Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-11-20
Class S.-FIowers.
Class Y.-Paintings.

For the Delaware Gazette.
The Phoenix Insurance COmpany--HOw it Set
ties Claims.
1t is known to this community that lately
sustained loss by fire, in having my dwelling
and other buildings burned 1t is also known
to portion of the community that 1 was in
sured in the Phoenix Insurance Company, of
Hartford, Connecticut, but the conduct of the
Company, through its Agents, in endeavoring
to deprive nae of portion of my just dues,
arising from the insurance, is known to but few,
and would, probably, have remained as little
known, had not a writer in the last issue of
this paper attempted to make capital for the
Company out of this case, by references and
assumptions wholly unwarranted by the facts.
Under the circumstances 1 feel called upon to
give brief narrative of the material facts in
the case, and of the extraordinary conduct of
some of the Agents of the Company in the
adjustment of my claims.
Shortly after the erection of my buildings
1 applied to the then Agent of the Phoenix
Company to insure them and my household
goods. He proceeded to the premises and
made thorough examination of the buildings
and goods, and then without dictation, sugges-
ton or intimation from me or other person in
my behalf, sat down in the papers connected
with the Policy, the value of my dwelling
house and buildings connected with it, ut
$4,000 or more" and the carriage house at
"$250 or $780," and insured the dwelling
house and its buildings at $1,000, and the car
riage house at 5000, and upon the furniture,
&c., 800, and received the premium upon
these latter sums for three years in advance.
Subsequently to this the Agency was changed
and the new Agent but few months before
the fire, visited the premises, had free and un-
restricted access to every part, and fixed upon
the buildings the labels or signs of the Phoenix
Company. Thus matters remained, all per
fectly satisfactory to the Company, until the
occurrence of the fire. A few days after the
fire special Agent of the Company, from
Cincinnati, came up, and after remaining here
three days, without disclosing his Ultimate
views or intentions to me, returned. He made
second visit, and then professed to have dis
covered that the buildings were insured above
their value, stating he could get them rebuilt
for about $27s0. 1 invited and urged him to
rebuild. This, however. did not suit his pur-
poses. He said the Company would pay
money but not build, and finally concluded by
making me the offer of $165O, and giving me
the alternative to accept it cor be pursued by
the Company in the law to the end" The
conduct of this man had been coarse, ungen-
tlemanly and offensive from the beginning, and
having eliminated in this base and insulting
threat to pursue me to the end of the law if
l would not accept less than one-half my Just
claim, l refused to hold any further intercourse
with him. His place was supplied by another
special Agent, also sent out from headquar-
ters at Cincinnati. This man changing the
tactics little, but treading closely upon the
footsteps of his predecessor, proposed, as their
final offer, to pay me $2650. Seeing no pros
pect of arriving at fair adjustment by ne
gotiation, l proposed to submit the matter to
Arbitrators After considerable delay and
further attempt to induce me to accept the
$2650, my proposition to Rrbitrate was finally
accepted. The arbitrators awarded me $325O,
being 5000 more than the highest offer of the
Company, and $1,000 more than the offer,
which if did not accept, I was threatened
with being pursued to the end of the law.
The Company is entitled to no credit for |
paying the award. 1t was final and concu- /
sive, and from which there was no appeal. All !
devices to avoid payment were at an end.
have in the abeve statement, for the sake
of breVity and because to dwell upon the sub
ject is net grateful to me, omitted several of
the most offensive features of this case, but
from what is thus far disclosed, if the Phoenix
Fire Insurance Company, of Hartford, Conn,
can gain additional good character and re-
pute in this place." or elsewhere, as claimed
for it in the uncalled for and very indiscreet
article alluded to, shall not object, but leave
that to the community or those wishing insur-
Ancs, to settle as they see fit.
800 ii. RICHARDSON.