QuestionQUESTION: Hi Bennie,
I was recently driving my husband's car when a deer jumped in front of me and damaged the hood and lights. I rarely drive my husband's car, and he didn't have me listed on the policy. He reported the accident and now his insurance is telling him that he is going to have to pay his deductible (of course) plus back-pay premiums with me as an added driver which they say total an extra $1068.00 for 6 months. Doesn't that amount sound completely ridiculous to you??? Plus, are they even allowed to make him back-pay premiums, I thought the insurance followed the car??
ANSWER: Hi Jennifer,
After being in the business for 43 years, I thought I had heard of everything. This is a new on even for me.
Unless you are under age 25 and have limited driving experience (less than 3 years) or have a bad driving record, there should be no additional cost for you.
Do you have your own auto and a separate policy? This alone should negate them for trying to charge for you on his policy.
I have had this situation happen hundreds of times with either a spouse or child and we simply added them to the policy as of the day before the accident so the would show as a driver on the date of the loss. I have never heard of any company trying to backdate charges.
You need to discuss this more thoroughly with the insurance company and if you can't get any satisfaction then contact North Carolina Department of Insurance for assistance and clarification of the state insurance laws.
Simply type 'north carolina insurance department' into your web browser and hit go. This will bring up many sites dealing with insurance in North Carolina. locate the "official' site for the department of insurance and scroll through it. You will learn who to contact by e-mail and by phone to help you with this situation. Be sure to have your husbands insurance company name and police available when you call.
Feedback by your rating this answer would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Bennie
San Francisco Bay Area 10-20-07 11:35 PM PST
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Yes, I have my own car and separate policy.
I am talking to the claims guy tomorrow, he left all this on our answering machine late Friday. So, do I tell him that I know that he is trying to pull a fast one and that I have already contacted the NCDOI, or what do you recommend, we just want the car fixed? My husband has been paying them fo 16 years woth no claims, can you believe the crooks?? Thanks again
AnswerHi Jennifer,
Be nice to the Adjustor. Since they didn't know anything about you until the accident, they are not aware that you have your own separate policy.
Just explain that you want to be added to your husbands policy as of the day before the accident, without charge since you have your own policy.
Show them the policy so they can cross reference this information on their records (the will need the company name and policy number).
All this should change his attitude 100% and he will proceed with processing the claim.
The claims adjustor has nothing to do with the internal dealings about actually adding you to the policy or computing rates, he is just passing on information as instructed by the company.
You will have to talk to an Agent to be added to the policy(preferably the one that your husband does business with).
If at that time, the Agent tries to charge extra for you and backdate those charges, just sweetly disagree with him and state you will be discussing the matter with the NCDOI.
You need to add your husband to your policy to prevent the possibility of any problem with them if he ever drives your car. Have him handy when you call, they will need a lot of information from him.
You can save about 12% per car by putting both vehicles together on the same policy. This is something you and your husband need to discuss.
Good luck,
Bennie
10-21-07 10:25 AM PST
