Family Files Case Against Insurer For Nonpayment

For Cindy and Bradley Cline of Detroit, Maine, the necessity of suing their own auto insurance company for the death benefit due them for the loss of their son, Andrew, in a tragic car accident, was an unneeded burden they would have preferred not to have had to carry. But, it was necessary when their insurer, GEICO General Mutual Insurance Company, failed and refused to pay on their policy, forcing their attorney, N. Laurence Willey, Jr. of Bangor, to file suit in Somerset County Superior Court. Willey explained that Andrew Cline was a passenger in a vehicle operated by James M. Lovely of Detroit, Maine, when the car crashed off of Route 220 in Detroit, Maine, killing both young men. Lovely's liability policy was for the minimum of $50,000. The Clines' policy for underinsured insurance was for $300,000. Thus their insurer, GEICO, was required to pay the difference to the family for their son's death, or $250,000.

Their insurer refused after multiple requests and suit was then filed. Willey said the tragedy here is that the family has to relive the loss of their son over and over as we consult on the case. It is unfortunate the Clines were put in the position of having to sue their own insurer. Unfortunately, insurers around the country are fond of advertising against law suits, yet there is no one advertising about why law suits have to be filed when insurers refuse to pay legitimate claims, Willey said. Willey stated he will continue to confer with the insurer's representatives and try to settle the case soon with the policy limits being paid.

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