Insurance Agent riding on our money?

[Mango]

I don't want to name names right now, but wanted to see if anyone else was having a similar problem with a particular insurance agent.
I had a liability policy with wind that renewed in April. I paid the premium.
The company no longer insures with wind on the liability side, so they cancelled the policy, and started a new one without wind of which I paid for again.
They mailed back a pro rated policy premium back to the agent over a month ago, but I have not received a check back yet. I called the agent because I had 2 policies for 2 different places and the renewals came up the same time and one said without wind and the other didn't. The agent faxed me a form for getting wind elsewhere, (liability only- not the wind and hail policy).
She also stated that they woulnt allow me to pay the insurer directly without obtaining a wind policy from them. I did not want to deal any longer with this agent anyway, so I paid the premium to the insurer directly until I found another agent figuring I would get re-imbursed anyone for the difference if I switched co.

So now, the insurer tells me they mailed back the portion of the policy to the agent over 6 weeks ago, but everytime I call the agent, they give me a horse and pony show about how they have to check accounting, just moved, yadda yadda. The check was made out to the agent per the insurance company because that is standard procedure.

How long do you think I should wait until I really lean on them?
I have basically paid twice for the insurance.

 

[DBOldford]

Send a letter to the FL State Insurance Commissioner and cc your agent. Send a copy of the letter to the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Clubs (those most frequented by insurance agents, it seems) in the area where the business is located. Make sure your letter clearly shows that these groups were copied. Then call the person who owns the local insurance agency and tell them that you wish to file a formal complaint and have already contacted the State Insurance Commissioner about your problem. That sounds very extreme, but you have been placed in an extreme position and possibly at risk.

Our experience has been that the owners of these firms sometimes are not aware of how their agents are doing business. Frankly, it is sometimes the other way around, too...a really good agent and a lackluster company.

Good luck. These pirates have done enough damage already. The least they can do is administer their windfall well.

 

[Cork On the Ocean]

The check was made out to the agent per the insurance company because that is standard procedure.

How long do you think I should wait until I really lean on them?
I have basically paid twice for the insurance.

Mango, I've never heard of the check being made out to the agent . I've had refunds from insurance companies a couple of times and they come directly to me in MY name.

 

[Mango]

Mango, I've never heard of the check being made out to the agent . I've had refunds from insurance companies a couple of times and they come directly to me in MY name.

The insurance agent I used wrote the policy through Lloyds of London, but Seacoast is the correspondent. I guess they act as agents for Lloyds, so when I sent the checks they mail me a envelope and a request be that the check be made to Seacoast. Seacoast sent the check back to the agent who is local to Sowal. Not in Sowal, but close. For I refund, I agree that the check should have been written to me. But if their is a mortgage involved they send it back to the agent they said.

 

[Mango]

Send a letter to the FL State Insurance Commissioner and cc your agent. Send a copy of the letter to the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Clubs (those most frequented by insurance agents, it seems) in the area where the business is located. Make sure your letter clearly shows that these groups were copied. Then call the person who owns the local insurance agency and tell them that you wish to file a formal complaint and have already contacted the State Insurance Commissioner about your problem. That sounds very extreme, but you have been placed in an extreme position and possibly at risk.

Our experience has been that the owners of these firms sometimes are not aware of how their agents are doing business. Frankly, it is sometimes the other way around, too...a really good agent and a lackluster company.

Good luck. These pirates have done enough damage already. The least they can do is administer their windfall well.

The only reason I got involved with this agent was because they everyone in my development used them for their wind and hail policies. It was easier for our Association to monitor to make sure everyone had insurance bound since we are attached townhomes.
Now we have a blanket wind and hail policy(different agent because the one we were using were a pain in the tush, no return calls, etc.)
I have been calling around to other agencies, and I am having a hard time getting anyone to return calls. I heard this is problem in the area.
Are they short on employees too!

I am going to call them one more time and give them 10 days to get my check to me with a letter sent via fax, and if not, then I will be doing what you suggest above.

Believe it or not, when I closed on one of my places, I had to call the title insurer to file a complaint against the title agent. Long story, but they held my check in escrow for quite a while before mailing the check to the seller. I am in the biz, so I have seen and heard it all.

 

[yippie]

Here is the Consumer Services Number for Department of Financial Services, Insurance Agencies fall under that division.

800-342-2762

I understand that agents are pulling all types of things this year. My agent had my non-renewal for my business liability policy for 60 days with promises to find me new insurance. 4:30pm the night before the policy ran out, he called me on my cell and told me I would have to find someone else. This is after weekly conversations with him promising he was "on top of it", etc.

I have no problem naming the agent if anyone is interested. He is in Destin.

I know of another agent in Destin who sold some new homeowners a policy from a company not licensed to do business in Florida.

 

[Mango]

Thanks Yippee for the info.

 

[Santa Rosa Pete]

Mango:

I've been pleased with Waterfield & Associates out of Destin for insurance dealings. You might consider contacting them.

SRP

 

[Mango]

Mango:

I've been pleased with Waterfield & Associates out of Destin for insurance dealings. You might consider contacting them.

SRP

Thanks Pete-on another note- any news yet?

 

[KBB]

I just changed all my insurance policies and went to a new insurance agency called Southern Coastal Insurance. Call Jennifer at 850-269-3653. I was pleased with their insurance companies and their pricing. Tell her KB sent you.