Insurance Company Attempting To Control Appraiser and Labor Rates for Car Accidents Gets Slammed For $15 Million Dollars - Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Applauds Jury Verdict - Justice Prevails
A Connecticut jury returned a $15 million dollar verdict in a class action suit brought by auto body shops against an affiliate of The Hartford Insurance Co., which was accused of unfair trade practices. The Stamford Superior Court jury found in favor of the Auto Body Association of Connecticut which has been battling the Hartford Fire Insurance Company for 6 years over appraisals and labor costs for vehicle repairs according to a story published in the Associated Press. The owner’s group stated that the insurer’s labor rates were artificially low and the company discouraged the use of independent appraisers in favor of its own appraisers in order to control all aspects of car repairs. Not so surprisingly, The Hartford states it will appeal the verdict. I am sure that many of our readers have been told by their insurance company that they must go to an insurance company “approved shop” or direct repair shop or have non-original parts used on their auto repairs.
As an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney who is constantly battling with insurance companies on these and many other issues, I am confident that the jury spoke loud and clear. Many insurance companies disregard their customers’ best interests and try to use their “muscle” against the little guy. I tell my clients that I am a greedy lawyer, a lawyer greedy for justice. In this case, justice prevailed.
The Connecticut Attorney General joins with this unfair insurance practices lawyer in calling for more stringent laws regulating how insurance companies deal with car repairs and claims in general.
