My mother had a small fire in her home last year. She never filed a claim. Nationwide sends her the policy renewal and the premiums almost doubled. She called another insurance company and lo and behold, claim shows as filed for the fire. I know they have a repository for insurance information, but don't know the name or the procedures for disputing information on there. I am calling the state Insurance Commissioner tomorrow and raisng hell. Thanks Gib
As far as I know...ONE CLAIM IS NOT GROUNDS FOR DOUBLING THE INSURANCE RATES (if she had filed a claim)...
ask for help from Breeze...she knows all about CLUE, repository for insurance claim info, and lots of other insurance related tidbits that are very helpful to know...
Interesting and helpful info here: http://www.insure.com/home/pastclaims.html from the insure.com website If your mother called her insurance company and discussed this, they will have opened a file, and it will show a claim on CLUE, it will just show 0 as the amount paid. There should be some companies that will not rate her that much higher for this, also, some companies take the reason for the fire into account - like not-at-fault auto accidents. If a fire is caused by carelessness, Like forgetting a pan of grease on the stove, they will usually rate you higher. A fire cause by lightening should not cause a rate increase. You should always get a quote on repairs, and check you policy to see what your deductible is - if you are going to have to pay it because it will cost less than your deductible, then you should not even call your insurance company. And it is always smart to take your questions and complaints to your state's insurance commissioner. Often, companies will give you what you want just to get you to withdraw the complaint.
If te fire department was called, and a report filled out, and if she gave the name of her insurance company, they would have received a copy of the report.If the fire was caused by a hazard that was not underwritten on her original policy, (like old wiring,or unapproved heater) then that information would be n the insurance data base. She should call her insurance company and find out why they raised her rate, and what needs to be done to reduce it.
Thanks Breeze. The fire was not due to carelessness. It was due to a hot water heater that was installed on a wrong curcuit. The repairs were all done by family, it was mostly just smoke damage. Thanks again. Gib
Some underwriters are the pits. Others are reasonable. They are all people - why not have her send a letter, with a statement, and ask for a review of the situation. That is a reasonable thing to ask for. Incidentally, whoever installed the hot water heater to start with is liable for those damages.
breeze, Do you know anything about home warranty co?? Like who regulates them, and whom to file a complain to? Thanks in advance!
