The Detroit times., 1911-08-16
ANOTHER COMPANY
GIVEN GR|tL|NG
Insurance Investigators Land Hard
On North American. Accident
Concern, Of Chicago.

The insurance hearings that have
been In progress since Monday, n
the Hotel fuller. before the special
committee OF the National Conven-
ton OF Insurance Commissioners Will
probably come to an end Wednesday
evening. Three companies. the
United States Health and Accident,
OF Saginaw: the Massachusetts Acct
dent. OF Boston, and the Equitable
Accident, or Massachusetts,. were
considered, Wednesday morning On
ly one or two companies remain 10
be heard.
Because OF the long sessions, the
members of the committee have had
but little time 10 devote TO the pre-
paration OF bulletins on the various
companies, and for this reason are
not prepared to give out information,
as yet. on the four Detroit conf
Ianies examined. The only bulletin
released. Wednesday. was that OH
the Industrial branch OF the health
and accident business OF the North
American Accident Insurance Co., OF
Chicago. which had its hearing Tues
day. The report reveals practically
the same conditions laid bare In the
exhaustive report on the Continental,
OF Chicago, which was published
Tuesday. A. K. Forrest, vice-presl-
dent and general manager OF the
company, appeared before the CON-
inittee, accepted the report and stat
cd that some OF the reforms suggest
ed by the committee had already
boon put in operation. He promised
that all criticized claims would be
re-opened and full restitution made
under his personal objection.
The North American Is one of the
larger companies and its Industrial
premium income for 1910 was $780,.
o0o The committees investigation
covered 1000 claims. The report
says in part:
There Is a tendency TO scale or re-
tect meritorious death claims Accu-
| the beneficiary himself discovers that
he Is entitled TO the same and makes
demand. Change OF occupation Is at
| times asserted without decent war
silent as TO claims or rights OF which
they know, but of which the bsne-
nciary or claimant 10 apparently not
| aware. The cases cited by the exam
only 10 take advantage OF technical
| defenses, but also to resort to dilatory
| tactics, both In correspondence with
the claimant and I'm the progress OF
| any suit which may be brought.
The following significant quotations
| from letters OF instruction sent from
the home office to agents and adJusters
characterizc the attitude OF this com
pany towards It's polieyholders;
Allow me TO say that there IL no
action for you TO take In the mat
ter but just await developments
II may be that the people will
never Tut In a claim IL they 90
We can then give the matter proper
attention
What we want specially TO as
certain 10 whether he was Injured
while attempting to get on nav
ing car. or whether he was under
the influence OF intoxicants or had
been drinking at all. or any other
/ information that may have a bear
ing on the case. Also we would
like definitely TO learn about his
income.
There Is a liability against US
under the terms Of the contract at
one-hfth the face OF IL ($1. i00)
II you can make a settlement with
the claimant at 800 would do II
and get the matter out OF the way
The moral tone OF certain iustruc-
| lions not fully developed on this ex-
animation may be guessed from the
following quotation from letter by
an agent TO the home office:
wish you would wire me what
you think best to do In this case,
whether TO pay In full, or make a
satisfactory compromise. or stand
pat on the one-hfth. I presume
your instructions will be the game
as a T.. sent me some time ago
4 Use your God given brains