Wawanesa Auto Insurance Reviews

Unfortunately, the latest update from the dealership is that Wawanesa Insurance seems to be resisting their service rates or something along those lines. I had actually reached out to Wawanesa before heading to BMW, explicitly expressing my desire for an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) replacement. The representative I spoke to even marked the referral as "OEM" while placing me on hold. It appeared to be a significant concern at the time. Now, a week later, I find myself in a situation where they are essentially telling me to fend for myself. The only option where they cover OEM is if I am forced to go to Safelite directly! This is CRAZY! Stay AWAY!

In the last 20 years, I have made ZERO claims, got zero traffic tickets, had no at fault accidents, etc. Earlier this year I was rear ended on the freeway with no injuries and minor damage to my rear bumper under $1000. I have never called Wawanesa about anything other than when I first called them to get a policy decades ago. I called them to report my non fault accident. After the horrific slow intake on the phone, I was then told I would get a phone call in a few days. I waited like a fool for 3 weeks and was finally contacted by email. I was so amazed and disgusted by the lack of service, I ended up calling the other party's insurance (Mercury) directly myself 3 weeks later.

You always hear the saying you won't know how good your auto insurance is until you need them for something. Well I finally found that out firsthand. I was absolutely amazed at the other driver's insurance quality of service. They called me the next day and emailed me and ended up resolving it in a week without Wawanesa doing anything other than wasting my time in the first place. Thanks to this policy rate increase and the lack of service I experienced, it was time to leave Wawanesa. I started shopping around the last few days and realized the auto insurance companies did not increase their rates as much as Wawanesa. Wawanesa made the biggest policy increase percentage wise while the others only raised anywhere from 5%-10%.

Wawanesa used to be one of the lowest before, but now on par in cost with the big auto insurance companies. I still have absolutely no idea how they score such a high customer service rating especially after the lack of customer service I experienced. If you have Wawanesa, prepare to shop around. Don't wait until you get your 6 month renewal policy increase shock. Also, looked up Wawanesa on Twitter and seems many others have noticed that huge policy increase from Wawanesa.

To begin with, their repair cost estimate was way below the cost estimate compared to another body shop estimate. They were missing parts that were damaged during the accident in the estimate. They initially authorize to sent their estimate check to the body shop where I took my vehicle for just "an estimate'. I never told them the body shop was going to repair my vehicle. Since the cost to repair was way higher than what Wawanesa estimated. I had to tell my adjuster Bruce that I never agree and I wasn't taking me vehicle there because I did not wanted to pay out of pocket. He explained if there were additional repair costs I should just submit supplemental request. Then we decided to fix our vehicle on our own to avoid paying out of pocket.

Well, at the end we end it up paying out of pocket to fix our vehicle because they take forever to review the supplemental, their estimated system repair cost is a joke, quoting absurd labor cost that any body shop will charge. At this point I decided to no longer renew my insurance and take my business to a company that may charge more but I will have the peace of mind when it comes to a claim. At the end I am happy that I will no longer have to deal with this horrible insurance company.

He emailed me saying he would close my claim if I didn’t respond. I responded immediately. It was probably within 30 mins of the email. I also stated (or restated because I already told him the last time) that email was my communication preference since I am often not available by phone. I told him I was still waiting on the dealer because catalytic converters were back ordered. I asked him what else I needed to do. No response. He closed my claim and I again had to pay out of my own pocket. At this time, the price has gone up because of its high demand. I paid over $3,500 out of pocket. I tried to contact Wawanesa. No response. I did get emails about paying my upcoming bill though.

I couldn’t see myself paying more money to a company that owes me money and leaves me hanging, so I went to another company and to my surprise I’m actually paying a lot less now. I thought Wawanesa was so great. I even told all my friends, acquaintances, anyone I knew with auto insurance needs, about Wawanesa and now I regret it. I will be telling them what Wawanesa did to me. It’s so sad because I really thought they were the best, but they fooled me.

Fast forward to 3 years later, I was sent a letter by mail from Wawanesa stating they would not be renewing my policy once the current term ends. As I read the letter, I felt as if I had done something terribly wrong, and was being punished for it. I called customer service and spoke to a supervisor who took my concerns and forwarded them to the underwriting department, and was told that I would hear something either the same or next day. I finally received a call 3 days later, and was told that the decision still stands. I have paid several thousands of dollars for my policies over the years with Wawanesa, and now they are penalizing me for actually using my insurance coverage. I used to always refer my friends, family and coworkers to Wawanesa, however, that will no longer be the case. I will also be cancelling my auto policy with them as well. I will take my business elsewhere.

