Allstate: Difference between revisions
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===Unfair claims handling practices=== | ===Unfair claims handling practices=== | ||
*'''Lowball offers and delays''' | *'''Lowball offers and delays''' | ||
::Accused of systematically offering settlements below market value and intentionally delaying claims to pressure claimants into accepting lower payouts. This strategy was allegedly developed with ''McKinsey & Company'' in the 1990s to maximize profits by reducing payouts. | ::Accused of systematically offering settlements below market value and intentionally delaying claims to pressure claimants into accepting lower payouts. This strategy was allegedly developed with ''McKinsey & Company'' in the 1990s to maximize profits by reducing payouts.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Behind McKinsey & Company’s Efforts To Help Allstate Squeeze Personal Injury Victims |url=https://www.injurytriallawyer.com/blog/behind-mckinsey-companys-efforts-to-help-allstate-squeeze-personal-injury-victims/ |website=injurytriallawyer.com}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Samples |first=Steve |title=Allstate Worst Insurance Company For Consumers |url=https://tex.law/allstate-worst-insurance-company-for-consumers/ |website=tex.lawe}}</ref> | ||
*'''Alligator approach''' | *'''Alligator approach''' | ||
::Internal documents revealed a tactic of "sitting and waiting" to frustrate claimants into settling for inadequate amounts, particularly in personal injury cases. | ::Internal documents revealed a tactic of "sitting and waiting" to frustrate claimants into settling for inadequate amounts, particularly in personal injury cases.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
*'''High denial rates''' | *'''High denial rates''' | ||
::Florida subsidiaries ''Castle Key Indemnity'' and ''Castle Key Insurance'' denied 47.1% and 46% of claims, respectively, in 2023, some of the highest rates in the state. | ::Florida subsidiaries ''Castle Key Indemnity'' and ''Castle Key Insurance'' denied 47.1% and 46% of claims, respectively, in 2023, some of the highest rates in the state.<ref name=":1" /> | ||
===Use of anti-consumer policy language=== | ===Use of anti-consumer policy language=== | ||
:'''Anti-concurrent causation clauses''' | :'''Anti-concurrent causation clauses''' | ||
::Pioneered policy language allowing claim denials if a loss involved both covered and excluded events. This was widely criticized after Hurricane Katrina, where homeowners were denied claims for storm damage if flooding also contributed. | ::Pioneered policy language allowing claim denials if a loss involved both covered and excluded events. This was widely criticized after Hurricane Katrina, where homeowners were denied claims for storm damage if flooding also contributed.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Allstate Rebuts Stinging Criticism |url=https://consumerwatchdog.org/uncategorized/allstate-rebuts-stinging-criticism/ |website=consumerwatchdog.org}}</ref> | ||
===Legal and regulatory violations=== | ===Legal and regulatory violations=== | ||
*'''Bad-faith lawsuits''' | *'''Bad-faith lawsuits''' | ||
::Faced multiple lawsuits for denying valid claims, including a $2.8 million bad-faith ruling in Weiss v. Allstate and a $25 million class-action settlement for inflating premiums and unfairly denying claims. | ::Faced multiple lawsuits for denying valid claims, including a $2.8 million bad-faith ruling in Weiss v. Allstate and a $25 million class-action settlement for inflating premiums and unfairly denying claims.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> | ||
*'''TCPA violations''' | *'''TCPA violations''' | ||
::A 2024 court ruling found Allstate vicariously liable for illegal robocalls made by subcontractors, violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.[6] | ::A 2024 court ruling found Allstate vicariously liable for illegal robocalls made by subcontractors, violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.[6] | ||
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:Negative reviews cite poor customer service, claim delays, and premium hikes without improved coverage.[2][7] | :Negative reviews cite poor customer service, claim delays, and premium hikes without improved coverage.[2][7] | ||
''Allstate'' has disputed some claims, citing third-party reports supporting its practices.[4] | ''Allstate'' has disputed some claims, citing third-party reports supporting its practices.[4] | ||
== Products == | ==Products== | ||
{{Placeholder box|This is a list of the company's product lines '''with articles on this wiki'''. | {{Placeholder box|This is a list of the company's product lines '''with articles on this wiki'''. | ||
* [[Example product line one]] (release date): Short summary of the product's incidents. | * [[Example product line one]] (release date): Short summary of the product's incidents. | ||
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== See also == | ==See also== | ||
{{Placeholder box|Link to relevant theme articles or companies with similar incidents.}} | {{Placeholder box|Link to relevant theme articles or companies with similar incidents.}} | ||
[[Category:Allstate]] | [[Category:Allstate]] |