A.I.G. Balks at Claims From Jet Ditching in Hudson

[Blue_Tires]

For the first couple of days after his flight ditched into the Hudson River, Paul Jorgenson was just glad to be alive. But then he started to need his laptop, his wallet, his car keys -- all the essentials he had stowed under his seat and left behind in the sinking plane.

A pleasant woman at US Airways told him not to worry; he would be made whole for his losses. But then the matter shifted to US Airways' insurer, the American International Group, operating under government stewardship since its bailout last fall.

When a homeowner has a burglary or a driver has a crash, all it normally takes is a call to the insurance company and a description of the loss to activate the policy. But aviation liability insurance is different. It is activated by a finding of negligence on the part of an airline. If there is no negligence, then arguably there is no liability, and no obligation to pay claims.

That poses a problem for the passengers of US Airways Flight 1549. They suffered real losses and injuries, but they are widely perceived as having been saved from sudden, violent death by their heroic and quick-thinking flight crew, led by Capt. Chesley B. Sullenberger.

"Insurance companies try to protect their assets, obviously," said Bruce D. Chadbourne, a co-author of the book, "Introduction to Aviation Insurance and Risk Management," and a professor in the business school at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla. With the airline wearing a halo, A.I.G. "is going to play hardball."

http://finance.yahoo.com/insurance/article/107188/aig-balks-at-Claims-from-jet-ditching-in-hudson

[renate]

1. i see they haven't lost their deft touch at public relations

:eyes:

[MichaelHarris]

2. I would

sue the shit out of those birds!

[BlooInBloo]

3. Fuck AIG.

[Thothmes]

4. bet what was lost was gucci shoes

Nikon cameras and Swiss watches.

[itsrobert]

5. Makes sense

Since the caused was Geese. No negligence.

[DCKit]

6. You'd think they'd be smart enough to pay the high-profile claims...

and limit their denials to anonymous, individual claims.

This is going to bite AIG in the ass. People are already pissed and AIG just can't help parading their greed.

[DoctorMyEyes]

7. It sounded like AIG were being typical assholes - but then I read the article

When you actually read the linked article I think it becomes more apparent that AIG isn't the only one capable of being an asshole. Each passenger was already given $5000 right off the bat. They're being offered an additional $5000 if they agree to make that their last claim. But some are bitching and complaining that they want their $10,000 AND the ability to sue later. One or the other, buddy. One or the other.

Oh, and I think three free therapy sessions is a reasonable offer too.

[Obamanaut]

8. They got money up front, they have been offered more, they have

the opportunity to write a book, and THEY ARE ALIVE. Sheesh.