Is this Legal???

[Tin]

Ok so on January 16th I got my Auto Insurance Renewal paperwork. I was very happy because my bill had dropped $700. The 18th, a check was in the mail along with all the paper work. Everything was all-set. Well I got a letter yesterday saying I did not pay enough on the deposit (but I kept all the stuff I recieved on 16th so, proof I did). I was $160 short and that my insurance acctually went up $300. The date on this new paperwork is Jan 30th and the $160 is due on Jan 30th.

So what the hell is up with this. I renew with them under the $1900 a year deal, pay the right amount, and then a week and a half later they send my paper work saying no it acctually went up and you owe us more money???

What should I do besides call them up and go nuts? :-?

[Micro]

As an insurance guy, I can tell you "call them up and go nuts," but do it nicely so they will listen.   Advise them you received a bill for $1,900 and paid it (or whatever your minimum payment was). If your company has "rated you" (increased your premium due to some reason) they have to tell you what they are rating you on (ie speeding ticket, poor credit, etc).

Keep in mind that rates do sometimes increase for everyone for no particular reason. Just the increased cost of doing business.

[Tin]

Thanks Micro. I'm definatley planning on calling them up first thing tomorrow and figure out how I can agree to one thing, then in the middle they can jack up the price by a thousand dollars. I'm also going to see if there is anything cheaper around.

[Micro]

Thanks Micro. I'm definatley planning on calling them up first thing tomorrow and figure out how I can agree to one thing, then in the middle they can jack up the price by a thousand dollars. I'm also going to see if there is anything cheaper around.

They increased your yearly premium by $1,000?  That's a lot.  There must be a reason.  That's not a normal cost increase.  

[Tin]

In the first thing I signed to renew it went down from $2600 to $1900, now in the new paperwork it went from $1900 to $3000. Nothing happened in the time period between the letters.

I'm going nuts right now, can't wait to give them a call tomorrow.

[Micro]

Something sounds wacky.  Retain your bills.  

BTW, 1000 posts!!!!  

[burleytog]

Wow, $1900 a year for car insurance?  RI must be an expensive state.  Mine was never that high and I had two fender benders in the first six months I was driving.

[Tin]

Yup, brutal. I had one ticket, which is off my record, and a minor accident in May. I'am not on parents and have a 99 Ranger with 152 k miles on it. I was excited when it dropped to 1900, but now this bs and it is just over 3,000.

[Micro]

I have a wife, two kids, and 3 cars and pay less than half that amount per year.

Just curious, how old are you?  Young males get reemed.

[Tin]

19 lol. I have another 5 years until it goes down.

[tipptruck1]

Mine is 3000 a year for full coverge. No accidents but one ticket they don't know about yet. They will find out in july when I turn 23 and my rates drop and do a check.

[Micro]

19 lol. I have another 5 years until it goes down.

19 year old male.  You are statistically the worst risk.  You're gonna pay through the nose.  I'm dreading when my kids turn 16.  My rates will probably quadruple.  

[burleytog]

The funny thing about that is that in my experience, 16-20 year old females are the worst drivers on the planet.

[Big T]

The funny thing about that is that in my experience, 16-20 year old females are the worst drivers on the planet.

I agree

TS

[Fish Man]

havnt they proved scientifically that women of any age or worse drivers than males of the same age?

[tipptruck1]

That woman thing is so true. I know more females with more accdents and tickets that are my age. Most of my male friends maybe have one ticket each and maybe one accdent between all of them.  It just the fact that men are willing to go balls out. Woman will think things over before they do that. If you don't belive me find a woman driving a hot car. Pull up to her and rev your engine. 99% of the time they will stick there noses up at you and drive off like you wernt there. Do that same thinig to a man your looking at a race. It dosen't matter what hes driving.

[Fish Man]

women are also typically more prone to distractions

[WIII-60]

It just the fact that men are willing to go balls out.

true, and having seen a good number of accidents, that's why they're most likely to get sprayed all over the highway.

[Sam]

The carrier may have readjusted your rates based on the accident.

If the carrier does not give you a valid reason you can always ask your state's Bureau of Insurance for their assistance in clarifying the charge.

The "type" of carrier may also have an impact on your rates. If you are dealing with a Surples/Excess lines carrier due to your age or driving record then these types of carriers can do what they want, take it or leave it.

If the carrier is admitted and approved to conduct business in Rhode Island then you can have a complete explanation from the carrier and also ask for asssitance from the Bureau of Insurance.

Have you shopped your auto insurace?  You may want to do this just to confirm if 1) any other carrier will accept you; and 2) if the premiums are in line with your renewal.

Don't forget GEICO, Nationwide, State Farm and Allstate.

Please let us know what happens either as a continuation of this post or a new post.

Thanks.

[Sam]

Burley,

In the good ole days, insurance companies would rate boys and girls separate.

Today, many of the insurance companies the blend the two together to arrive at a rate.

It is called progress!

And one more item, look at the "code" on your policy to see if there is a "1" at the end of the numbers.

A "1" means you are being charged a "point" for an accident.

These numbers tell the underwriter all about you and your vehicle.

[michbass]

Ahh insurance life's little kick in the junk. Just added up what I pay for auto policies, boat, medical, life, and house and started to cry. At least it gets cheaper when you get older.

[Micro]

Girls don't drive worse than boys, they can just never seem to remember what happened.   I can't tell you how many statements I've taken from 16-18 year old girls where they contradict themselves, ask mom and dad (who weren't even there) what happened, etc.  I cringe whenever I know I have to talk to a young girl whose been in an accident.  

They also tend to be taken advantage of at accident scenes.  They tend to be belittled and bullied (for lack of a better word) even when they are not at fault.  

It all makes invetigating an accident much more frustrating.

[Guest avid]

Something sounds wacky.  Retain your bills.  

BTW, 1000 posts!!!!  

Let's Rock  

[Raul]

1,900 ?!?!?

Holy cow man ! what the heck are you insuring ?  

A Rolls ?

The most expensive insurance we 've  had was my Mother 's Sienna and it was $600 dollars a year and it was insured against anything and everything.

[Siebert Outdoors]

Girls don't drive worse than boys, they can just never seem to remember what happened. I can't tell you how many statements I've taken from 16-18 year old girls where they contradict themselves, ask mom and dad (who weren't even there) what happened, etc. I cringe whenever I know I have to talk to a young girl whose been in an accident.

They also tend to be taken advantage of at accident scenes. They tend to be belittled and bullied (for lack of a better word) even when they are not at fault.

It all makes invetigating an accident much more frustrating.

I know why the never now the facts.  They werent paying attention.  That cell phone, makeup kit, or book got in the way.  Thats how it is here.