The insurance companies are all crooks. Just ask any Florida resident.

Sing it with me:
"And like a good neighbor, State Farm is there!"

Insurance companies are a rip off. Pay pay pay and get nothing. State Farm should hold its managers and supervisors accountable if this really did go down like the whistleblowers say. Those managers are no better than crack heads begging for your change at the gas station. Just looking for a hand out and reason why its not their fault.

You can't blame anyone else for anything except President George W. Bush! How dare you, the Democrats must take over the House & Senate and win the White House.

Remember, George W. Bush is to blame for every single thing wrong with America. Right?

Well like a good neigbor state farm is there???? I think I'd rather have a crack house as a neighbor rather than State Farm

This doesn't surprise me at all. I work at an insurance company and if it is not the company its their agents comitting fraud against the company for their own gain.

After suffering through State Farm's brand of paying off claims after a natural disaster I believe every single word these women are saying. We in Cheyenne, Wyoming were hit by an extremely damaging and freaky flood on August 1, 1985. My husband and I were paid about $1200.00 for some window damage done by hail but we ultimately wound up losing our home and having to claim bankruptcy due to the damage done to our house that State Farm claimed they did not cover. These insurance companies want higher and higher fees to "cover" (and I use that term loosely) and they want their payments "right now" too. However, when it comes to ponying up to the bar and paying their part when something happens, they squirrel out of it like the huge, money-hungry, power-driven mega-monsters that they are. The insurance situation in this country is a disgrace and desperately needs to be over-hauled as well as investigated thoroughly!

Debbie Walter-Holdridge

The Gulf Coast wasn't the only area. My home was damaged by Wilma to the tune of $106,000. State Farm first offered just over $20,000. The finally sent us just over $70,000. Still a far cry from the real damage and it has been a constant fight to get paid. Now we are fighting for payment of our hotel bills while the house is repaired.

State Farm should be held to account and their Executives should be investigated just like Enron.

Herschel Kilgore

I wouldn't be surprised of the fraud allegations against State Farm..Anything to save a buck..

Extremists take lives. State Farm takes livelihoods. Both sound like terrorism to me.

This is just another case of corporate corruption to the fullest. Insurance companies are so tight that they squeak when they talk. What I dont understand is that it we, the general public, pay millions every year to these insurance companies, but when it comes time for them to pay back its like trying to pull teeth from a crocodile. This smells very similar to the Red Cross scandal following the tragedy of 9/11. I hope the evidence that the FBI has wi;; work to the residents benefit. PAY UP STATE FARM....

I wonder how many folks are really going to be shocked by this? Hold on for hope though, I'm sure our great G.W.B. will bail them out.

Evil comes in all forms. Shame on State Farm. I was there are a volunteer recovery working for several months. Those people need help on a basic level. How dare State Farm refuse to stand up.

"Like a good neighboor, State Farm is there.."

Remember those? What "good neighboor" decides not only to not help, but to destroy that which could be used to help those in such a predicament?

State Farm should be ashamed of themselves; and what's more, should be foreced to pay out the nose for this indecency. If this leads to insolvency, so be it--that's what price you pay for being in the insurance biz...and for breaking the law.

"See Photos of Katrina, One Year Later - the National Disgrace That Is Still Going On."

I would say a state of Louisiana disgrace. Nagin and company botched the whole thing and now he has the nerve to criticize New York for not fixing their "hole in the ground"???

What an ass.

"and like a good neighbor State Farm is there" - doesn't sound like it....just another example of the little guy getting screwed!

This really is disgraceful. I have State Farm, but not for long.

Wow! I'm not sure if my insurance is State Farm or not, I better check and if it is, cancel it and go with someone else.

When they send out the lawyer to speak for the company you can pretty much assume they are guilty. I used to wonder why that was... until someone told me it OK for lawyers to lie but not a companies executives.

Wow, what one P&C insurance agency does, others are likely to follow.

Why am I NOT surprised? Doesn't it make perfect sense? Insurance companies seem to exist for profit not thier customers.

Those insurance companies know what they are doing, they know they are stealing money from the american people and they deserve whatever finanicial losses from lawsuits that are coming to them.

So not surprised.

This is nice. Corporate America sticking it to the little guys once again. Why pay taxes...why pay insurance? It's obvious your paying for the protection of the rich and their assets at the expense of your safety and property. Thanks FEMA, thanks to our administration and now thank you State Farm for taking advantage of our working class and poor who work and pay for your protections.

Oh that's classic, Mr. Drinkwater ...

"We, of course, have not been cheating."

I can only imagine how smug he sounded actually saying that!

(Now might be a good time to get your cash out of those whole life policies from State Farm.)

The operative phrase is their involvement with the well-known trial lawyer.
Until the facts come out, assign zero creditiblity based on the above. Most likely part of a shakedown strategy.

