Insurance business: It's not what many claim it to be

Insurance business: It's notwhat many claim it to be
EDITOR:
After many years in the insurance business -- first as a claims adjuster, then as an agent -- I'll admit to a slight wave of nostalgia when I see the TV ads of the injury lawyers.
Of course while most insurance adjusters are college graduates on their way up, the ones on TV always seem to be elderly senile guys.
The fact is that as a claims adjuster, I'd rather deal with a lawyer when settling your claim than with you, the injured "victim." It's worth the extra 30-40 percent I build into the settlement to cover the attorney's fee just so I don't have to listen to you whine.
The lawyer and I get to play poker with your money. It's great! Does the insurance company I work for care? Of course not. They make up the difference the way insurance companies always do. They raise your premiums!
See, even though insurance companies and injury lawyers like to criticize one another, we're all feeding from the same trough. Without insurance companies, injury lawyers would have no source of income. Without lawyers I couldn't scare you into buying higher and higher limits of liability coverage, thus increasing my commissions and the premium income of the companies I represent.
So to summarize: We pay the injured "victim" and we pay their lawyer, then we raise your premium to cover the cost. No problem right?
Doctors seem to think differently and it's creating what some call a medical malpractice insurance crisis. Here's what I have to say to you doctors: Just treat your patients, pay your insurance premiums and shut up. Bunch of whiners!
JOHN ZEDAKER
Poland
Michael Swiger deservesa chance at life in society
EDITOR:
I am writing about the future parole hearing of Michael Swiger from Trumbull Correctional Institution.
Although I live out of state, I was born and raised in Ohio, and I have family still living in Ohio, so I keep up to date on the happenings there.
Michael Swiger is scheduled for a parole hearing Sept. 11. The state of Ohio went through a great deal of expense to provide Swiger with a trial, at which time a competent judge set his sentence at 21 to 53 years.
I am sure if you researched, you would find that Swiger has been a model inmate since his incarceration. He has, among other things, obtained his degree and written two books with good Christian messages.
Swiger has admitted his mistake and voiced his remorse. None of us can turn back time and change what occurred with Michael Swiger, Edward Swiger and Roger Pratt. It happened, and he was sent to prison. A significant fact that gets lost in the sensationalism surrounding the case is that Swiger did not harm Pratt, but was involved in the cover-up to protect his brother.
It is understandable that the Pratt family opposes Swiger's release. My heart goes out to the family for the loss. I am sure that five years from now they would still oppose the release of Swiger.
Setting emotions aside, it is time for the Ohio corrections system to look at Swiger's time since he was incarcerated. He has a spotless record both before his mistake that sent him to prison and since his incarceration.
I feel that if the parole board denies Swiger his parole, it will be sending a negative message: If you are convicted of a crime and you serve your time as a model inmate, you still will not get paroled.
Swiger has proved he can be a productive person in society. That is what the correction system is all about. The system told a man to reform, and he has. Now will the parole board uphold its obligation to give him a chance at life in society?
Justice was served when Swiger was sent to prison. Now let justice be served again with his release. Forgo vengeance, serve justice, free Michael Swiger.
DAVID HACKER
Creedmoor, N.C.