The American Association for Justice (AAJ) conducted an extensive investigation to determine the worst insurance companies in America.  These include homeowners and auto insurers, health insurers, life insurers, and disability insurers. 

            According to AAJ, Allstate is placed at the top of the worst insurance provider list; this is largely due to the fact that their primary mission is to “earn a return for the shareholders.”  As a senior executive at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) said, “The bottom line is that insurance companies make money when they don’t pay claims.”  Allstate even goes so far as to distribute corporate training manuals explaining how to avoid payments, and portable refrigerators are awarded to the adjusters who deny the most claims.  Former employees have called Allstate’s approach to claims the “three D’s”: deny, delay, and defend. 

            The top 10 list produced by AAJ, includes the following insurance companies:

                        Profits                          Assets

Allstate            $4.6 billion                   $156.4 billion

Unum               $679 million                  $52.4 billion

AIG                 $6.2 billion                   $1.06 trillion

State Farm       $5.5 billion                   $181.4 billion

Conseco           $179.9 million               $33.5 billion

WellPoint         $3.2 billion                   $51.6 billion

Farmers            $5.6 billion                   $387.7 billion

UnitedHealth    $4.7 billion                   $53.5 billion

Torchmark       $527.5 million               $15.2 billion

Liberty Mutual  $1.5 billion                   $94.7 billion

            It seems that the insurance industry has lost sight of the policyholders, and as Allstate’s CEO said, they have “begun to think and act more like a consumer products company.”  However, pro-consumer insurance reforms are being pushed, among these are: requiring insurers to work in good faith with consumers, requiring prior approval of rate increases, and establishing an insurance consumer advocate.

            Do not assume that because you are purchasing insurance you will always be protected, and keep these names in mind the next time you purchase insurance.  For more information on AAJ’s findings, and more specific information regarding individual companies, read the full report at http://www.justice.org/docs/TenWorstInsuranceCompanies.pdf

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is recalling Dunlop Winter Sport 3D Tires and M3 Tires that were manufactured between September 4, 2005 and May 17, 2008. About 5,300 tires are affected by the recall.

The lot numbers affected by the recall are:

• Dunlop Winter Sport 3D Tires: Size 225/50R17, Dot Code DM40 2TTR
• Dunlop Winter Sport M3 Tires: Size 275/35R18, Dot Code DMBL 2J8R

The tires are being recalled because they failed to conform to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for tire strength. Tires that do not meet the federal strength standards are at risk for catastrophic failure.

A catastrophic tire failure during vehicle operation can potentially cause the vehicle to rollover or collide with another vehicle. Serious injuries or fatality may result. If a car accident results from the negligence of a manufacturer, a car wreck attorney may be able to find the manufacturer liable.

Goodyear will replace the recalled tires free of charge.

          A community in Minnesota is going the extra mile to ensure child safety in vehicles. This Thursday (July 10th), the River Falls Area Hospital and River Falls Ambulance are sponsoring a car seat safety clinic. The clinic will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. where certified passenger safety technicians will conduct a free inspection where they will evaluate any defects and applicable recalls, as well as suitability for the car’s seatbelt system and the child it serves.  
          People attending the clinic should bring their car seat and their child to the inspection. They will be seen on a first-come, first-serve basis.  If a car seat does not meet safety guidelines, it will be replaced with one that does provided by the Kinnickinnic Health Foundation.
          According to the River Falls Journal, approximately 90% of car seats are installed or used incorrectly. Faulty, damaged, inadequate or improperly used car seats have been known to cause serious injury to children during wrecks.
          Are you concerned about car seat safety in your area? Consider following the example of the River Falls community by organizing an inspection clinic in your neighborhood.
          Has your child been injured in a wreck because of a car seat? If the car seat failure was due to a manufacturing defect, you may have a case. The attorneys at Cappolino, Dodd & Krebs LLP are experienced in Texas car wreck lawsuits. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car wreck, contact a car wreck attorney at Cappolino Dodd Krebs today, at 1-800-460-0606.