It sounds like something a big corporation would do to keep money in there own pockets. The poor people they have hurt in the process. All because of there GREED. I'm sure glad I don't have State Farm insurance and this confirms it! Hurray for the girls to come forward in this matter. Why didn't they do it sooner?

Remembers me Bally Total Fitness and their SCAMS. Exactly the same.

Wow Great idea jeffery, imagine all the people? We were cancelled after 911 in the dc area after paying them since 1979 with 2 water damage small claims. If we all switched.......

makes yo go hmmmmmm.....

Maybe it's time for mortgage companies to pick up the ball and pressure insurance companies to "honestly" insure their customers. Or better yet, just drop the insurance requirements. Fewer policy holders means more competition. Competition breeds better service!

All my relatives in N.O. have SF and got checks when the fled to Los Angeles the following day. They all have positive things to say about how State Farm folks that weren't even their agent helped them.

I am an agent and State Farm is a competitor, so I don't mind them getting bad publicity. However, news shows like 20/20 are notorious for biased coverage of stories such as this to get good ratings. Most insurance companies are happy to pay what the contract requires. However, flood is excluded. The homeowners should have bought flood insurance.

STATE FARM OR ANY OTHER INSURANCE COMPANY IS JUST ANOTHER TERM FOR LIGALIZE GASTERS.....

Hats off to the sisters for keeping their integrity intact. Its a shame that insurance companies think they can get away with things like this - we need more people who are not afraid to tell the truth and expose frauds - no matter how big a company they are.

thank god there's no fraud happening the other way! we all know that all homeowner claims are accurate and in no way rounded up.

I have worked in the insurance industry for over 30 years. The adjusters are at the mercy of either doing what they are told or giving up their jobs. These two sisters gave it up for what is right. Their bosses if guilty need to go to jail. People who buy insurance, pay their premiums, have to be treated honestly, fairly, and with respect. They deserve nothing less. State Farm if guilty needs everyone involved fined, dismissed, jailed all the way to the top. No excuses.

Wow, I'm surprised to see so many people taking the side of the two women.

Hello - your homeowners specifically does not cover "flood", especially in flood zones (i.e. Mississippi).

So, if you present a claim for something that isnt covered, why is it considered "fraud" when the insurance company doesn't pay?

If there's no siginificant wind damage, and the house is flooded, guess what - it was likely caused by a non-covered flood.

When all else fails, blame Bush, how crazy is that. So much hate to this fine President, and his true beliefs, and will do what is right, not pandering to the poor slo s who just hate him. What is this world coming to.

Yep. Don't ya know insurance companies is legalized racketerring and extortion. Come on. Every state has laws that say you should pay insurance. That is absurd. If they would do it right and put your money into an a ccount that grows money then there would be no need for insriance companies. It is an unregulated industry that needs serious regualting.

And the dude that said George Bush is to blame is a moron. Really the president is just a figure head. All action regarding goverment regulation is mostly done at the local and state levels. Blame your governors and state representatives. They are the real culprits.

Then you add in last week's federal court decision in a Mississippi court ruling for the insurance industry and you have one big case of piling on the storm victims. Ouch...

If this is true then everyone who participated in helping to shredding of these documents should be prosecuted to the extent of the law. We the American people have to stand together and support each other in time of need. And if I was one of the victims in other states who got ripped off from State Farm I would testify to this if this case every goes to trial. Numbers count!

Hold on now, I have to call State Farm and CANCEL all my policies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If fraud was truly committed, then any and all insurance companies involved should be held accountable. It is equally clear after reading prior posts however, that many homeowners do not know what their policies do and do not cover. Insurance companies are NOT responsible if your home was damaged by flood waters and you do not have flood insurance.

I have worked in the insurance industry for over 30 years. The adjusters are at the mercy of either doing what they are told or giving up their jobs. These two sisters gave it up for what is right. Their bosses if guilty need to go to jail. People who buy insurance, pay their premiums, have to be treated honestly, fairly, and with respect. They deserve nothing less. State Farm if guilty needs everyone involved fined, dismissed, jailed all the way to the top. No excuses.

Just remember, you're in good hands with Allstate.

what ever happened to innocent until proven guilty. we are so quick to blame and all need someone to blame.

State Farm will pay! As well as all the others crooks out there taking from the victims of this Levee breakage. Congress just as fault for letting this kinda thing happen. This is why the people can't rebuild. The insurance companies, not just State Farm has swindled the documents. It all makes sense now.

Its not impossible for fraud to go the other way also. If they don't cover water damage but do cover wind damage I would not be surperised if a lot odf water damage was suddenly transmorgrified into wind damage.

FLOOD IS NOT COVERED UNDER A HOMEOWNERS POLICY YOU HAVE TO BUY A FLOOD POLICY.

