Insurance loophole claimed in fire deaths: Company says smoke that killed 3 was 'pollution'

I'm pretty used to insurance company shenanigans, but this one took home the prize.

Dec. 17--An insurance company with a potential $25 million liability from a 2007 Houston office fire is claiming smoke that killed three people was "pollution" and surviving families shouldn't be compensated for their losses since the deaths were not caused directly by the actual flames.

Great American Insurance Company is arguing in a Houston federal court that the section of the insurance policy that excludes payments for pollution -- like discharges or seepage that require cleanup -- would also exclude payouts for damages, including deaths, caused by smoke, or pollution, that results from a fire.

"This is shocking. It's an extraordinary effort by an insurance company to avoid paying on a contract for insurance," said Randy Sorrels, who represents several family members in wrongful death lawsuits from the fire in a six-story atrium building on the North Loop.

http://fpn.advisen.com/fpnHomepagep.shtml?resource_id=866517551990639166#top

You only think you're insured until you try to collect.

business.

The vast majority of people haven't figured it out.

they could make that into a full page ad telling people why they should switch to a different insurance company - and move their investment $$$ if applicable. Sometimes the pocketbook is the *only* way to hit these criminals where they live.

was too busy focusing on the amazing GALL of their basis for a claim denial. There must be a personality test given to Claims adjustors at that insurance company, to make sure they are completely devoid of the slightest taint of a sense of shame...

Insurance is like borrowing an umbrella when it's sunny for a fee, then when it starts raining the lender demands for the umbrella back. The whole industry is the biggest SCAM in the history of mankind.