Via Message Mail
-------------

I've been a Farmer's Insurance client for over ten years. I have a good driving record. Three years ago I had an opportunity to actually deal with Farmer's on an auto accident, I was in automobile accident pulling out of my drive way. It was funny accident, I was fully out of the driveway and in stop mode when I had a side impact to my car. No one was hurt and the police would not come to take a police report for that reason. Farmer's declared the other driver to be at fault, sent me a letter at the same time saying they could not determine who was at fault and therefore was not refunding my $1,000 deductible. Two years later, the other party suid to overturn the decision and to claim pain and suffering. The case went to a court whose limit was $25,000. The plaintiff's attorney requested $17,000, Farmer's was willing to pay $5,000. These attorneys went on and were not able to settle the case. The bottom line I lost two and a half days of work in what turned out to be a jury trial. I sat there with the "defendant" plaque all day as the attorneys went through the jury selection process. The next day the trial took place with accusations, by the other attorney, of my negligence, etc. etc. The whole experience as emotionally charged and took me away from work for two and a half days. We wouldn't even talk about the twelve jury members and the alternate who gave up their time. All because of Farmer's inability and unwillingness to settle this case. I understand the economics of wanting to do this, but putting a customer thorough a jury trial to make a point on such a small case like this, was totally out of line. I had been under the impression that I had a good insurance company and that if there was ever a problem, they would handle it. Obviously this was and an abuse of the legal system. After ten years as a customer, I would not recommend this company to anyone, unless you truly are looking for problems.