Only in America!

ujponds · 02-25-2011, 12:33 PM

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 · 02-25-2011, 12:37 PM

LOL, thanks.

Blueface · 02-25-2011, 12:39 PM

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

Blueface · 02-25-2011, 12:41 PM

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 · 02-25-2011, 12:43 PM

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

ujponds · 02-25-2011, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueface

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.

Blueface · 02-25-2011, 12:49 PM

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.

T.G · 02-25-2011, 12:54 PM

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

pnoon · 02-25-2011, 12:57 PM

Cue the music . . . .

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

Skywalker · 02-25-2011, 01:04 PM

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

ujponds · 02-25-2011, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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

md4958 · 02-25-2011, 01:06 PM

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

Blueface · 02-25-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ujponds

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

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

icehog3 · 02-25-2011, 01:32 PM

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

taltos · 02-25-2011, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by md4958

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?

Lucky_Hippo · 02-25-2011, 02:07 PM

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!

CigarNut · 02-25-2011, 02:20 PM

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

replicant_argent · 02-25-2011, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueface

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 · 02-25-2011, 03:25 PM

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

Still the best place in the WORLD....

jkstewart1 · 02-25-2011, 03:36 PM

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

02-25-2011, 12:33 PM	#1
ujponds Homer Joe Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Mark Location: New York Posts: 238 Trading: (2)	Only in America! 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!"

02-25-2011, 12:37 PM	#2
JPH Ted Peffer Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 125 Trading: (0)	Re: Only in America! LOL, thanks.

02-25-2011, 12:39 PM	#3
Blueface Gramps 4x's Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Horatio Seymore Hiny Location: Boca Raton - North of La Habana Posts: 8,774 Trading: (8)	Re: Only in America! Been in the claims business 28 years. This story has roots even further than that. Not an ounce of truth to it. __________________ Little known fact: I am a former member of the Village People - The Indian

02-25-2011, 12:41 PM	#4
Blueface Gramps 4x's Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Horatio Seymore Hiny Location: Boca Raton - North of La Habana Posts: 8,774 Trading: (8)	Re: Only in America! 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. __________________ Little known fact: I am a former member of the Village People - The Indian

02-25-2011, 12:43 PM	#5
sam a ... .. . Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: planit earf Posts: 160 Trading: (2)	Re: Only in America! yup... i've seen this a handful of times. and from what i understand it's BS, kinda funny but BS __________________

02-25-2011, 12:49 PM	#7
Blueface Gramps 4x's Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Horatio Seymore Hiny Location: Boca Raton - North of La Habana Posts: 8,774 Trading: (8)	Re: Only in America! 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. __________________ Little known fact: I am a former member of the Village People - The Indian

02-25-2011, 12:54 PM	#8
T.G Grrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: The Other Adam Posts: 15,543 Trading: (37)	Re: Only in America! If only a country-western singer would write a song about something like this.

02-25-2011, 12:57 PM	#9
pnoon YNWA Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Peter Location: San Diego Posts: 29,919 Trading: (20)	Re: Only in America! Cue the music . . . . How can I miss you if you won't go away? Posted via Mobile Device

02-25-2011, 01:04 PM	#10
Skywalker BABOTL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dice Location: Galaxy Far Far Away Posts: 10,168 Trading: (18)	Re: Only in America! Dang! There goes one of my brilliant ideas!!! __________________ Smoke what you like!!!

02-25-2011, 01:06 PM	#12
md4958 Captain Cannoli Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moe Location: Suffield, CT Posts: 5,712 Trading: (62)	Re: Only in America! have I told you about the guy I know that got bombed a bag of oranges this week? __________________ "One fart can foul the air for everyone" - Esteemed philosopher "If avoiding the nasty $hit is being a snob, them I am guilty as charged."- Same esteemed philosopher.

02-25-2011, 01:32 PM	#14
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 70,571 Trading: (60)	Re: Only in America! Urban legend, various versions of this story have been going around for many years. http://www.snopes.com/crime/clever/cigarson.asp __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

02-25-2011, 02:07 PM	#16
Lucky_Hippo A Cigar = 42 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Gary Location: Kansas Posts: 494 Trading: (2)	Re: Only in America! 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! __________________ Who wants an orange whip? Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips. -J.Candy

02-25-2011, 02:20 PM	#17
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,038 Trading: (111*)	Re: Only in America! I have a really nice bridge for sale... Cheap... __________________ Need Beads? Need Five Finger Bags? 2 of 3 Requirements for use of the CA Rolodex: 100 posts/ 60 day membership/ participation in trade (trader rating). New members can be added at any time.

02-25-2011, 03:25 PM	#19
N2 GOLD MIND OVER MATTER... Join Date: Feb 2011 First Name: RICO Location: So. CAL 33° 44' 44" N / 117° 52' 0" W Posts: 2,330 Trading: (1)	Re: Only in America! True or not, this would only happen here in America. Still the best place in the WORLD.... __________________ When I want your opinion, I'll give it to ya.

02-25-2011, 03:36 PM	#20
jkstewart1 Time to change the Avatar Join Date: Oct 2010 First Name: John Location: Amish Country, Illinois Posts: 153 Trading: (7)	Re: Only in America! Hey, a laugh is a laugh. Even the explanation of why the story can't be true is hilarious! Thanks, guys!