by tocayo750 » Fri Jan 20, 2012 03:05 am
Two bar owners have decided to sue me for defamation and interference w/ their business after I (along with other neighbors in our neighborhood association) voted to protest their liquor license renewal. I was told by my agent that I needed to have an umbrella on my policy and move all my vehicle insurance to their company before they would consider covering this incident. One suit was filed in federal court, the other in state.
Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 06:49 am Post Subject:
In terms of coverage under the homeowner's policy, a couple of things come into mind, especially regarding the comments of your agent.
First off, things like slander, libel, defamation and the like are considered "personal injury" environments. Don't think like injuries from a car accident- this is a different thing. Most homeowner policies only cover losses from personal injury if the policy was endorsed to cover that exposure. This is commonly excluded from a standard, unendorsed homeowners policy.
Now, in terms of your agent. This is what really bothers me:
I was told by my agent that I needed to have an umbrella on my policy and move all my vehicle insurance to their company before they would consider covering this incident.
First off, there either IS coverage under the homeowners or there ISN'T coverage under the policy. Your agent telling you that you have to have an umbrella policy and move all of your vehicles over to that company HAS NOTHING WHATSOEVER TO DO WITH THIS SITUATION!!! Again- there either IS or ISN'T coverage under the policy.
As well, the "before they would consider covering this incident:" is JUST PLAIN WRONG. Here's why:
1. NO company will cover a loss that occurred prior to coverage being in effect, except for a small variation in commercial insurance policies referred to as "retroactive dates." No need to discuss that here, nothing to do with your situation.
2. Conditioning coverage on whether a client has "X" amount of insurance placed through a company is specifically prohibited in every state. If your agent tells you this is true, he is simply lying to you and doesn't have a clue. My feeling is that he's just trying to get you to spend more money with him and earn fatter commissions off of you.
3. The likelihood of the insurer actually ISSUING an umbrella policy after you've suffered this loss is completely unlikely. I would bet my next paycheck that there's no way they'd actually issue the policy.
Anyone like to comment? How about this guy's agent?
InsTeacher 8)
Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 04:55 pm Post Subject:
This agent is downright questionable. He is subtly offering to backdate policies and then he is trying to condition the purchase of further coverage based on what the guy already has. Someone should submit a complaint against this guy.
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 02:41 pm Post Subject: Insurance Agent Complaint
Hum....complain about the insurance provider and I think I see a second "defamation and interference w/ their business". Ok, not funny, but in this world, anything is possible.
Add your comment