Comedian Matt Fisher, of New York, wrote a blog post titled “My Sister Paid Progressive Insurance to Defend Her Killer In Court.” The company spent 2 years stalling to avoid paying out her policy to her surviving family.
Kaitlynn Eileen Fisher, Matt’s sister, was killed by an SUV driver in 2010. The driver’s insurance paid out when a witness said the driver had run a red light before hitting Kaitlynn’s car and forcing it into a light pole. However, Kaitlynn’s insurance company, Progressive, refused to pay out the difference, although she had a comprehensive insurance policy.
In 2011, her parents decided to sue both the SUV driver and Progressive. A three-day trial last week ended in a verdict in the victims’ favor.
Matt Fisher posted about the ordeal on tumblr.com, which sparked international responses through social media. Fisher stated, “If you are insured by Progressive, and they owe you money, they will defend your killer in court in order to not pay you your policy.” Many people threatened to drop Progressive as their insurance provider. The company responded with its own statement, saying, “To be very clear, Progressive did not serve as the attorney for the defendant in this case,” Chris Wolf, claims general manager for Progressive, said in an email Tuesday. “He was defended by his insurance company, Nationwide.”
You can read Matt’s original post here.
The case highlights the power of social media to hold companies responsible for their actions. However, if you have been the victim of an automobile accident, and need help getting the compensation you deserve, many personal injury law firms like Strom Law, LLC, offer free consultations. Please contact us to discuss the facts of your case, and we can help get you on the road to recovery. 803.252.4800.
