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Judith of Jamestown TN (07/18/08)
I wished to cancel my auto ins. with the Hartford and was told I would have to pay a 10% penalty because I was cancelling the policy 3 months prior to the policy maturity date but that had I cancelled within the first 60 days of having the policy, then I wouldn't be charged. They referred to this as an early termination fee and later on as a short rate fee. No where in my policy nor in any paper work provided by the Hartford when I first took out the policy or at any time when I made changes, did the company disclose in any way shape or form that there would be an early termination fee or any other kind of early cancellation of my policy fee. One of The Hartford Reps. told me that if I didn't pay the fee it wouldn't affect my credit as it was an internal fee. Another told me it was 10% of the entire policy premium, and another said it was 10% of the remaining balance of the unpaid premium.
I contacted AARP by e-mail and dealt with a lady by the name of Sheila Brown--Member Relations, as it was on the recommendation of AARP that I took the policy out in the first place. She contacted the above Carolyn Taylor--Consumer Affairs for the Hartford, who told Ms. Brown that the fee was legal, and that it was State Specific--in other words-- only charged in certain states, and that it was disclosed in the policy book, in the back, under the heading Termination---Other Termination Provisions. I have read, re-read and re-read again the information under this heading as well as the entire policy (in both my Ohio policy as well as the one I took out in Tennessee) and no where does it disclose, hint or otherwise intimate anywhere their policy of charging this fee. I e-mailed Ms. Brown again and informed her of this--as she represents AARP's Consumer Affairs, and AARP is the organisation that recommends The Hartford to all of it's millions of mostly elderly members. She stated that there was nothing more that she could do, that the Hartford insists they do disclose this fee and that they were sticking to their policies and that was basically the end of the matter.
I have since received 2 letters from The Hartford explaining that the charge is an administrative fee to cover the cost of processing the cancellation of my policy. My premiums went up when I moved to Tennessee from Ohio, and yet this fee is not charged in Ohio! I wonder why?These administrative expenses only have to be paid for in certain states and not others?! I have the original policy booklet with all their disclosures in it, and intend to hang on to it as I have NO intention of paying a non-disclosed fee, and this is the only proof I have of their non-disclosure.
I realize this is not a huge ammount of money for one individual---but when I think of how many millions of people who have their insurance through the Hartford, based on the recommendation of an organization like AARP, then we could be talking about millions of dollars worth of fees collected that were not disclosed, also many folk--especially those who are getting on in years, will most likely not say or do anything about the matter
I know they will charge me the fee and they also said they will not itemize my final bill, but that if I call them-they will break it down for me verbally---I have spent hours going over this with both the Hartford, AARP and now your organization. I feel that if the Hartford wants to charge such a fee---they need to disclose---if not---don't charge. Us older people need to be protected from sneaky companies who try to takes us for what little we have. It is WRONG! Also, AARP needs to check a little better into the companies they recommend
William of Duncan AZ (07/14/08)
I took out my insurance with Hartford through the AARP program and I had a very small claim accident nad now I just received a letter from Hartford that my premium is going to go up for at least 5 years and I thought they told me the first accident is forgiven and the claim was only paid the amount of $572.29 after my $500.00 decuctable. There was no citations as it was on a dirt road when it was raining and a cow ran out in front of me.
Now they say I have traffic violations against me which I do not. They have my nave spelled wrong on the letter as well as my address is wrong and they had that wrong when I took out this policy and they told me they have it straightened out and on my insurance cards it iw changed but not in the company records and I would like an answer to this mail to see what is going on and how much my rated will go up for a small claim like I had. Do they treat all their customers like this that go to them in good faith.
