Do you trust your insurance company? Will it pay the claim if you have an accident?

Video: Word On The Street (10/29/07)

You've probably seen lawyers on television commercials tell you don't trust them, don't be bullied by them and don't settle an insurance claim without an attorney.

Here's my experience.

I had never made a claim against my insurance company in 34 years. Not for my cars, my home or my fishing boat.

Then one day, I put on my brakes at a red light on Harding Road and nothing happened. My brakes went to the floorboard.

I bumped into the car in front of me, not hard, but enough to put a small dent in his bumper. My SUV wasn't damaged.

The driver recognized me and I told him, "Don't worry. I have so-and-so insurance, a major company that advertises regularly.”

I phoned in my damage claim. Three days later, I was advised it had been denied.

You see, I was told, the accident wasn't my fault and that it was my brakes fault. Can you believe it?

It was just another lame excuse to get out of paying a claim. My lawyer phoned the company.

"We're going to sue," he told the insurance company. "You're going to pay for the damages, the court costs and my fee."

Two days later, the company changed its mind and paid my claim.

I now have another insurance company. Be careful in selecting yours.