Editing Allstate (section)

===''From Good Hands to Boxing Gloves''===
''From Good Hands to Boxing Gloves'' is a non-fiction work on the company written by David Berardinelli, Michael Freeman, and Aaron DeShaw with a foreword by [[Eugene Anderson|Eugene R. Anderson]].<ref>{{cite book | title = From Good Hands to Boxing Gloves: How Allstate Changed Casualty Insurance in America | last1 = David | first1 = Berardinelli | first2 =  Michael | last2 = Freeman | publisher = Trial Guides | year = 2008 | isbn = 978-0-9743248-9-0 }}</ref> The book relates profit-boosting strategies that consulting firm [[McKinsey & Company]] presented to Allstate to maximize profits and diminish the amount of money sent to clients who put in a claim. McKinsey specializes in redesigning product delivery systems for Fortune 100 companies (including controversial clients such as [[Enron]]) to maximize profits. McKinsey's recommendation to Allstate, according to Berardinelli, was to low-ball claims so that desperate customers in dire straits would be more likely to accept a settlement offer while Allstate continued to make a profit and collect interest on the insurance payment. Allstate would offer its "good hands" in the way of a low-ball claim and, if the customer did not accept, to get out "boxing gloves."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yourlawyer.com/articles/title/allstate-state-farm-other-bad-faith-insurance-companies-rack-up-record-profits-by-cheating-customers |title=Allstate, State Farm, Other Bad Faith Insurance Companies Rack up Record Profits by Cheating Customers |publisher=Parker Waichman LLP |date=August 3, 2007 |access-date=May 17, 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> According to a 2006 review in ''Business Week'' magazine, Allstate responded to Berardinelli's allegations by claiming that Berardinelli's allegations were "unfounded and unproven."<ref name=bw>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_18/b3982072.htm |title= In Tough Hands At Allstate  |publisher=Business Week |date=May 1, 2006 |access-date=July 21, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100714054219/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_18/b3982072.htm| archive-date= July 14, 2010 <!--DASHBot-->|url-status = dead}}</ref> Legal decisions on the issues outlined in the book have led to varied outcomes in court. According to the ''Business Week'' article, "Courts and regulators in a number of states, including New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, have forced Allstate to halt or change its practice of handing out a controversial 'Do I Need an Attorney?' form to people involved in accidents." On the other hand, the article also states that seven court rulings had rejected attacks on the practice. While many of the cost-reduction strategies McKinsey recommended at Allstate remain in place, some were ended by legal and regulatory challenges.<ref name=bw/>