Rodger of Pahrump NV (07/12/08)
Cancelled my Insurance policy on June 18,2008 and was told after the fact in
a letter dated the same date received a week later that they were imposing a 10% penalty for early cancellation even though I had been with them for over 4 years. There is nothing in writing in the policy or the policy provisions for my state that stipulate any penalty for termination of a policy. Also, my refund for the unused premium amounted to $564 for which I am in to my 4th phone call to see when the refund check is forthcoming. Today on the 4th call, I was informed that the billing department was totally unaware of any refund forthcoming and would expedite my refund. I filed a complaint with the
State of Nevada Insurance commission in regards to the treatment Hartford is giving me and I am one customer who will never do business with this company again. AARP ought to be ashamed of recommending them to Seniors as you can do much better with other agencies. I still await my refund.
I have already paid for my other policy with another Insurance company and I am still out the refund that Hartford still has not sent me in the amount of $564.00 (net of the 10% phantom penalty)
I am very stressed at the fact that I am on a limited income being a retiree and this big Corporation is withholding my refund.
Jean of Largo FL (07/07/08)
I moved from NH to Florida and called to change my Auto policy with The Hartford on 5/17/2008. The price difference was so great, $1100 in NH to $2800, (after I dropped most of my insurance down I got the bill down to $2500), in Florida I started looking for a new insurance company.
I called The Hartford on 5/20/2008 to cancel the policy and faq'ed them a cancelation letter. I found insurance through AAA Auto club south for $1500, the same insurance The Hartford want to charge me $2800 for. I thought this expericence was over.
I received a bill in the mail today, 7/7/08, for $166 for the 3 days of insurance I was with The Hartford. I called to inquire why it was so high and was told that there was a cancelation fee accessed?! I never received an amount back from The Hartford from my NH policy, which still had a month or 2 of coverage on it. The bill I received has no detail about a cancelation fee and only states that it is for the 3 days of coverage, 5/17/08 to 5/20/2008. Is this right? What really gets me upset is that The Hartford is an AARP sponsored program for people over 50 and it seems to me that they are ripping the Florida population off.
Ray of Bethlehem NH (07/01/08)
I went to take my 07' Subaru Impreza into the dealer for warranty repair to the air conditioner, as it had never worked since we owned the car. The mechanic & Service Manager proceeded to show me a large dent in the radiator that pushed the radiator into the condenser, rendering it inoperable. The dent in the radiator did not cause a leak and is not visible to the casual observer. Now the very strange part is that there is no other damage to the car - not the hood, the engine, not the bumper, nor the grill, nor the spoiler - not even a scratch.
The Dealer refused to cover this under Warranty stating that they only cover defective parts, not damaged. They said that I would need to put this damage through my insurance company under Comprehensive, as their theory was it was vandalized. I put a claim into the AARP recommended Hartford Insurance Company and explained these rather bizarre events. An adjuster came out and was also at a loss as to how the damage could have occurred without any other damage to the car. The next thing we know, we get notification from The Hartford that they consider this claim to be collision. I am dumbfounded by this outcome and attempt to call the rep, David Searles. I now have 4 calls into Mr. Searles and have not had a return phone call.
I then decided to talk to any rep and got Rinaldo. He proceeded to tell me that we reported this as a hit and run. I told him that I did not report the damage as a hit and run and the conversation went downhill from there to where I requested to speak with a supervisor. Rinaldo refused to transfer me to a supervisor unless I gave a reason I wanted to speak w/a supervisor and insisted that he could help me. I restated my request to him 3-4 times until Rinaldo told me he would just wait on the line with me until I gave him a reason I wanted to be transferred to a supervisor. I hung up the phone and called back. I got a nice receptionist who transferred me to a supervisor, Elizabeth Mullins, unfortunately, she was not in today.
I do strongly believe that the damage to our car was done before we ever took delivery (we purchased it new). The events that would have had to take place for the damage to occur border on supernatural. An object would have had to come up from the ground at a precise 45 degree angle and strike the radiator w/out damaging, in the slightest way, any other part of the car. Those sound like huge odds to me. The deductible on my Collision is $500.00 and the claim will go against us as an accident. Under comprehensive, we have 0 deductible and it would not be counted against us. Is there anything you can do to help us.
