Picture Credit: Paradise Helicopters/ExtremeExposure/Bruce Omori
‘Heartless’ Insurance Giant Denies Elderly Puna Couple’s Claim
News Source: Big Island Now
The insurance company Lloyd’s of London has come under fire for denying a claim by an elderly couple, Philip and Lanell Haysmer, who lost their home in the aftermath of the Kīlauea Volcano eruption. The denial came just 24 hours after a lawsuit for deceptive practices was filed against Lloyd’s in Hilo.
Attorney Jeffrey Foster, representing the Haysmers, accused Lloyd’s of breaking the law by issuing insurance policies in Hawai’i without being licensed in the state. He stated that despite Lloyd’s claims, the company would be held accountable for its actions in court.
Foster criticized Lloyd’s for sending the claim denial via fax from an adjuster located 4,000 miles away in Little Rock, Arkansas, calling the company’s conduct “inhumane.” He described Lloyd’s as “heartless” for denying the claim without sending anyone to inspect the property.
The lawsuit against Lloyd’s alleges that the company has failed to honor commitments to homeowners in the Puna District, many of whom lost their homes in the eruption. Foster stated that Lloyd’s had failed to provide basic living expenses promised in their policies to displaced homeowners.
The Haysmers, who are now living in a neighbor’s garage, are among the many homeowners in Puna who carried a homeowner’s policy with Lloyd’s and have been affected by the company’s actions. The lawsuit seeks to hold Lloyd’s accountable for its alleged deceptive practices and failure to assist homeowners in the aftermath of the eruption.
