Garamendi Is Off Base on Unum

A recent report by the California Department of Insurance and subsequent article (“State Fines Insurer, Orders Reforms in Disability Cases,” Oct. 3) raised concerns about the service UnumProvident and others in the disability insurance industry provide to California consumers.

Although there were and continue to be a number of differences of opinion between UnumProvident and the Department of Insurance, we elected to settle these issues in an effort to remove the cloud of regulatory uncertainty around our claims practices and move forward to better serve our California customers.

However, I couldn’t disagree more with Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi’s sweeping comments about our company.

Last year alone, we paid more than $600 million in benefits to California policyholders. We work hard to serve our customers, and I’m proud of all we do to help businesses and people manage life’s challenges -- including the more than 2.4 million Californians we protect.

For the commissioner to imply otherwise is, frankly, inconsistent with the facts.

Tom Watjen

Chief executive

UnumProvident

Chattanooga, Tenn.

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I guess it’s a good thing that the insurance business doesn’t totally get away with all its crimes. But somehow a fine doesn’t do it for me. If crimes were committed (Garamendi did call UnumProvident “an outlaw company” and your article mentioned several examples that seem to me worthy of serious jail time), then why is a settlement considered justice?

Dorothy Walker

Calabasas