When Your Insurance Company Isn’t Your Friend

Patricia G. was hurt when she was rear-ended at a stoplight and pushed into the car in front of her. Patricia’s car was wrecked and undrivable and had to be towed from the scene. Patricia went to the hospital in an ambulance. The at-fault driver’s insurance company paid the driver’s policy limits, but Patricia’s own insurance company refused to pay its uninsured/underinsured portion. It said Patricia’s was a “minor impact” accident (never mind that her car had to be towed away) and her injuries came before the accident. Patricia’s insurer even made her sit through a seven-hour grilling by the insurance company attorneys, all in a desperate attempt to not pay her anything. Dianne Sawaya wasn’t about to let that happen. The insurer agreed that instead of a lawsuit, Patricia’s demand wasn’t so unreasonable after all.

Settlement: Full policy limits