"Policy Ensurance" 
Posted by tonyb on October 04, 1999 at 02:57:28:
PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 1, 1999-- Today, customers of two giant
insurance companies, Allstate Insurance Company and Progressive Insurance
Company, announce they have filed class-action law suits against those
companies, citing a litany of consumer grievances -- including fraud.
The two lawsuits could affect tens of thousands of Oregonians who have been
similarly victimized in the past 6 years.
Under Oregon law, all drivers must be insured. The policies you buy must
include Personal Injury Protection (or, as this appears on your insurance
cards, PIP coverage). Should you be injured in an auto accident, your PIP
coverage is supposed to cover 100% of your necessary medical treatment, up to
the limits of the policy.
As victims Amy Matthews, Denise Cloe and Patricia Ball will tell reporters at
the press conference, Allstate Insurance Company and Progressive Insurance
Company refused to pay for the medical care needed to make them well after
being injured in their separate car crashes, even though they had paid for
the coverage.
``It's bogus, and anyone insured with Progressive is a potential victim,''
said Daniel J. Gatti, Portland/Salem attorney who represents Amy Matthews in
the class action filed against Progressive. ``If you incur an injury as a
result of your accident, your medical treatment for that injury should be
covered. However, Progressive literally plugs your injury into a computer and
out comes the amount they will pay for your treatment. It doesn't matter what
your doctor says. It doesn't matter if your coverage is cut off before you
are well. It's wrong. Progressive saves money at the policyholder's expense
at a time when the policyholder needs help the most.''
Portland attorneys Tom D'Amore and Christopher Hardman represent many injured
people who are at legal odds with their insurance companies. According to
D'Amore, ``Some insurance companies take advantage of vulnerable, injured
people. Denying them medical coverage they need and have paid for is wrong.
Denying appropriate medical care to increase their exorbitant corporate
profits is particularly despicable. '' Hardman agrees. ``A deal is a deal.
Progressive wrote the deal and they are obligated to keep it. This is not a
complicated concept.''
Not only are customers left holding the bills, they often receive letters
from these insurance companies urging their policy holders not to pay their
doctors or medical providers! Copies of such letters will be provided to the
media at the conference.
Denise Cloe was in a terrible collision last Christmas Eve that received
statewide media attention. She was a passenger in a car that was struck by a
vehicle that lost control on an icy road. The driver of the other car, a
popular emergency room doctor from the Willamette Valley, was killed. Denise
sustained back and wrist injuries. ``My three year old was in a car seat in
the back, and it was all so terrible. I was still undergoing therapy
recommended by my doctor when I received the word that my insurance would no
longer pay for my treatment. They did not speak with my doctor or me to
inquire about my treatment. I just opened a letter one day and found out
Allstate would not pay my medical bills, and I still needed care.'' Attorney
James Nelson, Albany, represents Cloe and Patricia Ball. ``Tens of thousands
of Oregonians have likely received similar treatment and could be eligible to
join the two law suits once the litigation becomes certified.''
``Allstate uses the same computer program as Progressive. It categorizes all
neck injuries, all back injuries, all concussions, etc., as being comparable.
That's ludicrous. The policyholder and the doctor-patient relationship should
not be compromised by a computer program,'' Nelson added.
Progressive Insurance Company is headquartered in Ohio. Allstate Insurance
Company headquartered in Illinois.
Denise and several other Oregon victims treated similarly by Allstate and
Progressive will answer reporter questions at the press conference. Copies of
the complaints, photos of the accidents, and other information will be made
available to reporters who attend the press conference.
How to get WHAT YOU DESERVE
(Excerpt from the book, "Policy Ensurance")
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