Only in America!

[ujponds]

Haha! This was sent to me in an email, thought I would share. True or not, it's pretty funny!

"This took place in Charlotte, North Carolina...

A lawyer purchased a box of very rare and expensive cigars, then
insured them against, among other things, fire. Within a month,
having smoked his entire stockpile of these great cigars, the lawyer
filed a claim against the insurance company. In his claim, the lawyer
stated the cigars were lost "in a series of small fires."

The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason, that
the man had consumed the cigars in the normal fashion.

The lawyer sued and WON!

(Stay with me.)

Delivering the ruling, the judge agreed with the insurance company
that the claim was frivolous. The judge stated nevertheless, that the
lawyer held a policy from the company, in which it had warranted that
the cigars were insurable and also guaranteed that it would insure
them against fire, without defining what is considered to be
unacceptable "fire" and was obligated to pay the claim.

Rather than endure lengthy and costly appeal process, the insurance
company accepted the ruling and paid $15,000 to the lawyer for his
loss of the cigars that perished in the 'fires'.

NOW FOR THE BEST PART . . .

After the lawyer cashed the check, the insurance company had him
arrested on 24 counts of ARSON! With his own insurance claim and
testimony from the previous case being used against him, the lawyer
was convicted of intentionally burning his insured property and was
sentenced to 24 months in jail and a $24,000 fine.

This true story won First Place in last year's Criminal Lawyers Award contest.

ONLY IN AMERICA ....



But every once in a while sanity prevails!"

[JPH]

LOL, thanks.

[Blueface]

Been in the claims business 28 years.
This story has roots even further than that.
Not an ounce of truth to it.

[Blueface]

To prove my point, I started in the business in 1982.
This story has been around since 60's.
Lots of similar variations.
http://www.snopes.com/crime/clever/cigarson.asp

We need to start an "email" thread and move this one and similar rash of them over there.

[sam a]

yup... i've seen this a handful of times. and from what i understand it's BS, kinda funny but BS

[ujponds]

Been in the claims business 28 years.
This story has roots even further than that.
Not an ounce of truth to it.

I'm sure it is total B.S.. I'm not one to believe every email.that is sent to me.

Just thought everyone could use a good laugh on a Friday afternoon.:D

[Blueface]

Just in case anyone has any ideas, this would be considered a friendly fire and not arson/hostile fire in the sense covered on an insurance policy.
Secondly, it would be considered an intentional act by an insured person.
Third, it would be considered destruction of ones own property.
ALL of which are specifically excluded from insurance and all of which would easily stand an affirmative defense in a court of law and likely be dismissed via a summary judgment.

Fourth, each act would constitute an individual claim, separate and distinct from the others, each having its own deductible.
Given most policies have a $500 deductible at minimum, well, you get the point.....not much to be covered.

So.........based on all this, one can easily see how it may be an amusing story, but so is Peter Pan and the Fairy God Mother.:D

[T.G]

If only a country-western singer would write a song about something like this.

[pnoon]

Cue the music . . . .

How can I miss you if you won't go away?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Skywalker]

Dang! There goes one of my brilliant ideas!!!:D

[ujponds]

Just in case anyone has any ideas, this would be considered a friendly fire and not arson/hostile fire in the sense covered on an insurance policy.
Secondly, it would be considered an intentional act by an insured person.
Third, it would be considered destruction of ones own property.
ALL of which are specifically excluded from insurance and all of which would easily stand an affirmative defense in a court of law and likely be dismissed via a summary judgment.

Fourth, each act would constitute an individual claim, separate and distinct from the others, each having its own deductible.
Given most policies have a $500 deductible at minimum, well, you get the point.....not much to be covered.

So.........based on all this, one can easily see how it may be an amusing story, but so is Peter Pan and the Fairy God Mother.:D

Ouch! This thread has been taken into custody by the humor police! Nothing to see here people, move on.;s

[md4958]

have I told you about the guy I know that got bombed a bag of oranges this week?

[Blueface]

Ouch! This thread has been taken into custody by the humor police! Nothing to see here people, move on.;s

:r

Not at all.
Just a bad urban legend that may give some ideas.
In the Jokes forum, would still be laughing.;)

[icehog3]

Urban legend, various versions of this story have been going around for many years.
http://www.snopes.com/crime/clever/cigarson.asp

[taltos]

have I told you about the guy I know that got bombed a bag of oranges this week?Thanks for the idea Moe. Does Al like oranges?:D

[Lucky_Hippo]

But I heard from my cousin who knew a guy in Detroit who's Uncle really had this happen to a friend of his.

It's got to be true! :r

[CigarNut]

I have a really nice bridge for sale... Cheap...

[replicant_argent]

We need to start an "email" thread and move this one and similar rash of them over there.

No... no we don't.

[N2 GOLD]

True or not, this would only happen here in America.

Still the best place in the WORLD.... -(P

[jkstewart1]

Hey, a laugh is a laugh. Even the explanation of why the story can't be true is hilarious! Thanks, guys!