by Lauri » Wed Feb 11, 2009 03:04 pm
My son has a suspended license for the next 5 months. He doesn't live with me, but asked to move in. Not knowing about the suspension, I said yes and called to add him to our policy only to be told about the suspension. I told him he could not live with us and now he shares floorspace at someone's apartment.
My insurance sompany has called and written several times, asking for my confirmation that he doesn't live with me. I have put it in writing, asked that they send an agent to my house to verify, done everything I can to let them know that he has no access to our vehicles (one was purchased for him, but is garaged until he gets his license reinstated.
Can Safeco cancel the policy? They said that in Texas they have to have my written request/approval to cancel. Are they simply going to wait until the policy end date and not renew? What does that do to me? And should I pre-empt them and get coverage elsewhere before that date?
My insurance sompany has called and written several times, asking for my confirmation that he doesn't live with me. I have put it in writing, asked that they send an agent to my house to verify, done everything I can to let them know that he has no access to our vehicles (one was purchased for him, but is garaged until he gets his license reinstated.
Can Safeco cancel the policy? They said that in Texas they have to have my written request/approval to cancel. Are they simply going to wait until the policy end date and not renew? What does that do to me? And should I pre-empt them and get coverage elsewhere before that date?
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 05:50 pm Post Subject:
Cancelling a policy (mid policy) and non-renewal (just that, letting the policy expire and not renewing it) are two different things. About the only time a policy can be cancelled is if there is material misrepresentation (lying on the application or other paperwork).
IMHO, you've done everything correctly. While there could be errors, I don't see why they would not renew the policy. If they did, they would let you know ahead of time and you could discuss it with them.
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 05:56 pm Post Subject:
Even if they would not renew since your son never lived with you and you would prove that you could easily get insurance elsewhere.
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 06:03 pm Post Subject:
Thank you both. I think I will pre-empt them anyway and get new insurance in a month or so.
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:18 am Post Subject:
Thank you both. I think I will pre-empt them anyway and get new insurance in a month or so.
Why? Well, if you have definite reasons, like- the rate, coverage, claim handling, you may find another carrier to get insured with. The policy holder is always free to switch the carrier whenever they want.
However, as the other posters have mentioned the non-renewal issue might not arise at all at the time of renewing the policy. If you switch the carrier make sure that you evaluate all the aspects before canceling the existing one.
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 03:12 pm Post Subject:
You could just possibly do your research at this point and leave your insurance where it is for the time being. If you were happy with this company before this issued arose then hold up in switching your insurance comapny until you see if a non renewal even happens. Before the renewal period you will have opportunities to look into other carriers just in case your does not renew.
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 08:41 pm Post Subject:
Well...as of today, nonrenewal is a definite. After being with one company for home and auto for over 10 years and another for motorcycle for about 10 years -- no tickets, no accidents -- we wanted to add our newly licensed daughter and a second car. So I shopped around, found coverage at a great price on all 3 with this company. Then the incident with my son arose. Figured since they were making weekly calls about whether he really didn't live with us, I should shop around again. And I did. Our old motorcycle insurance company gave me a better rate than before. I have noted in my calendar to check around for auto/home in a few months.
Then, yesterday, my daughter got into an accident with my car. Both drivers got ticketed. I'm not sure how this works, but both are at fault and now they will be filing a claim.
I have no doubt that this company we are insured by will want to continue insuring us in another 6 months. We have told our daughter that we cannot afford whatever the rate increase will be and subsequently she will have to get a great paying job or stop driving until she's 18 and can get her own policy.
10+ years of a great low rate down the drain.
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 06:23 am Post Subject:
Hi Lauri,
10+ years of a great low rate down the drain.
Would like to say only one thing- it is solely up to us to teach our children how the insurance thing works and why more of caution is needed while driving a car. Till our children are 18 years old..they would stay with us more often and thus we'd certainly need to share the consequences of their being irresponsible. But even at this juncture I'd advice you to share all that has happened with your carrier!
ArindamSenIndies
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 09:35 am Post Subject:
Insuring a young driver is always expensive, and what ArindamsenIndies has said is very much true...till the time our children are staying with us we would be responsible for their actions. Anyway, lets bygone be bygone and when you are getting the opportunity to give a new start you must make the best out of it, though I would suspect that you might not get great rate for switching just after an accident. However, best of luck with your shopping. And, yeah, also compare the benefits that you are offered along with the rates while shopping for new insurer.
Regards,
Juanita
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 04:15 pm Post Subject:
I do not think you will get a good rate if you switch so soon. Why not wait and see how much your insurance goes up. Maybe since it is the first accident and you have been a layal customer the effect may not be as bad as you think. There are alos a few things you can do to control the insurance bill. Raising your deductible could off set the rate hike.
I also think it would be wise to have the daughter get a part time job. No teenager is prefect but unless we hold them accountable for their mistakes they may not learn. I would just be sure she has time for her studies because education must come first.
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 06:01 pm Post Subject:
As i am not an authority on auto insurance anyway,but surely i do know
one thing, if you are loyal for one company for last 10 years then it is
very possible that they will try to save their loyal customer.
You have both the choices (ultimately customer is the king) to leave &
search for new one or negotiate with existing one & continue. but
everywhere one can see that people are reluctant to change if & only if
they are habituated to the good service (in lay man's term they are
hooked up) the moment they see any discrepancy they forget all the good
done by that particular person/company ( i am not trying to be emotional)
but it is part of the business.
can somebody guarantee me that i won't have any (not even single )
bad experience with my new (let's give a try ) insurance company??
If the answer to the above question is yes!! then i need to find out the
details of that person & the company too..Any suggestion... all welcome :wink: :wink: :wink:
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