Update on Applied Underwriters
Applied Underwriters (AU) followed through on their threats to file suit against me for my posts, claiming they were defamatory. I hired an attorney who filed a motion to dismiss the claims, asserting among other things, that my statements were opinion and were protected by the First Amendment. However, the Court found that the manner in which my statements were made “could” be considered statements of fact and not mere opinions. As a result, the Court ruled that the case could go forward and denied my motion. I am happy to report, however, that AU and I have resolved our differences and the case is being dismissed. In the meantime, I have worked and will continue to work with AU on trying to better understand the program. While I continue to believe that the terms were not clearly explained to me during the sales process and that there is an unknown factor regarding my deposits that AU decides, I do have a better understanding of my program and my hope is that it will continue to work as they claimed. I still do not know when I am going to get the return of my deposits, if at all, but I will wait and see as it depends on my claims during the life of the program. But, more importantly, they provided me with workers’ compensation insurance when no other alternative was available, which allowed me to stay in business. My final word on this issue is that whenever you are procuring insurance, regardless of whether it is from AU or another company, take the time to understand the program and get a broker who will work with you to answer any questions you may have.
