[ls7plus]

Jeff's got that one exactly right. Working generally with Plaintiff's with large personal injury type claims at both the trial and appellate levels, it is apparent that most insurance companies' business model includes taking in premiums, investing them to make more money, and perhaps distributing the income. Paying legitimate claims is seen as something to do reluctanctly, at best, and if paid, to minimize the amount paid out as much as possible, in any manner possible, with ethics of no concern. In Michigan, under the No-Fault law, insurance carriers are technically on the hook for payment of things like attendant care and medical expenses claims arising out of catastrophic injuries sustained in the course of a motor vehicle accident, such as a traumatic brain injury or quadriplegia, for the life of the claimant. And boy, you should see the dirty tricks they pull to try and avoid paying these kinds of claims as the dollar value rises, and the claims persist, year after year, as the injured person never regains function. There are a great number of insurance companies, who if they really were your "neighbors," would prompt you by their close proximity to build a moat around your house, buy all the fortifications you could afford, and invest in automatic weapons with a large stockpile of ammo on hand!

Some insurance companies process claims in good faith, but unless you're a litigation lawyer with a broad, active practice, it can be difficult to pick a good one. Caveat Emptor, in this area. I'll take a good, heavy safe with high temperature resistance. After all, how many house fires have you actually seen in your life?

Best wishes for "safe" collecting,

Larry