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Teresa of Lithonia GA (05/02/08)
On April 18,2008 a letter was sent to me from Allstate, in reference to my homeowners policy stating that my policy is being cancelled on May 9, 2008, due to moss build up on my roof or garage (I do not have a garage), and a portion of the siding needing repair I've never filed a claim in reference to the siding. They also said that my roof was damaged. My roof wasn't damaged but now it is, due to a hail storm that occured March 15,2008.
I have had Allstate for more than eight years and have never filed a claim for anything. But I filed a claim in reference to the hail damage. I have no high hopes of anything really being done even though my house leaks now. I also noticed that my yearly payment went past $1,000, after receiving a notice that my payments were going up monthly another $23.00. I have tried calling and can never get anyone to answer the phone. The new insurance declaration that I have received after renewing is grossly incorrect.
My home is appraised at $102,000.00 and they have me needing more than $150,000.00 worth of insurance for replacement. They have me with a garage that doesn't exist, also 1500 sq ft of living space when in actuality it is 1650 sq ft. My home is built on a block foundation and Allstate has it as being built on a slab. I have 6 rooms and a living and dining combination, but on my declaration I have eight rooms. There are quite a few more inconsistancies in my insurance file. And again when I try to contact them to straighten it out I can never reach anyone.
This has been very disconcerting. Now I have to find insurance that will be much higher because of the Allstate cancellation.
Dennis of New Marshfield OH (04/29/08)
I've been a customer of Allstate since 1985 and have never filed a claim on my current homeowners policy. However, this year my premium increased by 47% ($579 > $852). This is after a 6% increase the year before. I called my agent, who told me she cannot adjust rates. I called Allstate customer service and was told there is nobody I can speak to that has any control of rates.
I've switched my home and two vehicle policies to Grange, who insured me for 13% less than I was paying Allstate even before their huge increase.
Jerrie of Angelus Oaks CA (04/27/08)
We purchased a mountain home in Angelus Oaks, CA. four years ago. Allstate Insurance jumped at the chance to cover our need for homeowners insurance. We also placed 3 cars and a camp trailer with them. Last week we received a letter that stated: After FIRST NOTICE (we never received one) that the 2nd inspection shows we failed to comply with their requirements regarding inadequate crown spacing among trees within 500ft, combustible structures within 50 ft: woodpile, pine needles, leaves within 50ft.
We clear out lot each Fall and Spring. All but the spacing of trees are false statements. We do live in a forest, just like we did when we bought the house. We have cut down several trees and other growths, spending thousands of dollars to improve the healthy growth of trees and plants and have planted gardens around the house providing moisture around the home itself. Afte visiting our local Allstate Office in Yucaipa, the agent inspected our property and said that there was no reason for us to be cancelled and he would look into it. After a few days when we contacted him again, he told us there was nothing he could do as trees are within 700 ft of our home.The National Forest is within 500ft of our home, So what has posessed Allstate to cancel us now? My husband is a retired cpo officer with 20years military service to his country, we are law abiding citizens, with exceptional credit and I have lived all my life in California. Now We can't even get homeowner's insurance.
We are concerned that having received such a bogus letter may lead to us not being covered in the event that we are victims of a fire before we can get other insurance. We cannot understand why we would have received a letter telling us that we failed to comply with something that was never required of us or reported to our local Allstate Insurance Office in Yucaipa, Ca. We understand that there were 5 other homes targeted up here by Allstate when all homes in this area that are covered by them have trees within 500 ft of their homes. So, why were we target?
Ellen of South Lake Tahoe CA (04/08/08)
Angora Firestorm 6/24/08. Total loss of primary home. Underinsured and we were refused reformation (we carried no mortgage). Insurance paid $.50 on the $1.00 for rebuilding original home.
Rebuilding now and do not have enough money to finish.
Pamela of Auberry CA (03/12/08)
After having my home & car insurance with Allstate for the last 9 years, I received a notification. The notification stated that they had inspected my property and I needed to meet their fire codes. I was a little confused because the letter did not state what I was not meeting. We are inspected every year my the fire marshal since I do live in the foothills. I have always had my required 100 ft cclearence at least. I was informed that Allstate was requiring 200ft. on my North side which was pointed out to me when I called, stated they wanted an extra 200 ft on my North side.
