Posted On: February 1, 2007, 5:38 pm CST

Posted By: Ralph Balamabama

Punitive damages against a company that sells an indemnity policy are ridiculous. The people that are being punished are the State Farm policyholders I.E. John Q Public. If they have actual damages and loss of use that are owed they should be paid for them and them alone. Punitive damages will only be passed on to us consumers. You think $1million punitive damages have State Farm executives walking around with their heads down saying "boy that really taught us a lesson". Wrong!!!! State Farm has been punished by having to pay what they owe and the bad publicity. Their policyholders should take note and think about other companies. I recommend an independent agent (partly because I am one) but also because I serve my customers instead of the company. Insurance companies are like the government. When the government over spends they raise taxes. When State Farm has to pay more they raise rates. What will happen if every one of these lawsuits is settled with $1million punitive damages added to the award. The insurance industry will just pass it on to us. Were making millionaires out of people instead of paying to put them back where they were which is all they deserve. Stupid court system we have. Punitive to society!!!