Again we seem to be jumpin the gun an immediately finding State Farm guilty. Lets have a commission appointed to find out if the Insurance companies are bilkin the folks.

Also, to those that want to blame President Bush fer everythin that happens, from garbage pickup in the suburbs to Eclipse of the moon, may me point out that fraud is nothin new, and happens in all administrations be they Demo or Repub. Thank ya. Ed

Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Seems too me that people like to pass judgement before they know ANY facts. We've got a few paragraphs of a news report and pull out the gallows!! Unfortunately as a society we like to throw stones and then ask questions. Listen to what EVERYONE involved has to say before you pass judgement.. Insurance company or little old housewife.. I don't care.. Deep pockets don't allways mean fraud..

I had to take them to court to get my claim solved. They thought that they would bully me around and that I would drop my lawsuit. They were wrong and I won. State Farm is terrible when it comes to solving claims.
wayne

We had a tornado go through our home up here and state farm didn't do anything to help. I had insurance w/state farm during that time, but had just got a job with another insurance company in this area. I saw how well, they handled their claims and how the put everyone in hotels so I switched. I know that all insurance are crooks but some are better than others.

This is systemic across many sectors of our entire economy. Fannie Mae is missing billions and yet nothing is being done more than an "investigation." When are the people of this GREAT country going to stop tolerating this crap and begin to stand up? It's been a long time since we've had massive protests, I think it's about time we begin to speak up.

Nothing like guilty until proven innocent. How quickly we all fall into mob mentality. Who needs the legal system. Lets just condem people on popular oppinion and the word of 2 people who don't actually work for the company.. Good Call

I hate the insurance industry. The entire thing is a racket. Perhaps the worst segment with the most problems is the Health Insurance industry.
I wanted to make one comment though. the Insurance industry screws everyone regardless of wealth or class.

Wow! I am shocked, but not surprised. Now if we can only get someone to detail how bias the mainstream media is in this country - that would be great!

Al

I am convined that paying for home insurance just guarantees you a right to attempt to sue your insurance company....not be covered for losses. You need to write your legislators to press for a special prosecuter.

This is the result when corporate America has the Congress in their back pockets. Nothing will change until campaign finance changes. I have heard many times that State Farm will cancel your policy in a New York minute if you have a bonafied claim. They never pay more than one claim per policy holder. That is their reputation.

Let us not forget the core definition of corruption: Louisiana. As an ex-Louisiana resident, I truly believe that crooks go there for graduate training. Examples: Mayor of N.O and the completely incompetant governess. These two serve as baselines from which all stupidity and corruption should be measured.

I worked for State Farm as an independent in Luling (New Orleans) after Katrina and saw nothing, absolutely nothing, described by the two sisters. If I witnessed something like what they say they saw, I would have quit immediately. Why didn't they?

Has it occurred to anyone that this might not be true? Do you want your personal documents floating around with your name, address, and policy number on it. And, these two don't work for State Farm, they are independently contracted by other companies as well and if this has been happening why did they continue to work for State Farm for 8 years? Sounds like someone is looking for some publicity!

This is unbelievable! Insurance companies know how to take like a cemetary but when it's time for them to come through in a crisis, they sit on their hands. The best way to show these crooks that we're angry is to cancel our policies. We need to put that hard earned money going towards "insurance" coverage in an emergency account. That way, we are taking care of ourselves. The best way to be heard is to hit them in the pocketbook where it hurts the most. Why should we have insurance if when we need it, they won't pay. Let's be smart and take care of ourselves. No one else will do it.

"Just like your neighbor...State Farm don't care!"

It is so refreshing to read the comments from all of you who have the insight and vision to reach a judgement after reading one article providing one side of the issue. Don't you think it would be wise to hear both sides of this issue before you reach judgement? For those who are blaming George W Bush, you are the idiots.

Didn't State Farm help to pay President Clinton's legal bills in the Paula Jones Lawsuit, from a liability policy he had with them? So..they will pay for Clinton and NOT for Katrina??...come on!

I am in the process of buying a house in Colorado, and this Katrina shenanigans has persuaded NOT to chose State Farm as my insurer. What's the point of having insurance if the company doesn't pay claims?

This is the problem we let people get away with robbing us I say everyone who has a policy with State Robbed should cancel and go to a bettr company!

sing this instead

"Unlike a good neighbor...state farm is unfair..."

Hello!!!! Is anyone out there listening to this clamor willing to help......

Silience is not golden, silence is painful and damaging.

Someone with some authority needs to help correct this situation.

Hello!!!! Are you listening......We need help.

I can't figure out what all the surprise is about. The little people have been "nut & bolted" for as long as I can remember. I suggest we pay our premiums when bad does happen, or,even better, have the insurance companies refund the premiums you have paid for a year but did not use. Sounds like a plan to me.

Robert (2nd post) what is that all about?

