First it was State Farm, now it is Prudential!
Prudential denies coverage to gun owner
Source: WorldNetDaily.com
Published: Saturday, December 23, 2000 Author: Jon E. Dougherty
The Prudential Insurance Company has denied homeowner's coverage to a Connecticut police officer because of his gun collection, which includes -- the company said -- firearms that make insuring the household too risky.
According to Frank Del Bruno, he and his girlfriend recently bought a condo and, after "shopping around" for homeowner's insurance, settled on Prudential because of the lower premium.
During the course of taking out the policy, Del Bruno said he mentioned to the Prudential agent that he had guns. The agent asked him to send the company a list of the guns he owned, along with their serial numbers.
Del Bruno said he complied but, a few weeks later, he received a cancellation notice from Prudential, citing the types and number of guns he owned as the reason the company decided to drop his coverage.
According to a Dec. 14 letter to Del Bruno, signed by Dennis H. Brookover of Prudential, Del Bruno's current homeowner policy -- which took effect Nov. 28 -- is now set to expire Jan. 19, 2001.
"We consider many factors when determining whether or not an individual is eligible for insurance," Brookover said in his letter. "While reviewing your application, I noted the following circumstance(s). There is a measurable increase in liability exposure based an the types and number of guns that you own."
Specifically, Del Bruno said Prudential officials told him a Mossberg 500 shotgun he owned was instrumental in disqualifying his coverage -- even though the woman at Prudential he spoke with didn't know anything about that particular firearm.
Del Bruno then asked to speak with the woman's supervisor, who told him that Prudential's regulations have to comply with mandates issued by Connecticut and, consequently, "they couldn't budge."
Del Bruno said the Prudential supervisor -- whom he did not name -- told him the state and Prudential feel insurance liabilities increase when insured persons own semi-automatic weapons.
WorldNetDaily asked Del Bruno why he thought Prudential may have singled him out. "The gave no specifics," he replied.
Repeated attempts to solicit comments from Prudential officials were unsuccessful.
Ironically, Brookover -- in his letter -- said Del Bruno "may be eligible for insurance through the Connecticut Insurance Placement Facility," which is administered by the state of Connecticut's Insurance Department.
Del Bruno's case mimics an earlier incident involving firearms and a major U.S. financial corporation.
In February, WorldNetDaily reported that Citibank had adopted a new policy prohibiting its banking branches from "maintaining accounts for businesses that deal in weapons."
However, by March 16, due to intense pressure brought to bear by concerned citizens, Citibank reversed its policy and began taking accounts from firearms-related businesses.
Jon E. Dougherty is a staff reporter for WorldNetDaily.
Prudential denies coverage to gun owner
Source: WorldNetDaily.com
Published: Saturday, December 23, 2000 Author: Jon E. Dougherty
The Prudential Insurance Company has denied homeowner's coverage to a Connecticut police officer because of his gun collection, which includes -- the company said -- firearms that make insuring the household too risky.
According to Frank Del Bruno, he and his girlfriend recently bought a condo and, after "shopping around" for homeowner's insurance, settled on Prudential because of the lower premium.
During the course of taking out the policy, Del Bruno said he mentioned to the Prudential agent that he had guns. The agent asked him to send the company a list of the guns he owned, along with their serial numbers.
Del Bruno said he complied but, a few weeks later, he received a cancellation notice from Prudential, citing the types and number of guns he owned as the reason the company decided to drop his coverage.
According to a Dec. 14 letter to Del Bruno, signed by Dennis H. Brookover of Prudential, Del Bruno's current homeowner policy -- which took effect Nov. 28 -- is now set to expire Jan. 19, 2001.
"We consider many factors when determining whether or not an individual is eligible for insurance," Brookover said in his letter. "While reviewing your application, I noted the following circumstance(s). There is a measurable increase in liability exposure based an the types and number of guns that you own."
Specifically, Del Bruno said Prudential officials told him a Mossberg 500 shotgun he owned was instrumental in disqualifying his coverage -- even though the woman at Prudential he spoke with didn't know anything about that particular firearm.
Del Bruno then asked to speak with the woman's supervisor, who told him that Prudential's regulations have to comply with mandates issued by Connecticut and, consequently, "they couldn't budge."
Del Bruno said the Prudential supervisor -- whom he did not name -- told him the state and Prudential feel insurance liabilities increase when insured persons own semi-automatic weapons.
WorldNetDaily asked Del Bruno why he thought Prudential may have singled him out. "The gave no specifics," he replied.
Repeated attempts to solicit comments from Prudential officials were unsuccessful.
Ironically, Brookover -- in his letter -- said Del Bruno "may be eligible for insurance through the Connecticut Insurance Placement Facility," which is administered by the state of Connecticut's Insurance Department.
Del Bruno's case mimics an earlier incident involving firearms and a major U.S. financial corporation.
In February, WorldNetDaily reported that Citibank had adopted a new policy prohibiting its banking branches from "maintaining accounts for businesses that deal in weapons."
However, by March 16, due to intense pressure brought to bear by concerned citizens, Citibank reversed its policy and began taking accounts from firearms-related businesses.
Jon E. Dougherty is a staff reporter for WorldNetDaily.