We’ve been with an auto insurance provider for nearly 20 years. We were on the road one day and one of us called the provider who said we had until 11:59 p.m. to make the regular payment. Probably my husband. I can’t read in the car as it makes me ill. He drives the country roads and navigates me through the cities.
At about 8:00 p.m. back home I made the payment over the phone and received a confirmation number of the monetary transfer. The next morning our insurance was cancelled due to non-payment. I was told they were compartmentalized so basically the left hand didn’t know what the right hand was doing. I read back the confirmation number and time of the transaction and it was taken off our record as paid in full when due.
I’ve a better story, out of college I had a couple of temp jobs. Then I ended up working as a government assistant on insurance, much to learn, Much to do. The Analyst was on maternity leave for a few months so I had to dive (or cannonball) in and learn everything.
During that time I learned that no matter what, making “well baby care” available for a premium would “increase premiums.” That was a negative. Make it available to new parents! I learned complex laws, simple ones, even simpler ones that were very political and not to be discussed.
A car owner of a beat-up old VW I had insurance through the broker my parents had back home. I sent the check via certified mail the last week of the month and received the receipt. The check was due on the 1st of the month and it was received that day via the USPS. They cashed it at 9:00 a.m. (I called the bank) on the 2nd and promptly cancelled my insurance policy for lack of payment.
That evening I had to attend an insurance industry event (Oysters Rockefeller et al) and ran into the new Insurance Commissioner, a former lobbyist I’d known. He asked what was wrong. I told him my insurance was cancelled, the agent didn’t know the law and he also angered my prominent parents who had several types of insurance with him and wouldn’t answer his phone.
He said, send me everything by messenger in the morning. I want to take care of this myself. It’ll be so much fun!!! He called me early the next day and said he talked to the agent, my policy was re-instated and that the guy nearly wet himself when he found out I knew the Commissioner. Yes, he did have fun. And my family and I changed insurance companies. Watch out for your identity, bank accounts and insurance. Cheers, Dee
Cooking with Dee 