State Farm sued over underinsured motorist coverage

A woman who incurred various costs associated with an automobile collision alleges her insurance company refuses to pay her the money she is owed.

Brenda Alberson filed a lawsuit May 19 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company.

Alberson alleges she had an insurance policy through State Farm, which included a $100,000 provision for underinsured motorists’ coverage. Under the provision, if Alberson was to get into a collision with an underinsured motorist, State Farm should have provided her with any money the other driver’s insurance did not cover.

On Jan. 10, 2013, Alberson was involved in a collision with an underinsured driver whose liability coverage was $50,000, according to the complaint. Although Alberson requested money under the claim and also demanded arbitration with State Farm, the insurance company refused to proceed with the underinsured motorist coverage, the suit states.

State Farm’s refusal to proceed with the underinsured motorist arbitration is unreasonable and vexatious and not grounded in law, the complaint says.

Alberson is seeking an unspecified judgment, plus attorneys fees, costs and other relief the court deems just. She is being represented by Gregory L. Shevlin of Cook, Ysursa, Bartholomew, Brauer and Shevlin in Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 14-L-337.