Juanita of Miami Beach FL (06/17/08)
harford insurance company sent me a letter with adverse action and state choice point for motor vehicle report, insuance claim reports
higher dollar amount for insurance and refusal to adhere with credit reporting act to provide me with a copy to correct any inaccuracies. i am unable to correct any inaccuracies
Pat of Bakersfield CA (05/14/08)
In 2007 I purchsed an auto policy with Hartford do to the fact they was affiliated with AARP. Do to this fact I assumed they would be honest and ethical. Man, was I wrong!!!
When renewal time came, they mailed my bill on the due date. It was several hundred dollars higher, with no claims against the policy at all. I of course went to another reputable insurance company. Upon my notifing Hartford I was canceling they informed me they were charging me $200.cancelation fee, do the the fact I did not cancel 10 days prior to the due date. They do not mail out the bills until the due date so how can anyone cancel prior to it. Of course they claim they mailed out the bill a month in advance and the post office must have lost it. This is standard hartford policy, sanctioned by AARP, they claim. In my opinion, this amounts to theft.
I called and filed a complaint on 5/8/08 and was told someone would get back to me within 48 hours. Six days later I called again. I was told they could not help me to resolve this, I owe the fee!!! EVERYONE --((RUN)) FROM HARTFORD AND AARP Some attorney needs to file a class action lawsuit. I will join it.
C of Atlanta GA (05/10/08)
I went on line to compare prices.I did not apply for insurance nor did I give them my SS#. they pulled a credit report on me .then had the nerve to send me an opt out for for their customers
Lorenzo of Fairfax Station VA (03/24/08)
About a year ago (February 2007)I switched my home and car insurance to the AARP The Hartford program. I decided to do so because I was able to save money, so I was told. The Hartford offered me one year policy for 2 cars and 3 drivers for $683/year. One year later (February 2008) I received a new bill that to my great surprise was up by 16% over the previous year bill and now was $794 per year. Not happy, I called the AARP Hartford and was told that this $111 increase was a result of the fact that I had driven my car 18,000 miles in stead of 8,000 miles. I told the Hartford person that that was an untrue statement as I had not driven any of the cars that much in the past year. I proofed with dealer maintenance records that I drove the cars less than 10,000 miles in 2007.
I was thereafter sent a new bill by the Hartford, once again by mail, that stated an annual premium of $763, and thus an increase of 12% over the previous identical billing period. I decided to pay the $763 bill by internet as the expiration date of the policy was nearing (March 31, 2008). Thereafter, I called the Hartford again and asked for an explanation on what the basis was for the still steep 12% increase year over year. I was then told that The Hartford had made a mistake and that my annual fee was actually $1,565 per year and had therefore increases 130% over that of 2007.
A few days later I opened my mailbox and there was the $1,565 bill. I am very dissatisfied by the procedures used by The Hartford. To me the whole thing is just like a scam. The Hartford lured me into their business by initially giving me a low quote. Please note that the three drivers of the 2 cars have been driving without any accidents and claims for the past 16 years. Moreover, the three (3) drivers have combined only one (1) point on their drivers' licenses and should therefore be eligible for the maximum discount! Moreover, my 18 year old son drives my car only very occasionally and is moreover a student with an average school score of 4.1 (far above the 3.0 required for being a good student). I feel scammed by The Hartford. Thus far the AARP has not taken any action and I sincerely doubt the usefulness of that AARP organization! I have contacted AARP Office in Richmond Virginia and maybe one day I can have a better opinion of The Hartford and AARP.
Robert of St.louis MO (03/04/08)
I purchased insurance through AARP thinking I would always be treated fairly and we always hope we never need to file a claim with our insurance company but sometimes unexpected things happen. I have an Auto and travel trailer insured with AARP/Hartford and last December 2007 while towing it, I got to close to the farm gate and scrapped the gate with minor damage to the trailer. I called Hartford with hope of having the damage repaired but I found out I would not be treated fairly. The adjuster came to my home and gave me an estimate for repair and it was so low it would not cover parts. The claim handler from Hartford sent a check for the estimated amount.