After 100 ft on the North side the property is no longer mine but my neighbors. When I pointed this out, I was informed that Allstate realizes that not all of thier property owners would meet their standards and they would help to get woutes from other insurers! I have never had a claim wiht Allstate in the whole time I have had their insurance.
Earline of Cincinnati, OH (02/27/08)
March of 2006 I filed a claim with Allstate. I sent them everything that was required from me and I was sent a check to make repairs.
Allstate decided to rewrite my policy and my policy went up $200. Initially it was $434 and it went up to $606. I was told it was due to the loss I had in March.
I complained to the Ohio department of Insurance and Allstate rewrote my policy again and policy doubled to $895. And today when I came home there was another increase of $125 which takes my premium to $981.
Nothing has changed since I purchased this property 15 years ago however Allstate continues to rewrite my policy. My house is valued at $67,000 yet one addendum states that it would cost $189,600 to replace it, another states that it would cost $241,893 any yet another $338,232.
Before the initial rate increase, Allstate threaten to cancel my policy because there was no handrail on the side steps. One week after this notice was sent to me a rail was installed and they cancelled the insurance anyway.
Ernest of Atlanta GA (02/26/08)
I purchased a blanket policy which included storm damage coverage. In south Louisiana I knew that i needed it. I also purchased a $25,000 flood policy from the federal government. Allstate had a devious clause in the policy that excluded water damage. My home was completely lost. The hurricane caused the loss of the flood wall causing the complete flooding of the city. Allstate did not respond in good faith to restore my loss.They refused to pay for my loss of over $200,000. I was paid by the federal government for $25,00 for flood loss. This is a very bad faith company. I now don't trust any insurance company.
It cost me over $200,000 to purchase a new home and relocate in Atlanta,Ga.
Randy of Graham WA (02/13/08)
My two car detached garage started on fire and completely burned down, with everything in it being a total loss. I have Allstate's deluxe Mobile Home Policy with replacement Insurance written by an agent by the name of Stephen (who Allstate has since fired). This Policy took effect on 12/21/2005 to the present. On January 22, 2008, my garage caught on fire; nobody can determine how or why, and Allstate hired a Forensic Fire Detective, and he could not either. Allstate then told me that I did not have insurance on my garage. I told them that I had a policy written by Stephen with Allstate, and it had replacement value insurance and for them to show me the policy that I signed with Stephen back in 12/21/2005. The Agent Nancy Larson stated that she could not find it. Two days later Nancy called me and told me that she had found it, and yes I did have replacement value on the content of my garage; but Stephen had not charged the right price, and could I pay the difference of that cost?
The next morning the other Allstate Agent for the structure part of my Garage came out (Eric Rinehardt) and told us that the structure was not insured. I told him that Nancy Larsen told me that she found our policy, and I had replacement value. How could it be that the content had replacement insurance but the structure itself was not insured? He gave us an estimate for Actual Cash Value cost of our 24' 5 x 32' 2 x 8 detached, two car garage with a shop, moving out the debris, and the rear side of the mobile home which had some damage done to it along with my fence: $10,900.00 for the garage and fence, and $2,420.96 for the damage on the mobile home. I refused to take the check for this amount and once again referred him to the policy I signed with Stephen back in 12/2005. He told me Allstate would never have written my kind of Policy because the mobile home was built in 1990 which made it too old. I said that Stephen wrote before Allstate fired him, and they have been taking the premiums out monthly in direct withdrawal from my mortgage company since 12/2005. Allstate has refused to send my a copy of my signed policy, and refuses to pay out the right amount according to my Policy.
It is now 02/13/2008, and today the Pierce County Washington State Department of Planning And Development Service gave me a Certified Notice that the Burnt Structure was Dangerous to the life, limb, property and safety of the public and its occupants and want the building Demolished and all the debris removed on or before March 11, 2008. Pierce County will take approprate actions to secure the area--billing it to us and fining us for not moving forward as they requested. If there is a local Attorney in Tacoma Washington interested in helping out in this matter (WA State's new Law will be in place as of March 2008), and if Allstate losses in court they have to pay 3 times the amount of the claim plus all Attorneys fees. Please call us so that I can get the help we deserve, and so that they don't do this to anyone else. Thank you.
