The Cold Hard Truth...

   In the mid 90's, Allstate and other companies hired the mega-consulting firm McKinsey & Company to develop new claim strategies. At Allstate, McKinsey defined claims as a “zero-sum game,” with the policyholder and the company competing for the same dollars. Its goal was “to redefine the game . . . to . . . radically alter our whole approach to the business of claims.” Computer systems would be put in place to set the amounts policyholders would be offered, claimants would be deterred from hiring lawyers, adjusters would be rewarded for underpaying claims, and settlements would be offered on a take-it-or-litigate basis.

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   To improve their profits, companies delay payment of justified claims, deny payment altogether, and defend their actions by forcing claimants to sue to get what they are entitled to.

This strategy is known as “delay, deny, defend,” and it perverts the insurance industry’s traditional role. Within the vast bureaucracy of insurance companies, actuaries assess risks, underwriters price policies and evaluate prospective policyholders, and agents market policies. The claims department’s only job should be to pay what is owed, no more but no less. Delay, deny, defend turns the claims department into just another profit center.

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    In the years since Hurricane Andrew ripped up Miami the insurance lobbyists have arguably taken over Tallahassee and its been said the Florida Department of Financial Services who regulate the insurance companies have become "whipping boys for the insurance companies". All of this is speculation however if you understand how the game is played you will find the scales of justice are against the property owners.