I called and complained and was caught in a catch 22. The Hartford claim handler said she could not change the claim repair cost and I had to call the adjuster and he said I had to call the handler, but he would get back to me in a few days and this was on January 11 2008 and have not heard from him since. The adjuster said in order to increase the repair cost they wound need to give me the blue book value of the trailer and when this was done I would end up with less then the original estimate. Here is the problem, I have a 30-year-old vintage Airstream travel trailer in very good condition with plans to keep using it until it can no longer travel. I contacted the Airstream dealer and he told me I am being low balled as he had sold two vintage Airstreams with in the last 6 months for more then twice the blue book value.
Minor scratching of street side of trailer. Dealer for repair est. $6287.84, Agent for repair est. $2968.42.
Kyle of St Charles MO (01/20/08)
I was 3 feet from being fully parked in a parking space approaching a curb when I was hit by a snow plow going in reverse. He was crossing over several solid lines before he hit me. Clearly it was his fault; everyone I have spoken to agrees--but not THE HARTFORD criminals. My accident occurred on December 16th; I filed my claim on December 17th. I did a recorded statement. The lady said a Hartford employee would follow up with me, but of course they never called. A couple of days passed, so I called them. The individual I was transferred to had no idea what was going on and asked me to do another recorded statement. They had no record of my first recorded statement. This was on or after Dec. 21st. The Hartford claimed they had not talked to their insured driver and needed to talk to him before they could pay out my claim.
A week had passed, and I called back to see if they had talked to their insured driver. They told me now they were not sure if the driver who hit me was covered in this policy (a flat out lie) but they needed a few more days to verify. So I gave them a few more days, called back, and now they transferred my claim to someone else. This new person verified that the other party was in fact insured by the Hartford and had actually talked to him on Dec 20th and got his statement. (So every thing the first guy had told me was not true--seemed a ploy to jerk me around so maybe I would quit pursuing my claim.) The other guy's statement according to the Hartford, contradicts mine.
My accident took place in a gas station parking lot so supposedly they were waiting on the videotape so they could check it to see what happened. I said fine--when would they be getting that video tape? They had no answer. So I took it upon myself to get the video tape. I called the gas station, and they said they were contacted on Dec 20th about obtaining footage of the video tape, but they never heard back from the Hartford to obtain it. They explained to me that after a few weeks they don't keep filmed tape. They also said they would not be releasing any tape to the Hartford; they had missed their window of time. At this point my car is still smashed (at least $3500 worth of damage), and Hartford has no intention of paying a dime. I do have pictures of the accident in my camera phone.
I am out of a vehicle to get to and from work. I have missed attorney appointments and opportunities to pick up my daughter to spend time with her. Everyday life activities are now a hassle because I have to obtain rides.
Carl of Pleasant Shade TN (12/19/07)
A customer of Hartford ran into my truck while vacant; they filed claim and got two estimates for $1300 each. They sent a check for $497, and they will not pay any more. I did not cash the check but am going to seek legal action and fees.
My truck is not fixed, and the accident was a month ago.
Steve of Rockford IL (12/06/07)
I was hit by a Hartford auto insurance customer. Hartford declined to fix it and said they would send me the low end of blue book value. Then I started getting these automated messages on my answering machine that they wanted to settle the matter, but I had to call the number they left for a Brandon Kinkade. He never answers that number. I finally found out they wanted proof that it was my car--despite my insurance card. I had a local title place fax the info to them. They claimed they didn't get it, despite the fact that their fax number said "fax completed". They said they were going to close my case without payment unless I faxed them the information again. Since I was now wise to the company's methods, I mailed it with secure delivery, so they have to sign for it.
I would advise anybody dealing with this company to document and verify all business. This is not a trustworthy company.