Marian of Gainesville VA (02/05/08)
I am 81 years old, my husband died last Christmas, and we have been with Allstate for 48 years and never filed a claim. My pipes burst on Jan 21. They tried to pay me under $400 to replace the sheet rock, tap, mud, and paint on walls and ceiling. I told them it was not enough. They said last week that they would have one of their vendors do it but they have not returned any of my phone calls.
Derrick of Atlanta GA (01/22/08)
My company in Atlanta GA, was insured by AllSTATE at the time of a burglary (Oct-8 2007) by a gang the news has called the Blu Jean Bandits. I have given ALLSTATE all that they have asked of me. It is now Jan. 21, 2008, and I still have not been paid. The adjuster only works from her cell phone.
I have no recent inventory in my stores, I missed the holiday seasons, and my insurance lapsed on Dec 20th. I was robbed again on Jan. 3rd without insurance. I have suffered mentally and economically. I'm a few days away from closing my doors on a dream I have worked so hard for. It's hard to even sleep with this on my mind every night.
Kenneth of Houston TX (01/08/08)
Allstate cancelled our policy after over 30 years being a customer and making only 1 claim. Then they had the nerve to commission a survey and had the survey company ask us questions like, "Why did you decide to look for new insurance."
We had to hurry to find homeowners insurance, and lost our discount on auto insurance so we had to find new auto insurance.
Dwight of St. Louis MO (01/06/08)
I have 2 homes in St. Louis, Mo., 1 I live in the other I'm rehabing. The area I live in has a very high crime rate and is infested with gangs. On or about Nov. 9th, 2007 outside the house that I'm rehabing I got into an altercation with the gang members standing outside my house selling drugs, they threaten my life. I went to the Police station and filed a report, later on that evening as I went to a store about half a mile away I was ran over as I exited my car. I went to the hospital, there I filed another police report.
Later on that night while I was in my home someone fired gun shots through my window, I didn't get injured, I went to the police station and again filed another police report. The next morning I was awaken by the police notifing me that both of my homes had been burnt down.(complete lose) At the time of the first fire I was still at the hospital. The adjustor questioned my as if I was guilty, even after proviving proff of my where abouts.
Since the time of the fire I've received $800 as an advance. That was in Nov. I have 3 children, Xmas has came and went. My adjustor has been stringing me alone saying that he's almost done. He has lied on several occations. Me and my kids lost everything that we own. All the money I had was wrapped up in these houses, now we have nothing. Iasked for another advanced but was denied. I seen thier attorney,. He basically said I set my own fires.
Kamela of Saint Louis MO (12/17/07)
This summer and fall my roof was damaged during the many wind storms we had in Missouri. When I noticed the damage, I called my insurance company immediately to have someone come out and assess the damage. From the beginning they were rude and unhelpful. The adjustor they sent out came out without making a time to meet with me to view the damage. He complained because he had called 3 times and I had not answered. I explained I had been to a FUNERAL and had called Allstate prior to leaving to let them know this information. He was rude and seemed completely incompetent when he did the walk through to see the inside damage. He showed up AGAIN without calling first with someone to look at the roof.
At that point I lectured him on his unprofessionalism and called my agent in front of him to complain. I was told by my agent that he would have another adjustor come out to view the damage and I would not need to deal with the adjustor that was at my home anymore. I never heard back from my agent, so I called and left a message a week later and the next day a girl at his office called and left a message stating I needed to talk to the claims department. The adjustor, Lynn Brownlee, told me the roof would not be covered at all because when the roof was installed which was 8+ years ago, it was cut wrong. I have talked to roofing companies and home inspectors and they all tell me that is the insurance company trying to get out of paying. Eveytime it rains or snows the roof leaks causing the ceiling to leak and it incurs more damage. I have emailed people at Allstate and called them and have NEVER received a call back from a supervisor. They seem to want to wear people down.
