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? asked in Business & FinanceInsurance · 9 years ago

Insurance rates screwed for ever for demanding they fix what broke?

I had a car accident nearly 9 years ago. At fault party also had same insurance company as I. They failed to repair all the damage to my car, and refused to make it good. A lawyer wrote a polite, but firm, letter requesting they send me a check to cover the remaining damage. They sent it immediately, but 'forgot' to send my next bill. I paid what I guessed, it was $2 short, so they cancelled me and refused to take me back. They also took months to refund my refused payment. When I took my business elsewhere, they wanted more than I was accustomed to paying for an entire year just for three months coverage. I'm sure it was because of the letter from the lawyer, although when asked neither company would confirm it. I've been told by same lawyer, that would be illegal in my state. I took a job that provides a company car with company insurance, and haven't had to buy insurance in over 8 years. I have been limited by my lack of a personal car, and am looking at making a purchase. Will this have fallen off my record, or is this forever?

Update:

I am not sure how to go about getting a quote without perhaps causing harm to the insurance rate paid for the rest of my family, or I would do that. I got married after the accident, and he has just kept the same insurance he always had on his vehicle. My concern is, although I never drive his car they will not believe it and start charging him hundreds more because of me.

Update 2:

Sorry, last detail. I don't own any car of my own right now, and I don't want to buy one not knowing what it will cost. I tried to use an online quote form for a major insurer, but without a vehicle, it would not quote me anything.

Update 3:

Eddit to add husband did not 'forget' to mention there was another driver in the house. His agent is absolutely aware, as he is a family friend and attended our wedding. When we added the kids, the lady did ask did I need coverage. We explained again, as previously had been explained to the agent at the time of our marriage, that I had a car I drive exclusively insured by my employer in my name, we didn't need coverage for me. They never asked for an exclusion, but we would have signed one if they did.

Update 4:

Edit to add my husband never lies and certainly never lied on an insurance application. He hadn't even met me when he applied for the insurance. The agent was at our wedding, and as required by state law, he called the office within 30 days of our wedding and asked if it was ok that he not add me. The agent said I would have to be added if I ever, even once, drove his vehicle. If I didn't drive it, there was no need to insure me. It is possible the laws are different in other states, but he stated this was the law where we live.

I'm not sure where you get the idea the rate from the second insurance agency was from me being uninsured when I applied. I applied, telling them about having been cancelled from my previous policy and telling them everything they asked about my accident. They knew all of this when they originally set my rate. The only thing they didn't know about was the letter from the lawyer, and only because they did not ask. They did tell me they'd be

Update 5:

Edit to add I never said I didn't have coverage now. I said I don't pay for it. My employer has a policy which covers the company purchased vehicles each of us drive. Our names and other information are provided to the insurance company, and the insurance cards in each vehicle show our names. We were also told by the insurance agent we are not insured to drive any other company vehicle. If someone say quits, we must submit a new person's name to be named as insured to drive that vehicle before it can be driven by another employee. I previously worked somewhere all employees were automatically insured under the company policy to drive all company vehicles. According to our company's insurance agent, these are different types of policies. He didn't name them, so I can't comment on your question regarding types of policies absolutely. I would assume we have now whichever type insures a specific person to a specific vehicle.

Update 6:

Last edit. I wouldn't mind paying whatever small penalty if they decide to look on me as currently uninsured, even though technically I am insured in my name currently. What I want to know is are they going to suddenly raise husband's rate more than 4x what he currently pays per year? If so, I would rather just continue not driving at all anywhere except in my company vehicle as allowed in my contract. Meaning I can drive around a town I am staying in for work as needed for personal needs like meals and even entertainment. I can't drive it on my off time at home. 4x his current low rate isn't I guess that much money, but it is way more than I am willing to waste on the privilage. I'd rather save that money toward the world travel we plan when we retire in eight years.

3 Answers

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  • ?
    Lv 7
    9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    forever? WTF? Why don't you get quotes and see?

  • Zarnev
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    The insurance company will only look back 3 years for accidents and tickets. Some companies will look back 5 years for a preferred rate.

    If you were not a named insured on your employer's policy you'll most likely be paying a higher rate than usual because the insurance company will not see a history with you. To them you are a new driver.

    Getting a quote may affect the rates the rest of your family pays but most likely it won't. What will happen is if anybody in your family has an accident the insurance company may rescind the policy because your better half "forgot" to mention there was another driver in the household. Insurance companies don't know whether you drive his car or not; they'll assume you do because if you don't you are probably the only person in your state that doesn't.

    Source(s): Independent Ägent
  • 9 years ago

    Honey, this was NINE YEARS AGO. I don't know of ANY state that looks at your claims history more than 7 years back, and MOST only look at three years back.

    You're being penalized for being previously uninsured. Not for that accident. There's no way around it, the first year you have a policy in your name, just costs more. That's just how it is.

    If he lied on the application by not disclosing a household member with a license - you - it can jeapordize his coverage. They won't charge him more, if your driving record is clean.

    As a spouse, you DO have coverage under his policy. Your "protection" under your employer's policy in your name (unless you have DOC coverage, or the policy is literally in your name? In which case you DO have a policy in your name! so you're confused about this) is very limited, usually to ONLY when you're in the company car.

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