Wallace of Eugene OR (11/09/07)
Didnt bill me for 5 mounts repeated calls to them wanting to know my auto premium answered saying trouble with system could not help me got bill for 1929.00 for 2 cars for 1 year an increase of 1047.00!!! cancelled them got insurance from farmers for 800.for both!! had one ticket for a headlight violation hartford said this was reason for 1047.00 increase!
Andrea of Mentor OH (10/17/07)
The Hartford sent me a letter on October 10, 2007, apprising they have misplaced several data disks that contain my NAME, ADDRESS, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, DRIVERS LICENSE AND PHONE NUMBER.
This information security breach has caused me to worry heavily about my identity. Putting a fraud alert on my credit bureaus would also cause undue hardship for my situation. This billion-dollar company should be held financially responsible.
Sandra of Palm Bay FL (08/30/07)
My rental car was involved in an ice storm accident. There were several injuries. My agent called me and said that I was responsible because I rented the automobile. It has been 8 months and The Hartford has yet to pay any medical expenses for the injured parties. The Hartford should stand by their policy and pay for the hospital bills that were incurred. I called and spoke to my agent, Michael Harris, and he informed that because of some Florida stipulation they would not pay any medical expenses. I have paid The Hartford for auto insurance for the past 10 years and now they will not honor this policy.
Rental automobile was totaled. My son has neck injuries, his girlfriend underwent brain surgery and will never be 100% recovered, three grandchildren underwent x-rays.
Melanie of St. Louis MO (11/07/06)
In March of 1996, my husband and I purchased a car for the amount of approximately $14000.00. In May of 2006, my husband totalled the car. Hartford insurance paid out $7500.00 and called it blue book value leaving me a short of approximately $5000.00. Because I was young and poor at the time, I did not pay the balance owed. My balance now is topping over $30,000.00! I feel severly wronged by Hartford, they took advantage of someone who just didn't know any better!
Pam of Redding CA (06/26/06)
I had purchased auto insurance for myself and my mother through AARP over the phone with Hartford. The reduction in premium sounded too good to be true and it was. They cashed both of my checks for my homeowners and auto policities. I drove to washington state from california, for a two month period, driving my grandchildren around in my van. Imagine my surprise at the end of 90 days when I received a cancellation notice on the auto policy, in fact, they had never instated the policy, they just cashed the checks.
They advised I had not completed a form they sent. I had made a copy of the form in question and marked the date it was mailed. It took seven (7) letters to different Hartford offices and six (6) phone calls before I got a refund of both policities. I also wrote to two different AARP offices requesting assistance and called two different AARP numbers, requesting assistance. nothing was done. I believe the return of my monies was because I threatened to notify my local politicians and request their help. its a shame that AARP continues to tout Hartford as such a good deal.
Richard of Orlando FL (04/26/06)
My car was stolen and burned from my home and I've dealing with Mrs. Harper due to there's been investigation, questioning me and my brother as to what we were doing and where were we at the night that my car got stolen and according to the attorneys that they had hired to question me and my brother, we were done and Mrs. Harper can't seem to answer any of my questions as to what is the status of my claim and can't seem to get a retuen phone call from her. I have caaled her many times.
My car got stolen on December 3, 2005 and it's been 4 months and still no answer. I feel that as many years as I had business with this company and I paid insurance for my vehicle, that I am getting treated this way by them. I have no car, I have to car pool to work, and still no answer from them.
I have to car pool with a co-worker to work, for my normal life activities, I have to borrow cars to get around.
Jonathan of Hilton Head, SC (03/19/06)
Hartford's agent filed a fraudulent claim on behalf of their insured who backed into me while I was stopped at a stop sign! Hartford waffled on the claim, orally approved, denied, and then claims they are investigating after 45 days.
I had to pay for repairs out of my own pocket and I think the idea was that I would go away and claim on my own collision insurance because I had an expensive car. However I have no collision insurance and will now sue the whole bunch.
