Allstate Revises Claim Decision to Full Coverage After Local News Inquiry

In a recent incident in Lincoln, Nebraska, 18-year-old University of Nebraska-Lincoln student Tyler Brown faced an unexpected challenge after a non-injury car accident. Despite having the green light, Allstate Insurance initially determined Tyler was 20% at fault for not maintaining a proper lookout, a decision that would have left the Brown family responsible for 20% of the repair and rental car costs. This determination was purportedly based on the defensive driving section of the Nebraska DMV manual, yet lacked substantial evidence according to Tyler.

The family, faced with over $1,500 in repair costs plus additional expenses for a rental car due to a delay in seatbelt replacement parts, was left in a precarious financial situation. However, after the involvement of local news 6 News, Allstate reconsidered their stance, taking full responsibility for the accident and reimbursing the Browns more than $2,000 for the expenses incurred due to the initially assessed fault percentage.

Insurance broker Pat Lemmers mentioned that persistent complaints to the adjuster can lead to arbitration, a route that the Browns appeared to be considering before the claim adjustment. The Lincoln Police accident report, citing the other driver for failure to yield, played a crucial role in Allstate’s decision to reverse their initial claim assessment. This case underscores the complexities of insurance claims, the importance of advocacy, and the potential for media intervention to influence outcomes in favor of consumers.