Roxann of Lake Geneva WI (12/17/07)
On December 3rd, 2007, our home burned down due to an electric fire and this whole time we thought we had insurance, but we were late on a payment and now our insurance company, Allstate, says they are cancelling our claim and then they excepted a half a years payment for a home that no longer is there. We lost everything we had, 4 dogs, 3 lizards, a hampster, and many fish and frogs. We have three children to provide for and we have nothing. The house is not salvagable. Allstate played phone games with us from the day of the fire and now they say I am sorry we can't help you after being with them for 9 years.
No home for me, my fiance, and three children.
Kelly of Little Rock, AR (11/30/07)
I bought my first home and decided to use Allstate for my homeowner's insurance because they gave me the lowest quote. I closed on my home in September.
It is now almost December and I have just received a letter saying Allstate is canceling my policy because I have "moss build-up" on the roof and that the roof is patched.
They gave me no warning and thus no chance to fix any problems with my roof. I've tried to contact my agent, but no one answers at his office.
Jody of Kelso WA (11/14/07)
My husband has been with Allstate for 15 years and I have been on the policy since we married (about two years). Please bear in mind, never, ever a late payment as we have had it electronically transferred every month. We received our renewal notice in the mail on Saturday, it went UP by $300 for six months. I called the local office, and they couldn't do a thing about it. It was sorry for your luck -- credit report, blah blah blah. Funny thing is, our credit isn't terrible; not the best as my husband prior to our relationship co-signed a loan and the person defaulted; however, we are attempting to settle this particular debt.
There have been no claims on this policy -- EVER. What about customer loyality? I, frankly don't understand how credit plays a part in 1) make your payments on time, 2) file no claims and 3) longevity of the consumer. We ended up with State Farm; they DOUBLED our insurance, and ADDED a homeowners policy (at replacement value not a depreciated sum) and LOWERED our annual cost...the agent said that after 15 years with a company that she shouldn't have been able to touch us much less BEAT the rates hands down.
Sherry of Wellington FL (11/14/07)
I had prepayed Allstate for one year of insurance on my home. This was an amount of approximately $3200.00 on a new homein Florida which was a very high rate, in June of 2005. After hurricane Wilma I suffered roof damage. An adjuster came out an I made a claim. The cost of the repair was $1800.00- I received only $50.00 and they cancelled my policy in February. First of all I never received a check back for those months and then my mortgage company quickly put a policy on my home with Safeco at the rate of $17000.00 a year which now is being added to my mortgage.
Audrey of Houston TX (11/12/07)
Allstate canceled our insurance with them after nearly 20 years. They claimed my house had been identified as one that was prone to wind damage. All houses are prone to wind damage. My home is an older one (built in 1963) and probably built better than some of the new ones. Allstate cares nothing about customer loyalty.
We are now trying to find other insurance. Once canceled by an insurance company, no other company wants to deal with you.
Barry of Eugene OR (11/12/07)
In July, 2007 we found water damage in our travel trailer and contacted Allstate to file a claim. They sent out an adjuster who quickly cited improper maintenance and said that the source of the water was rain water which had leaked through seams that were not properly caulked and maintained. I asked the adjuster to show me specifically which seams were leaking, and he responded that unless they took the trailer apart, they couldn't pinpoint. Needless to say, I disagreed and asked for a second adjuster; he surmised the same opinion. When asked to prove his findings, I received the same response but also got a commitment from him that if I wanted to have an RV repair facility tear down the damage (on my own dime) and could show that this was not the case, they would re-open the claim and reconsider.
I promptly took my trailer to an RV repair facility and asked for them to open up the damaged area and give me their opinion of the source of water. One week later I was called and asked to come look at the damage. Their analysis was that the city water system piping had failed at a joint (in an inaccessible area to a consumer) and had leaked water into the belly of the trailer causing the floor to soften. He explained that this leak would have been sudden and was not related to improper maintenance.
I contacted my Allstate agent and asked that the second adjuster (who made the commitment to re-open the claim) be dispatched to inspect. Instead, they dispatched the first adjuster who took over a week to come to the RV repair facility. He immediately told the technician that he had already made up his mind the first time, and nothing that he would see would change his mind. Allstate once again denied the claim and sent me a letter stating that the second inspection confirmed the initial inspection, and that the RV repair facility agreed with their (Allstate) position.
