NOVATO, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company announced today that it will
offer new Uninsured/Underinsured Liability protection as an
endorsement to its Prestige Excess(R) policy - personal liability
coverage that protects the customer from damages they incur due to the
wrongful acts of others when the liable person is uninsured or
underinsured. Fireman's Fund is the only insurance company in the U.S.
to offer such coverage to its policyholders.
The new coverage is designed to cover bodily injury, property
damage and personal injury resulting from occurrences not involving an
auto in which a liable third party is at fault, but is uninsured or
underinsured. For example, this would cover a policyholder if a dog
attacks his child and the dog owner is not insured or is underinsured,
or if a policyholder is injured at a party on a deck that collapses
and the homeowner is not insured or is underinsured.
The protection is an enhancement to Fireman's Fund's
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage. It now protects individuals
from uninsured/underinsured losses on a much broader basis than what
other carriers offer. Coverage up to $10 million can be added and is
excess over any other collectible insurance. There is no required
underlying insurance.
"Fireman's Fund recognizes the importance of providing our
policyholders with comprehensive financial protection should an
accident occur and the responsible party is unable to adequately cover
expenses associated with injury," said Bob Courtemanche, President,
Fireman's Fund Personal Insurance. "This new innovative coverage
provides a solution to a gap that exists in most people's risk
management portfolios."
A survey, "What Worries High Net Worth Americans," conducted by
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, suggests that affluent Americans are
more concerned with the financial risks related to
uninsured/underinsured individuals than they are about theft, personal
assault or slander. This fear is not without basis - according to a
study by the Insurance Research Council, when a car accident involving
injuries happens in the US, chances are about one in seven that the
at-fault driver is uninsured.
The risk of auto and non-auto related losses involving
uninsured/underinsured individuals may also be affected by common
consumer purchasing behavior. "Individuals may be more focused on
insuring the value of their possessions rather than ensuring they have
enough coverage to protect others if they are liable for damages,"
said Courtemanche. "This situation could increase the probability of
an individual being the victim of a liable individual who is
uninsured/underinsured."
The new Fireman's Fund Uninsured/Underinsured Liability protection
is offered in Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois,
Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New
Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas,
Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming, and is expected to
be approved and available in most states by the end of 2008.
In today's litigious society, every family with significant assets
faces the risk of incidents that could significantly impact their net
worth. A Fireman's Fund Prestige Excess(R) Liability policy provides
broad protection from a wide range of potential legal actions, such as
liability for property damage or bodily injury, over and above any
liability coverage under a homeowners, auto, or watercraft insurance
policy. In addition, the policy can be customized to meet an
individual's needs -- with limits up to $100 million, coverage for
domestic employees, participation on a non-profit board, management of
a family trust and the new uninsured/underinsured liability
protection.
About Fireman's Fund
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company is a premier property and
casualty insurance company providing personal, commercial and
specialty insurance products nationwide. It is rated 'A+' by Standard
& Poor's Ratings Services. Fireman's Fund(R) is a member of the
Allianz Group (NYSE: AZ), one of the world's largest providers of
insurance and financial services. For additional information, visit
www.firemansfund.com.
(C) 2008 Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, Novato, CA 94998
Fireman's Fund
Janet Ruiz, 415-899-5381
jruiz@ffic.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