Riy of Las Vegas, NV (01/23/06)
On January 10, 2006 I was involved in a car accident with a person who was insured by "The Hartford". Their client was ticketed for "failure to yield, no current proof of insurance, and no valid drivers license (his license expired in 2001). Due to this accident, I can't work, can barely walk at times, and my back is screwed up.
Now The Hartford is treating me like the criminal in the situation. I have tried to call them on NUMEROUS occasions but constantly get a voicemail greeting. I have yet to have an actual conversation with anyone at the Hartford.
I have hired an attorney and he seems to be pretty worthless himself but nonetheless I'm about to be out of money and lose my house, car, etc.
Ada of Pearl MS (07/19/05)
My mother died 6/4/05. She had Hartford auto insurance 10,000 accidental death. I submitted the paperwork. She was not wearing her seatbelt and they did not want to pay. I had her physician send a letter regarding her medical condition where he had asked her not to wear a seatbelt. The impact killed her and the coroner said a seatbelt would not have saved her anyway.
She also had a banking account with a 10,000 accidental death policy through hartford. I have send paperwork in to both policies to the same company. No one has contacted me or told me anything. Her funeral was very expensive and reduced the amount of funds she had in her estate to pay for her taxes, outstanding bills, utilities, etc... She had those policies for a reason, to make sure her business would be taken care of and that those bills from her funeral would be cared for as she had no burial policy, etc.
You would think as much money as insurance companies make that these smaller claims would be like pennies to them and they would at least contact the people instead of just ignoring them.
Cynthia of Mountlake Terrace WA (8/11/03):
I have had auto insurance and homeowners insurance policies with Hartford for several years. Last fall I received a ticket for making an improper right hand turn -- my first and only driving violation in thirty years. The ticket was mitigated and I thought no more about it. I didn't anticipate a single (and relatively minor) violation would cause a problem, other than a possible increase in my premium.
However, COMPLETELY UNBEKNOWNST to me, Hartford immediately cancelled my auto insurance -- and failed to inform me. As a result, I drove for several months without any auto coverage. Last month I had an accident and at that time learned I had no auto insurance coverage. It took hours -- talking to six different people -- to figure out why Hartford had cancelled me. I got two different stories initially.
Hartford claims it mailed me a notice, but I did not receive it -- and I am not a person who disregards her mail. Not getting a bill for renewal failed to trigger a red flag for me because I had recently paid my homeowners insurance premium and assumed I had paid the car insurance at the same time. Hartford did not take reasonable steps to make sure I knew I had been cancelled. After thousands of dollars received from me -- with no activity until the single ticket -- I felt Hartford owed me the courtesy of at least calling or sending a certified letter announcing I was being dropped.
After all, I have been entrusting them over the past decade with helping to protect me from financial disaster -- not setting me up for it. They have really let me down, and I fear for other Hartford customers who will surely find themselves in the same boat sooner or later. I really wonder how the Hartford CEO sleeps at night.
Marvin of Nesconest NY (7/11/03):
Hartford Insurance Company cancelled my automobile policy without giving me any notification, even though I paid the premium. This caused me to drive without any auto insurance and without my knowledge of this for 12 days. This was in direct violation of their Declarations page, which states that they will notify the insured of any cancellation by giving at least 15 days cancellation notice for nonpayment of premium or 20 days for any other reason.
The first I knew of the cancellation was when I received a partial reimbursement of my premium on May 16, 2003. I called them and asked for reinstatement and told them that I had mailed another month's premium payment to them, but they refused reinstatement. I asked what will they do with the payment I sent them and they said "they will return it to me".
On the basis of this, I withdrew the money from the checking account. The next day I checked with my bank and discovered that the check I had sent to the Hartford had cleared which caused two of my other checks to be returned for insufficient funds because of the money I withdrew. I wrote to them and informed them that they had violated their written policy and I wanted monetary compensation for this violation. They replied that they would consider reinstatement. They evidentally know that they are wrong because now they would reinstate me. I don't want reinstatement, I already have other insurance. I just want monetary compensation for their violation of their written policy.
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July 20 2008
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