Listed below we have provided a link to a recent article published by CNN.  Based on our many years of experience as personal injury lawyers, the article is right on target.  It talks about the difficulties involved in settling personal injury accident claims for the person injured by a driver who has automobile insurance with a company that uses “hardball” insurance claim strategies.   What this article suggests, but does not explore in detail, is what a “hardball” claims strategy means to you if you cause a personal injury accident and have insurance through one of the companies mentioned in the CNN article. 

You generally carry liability insurance for one or all of the following reasons:  

1. It is required by Ohio law.
2. You don’t want to go through the inconvenience and annoyance of a lawsuit if you injure someone while operating your vehicle.
3. You want to protect your personal assets from being used to pay a judgment awarded to a person that you injure. 

Having liability insurance coverage gives you the piece of mind that if you cause a personal injury accident the insurance company you pay premiums to will pay the claims, cause you as little inconvenience as possible, and protect your personal assets.   The piece of mind that you thought you purchased disappears if your insurance company has a “hardball” claims strategy.   “Hardball” insurance companies needlessly invite personal injury lawsuits.  In doing so, they subject you to the hassle of a court case.  They also put you at risk for potentially paying money out of your own pocket if a jury awards the injured person more money than your policy limits.

Unfortunately, many drivers base the purchase of their insurance coverage on cost alone.  The next time you shop for coverage, ask yourself if you want to be caught up in a personal injury lawsuit for every fender-bender that you are involved in.  Do some research.  Look into how the insurance company you are considering negotiates and settles claims.   To get the piece of mind and protection you buy insurance for in the first place, it may be worth paying a slightly higher premium. 

Link:  Auto insurers play hardball in minor-crash claims - CNN.com*