Fireman's Fund Insurance Company Offers New Uninsured/Underinsured Liability Protection
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
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