Original Review: Oct. 2, 2022

I am a long time (10+ years), customer and have always been satisfied with Wawanesa customer service and policies, however I recently filed a claim for windshield replacement and was informed that I could only use Safelite. Three months later and still no windshield (back ordered) I spoke with Wawanesa about using a different vendor (same price and parts in stock) and was informed that Wawanesa would only cover up to 600 dollars for a 2300 dollar job. I have been driving 3 months + with a giant (dangerous crack). Wawanesa will not help, I am considering dropping my policy (4 cars and home) if they cannot resolve this issue. Also customer service on the phone lacks anyone who knows what the heck is going on (low level representatives working from home).

I told them, "No it was working before" and they are accusing me of lying. They said, "Not at all, but it isn't covered..." but could never explain why! Escalated to a manager and was told the same thing...Still no explanation. I said hitting deer was a common issue too so why were other repairs covered? No explanation. I got the other items fixed and found a guy on Kijiji who is familiar with this issue and resoldered connections for me in an hour for $100 that fixed the problem. Now I have badly shaken confidence in Wawanesa claims...What new common issues will they find in my next claim?

Original Review: July 28, 2022

I been with this Auto Ins Co since 2020. Prior to that I was lapsed for 2-3 weeks in 2020 due to a Bank Card that was expired, before that happened I was with them since the early 2000's. They sent me a notice stating they aren't accepting monthly payments any longer and that I will have to pay up in full the whole amount in order for them to keep me insured. I bet it something else, are they having everyone else do the same thing who has insurance paying monthly? I think they're weeding out certain customers who fall in a certain range because what they say one of the reasons is it's inflation and other reasons? Sure I bet it's other reasons? It will all come out in the end. Now everyone who can't pay upfront their insurance premiums are now scrambling to buy other insurance with other auto insurance companies.

On top of that I feel like my broker didn't have my best interest at heart, she gave me the lowest deductible, I asked for a higher deductible quote (lowers premium) but she never quoted me for it. I am nice but if someone disrespects me like she has then im done. After all this the cancellation letter was supposed to come from her since shes my broker but she is non existent these days or blatantly ignoring me, the other girl had to send me the cancellation letter. Like a grow a pair and explain to me what happen. Coward. I was dealing with her for 4 years.. And this is how it had to end.

Original Review: July 5, 2022

I've been a loyal customer for YEARS, I never had a bad experience until now. I just received an email that I will have to pay my 6 month premium in FULL using a checking or savings account, no more monthly payments and no credit card allowed. So needless to say I will need to look for another company.

They make up whatever they want and they make up all kind of nonsense. It's all about money and greed with them and they lie. who do they think they are? I went with State Farm and I got the same monthly quote and I can make monthly payments. So sick of insurance companies shams. Go somewhere else not with Wawanesa..

Original: They used to have the best service. Called so many times and got nowhere now with anyone over there. Told me to go to another insurance company? Did not even look at my policy to check the coverages. That was their solution? Called so many times finally got someone to look at the policy, it was like pulling teeth. Midway in that process they say, "We need a pin sent to your phone to verify you?" I verified myself in the beginning. We were talking for 30 minutes. "Well we are now talking about your coverages." They are so worried about fraud that they ignore the customer getting any help. Still never got any help after multiple calls.

Now they won't let you make monthly payments. They expect you to pay them cash for the policy in full? Cash. No credit cards either. So between the worst customer service agents. inexperienced and unhelpful over verifying wasting so much time. And now they won't work with anyone on payments for the policy. Telling me, "Well you have not been with us long enough? You have to pay in full." And their solution telling me to go somewhere else? What company does that? They have so much to learn on how to treat a customer. I'm so tried of all of the excuses companies make for poor service. "We are in an inflation, we have more accidents, we have more people cancelling, we have more bills. We we we. And we don't trust you. We have to over verify you." They don't treat the customers like a value. And get better help.

Fast forward to January 2020 and I was hit with Corona virus really really bad. It got to the point of it almost taking my life. Fortunately I am very strong and knew I would defeat it. My guardian angels were seriously working over time for me. This took quite some time and somewhere during my fight to survive, my bills had gotten skipped and Wawanesa canceled my policy. Okay I understand that. However I had no idea this had happened and many months later I was finally catching up on my bank statements and realized, oh my gosh Wawanesa wasn't anywhere to be found. So I called them up and explained what had Happened and apologized over and over. The agent reassured me Multiple times that we could pick up where I left off and I could get my beloved insurance back on track.

After many questions (the usual) the once kind man returned to the phone with a very harsh/rude and judgmental tone and told me I had an accident on my record. Let's Back track, last May 2019, I was driving to my fiancé's dad's house at 11:00pm and a huge Bull elk ran in front of my jeep. As I swerved to miss it, I flipped my Grand Cherokee 3 times end over end, only to land upside down 148 feet away from a sheer 350 foot cliff that plummeted into the depths of the ocean. This is Located along Highway 101 on the Oregon coast. Long story short, I am a walking miracle because I made it out alive. It was very very scary and very very bad.

