rejecting uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. When the uninsured drunk driver crosses the center line and hits you head on causing a permanent injury which requires surgery and 6 months off work, who will pay you for time off work? Who will pay for medical expenses not covered by insurance? Who will pay for the permanent loss of your quality of life? Who will pay for your pain? The answer is NOBODY, if you have rejected uninsured motorist coverage.

Talk to your insurance agent today. Make sure you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. You should carry the same amount of UM limits as you do liability limits. If you have $100,000 in liability limits, carry $100,000 in UM limits. If you have $250,000 in liability limits, you should carry $250,000 in UM limits. Don't let your agent talk you into lower limits for UM coverage. Ask your agent the cost of the UM coverage and you will be surprised how reasonable it is. Before you reject or refuse UM coverage, remember you may be giving up hundreds of thousands of dollars to save a few hundred. Don't Go Cheap!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brett Goodson

Many Victims Pay the Price for Lack of Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Chrissie Cole — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 22:57:47 GMT

The Insurance Research Council reports that approximately one in seven at-fault drivers involved in a collision with another vehicle are uninsured even though it is against the law in most states to have no auto insurance.

According to Carrie A. Hurt, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Central and South Central Texas, what happens to the insured victim after this type of accident can be upsetting and expensive. Instead of the at-fault driver's auto insurance policy covering the victim's costs for medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and a replacement rental car, it ends up being the victim's responsibility to pay for everything.

To avoid this from happening, many drivers include uninsured motorist coverage on their auto insurance policy. Uninsured motorist coverage will pay for damages and injuries caused by the uninsured driver responsible for the accident or hit-and-run.

Second on the list are underinsured drivers. These types of drivers are those who have only the minimum state-required insurance limits of liability on their policy, which may not allow enough coverage to compensate others involved in an accident.

It is vitally important to make sure drivers have sufficient coverage, including some options worth considering that would allow for additional financial protection including: Collision coverage, Replacement rental-car coverage and Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole