Need advice on lapsed theft/collision auto policy

a good friend of mine (residence: New York State) recently had his car stolen. Evidently, his insurance company had sent him a letter cancelling his theft/collision clause which, he claims, he never received. The letter was not sent via registered or certified mail. Since he does not have a picture of the car and his insurance company is claiming that they notified him of the cancellation, I am wondering what, if any recourse he has? Does he file a suit in court? What are the appropriate actions here? What type of attorney would handle his case?

Wendy L

Wendy:

Your friend is one DUMB dude.

stolen car at the same time the insurance is cancelled...yeah right!

Why did they cancel the theft/collison clause?

Insurance companies just dont cancel parts of a policy without the policyholders approval

If the whole policy was cancelled, well the policy should state when it was to be cancelled....how many days after non payment...

Then they will sue your friend for the balanced owed.

Somebody knew something here......

Happy Lucky:

My "dumb dude" friend's policy (very nice reply, I might add) was not cancelled for non-payment. Evidently, he did not comply with providing the company a picture of the vehicle. Moreover, he did not RECEIVE the cancellation notices. I have no idea where you live but in some buildings in NYC, the mail is left on a table, not in individual mailboxes and sometimes, does not get to its proper recipient. In any case, it appears the insurance company knew more than they were letting on. Simply by having a record that a notice was sent, they are evidently in the clear. Meanwhile, the policy owner is double screwed.

Well your dumb dude friend screwed up...what was so important he couldnt take a few pictures of his expensive car...come on with you in it, what man wouldn't want pictures a sexy girl in his car !!!!


He might have ONE chance, that is for the insurnace company to prove they mailed him a letter...

It should have been sent registered, but a certificate of mailing (costs 75 cents) would do.

If the insurance company has neither then i would fight, since a judge is gonna ask why are they so cheap in informing a policy holder of an expensive car that the insurance was going to be cancelled. And over a Picture geez...The insurance company would look like a couple of BOZOS in front of the judge.

He will have to sue the company for proof of mailing....in NY that is important!

[Edited by happylucky on 07-21-2001 at 12:47 AM]