Can I challenge my premium without risking cancellation?

[kenyld]

What is the name of your state? Georgia

Here's my situation. I live in Georgia, but my Indemity Health policy was written in Michigan before I left school. They have steadily raised my premium by almost 20% a year until now, it is $1,100/mo. Clearly they are singling me out because I'm HIV+. But they no longer offer this type of policy, and since it's a small company in Michigan, I'm afraid that if I challenge the premium with them and and MI State Ins. Commissioners Office, they will just cancel it...as the policy says they can do if they cancel ALL policies in my category. Do I have any protection to challenge or am I just plain stuck. I'd really appreciate any recommendations you have....

 

[cbg]

If you are HIV+, you are at greater risk. Greater risk insureds get higher premiums. That's the way insurance works.

 

[somarco]

Most states prohibit carriers for raising rates on a single individual and not an entire class. They also prohibit raising rates just because a claim has been filed.

Are you sure your policy is still valid? Most policies transfer easily from state to state but not all will do so.

 

[kenyld]

you've not answered my question

Do I have any protection from being canceled if I challenge my premium with the state insurance commissioner?

In reply to your response, my condition was not a preexisting condition, thus it should not increase my premium. If it did, this would constitute singling me out, would it not?

Yes, my policy is good away from MI. I've used it constantly for 20yrs.

 

[Betty]

Most ins. companies will not/cannot single an individual out & cancel just their policy out of their class/category -- even if a rate incr. is challenged with the State Ins. Comm. However, you do need to continue to pay the premiums when due so your policy does not lapse for non-payment of premium. Are you sure that all policies in your class (category) did not have their premiums increased also? Without actually having your policy for review I don't know all the policy provisions. Did you happen to get a letter re your incr. in prem. - what did it say -- anything about all policies in your class being increased? Did it give any reason at all for the increase?