Well unfortunately when I called my insurance to report it and make a claim the lady agent at Wawanesa told me they couldn't cover it because I swerved and didn't hit the elk square on. Thus it was 'my' fault. Well after an hour of being stuck in my seat/seat belt, upside down confused and scared, I was finally pulled out by two teenagers that thought my Jeep was going to explode due to the mutilated condition it was in. An hour after that the paramedics and a police officer finally arrived.

After seeing the carnage of my wreck and me standing in front of him to tell him what happened, The police officer looked at me as if I were a ghost. He then proceeded to tell me, a lady in a similar vehicle 'hit' a bull elk square-on, about 3 weeks earlier, and she was killed on impact. The elk blasted right thru her window. He was the first one to the crash and the Crazy thing was is She was on the SAME stretch of highway I was on!. I explained this to the agent and told her, if I had not swerved, I would have hit that elk and been killed on impact. So swerving saved my life. But still, she said, 'yeah, sorry that's just how it is.' Bummer.. but I understood and moved on. Its just how these things go.

Moving forward to the man on the phone who said I had an accident on my record, he said since that happened he can Not help me whatsoever. And treated me as if I was some type of criminal or something. I was shocked. He then proceeded to tell me some 3rd party insurer miiight help me. Gave me the number and quickly got off the phone. I am just so upset. On the website Wawanesa says they forgive one accident. I've been a Loyal member for a long time and had held them so high in my life. I had never had a claim before that accident. So this sucks. I feel so stupid for thinking they would understand and respect me the way I had respected them. :'(.

My broker chose this company last year due to some miscommunication and I ended up paying a heavy 500 odd per month. Hold on - I'm a G License Holder with 7 years of experience in the US. They didn't oblige for that experience entirely and cleverly deducted 3 years from it - for some crazy reason - only to keep the insurance on the high side. Still, I had to go with this fraud company for a year thinking they would reduce the rates during renewal. BUT NO! They went to increase by 100 per month. FOR WHAT??? NO ACCIDENTS OR CLAIMS OR TICKETS! What do you increase it for?

We are in a Pandemic where people are struggling to meet ends, and here we have this insurance company with no empathy - blissfully doing rings around increasing the rates, even double for a few of them. I seriously hope someone files a lawsuit on these guys for the way they openly cheat their customers. I'm DONE with your insurance. STAY FAR AWAY! NEVER opt for Wawanesa.

I hope wawanesa agents realize the negative charges can go through and the bank will simply charge overdraft fees to the person. The logic behind it did not make sense. It does not apply to me as my account isn’t negative but God forbid if the charge made my account negative. I had to talk to literally five agents. Several told me they would “rush” my refund, another told me it would take five business days, well I called back today and was told a whole 15 BUSINESS DAYS to return my funds. If it takes over two weeks for them to process refunds to customers due to mistakes they made is outrageous. the system is really outdated because there is no way it takes weeks to return money. I wish they would reconsider updating their system as it’s not really customer service friendly. I am a poor college student who lost my job due to covid and I NEED my money. Freaking ridiculous. I had good service up until the point I decided to cancel.

Original Review: Sept. 10, 2020

Yesterday my car broke down and I called for tow service and I found out I no longer qualify for roadside assistance I had to pay. I've been a policyholder for 2 years. I am pissed and looking for new insurance.

I left my number but that was a week and half ago. I've got a notice that if I didn't pay by renewal date it would be void so I tried to contact Wawanesa directly but there doesn't appear to be a way to do that because you are redirected back to the broker who won't answer the phone or fix your policy. Unless you are unemployed and have nothing better to do, I no longer recommend this company. I have one work day to left for renewal but the only thing they make easy is to send money. I'll be shopping around.

On Friday Dec 13th, the adjuster gave an estimate under deductible to remove & install panels & replace the carpet with a "pending shop invoice". I called and mentioned there is nothing regarding the tail light malfunction, or electrical malfunctions & I was told "this is the initial claim & the shop will supplement..." Monday Dec 16th, he removed the instrument panel & mold was discovered, immediately called Wawanesa and told them there is mold and they need to send a specialist to clean the mold before any new carpets or such are installed. They said they will send the adjuster again. On January 12th the adjuster goes back to the shop, and apparently now the mold is everywhere. They call me to tell me there is $47K worth of damage to my car and I will be contacted in a few days to go over a settlement amount as they are considering it a total loss.

Two days later I get a call saying it's in investigation instead of the settlement amount. Which they sent experts and investigators to take statements and requested my phone logs. Today Friday Feb 21, they called me and said, "We are closing the investigation and will not pay anything to fix your car as it was the shops fault for letting the mold spread." The shop tells me he's not a mold specialist, that it's very hazardous & doesn't want to get near the car, breath or touch it. And that he contacted the insurance immediately and they didn't send any till a month later. Instead of the problem being solved, it became worse and now they are not helping me, I don't know what to do anymore.