• FreeAdvice has a new Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, effective May 25, 2018.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our Terms of Service and use of cookies.

Endorsement iniated by insurer should void contract provisions!

Accident - Bankruptcy - Criminal Law / DUI - Business - Consumer - Employment - Family - Immigration - Real Estate - Tax - Traffic - Wills   Please click a topic or scroll down for more.

stormdodger

Junior Member
What is the name of your state? FL

I obtained a windstorm insurance policy on 6/21/07 through my agent. Coverage was written for the same amount as my homeowners insurance ($87,000), and the premium was $642.

On 7/11/07 the insurer sent an endorsement raising the coverage and premium by 32%. It stated that the additional premium ($196) was due by 9/4 or cancellation would follow. I told the agent I did not intend to pay the increase and to cancel the policy, signing a form effective 8/7/07. I asked the agent if I would get a prorata refund and he said "yes", although he now denies this.

My refund check came on 9/19 for $129, whereas a prorata refund after 47 days of coverage would have been $559. Apparently the insurer used a "short rate" windstorm cancellation because it occured between 6/1 and 11/1. So I was forced to either pay an additional $196 or lose $430 from the refund.

My questions are:
1. Doesn't an endorsement iniated by the insurer void any special cancellation provisions stated in the original agreed-upon policy contract?

2. If not, do I have a case against the agent for not informing me that a short rate would apply?
 


stormdodger

Junior Member
Sorry if I wasn't clear - the endorsement simply raised the building coverage from $87,000 to $115,146, along with the deductible and premium.

Apparently they considered the property underinsured (the fire/theft insurance company does not) after issuing the original policy. Don't contract laws apply here, allowing me to cancel without penalty? If not, is the agent at fault?
 

moburkes

Senior Member
Sorry if I wasn't clear - the endorsement simply raised the building coverage from $87,000 to $115,146, along with the deductible and premium.

Apparently they considered the property underinsured (the fire/theft insurance company does not) after issuing the original policy. Don't contract laws apply here, allowing me to cancel without penalty? If not, is the agent at fault?
That's an underwriting "correction" and not an endorsement, per se. Yes, the short rate cancel was valid.
 

Find the Right Lawyer for Your Legal Issue!

Fast, Free, and Confidential
data-ad-format="auto">
Top