Unum (NYSE: UNM) is a Chattanooga, Tennessee-based insurance company previously named UnumProvident, which was formed from the merger of two competing insurance companies, Unum of Portland, Maine, and Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company of Chattanooga. It is currently the largest disability insurance company worldwide. Unum provides employee benefits including disability insurance, critical illness insurance, long-term care insurance and life insurance.
Known for Deceptive Personal Injury Practices
Personal Injury Lawsuits Brought Against Unum Insurance
There are many people that have had a motor vehicle accident where either they or the at-fault has been insured by Unum Insurance. If this is a situation you find yourself in, it is essential that you research past legal cases involving your insurance company if you hope successfully negotiate your own settlement or court case. Substantial research will reduce the risk of repeating mistakes others have made when legally dealing with your insurance companies and can provide unique insight as to which legal courses of action might affect the value of your settlement. Additionally, substantial legal research helps highlight pivotal strategies and avenues that have historically helped win lawsuits against major insurance companies such as Unum Insurance.
Major insurance firms are renowned for stalling the release of settlement funds for personal injury claimants until the absolute last possible minute. While the ethics of this practice are highly questionable, the practice is unfortunately implemented by an extremely high percentage of insurance companies. This strategy has been devised as both a money-making and a money-saving technique. Major insurance companies usually have access to tens of billions of dollars due to high volume revenue and cash flow. Similar to banks, they invest these funds in order to amplify their profits. Even if they are required to pay a settlement, they will hold the money as long as legally possible in a leveraged effort to increase their own profits through the interest they earn on their investments.
In addition to delaying the disbursement of settlement funds, most insurance companies implement many of the following strategies to cut costs and generate profit:
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"Nickel and dime" smaller individual clients with various charges with the knowledge they cannot afford to investigate their legal options.
- Present clients with a very small initial settlement offer, as many policy holders do not realize they do not have to accept the insurance company’s first offer.
- Wait until the last possible week to disperse funds, as some negotiations can last well over a year.
- If you have sustained personal injuries that will be permanent, it is important to use an expert trial attorney.
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