I contacted the RV repair facility and asked, and was informed that the technician told the adjuster just the opposite: it had nothing to do with improper maintenance. So, here I sit, a loyal (not anymore) Allstate customer for 19 years with a $4,500 repair bill that I think should be paid by Allstate. I think that Allstate has acted in an unethical and deceitful manner and should settle this claim.
Lauren of Connor TN (10/23/07)
The subdivision I live in was hit by a freak hail storm in 2006. The roofer (a reputable firm) said there was hail damage. The Allstate adjuster said there was none. Claim denied. This last week my roofed leaked into the bedroom, damaging drywall, carpet and wood. The local Allstate rep told me to have the roof fixed as more rain was on the way. I did. It took the clowns at Allstate over a week to get here. The adjuster was condescending and told me it was due to poor maintenance (house is upscale and only 5 years old). She said the flashing damage was considered maintenance. I have been with ALLSTATE over 30 years with NO CLAIMS and this is how they treat loyal customers. I am canceling. They are cheaters and liars and deserve to go out of business.
Kim And Debra of South Holland IL (10/12/07)
On 8/23/07, when we arrived home, due to seven days' heavy rains, our celing fell in (a portion of the dining room and an even smaller portion of the kitchen).The contractor who came out to temporarily stop the leak stated that when he went up on the roof that evening the wind and rain were so strong it was lifting up the tiles causing additional damage. He was there when the storm was going on; it seems as though his professional opinon would count for something. When the adjuster finally came to our home (in September), he looked everything over and told me that Allstate would cover the entire roof. After leaving my home, he called back and said that he was going to talk to his supervisor to come back to our home. The adjuster and his supervisor came back, and they did not want to cover the entire roof. They said if the contractor would come back, climb on the roof, and show them which tiles were blowing up then we will cover the whole thing. The contractor did not comply so my wife and I have to suffer for their disagreement and personality conflict. This contractor was called after making several attempts to get someone from Allstate the night this occured. We do not know this contractor, and due to the way this was handled he will not be the one getting this work when we do have the roof replaced. We are also questioning Allstate's commitment to thier clients. Please tell me, what is the point in having insurance, if you cannot get the money when something happens? Neither my wife nor I are roofers. We had no idea that anything was wrong with the roof, we had no leaks, nothing. We received a very small check from Allstate for repairs (very minimal), have a $750.00 deductable, and the emergecy service was $750.00. How are we supposed to get the roof repaired? I think that it is all a sham.
This situation has put us under financial distress. Our carpet had to be thrown out (we received a cleaning fee). We already paid additional fees for flood damage and sewer damage. Thank God we were not home at the time, so nobody was physically hurt.
Cori of Lemon Grove CA (07/24/07)
The Jan freeze caused the water to freeze, causing the pipes to burst, flooding the house for a week until we came home and found it. Over a $100K in damage, but
Allstate isn't even close to a proposal that would repair our house back to the way that it was. Here it is 6 months later and the construction hasn't even started on our house. Yet, we are still having to pay our mortgage, hotel, and full insurance on a house that we can't even walk in. Allstate has financially and emotionally turned their back on us.
Terrie of Hyattsville MD (06/05/07)
On June 3, 2007 the tree belonging to our neighbor came crashing down and landed on top of our car. Both the Hyattsville, MD police and the Department of Transportation were called and I was informed by both that the home owner should be held liable for the damages to our car.
Allstate said they could not be responsible for our claim because the tree had been toppled by the wind. I explained to her that the damage could not have been caused by the wind. They told me, I am closing this case out now and am hanging up on you, because we are not going to pay your claim, and abruptly hung up on me.
John of Brooklyn NY (05/17/07)
I received a letter from Allstate stating that they would not renew my policy because the 2004-2005 hurricane season was devastating and since I live on the east coast, they expect similar destruction.
20 years as a loyal customer who never filed a claim and all of a sudden, I get the boot. Has Brooklyn, NY ever really been hit by a hurricane?
