As is normal, an insurance company will remove a case to federal court anytime they can. When an insured sues parties besides the insurer, the insurance company claims the joinder of the other party is fraudulent. To often the insurer wins this removal battle. Here is a case where the insured won the removal battle.
The case is a 2018 case styled, Ramona L. Smith v. Government Employees Insurance Company and R&M Towing and Recovery. The case is from the Eastern District of Texas.
Smith’s husband was killed in an accident. R&M towed Smith’ vehicle. Smith contends R&M agreed to maintain possession of the vehicle while she pursued a civil action against the manufacturer. R&M subsequently released the vehicle to GEICO. She then contacted GEICO and reached an agreement for GEICO to ensure the continued storage and preservation of the vehicle. GEICO then sold the vehicle for salvage without Smith’s permission and allowed it to be destroyed.