About Bennie719 Expertise I have extensive knowledge in Personal Auto, Homeowners Insurance and Personal Umbrella Insurance. Also thoroughly familiar with Claims Handeling procedures. Will answer questions related to the above.
Experience Experience in the area: Served as an expert at askme.com from 7/2000 thru 10/2002 in catagories of general insurance, auto and home insurance. Answered 422 questions before that site closed. Licensed in California since 1961, first in Life & health for two + years and as a Property/Casualty Agent/Broker since 1964. I sold my business and took early retirement in 1998. Still maintain a valid California Property/Casualty Agent/Broker License.
I have been a volunteer at allexperts.com since 2002.
I can provide assistance in the following fields:
Property and Casualty Insurance,
Insurance Law,
Auto Insurance Claims
Question I AM FROM OHIO. MY HOME AND AUTO INSURANCE IS PAID YEARLY AND WAS UP SEPT, 10, 2002. WE NEVER RECEIVED A BILL CLOSE TO THIS DATE. 2 MONTHS LATER WE RECEIVED A BILL FROM A NEW COMPANY AND WITH MUCH HIGHER RATES. WE KNEW THE AGENT WAS CHANGING COMPANIES, BUT DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE COST INCREASE. LEGALLY, IS IT OK TO DO BUSINESS LIKE THIS WITHOUT KNOWING THE NEW COST OF INSURANCE FOR 2 MONTHS? WE NEVER EVEN RECEIVED PROOF OF INSURANCE CARDS FOR OUR 5 CARS. I ASKED FOR THESE 3 TIMES AND ALSO ASKED FOR THE COST OF INSURANCE.
Answer Hi Sherri,
I can't think of anything good to say about your agent. He has certainly failed in his duties to keep you accurately informed about your insurance policies and shown a total lack of respect for you as his clients.
I don't see that he has done anything illegal, but his methods leave a lot to be desired.
Based on the wording of your question, it appears that you are dealing with an Insurance Broker. That is a person who represents many different companies but his duty to you is to find the best price from among the line of companies that he does business with.
Sometimes, for various reasons, he may lose a contract with a particular company which would force him to find a new one for your insurance needs. At other times, changes in your driving record might cause your present company to cancell your policy, resulting in the Broker having to find new coverage and that would account for the higher price.
Under either of these scenarios, the Broker should have discussed the situation with you and have had a new policy in your hands at least 20 days before the old policy expired. This would have given you plenty of time to shop around for competitive prices.
Since you are not having any luck getting proof of insurance cards or information about the total cost, I suggest that you call the company shown on your policy and request that they provide the cards and answer your questions regarding the costs (there really should be a breakdown on the policy itself showing the vehicles insured, coverages and costs).
If you should change companies before the normal expiration date, there is a penality called "short-rate cancellation" that amounts to 15-20% of the remaining premium.
In addition to the above, you should plan to start calling other Agents and Brokers exactly 60 days before your next renewal period. You definitely need to get away from this Broker and find someone who will provide you service as well as a good price. Among others, I also suggest calling Auto Club Insurance Co, State Farm, Farmers and Allstate.
These are all 'captive' Agents in that they only represent just the one company, but all of them are well known for good service, reputible claims handling and reasonable rates.
I hope this is helpful. Please take a moment to rate my response as this is the only way we have of knowing how well (or badly) we are doing in providing helpful answers.
Sincerely,
Bennie719
San Francisco Bay Area 3/6/03 5:40pm PST
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Hi,
I noticed that you haven't rated the answer I gave you on 3/6 regarding your insurance question.
Did I miss something? Please contact me if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Bennie719 3/10/03
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