Daniel of South San Francisco CA (05/08/07)
I've been with ALLSTATE home and car insurance since 1996, unfortunately past two 2yrs I made 2 claims with Allstate, first was a storm which knocked over my fense and they send me a check for $280, then the second claim was when my home was burglarized last Christmas. 11 years with ALLSTATE with out any complaints until the past year, they decided not to renew my home insurance. I don't know what type of policies they have but I do think this was very unprofessional to their customer for the past 11 years.
Jim of Milford CT (04/01/07)
Canceled homeowners policy because my home was built in 1870. The house looks old but built better than most homes that are new. Its been around long before Allstate and it will be still be their long after they have gone outa business.
Renee of Chicago IL (11/13/06)
I put in a claim for my garage that was damaged by a tree from a storm. I was told that I would get the full amount of the insurance within 5-7 days. It has been a month and a half and I still have not received the check nor any explaination as to why it's taking so long. I don't understand how insurance companies are able to get away with doing this horrible thing to the people who pay their insurance every month.
The damage was to the garage of my home. The garage is detached but the structural damage is unrepairable. Right now it is lingering in my backyard with all kinds of rodents and pest beginning to house themselves inside the damaged garage.
Braden of Port Orchard, WA (04/08/06)
Our house burned down October 17, 2005. Allstate investigated us and has treated us like criminals for six months. They finally concluded that we had a valid claim about a month ago. We are still waiting. We have had to camp on our property for six months because we are still making our morgage payment of $800.
How long can an insurance company make you wait for what your intitled too? Its been six months of living like refugees of a war.
Clarice of Los Angeles, CA (03/08/06)
The Agent of Allstate has not handle my policy payments in a fair and just manner. They state that I did not pay for Februay and January, but I have sent a copy of the payments that were made on these dates. Now they will not accept my payments for the following month, until they check my records accordingly.
The agent of my account will not return my calls, nor will she handle discrepancy on my account. The agent helpers are very incompetent as well, giving me erroneous information.
Carol of St Louis MO (12/08/05)
I had a new shingles put on my roof and about 2 weeks later we had a thunderstorm with high winds. The winds lifted the roof and broke the seal on the soffet, moving the roof east about 2 inches. The adjuster for Allstate said the roof moved because the shingles were replaced. They also would not repair the brick damage.
I had a construction company repair the damage for $2900 and the contractor said it was wind damage, just as I decribed above.
Fred Hornbecker of Scottsdale AZ (11/07/05)
You are NOT in good hands with Allstate!
Even though I was out of state at the time of my house fire, I found out I was GUILTY until proven innocent by Allstate of setting fire to my own home! Allstate denied the claim asserting that I had reason to start the fire because I owed back taxes, or that the fire was started by vandals. The amount of the claim is over $600,000.
I have had to file suit against them with an attorney who's main practice is based around Allstate lawsuits. And since I initiated the suit, I have been dragged into over 27 hours of depositions by Allstate. My family and friends have also been harrased. It has been a year and a half since the fire and will be at least another six months before this goes to trial. My lawyer thinks Allstate will probably try to settle for half the damages.
Sharon of Mt. Vernon, AL (10/18/05)
I had storm damage to my roof and ceiling. Now the Allstate adjuster claims to have lost all pictures, data and information concerning my claim.
Curtis of Miami writes (6/25/03):
As a long-standing Allstate client, I was shocked to discover that they cancelled my property insurance policy on a second home I own. Their rationale for canceling my policy caught me off-guard and left me wondering how a company could be so disloyal to a long-term client (with no claim payouts in the 10 plus years I held an Allstate policy).
The Allstate representative I spoke with told me that due to a claim I filed on another property (with another insurance company), my Allstate policy would be cancelled. How could that be you ask? Well Allstate asserts that filing a claim (even if it�s with another company) does not sit well with their insurance underwriters. Consequently, due to my sudden conversion to a �high-risk� client (according to their guidelines), they could not maintain my Allstate Homeowners Policy. Unbelievable!!
I was compelled to file the claim with my other insurance company due to extensive roof/interior damage resulting from a severe windstorm at my other home. I had no idea that Allstate would use this against me. Especially since the claim did not impact their company at all. If this is the way insurance companies are now conducting business, we are all at risk!
