Insurance Policy

Another favorite --I mean, sad story but JAG to the rescue.

We had a young soldier that came in and sadly, his wife had been killed in a car accident.  He and his wife had just a few months earlier taken out life insurance policies so the wife was covered.  I want to say they had young children but I can't really remember the details but something strikes me as them wanting to get enough life insurance to enable one parents to afford child care  . . something along those lines (give me a break, we're talking over 20 years ago).

After his wife's death the soldier contacted the insurance company and shortly thereafter he received a letter that went a little something (more professionally written of course and sarcasm all mine) like this:

Dear Solider,
We are very sorry to hear of your wife's death. . . . . upon review of your policy we see it has only been in effect for two months . . . since you only paid two months premium we will gladly refund your money and you know, just call it even.  How's that sound, Soldier? And really, we are very sorry to hear about your wife . . .So please sign the enclosed document stating you want a refund and the check will be in the mail soon!  Very nice doing business with you.

The enclosed letter was full of legal jargon and gibberish intended to confused the poor guy and have him sign it and therefore forfeiting his TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR POLICY!  Thankfully, the soldier was confused enough to come to JAG and boy and I am glad he did.  The insurance company was trying to confuse and scam that guy out of the payout.  The attorneys turned that policy inside and out and determined the solder was entitled to the $200,000 --so they in turn wrote a nice little letter on behalf of the soldier --

Dear Stupid Insurance Company,
You should be ashamed of yourself for trying to scam people and confuse them into signing documents that you KNOW were intended to be misleading . . . In accordance with the terms of Soldier's policy, he'll be expecting his $200,000 check in the mail and you know THEN we'll just call it even.  Very nice doing business with you.
Signed,
A very smart JAG attorney
cc:  Better Business Bureau

Now THAT'S what JAG was supposed to be all about ---not so much on the eggshell paint, if you ask me.  There's the problem --no one asked me.