Missouri Web site blunder crimped collision claims.

Publication: Kansas City Star (Kansas City, MO)

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COPYRIGHT 2007 The Kansas City Star

Byline: Paul Wenske

Sep. 16--If someone crashed into your car, you'd expect their insurer to pay for repairs. You might also expect to recover any loss in your car's value.

Now a red-faced Missouri Insurance Department acknowledges that since June 2005, its Web site has erroneously stated that consumers were limited in how much they could recover after collisions with other vehicles.

Last week, after being contacted by The Kansas City Star, insurance officials admitted the blunder and said they are taking steps to correct the Web site to accurately reflect what consumers really can recover.

But some experts said the mistake already may have cost Missouri consumers plenty.

"I think it's fair to say thousands of Missouri car owners have been losing many millions of dollars every year in claims because they didn't know their rights," said Kansas City consumer lawyer Bernard Brown.

Brown, a national expert on auto issues, discovered the error and brought it to The Star's attention.

Missouri Insurance Department spokesperson Emily Kampeter said the error was inadvertent.

"Our office takes seriously whether insurance companies treat consumers fairly," she said.

In Missouri and other states, consumers can recover from another driver's insurer not only repair costs, but also...

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