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When an insured person with a life insurance policy dies, the proceeds of that policy are paid to the beneficiary within 30 days. Unfortunately, deciding on a reasonable settlement for insured losses suffered by policyholders for vehicle accidents, fires and natural disasters, as well as qualifying for benefits for Social Security Disability and Workmen’s Compensation, are a nightmare many times.

Too many times insurance companies and government programs try to shortchange those who have suffered legitimate losses or have legitimate claims, and too many times those who really don’t have legitimate losses or claims try to reap financial rewards or benefits that they really aren’t entitled to receive.

As a result, we have too many advertisements by attorneys who are almost salivating to file lawsuits seeking large settlements that will enrich them at the expense of their clients, other policyholders, the insurance company stockholders and society in general in the form of higher premiums for insurance policies or taxes to support government programs.

So what is a reasonable solution for this problem?

I really don’t know for sure, but that’s why we have the state and federal governments with the power to study the problem and to adopt regulations by legislative action in order to solve the problem, because the present system is simply a farce where only a few gain at the expense of the many.

David L. Faust

Selinsgrove