Angela - Washington

Allstate Video Taped My Wedding
03-27-2002

I am writing in regards to what I believe to be unethical business practices by Allstate insurance. This company has used intimidation and manipulation on behalf of their client for their own self interest. Allstate is the insurer of a man who rear-ended the vehicle I was riding in. He was subsequently arrested for DWI and found guilty. I was injured in the "accident" and sought medical treatment. We later learned that he had several prior DWI convictions. An Allstate representative contacted me soon after the collision and tried to talk me into settling without representation. The representative for Allstate said that "statistic show that bringing in an outside lawyer usually reduces the settlement amount." I told them I had already retained a lawyer and they should contact him. Allstate contacted me twice more for "information" even after they knew I was represented by a lawyer. I am aware that it is in Allstate's best interest to verify that I am not fraudulent in fact or the extent of my injuries but I believe Allstate has gone beyond fact finding to harassment and intimidation. I believe they are doing everything in their power to portray me as a liar and money grubbing opportunist. They have run credit checks, looked at my financial statements, pulled court records, contacted my former employers, contacted my friends and family, taken depositions and now have surveillance watching our home.

These people even had the audacity to follow me to my wedding and video tape the event for use in court! This may be legal under the law but as an American citizen this strikes me as morally reprehensible. The only thing I have done wrong is to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when an Allstate insured drunk driver was on the road and yet I am made to feel like a criminal. I ask you! Would you enjoy seeing your friends and family throwing rice at you wedding while a vehicle with blacked out windows sat across the street taping your every movement? Would you like to have every accessible record on you dug up by a multibillion dollar company that is looking for a way out? Would you like to go through years of interrogation to prove that you were indeed worthy of a settlement from this company? I think not. Allstate insurance reduces costs and maximizes profits by portray the victim in the worst possible light. They have shown themselves time and time again to be company that will do anything to it takes to win, even if that means vilifying the victim. My case is example of why there needs to be insurance industry reform. I can't even express how negatively this company has affected my life. I just hope and pray that the people who read this do not have to go through what we have gone through. And a word of advice for all habitual drunk drivers, purchase Allstate insurance, you will be in good hands.

MY POINT IS THEY ARE CORRUPT AND DOING PEOPLE WRONG.

If anyone has insurance with these people please cancel and help spread the word about their wrong doings. The only way to fight large companies is with the lose of accounts and money.

"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