Month: August 2018

An insurance agent and broker has a duty to use reasonable care to provide adequate and proper insurance coverage.

There are many situations in which an insurance agent may be negligent including the following:

1.   providing insurance in which there is a gap in coverage.  For example, a person has a primary auto insurance policy with coverage up to $100,000.  The person then gets an umbrella policy with coverage from $300,000 to $1,000,000.   There is a gap in coverage from $100,000 to $300,000.
2. providing coverage which does not fully cover a known risk of loss.   For example, if a house is totally destroyed and the insurance coverage is clearly inadequate to pay for rebuilding the house.
3. failing to advise as to a particular type of coverage.  In Connecticut, there is “conversion coverage” which covers certain situations in which there is a loss from another party who is underinsured.    For the added expense, most people would be wise to purchase conversion coverage.
4. failing to provide coverage after being asked to do so.   For example, a client may request auto insurance with collision coverage.  Collision coverage is designed to pay for the repair or replacement of the policy owner’s car in the event of an accident, no matter who caused the accident.  The most common situations occur in an accident in which a driver of the other vehicle has no insurance (uninsured driver) or you are in a one car accident (for example, accident in snow storm).    It is particularly important for an insured to have collision coverage if there is a large balance due on an auto loan, as the collision coverage will pay up to the value of the damaged vehicle.
5. failing to timely inform an insurance company of a claim, when reported by an insured.

If you have any questions concerning your insurance coverage, or a possible claim against your insurance agent/broker, please feel free to contact

Attorney Robert M. Singer

2572 Whitney Avenue

Hamden, CT  06518

203-248-8278

rsingerct@yahoo.com

serving Hamden, New Haven County, and all of Connecticut

I am seeing more scams with regard to sales of a car or truck.

Often the car or truck is advertised on the internet, such as Facebook.   The truck is advertised in great condition at a good price.   The seller then negotiates the price down.

Watch out if the seller refuses to have the vehicle inspected.   The seller will demand cash or a certified check in return for transferring title to the vehicle, without an inspection.   Once the cash or check is given, the money is gone.  (It can be difficult to collect on a court judgment against the seller).

When the car or truck is inspected, the vehicle may not be drivable, or unsafe to drive.

To protect yourself

1.  Always ask for a copy of the title certificate.
2. Make sure that the title is in the name of the Seller
3. Get the address of the Seller.
4. Always buy from a local seller.
5. Check the VIN number on the vehicle, to make sure it matches the title certificate.  (You need to get the VIN number when you individually inspect the vehicle).
6. Run a Carfax history report
7. Have the car or truck inspected, by your own mechanic
8. Determine the value of the vehicle, before deciding to hand over any money.
9. Never wire money anywhere.   A seller should be able to deliver the vehicle to your door, and a seller should be able to pick up cash or a check in person.
10. If you don’t trust the seller, ask the seller to meet at the parking lot of the local police station.

Attorney Robert M. Singer
2572 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
203-248-8278
Serving New Haven County and all of Connecticut