Kelly Dickenson - Waco, Kentucky
MY ALLSTATE HORROR STORY
My family and I had our insurance with Allstate for the better part of six years. We had only one small claim in the amount of $318.00 filed in that time. We were under the impression that we were "In Good Hands".
On March 3, 1998 my wife and I were, after nine years of hard work and saving, finally able to buy our first home and provide our children with a stable home environment. We had our auto insurance through Allstate so we never thought about getting our homeowners with anyone else.
We figured since we had been with this company for so long they would surely take care of us if we ever came to have a tragic occurrence. This is why you purchase insurance, for peace of mind, or at least that was our impression.
On November 25, 1998 our home was ravaged by an electrical fire. The fireman on the scene were able to determine and prove the nature to be electrical. We lost everything we owned except for the clothes on our back. We immediately contacted our Allstate agent, Kent Georgel, of their Richmond, Ky. office. They put us in touch with an adjuster who authorized an advance to buy clothes and personal necessities. She told us that someone would be out first thing on Monday after the holiday. I could understand this considering it was Thanksgiving weekend and people were home with their families. I was under the impression everything was fine and this nightmare would be taken care of in a expeditious manner. WRONG!
On Monday November 30, 1998 I had to make seven phone calls before the adjustor contacted us. We met with him that afternoon, he assessed the damage and told us he would contact Allstate about getting some money for our Additional Living Expenses. He contacted us the next day and said he had gotten one thousand dollars for our ALE. I informed him rent on a house plus deposit would be at least $900.00, and we had to rent furniture. His response was to tell us to go light on furniture. We had to pay the deposit out of our pocket. In reading my policy, it states ALE will pay for additional costs necessary to maintain our standard of living. We were able to rent a $450.00 a month house and rent one bedroom of furniture and a recliner with the money they allotted us. Even through this, I still thought Allstate would take care of us in our time of need. NOT!
On December 1,1998, we met with a cause and origin inspector from Southern Fire Analysis out of Knoxville, Tn. He was contracted through Allstate and was an all around prick. When I questioned him about the fact the fire department had already determined the cause and origin he replied Allstate wanted their own analysis and failure to let him do his inspection would be deemed a failure to cooperate and could result in denial of my claim. I never questioned whether he could do his investigation only why it was necessary. He completed his inspection and told us there was no evidence of arson and we should be hearing from Allstate soon. Boy did we ever hear from Allstate! On December 9, 1998, after repeated calls about our claim, we received a letter from Allstates Special Investigation Unit out of Hudson, Ohio. The adjustor was Victoria Hoenigman.
All along I thought our claim was being handled out of their Northern Ky. Claims Office. The letter stated we had to follow all policy terms and conditions and that Allstate did not admit to offering any coverage with this letter. We complied and had all our paperwork returned by their deadline. After hearing nothing, I contacted Ms Hoenigman to inquire about their delays. I was informed the fire had been deemed, by Allstate, incendiary and Allstate would not provide any coverage until they found out exactly what had happened and at this point they did not see where anyone but myself would benefit from this fire. I was appalled! We had two sources, that most people would consider to be somewhat educated in these matters, saying their was no evidence of wrong doing. Allstate knows more than these people? Yea, right! We were questioned on three different occasions. Most of their questions were frivolous and had nothing to do with the situation at hand. Our background, credit, and character were fully investigated.
On 02/28/1999 we received a letter from Allstate's attorney stating he would take our examination under oath and failure to let him take these would be deemed a failure to cooperate and could result in denial of our claim (there's that denial thing again). I contacted an attorney whose attempts to resolve this matter were met with constant delays, or no response. This continued until August of 1999 when my attorney threatened a lawsuit. Allstate finally settled in September of 1999. Our contractor says the house will be done by Christmas of 1999. Considering the fact that these son of a bitches have cost my family a year of our lives, I don't see this being a very Merry Xmas.
I believe Allstate should be held accountable for the actions they took in purposefully delaying and denying my obviously valid claim. I also believe they should be held accountable for the malicious assault on the character of my wife and myself. I have spoken with several attorneys and they all tell me since I accepted their settlement I cannot sue them for the damage they have inflicted on my family. My homeowners insurance has increased by some forty percent with the few carriers who will write me a policy. These people have you coming and going. Anyone reading this, I advise you to stay far away from these vermin, and be very careful in your selection of insurance carriers. If not, the same thing that happened to us could happen to you. Anything I can do to help someone avoid this nightmare is only common decency. The sheer hell my family has been put through because of accidental causes is sickening, and should be criminal on the part of Allstate. All I can ask is that people heed this warning, or like us, you may be in for a "Rude Awakening".
"There is no incentive for insurance companies to do what is right, such as live up to the promises made in their policies. Tort reformers fueled by insurance money think big business and the insurance industry need to be protected against "runaway juries." It's the other way around. Big business and the insurance industry have always been able to take care of themselves. The little people need protection from them. This country was founded on the common law right of the little guy to get into court with his hired gun to fight the oppressor, be it big government or big business. Take that away and we have nothing left. Look around. It's being whittled away, bit by bit, caps on damages here, restrictions on jury trials there. It won't end until we recognize the enemy and join together to take a stand against them. It will take the little people to do this together".
Louis G. Fazzi, Esq. Attorney & Counselor At Law