Auto Insurance Claims: auto coverage, state department of insurance, cancellation request

Question
I recently contacted my agent and told them that i was going to change companies and wanted to make sure that they did not charge me after my last payment (3/28/09). I had a accident on 03/28/09 in MI in a rental car...  I filed a claim thinking that my coverage was good until the end of April.  The claim was denied. The agent cancel my policy they say on 03/27/09... The double check this agent per past problems after specking to them on 03/27/09 and my account was still active on 03/28/09 and fully paid.  The printed off a copy of may paid status on the 03/31/09 and received a letter verify my online access on the 03/31/09 with both home and car insurance listed but they have declined my claim.  It's my word against theirs and i still havent received anything regarding cancellation but a verbal today.  What can i do?

Answer
Hi Trevor,
Like you, I find this highly unusual.  In all the states that I am thoroughly familiar with, when the named insured is requesting that the policy be cancelled on a date that is not the normal expiration date, a signed cancellation request from the insured is mandatory.
I suggest that you immediately contact your state department of insurance to file a complaint and elicit their assistance in resolving the current problem.
Simply type into your web browser (your state name) department of insurance and hit go.  A list will pop up of many sites regarding insurance.  Simply scroll through them until you find the one that that is the official site for the department and click.
The site will provide you with telephone numbers and the method to file a complaint.
I hope that you find this information to be of help.  Please send any follow up questions that might arise.
Your feedback by rating my response to your question will be appreciated.

Sincerely,
Bennie
San Francisco Bay Area