I might be able to tolerate this situation had I caused Allstate problems in the past. However, as a long-term client, who never received any payments from Allstate, this was a very �hard pill to swallow�. After talking to my associates and friends about this situation, I found out that Allstate has a bit of a history with respect to this type of behavior.
After an exhaustive search I ended finding another company to ensure my second home. The other company charged nearly $200 more per year.
Mindy of Syosset, NY writes (1/3/03):
My insurance agent, Chris of Searson Agcy, Inc. neglected to properly inform me that my homeowners insurance policy was cancelled. After trying to contact him, only to find that he was in a meeting all day, the panic set in. I tried to contact another agent that handles my auto insurance, however it was after 4:00pm est on Friday afternoon and she was gone for the weekend. To me this meant that I had no homeowners insurance until I could contact someone two days from now on Monday morning. This was not good.
I called Searson Agency back to see if anyone in the office could locate Mr. Searson but he was not able to be reached. Sabrina from his office did her best to help by calling the Allstate customer service center. She was told that my policy was cancelled as of December 30, 2002 because I had too many claims within a certain time frame (and I thought that was what insurance was for... how silly of me!)
Without proper notification of policy cancellation, I will suffer through the weekend without having insurance and worrying about my family and my home. By Monday, I will desperately try to find insurance and will have to pay anything to get a policy to cover my needs. It is my opinion that Mr. Searson, the insurace agent was negligent in his duties and did not inform me as an insurance agent should. I believe he figured that because he was not going to get any more business from me, he decided no work was necessary on his part.
G.O. of Chandler, Arizona, writes:
Have been with Allstate since Approx. 1978. Both homeowners and vehicle ins. We had a claim in 1995 for $1600. Tried to make another one in approx. 96 or 97 and they threatened to cancel us if we did. It was for lots of water damage and fallen ceiling. But because of product used for pipes....the company replumbed it all.
Now we have had a theft of all new furniture that we purchased in Dec. They say we have a choice ..... if we go thru with claim they will cancel our homeowners and vehicle insurance as of March 1999. This just doesn't sound right. Why have insurance if we can't use it??
Unfortunately, insurance companies are allowed to cancel policies for any number of reasons including accidents. There is a saying about insurance: It goes away when you need it. Unfortunately, it's true.
You could always cancel Allstate and switch to State Farm or Geico or some other company but you would have the same experience. One or two claims and you're out.
The answer lies with your state legislature. Insurance is regulated at the state level. If you don't like the way insurance companies operate in your state, the answer is to organize others who feel the same way and start putting pressure on your state senators and representatives.
C.V. of Coram, NY, writes:
I had Allstate insurance for 3 automobiles. My agent sent me a bill in August 1998 and there had been an extra premium charge of $275.00. When I called to inquire about the increase they told me that they checked with the Department of Motor Vehicles and I have a 16-year-old son living in my house who recently obtained his permit.
Previously they had increased me $50 per month due to a daughter that turned 16. I told them that this fee was extremely high considering what I had to pay for my daughter. They told me that the actual increase is approximately $200 and the balance is retroactive.
The secretary advised me that if I could find a cheaper rate, be her guest. I immediately cancelled my policy and found another insurance company (Libery Mutual) at a much cheaper rate. Allstate sent my bill to a collection agency. I visited a local Allstate office and she told me technically I didn't really owe the $275.00 but in order to clear it up I would have to call the agent that wrote my policy.
I called my agent, the secretary picked up and she said I owe the money and that it was a state law. I had been with this agent for 28 years and never once had a ticket or an accident.
I don't know if I do indeed owe them this money, can they charge me retroactively, can they charge me prior to notification of increase?
What are my rights in this case? I don't feel that I should be liable for this bill especially being that I was never notified of the increase in premium.
Insurance for boys is much more expensive than insurance for girls. Reason: boys have a lot more accidents and insurance rates are based on risk. Technically, you were probably obligated to notify Allstate when your son started driving. Since you didn't the charge was applied retroactively. If you cancelled your Allstate policy when you switched to Liberty Mutual, you will probably not owe the entire $200. You need to read your policy to find the cancellation provisions.
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