Robert Wright - Alabama

MY ALLSTATE HORROR STORY

When we bought our house in September of 1988, our Allstate agent misled us by telling us to call him whenever we had a problem with our house. We only called when we had legitimate claims.

In 1997 and 1998 we had a claim for lightning, internal water damage, and storm damage due to hurricane George. In September of 1998 we received a cancellation notice from Allstate for having an excessive claims record. We only had six weeks to find coverage. We did find coverage with Nationwide but at a very expensive premium.

This year Nationwide is raising our premium over $200 because they think they have us over a barrel. This raises our mortgage payments each time our premium goes up. When we were under Allstate they sent a very rude adjuster to our house who treated us like dirt. This man once insulted my mother in law who is no longer alive.

The Alabama Insurance Commission lets insurance companies have their way to take advantage of everyday hard working people like us. Here on the Gulf coast Homeowners insurance premiums are so expensive some people can't afford it. That is if they let you have coverage. I have never seen such an expensive service, that you are penalized for using it.

I have a 12 year old house with a value of approximately $100,700 and can't find reasonable homeowners coverage. I feel this is Allstates fault for giving us a bad name. We had a terrible agent who misled us. If the States continue to let these companies have their way, I think the federal government should step in and regulate these insurance companies. They can't do any worse.

"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