Country Preferred sued by policy holder over under-insured benefits

A St. Clair County man is suing his insurance company for allegedly failing to pay on a claim after he was hit by a car while crossing the street.

Richard G. Caswell filed the lawsuit June 5 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Country Preferred Insurance Company.

Country Preferred issued an automobile insurance policy to Caswell in November 2007, according to the complaint, which included underinsured motorist coverage of $500,000.

Caswell says in October 2006 he was hit by a car while crossing the street in Hannibal, Mo. The driver's insurance company allegedly paid his policy limit of $100,000 to Caswell for damages. Caswell says his expenses exceeded that amount so he filed a claim with Country Preferred under its underinsured motorist clause.

Caswell alleges Country Preferred has refused to pay on his claim and accuses the company of breach of contract. He asks for more than $50,000 in damages plus court fees.

Attorney Mark C. Scoggins of Columbia represents Caswell.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 13-L-282