Insurance: Stormy Settlement

"I came into this world with nothing," says Herman W. Ryals, a retired civil service worker, "and it looks as though that's the way I'm going to leave it." His lament is becoming familiar among the thousands of Gulf Coast victims of last August's Hurricane Camille. Nothing remains of the crippled Ryals' modest frame home near the beach at Gulfport, Miss., and he and his wife now live in a leased trailer on their hurricane-stripped lot. His insurance company offered to pay only 25% of his claim, says Ryals, so he has hired...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!