To Chris H. State Farm is one thing and I am sure they are trying to CTA. FEMA? Dont look to the federal goverment to pull you out of a jam. They just make it possible for you to pull yourself out. Nature of the beast

What ever happened to the concept of innocent until proven guilty.

I had State Farm insurance for years in CA until I moved 1 mile and they tripled my monthly rates saying I moved to a high crime area, which is crap. I dumped them for AAA and now pay less than 1/3. Then reviewed my policy a little closer and found how State Farm stuffed my policy with rediculous extra coverge...

It would be interesting to see how much the upper Execs at State Farm got for bonuses this year while everyone in Mississippi & Louisiana suffer in crappy Fema trailers.

I hope all of you who are venting remember this episode the next time you get called for jury duty on a civil matter involving negligence in the future. The insurance carriers in this country are all alike.

another reason to stay clear of this company...if you have state farm insurance...better drop them before disaster strikes and they drop you...

AS AN INSURANCE AGENT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT WHAT MOST PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT IS NOT THAT THEY ARE DENIED COVERAGE, IT'S THAT THEY ASSUME THAT SOMETHING IS COVERED WITHOUT CHECKING THEIR POLICY. FLOOD WATERS ARE EXCLUDED UNDER EVERY INSURANCE POLICY SOLD. THAT'S WHY YOU SEE SO MANY COMMERCIALS BY THE FED'S URGING YOU TO PURCHASE FLOOD INSURANCE FOR YOUR OWN PROTECTION.

JUST AS YOU ASSUME THAT ALL COMPANIES ARE CHEATS, YOU ALSO ASSUME THAT YOU ARE ENTITLED TO ANYTHING YOU WANT JUST BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU ARE OWED IT. AND IF YOU DON'T GET IT, YOU ARE EITHER CHEATED BY THE FEDS OR BY INSURANCE COMPANIES. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY?

Does no one here actually read their insurance policies? If you don't have flood coverage and you get flooded then you don't get paid for the flood damage. Seems simple to me.
If you are so upset about the cost of coverage, get rid of the insurance that will be much less expensive for you until something goes wrong....then you'll be complaining about how you can't afford to fix your house.
Another option - move out of the hurricane and flood zones.
I live in a fairly safe portion of the country and I resent that some of my premium goes to covering you morons who build their houses in the lowest areas directly in the path of hurricanes.
Why should I pay for your stupidity.

For some reason people complain and complain. If you live in a flood plain would it not be wise to get flood insurance. If a certain company does not offer that. Why not go to a different company. This is typical knee-jerk reactions from the "Eat The Rich" crowd. You people make me sick. Just because you see two women say something all of a sudden it is true. Why not wait for all the evidence? Ridiculous.

Funny how there isn't one favorable comment for ANY insurance company from ANYONE! Seems to reinforce the below order of things (in decending order):
humans
animals
plants
dirt
pig poop
politicians
lawyers
insurance companies
doctors
etc.

I would hate to see those that posted here on any jury. Guilty until proven innocent!

State Farm antics (if true) aside, the real national disgrace is "Mayor" Nagin and his total lack of leadership. The people of New Orleans need to get off their collective butts, quit waiting for government hand outs, roll up your sleeves and get to work. A nation of whiners.

you get what you pay for people...go with a cut-rate carrier and you will get cut-rate(and potentially fraudulent in this case)service...I know it's not fashionable to talk about personal responsibility in this country, but I seriously doubt most of the people who are claiming to have had bad claims experiences(once again fraud aside)did their homework on the front end as far as their policy terms and shopped strictly on price

What better way to get the people out of the way than to not pay what they are owed to rebuild in that area? Now the affected homeowners will simply dry up and go away leaving the storm damaged areas available for sale/consumption by big business and big money.

And to think those lying cowards in the insurance industry want to or have already raised insurance rates since Katrina. Well, just another piece of the puzzle in place for the coming violent revolt in this country.

Hmmm, lets see - illegal alien invaders, gangs, insurance companies, lawyers, politicians, judges, terrorists - can you do the 'duck and cover'????

Thanks to these two ladies for having enough character to stand up and report this rediculous situation. The shame is that this is a year later and the government hasn't done anything to make these companies reimburse their customers for their losses. It took two whistleblowers to get the ball moving. State Farm should have to pay these people for the past year of hardships they have suffered by being displaced from their homes and/or living in small camper/trailers. A year is a long time.
State Farm should have to pay the attorney fees too or the people will get their second rip off. Class action isn't the way to go.

Why is anyone suprised? Until we take back our country, our industries, and the responsibility of our own lives, this will continue to happen. The country that we now have is not what I was taught about in school. But people scream and shout and nothing ever gets done. You elect garbage(democrat and republican both) and this is what you get. The Coporate States of America. Old Ross Perot doesn't look so crazy now does he?