raising rates

[rosered66]

What is the name of your state? NC


My auto insurance was up for renewal this past July. My insurance agent quoted me a lower price than I had been paying, due to my good driving record. The rate was about $20 lower a month, so I agreed to renew my policy with them.

Last week, I got my monthly insurance premium bill. I was most upset when I saw that they had raised my insurance premium by
$24 more a month, above the price they had quoted me at my
"renewal talk". They never bothered to contact me about this
increase or even send me a notice.

When I went in to ask them why my rates had been raised, the
agent claimed that he had quoted me too high a price--that you
had to be on their "safe-driving program" for at least 3 years
before I would qualify for the rate he had quoted me.
(I've only been a client for one year). He apologized profusely and said it was his mistake, but it looks like to me he should've
known the difference between 1 year and 3 years.

I inquired about cancelling my policy--the agent said I could, but
my policy would be "short-rated" (whatever that is).

I feel like I have been flim-flammed. An extra $20 a month may not be a lot to some people, but to someone who's disabled and
on a fixed income like myself, every little bit counts. I feel like
they at least should have had the common decency to give me a
phone call or send me a notice through the mail.

I am wondering if this practice is even legal, because the renewal
contract I signed was for the lower rate.

I'm also wondering if this isn't a case of "credit scoring"--my credit
card debt has increased somewhat during the previous year.
Do insurance companies use your credit records in deciding how
much to charge you?? I heard on the CBS news that they did.

Input from someone, please?? I could use it.

 

[racer72]

The insurance agent made a mistake but you have no legal recourse. And it is legal to use your credit rating in determining your insurance rates. It is a known fact that those with poor credit file many more claims than those with good credit.

 

[tammy8]

In NC, I would say that 98% of companies use credit as a factor with almost as much weight as a safe driving record. I know of several MAJOR claims filed recently and amazely these claims were filed by people in bankrupty.

To the orginal poster, I don't understand about how the rates jumped up 3 monthes into the policy. Did the rates jump by $120 for the entire six monthes are just on the remaining payments?

 

[a neighbor]

odd?

"I know of several MAJOR claims filed recently and amazely these claims were filed by people in bankrupty. "

My car accident (not my fault), helped put me into bankruptcy. Strange how things work.