by pjiamsw » Sat Aug 23, 2008 06:02 pm
I maintained insurance with the same agency for 30 yrs. Since Hurricane Rita, when I received no assistance, I have moved 3X in the past 2 years. I recently had a robbery at my home and when I called to make a claim, I was told my insurance policy had been cancelled. WHAT? I was told it was cancelled in June when it was due on the 13th. They say I was mailed a letter but I have received nothing and my mail has been forwarded to me. I can not believe this was done without notifying me by phone, email, or mail. Can they do this? I did not refuse to pay my premiums, I didn't know they were due and I feel like my length of time with this company should have indicated my intention to maintain coverage. Is this legal?
Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 12:12 am Post Subject:
I was told it was cancelled in June when it was due on the 13th.
13th of what June?They say I was mailed a letter but I have received nothing and my mail has been forwarded to me. I can not believe this was done without notifying me by phone, email, or mail. Can they do this?
Yes, they have only to mail a notice to your last known address...I didn't know they were due
See heres' where you screwed up it's our responsiblity to know when our bills are due...just like taxes (income, real, personalproperty)...they all say failure to get a bill does not mean you don't owe it...if you didn't get a light bill would you still owe it and should you know that you owe it? of course....and I feel like my length of time with this company should have indicated my intention to maintain coverage. Is this legal?
I agree with you here and 30 maybe even 20 years ago that might have stood for something, but those days are gone gone gone, unfortunately....Yes, it is quite legal...I'm sure they have a copy of the letter they sent...Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 08:20 pm Post Subject:
Lori answered those questions perfectly. I know we send letters and make phone calls and document everything. Bottom line is that it is our responsibility to stay on top of things and make sure the bills are paid.
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 02:44 am Post Subject:
Right, it is our responsibility to know and to pay our insurance on time, they will normally send a notice with their intent a week or so before the action they intend on taking, ie-cancellation.
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 09:44 am Post Subject:
Hi pjiamsw, I'm sure that you have already got the answer to your question. You have missed the premium and your policy has got cancelled. It happens this way all the time.
I agree that it might be difficult to remember all the due dates, but the other posters are right that it's our responsibility to pay the premium on time.
You didn't remember when your premium was due and didn't even bother to find it out with your insurer. That is where you went wrong, buddy.
Insurance policy is a contract that needs to be renewed every time, otherwise it will lapse. And the insurer isn't responsible to cover the losses occurred during this phase.
I'm sorry, but I too think that you are out of luck this time.
~Jeremy
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