QuestionI have been a customer of the same insurance company in the state of Washington for more than 10 years. I pay my premium in one payment every year. Recently, a friend working for a different company asked me to allow her to give me a quote to see if she could save me some money. I have not made an insurance claim of any kind for the last 10 years yet she found 6 claims in increasing amounts spread over the last 6 years. The last two claims being over $1400 each. My car has been getting older and my premiums have been increasing. Thinking that it was due to cost of living I never thought to question the increases. The pattern seems much more than coincidental. Each claimant shared my last name but I don't know any of them.
It appears that the insurance company or someone in it is cooking the books by spreading out claims into accounts like mine in order to keep customers they would ordinarily have to jetison while locking me in because any insurance agent who didn't know me would simply quote a large premium without an explanation.
I have two questions: 1. Is there a way in which the average consumer can check his/her claim record much like getting a credit report? 2. What do you recommend I do regarding the offending insurance company?
AnswerHi Donald,
This sounds like an abusive practice to me. It also sounds like it was no accident, but of course we have no proof of that. It is just too convenient a way for your company to raise its rates. I would like to see this company investigated.
You in Washington are blessed with Mike Kreidler, best insurance commissioner in the nation. I cannot tell you how many other states have so-called insurance commissioners who are no more than a shill for the insurance industry.
By contrast, Mike Kreidler is a true hero for the little guy. He fights insurance companies and he provides full disclosure and investigation. Take a look at his website.
Ahhhhh, that is another little thing you do not even know about: most other insurance commissioners have little consumer information on their website. By contrast, Washington's superb Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has an excellent usable website loaded with information to help the consumers. Here is the link:
http://www.insurance.wa.gov/
As you can see, Commissioner Kreidler is open to help consumers with insurance complaints. All you have to do is to make contact and to provide information and request TWO THINGS.
First, to completely rectify your situation and to put safeguards in place so it will not happen again. And second, to require the company to report to Commissioner Mike Kreidler's crack investigation unit and explain how this happened. If there is any hint of wrongdoing, you can be assured that Mike Kreidler will investigate the insurance company fully and hold them responsible.
Good luck with this, Donald,
Dr. Settlement, J.D. (Juris Doctor)
www.SettlementCentral.Com
