A.I.G. Balks at Claims From Jet Ditching in Hudson

[KSigkid]

However distasteful we may find this, as someone who has experience working for a big insurance company, this is actually pretty standard operating procedure. The insurance company (AIG in this case) is going to try to settle the claims as quickly as possible for cost reasons, but the process of paying out a claim can take quite a bit of time.

Again, people may not like the reality of the process, but this isn't surprising at all.

[Munchkin03]

This isn't too surprising or upsetting to me, either.

The airline--outside of their obligations--gave each passenger $5,000. If they bought their tickets with certain credit cards, then they probably got additional insurance payouts and reimbursements as well. They didn't pay for their transportation back home, or any expenses related to getting home. Their immediate healthcare needs were also addressed. For that family of four, they received at least $20,000. Now they want the airline's insurer--AIG--to pay for therapy? As much as I am a believer in talk therapy and mental healthcare, it's not an entitlement and it's not the airline's responsibility to pay for it.

I'm sure I sound really harsh, but I am so tired of people whining and complaining about every single little thing. If the cause of the crash had been pilot error, I could understand their concerns. BUT, if anything the pilot prevented it from being a major catastrophe. Gah!

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

This isn't too surprising or upsetting to me, either.

The airline--outside of their obligations--gave each passenger $5,000. If they bought their tickets with certain credit cards, then they probably got additional insurance payouts and reimbursements as well. They didn't pay for their transportation back home, or any expenses related to getting home. Their immediate healthcare needs were also addressed. For that family of four, they received at least $20,000. Now they want the airline's insurer--AIG--to pay for therapy? As much as I am a believer in talk therapy and mental healthcare, it's not an entitlement and it's not the airline's responsibility to pay for it.

I'm sure I sound really harsh, but I am so tired of people whining and complaining about every single little thing. If the cause of the crash had been pilot error, I could understand their concerns. BUT, if anything the pilot prevented it from being a major catastrophe. Gah!

And now I will respond from a PR crisis communication standpoint. The airline, not its insurer, should be paying for counseling for all of those passengers. That should be in every airline's crisis plan, because it's the right thing to do. You think you wouldn't need a little therapy after being in a plane that was going down due to engine failure? The airline wants to claim glory for its pilot that landed the plane on water, yet it doesn't want to take the responsibility for the consequences of the plane landing on water? Hogwash. If the insurer won't pay for therapy, the airline should be, and they should be happy to do so. The consequence of this accident could have been much worse - they should be relieved that they aren't being sued for wrongful death in a class action lawsuit! US Air does not need this right now...they're already known for their terrible customer care.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

And now I will respond from a PR crisis communication standpoint. The airline, not its insurer, should be paying for counseling for all of those passengers. That should be in every airline's crisis plan, because it's the right thing to do. You think you wouldn't need a little therapy after being in a plane that was going down due to engine failure? The airline wants to claim glory for its pilot that landed the plane on water, yet it doesn't want to take the responsibility for the consequences of the plane landing on water? Hogwash. If the insurer won't pay for therapy, the airline should be, and they should be happy to do so. The consequence of this accident could have been much worse - they should be relieved that they aren't being sued for wrongful death in a class action lawsuit! US Air does not need this right now...they're already known for their terrible customer care.

If there was going to be a PR fall-out, wouldn't it have happened months ago?

I didn't say that the people didn't need therapy. With their related medical bills, relocation, and item replacement costs covered, it would seem that the $5,000 from the airline--over and above anything that was required of them--could pay for the therapy. If I'm not mistaken, that's an entire year of therapy at $100/week, assuming 2 weeks off. That's a little higher than the going rate, and more than what an insurance carrier will pay for it.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

The consequence of this accident could have been much worse - they should be relieved that they aren't being sued for wrongful death in a class action lawsuit! US Air does not need this right now...they're already known for their terrible customer care.

For what it's worth, I'm pretty sure the airline loses this specific suit (wrongful death) just about never, unless the pilot was on prescription pain killers or something similar.