Update Johnson Insurance scewing the little guy

[splake0]

Looking for opions.
My auto insurance was due on the 31 Oct 15. I never received my renewal offer. On the 21 Oct I called Johnson to inquire when and if they are going to send it. The girl said right away and emailed me temp pink slips.
On the 2 or 3 of Nov I receive my new offer. To my surprise they wanted $175 more. I contacted them to see why the increase (I have no claims or tickets in over 20 years). The specialist said all was correct. I said that I would be looking for a new insurer. Which I found one and had them start coverage on the 6 Nov.
A couple weeks later I get a bill in the mail for $197. I call Johnson and said that $197 for 6 days coverage is way to high. I wanted an adjustment (i caculated approx $50). The specialist informs me that there is penalties for cancelling the policy early. I said I did not receive the offer to renew before the expire date so how could I possibly decline the offer? She said my policy was mailed out in time so I should have got it and it is not Johnson’s fault I didn't get it. Well is it my fault?
I again said I called on the 21 Oct and the specialist should have emailed me copies so I could have reviewed my policy and made my decision in time. Sherri (management) tells me it was my fault for not asking for the policy to be emailed. I said te onus is on Johnson to provide me with the policy on time so I can accept or decline.
She said that Johnson's position is I owe the $197 for 6 days insurance plus penalties.
I could not seem to that (no common sense) that it was not my fault that they did not do their job. I have no intention of paying $197 but will pay the 6 days of insurance owed if the make the adjustment.
Am I wrong on this issue?
Opinions?

[rens27]

Definitely not wrong on this issue. Stand your ground.

[coreya3212]

Don't pay them.

[Blastoff]

Should be interesting I am with them and had some troubles also. I got a lot of BS from them after dealing with some one higher up I got it figured out. These guys suck you in then treat you like crap, I hate to have a claim, I did save $620.00 on three vehicles though.

[whiteout]

You should have told them you were cancelling as of the 31st, but you continued coverage and cancelled the new policy after it had begun.

It's going to be more than $100 worth of grief to try and fight them. They should have sent the documents sooner, you should have been explicit in your intent to cancel and known that there are fees assessed for early cancellations.

[PGH]

If you feel your being treated unfairly you have some options outside of dealing with your insurance company:

1) Call the Consumer Information Centre at the Insurance Bureau of Canada at 1-844-227-5422

2) Contact the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance:

http://www.finance.alberta.ca/public...e/contact.html

[splake0]

Originally Posted by whiteout

You should have told them you were cancelling as of the 31st, but you continued coverage and cancelled the new policy after it had begun.

It's going to be more than $100 worth of grief to try and fight them. They should have sent the documents sooner, you should have been explicit in your intent to cancel and known that there are fees assessed for early cancellations.

You sound exactly like a Johnson rep.
If I would have know of the inpending increase of policy before the 31 Oct, I would have told them I was not going to renew. I was not notified of the increase until after the policy had already expired.

[whiteout]

Did you just assume that there were no increases to the cost or did you ask on the 21st and they said there were none?

Seems that one would find out if there were any policy changes before agreeing to renew.

[Rockman]

You definitely have a valid complaint. I would not let it go easy, but it's up to you how far it's worth pushing.

At the very least leave a BBB and whatever other complaints you can, or threaten to if they won't see reason. A valid complaint, where the customer has a fairly simple point and is not raving or unreasonable, is about the worst there is.

[splake0]

Originally Posted by whiteout

Did you just assume that there were no increases to the cost or did you ask on the 21st and they said there were none?

Seems that one would find out if there were any policy changes before agreeing to renew.

Who agreed to renew? Is the onus on me to assume there would rate increases? Do you work for Johnson? Seems so. Read my opening tread again.

[pikeslayer22]

All Insururance companies are the same...they slowly sneak up your rates...It pays HUGE to shop around every couple years

[omega50]

Contact the superintendent of insurance. They will get spanked and you will receive an adjustment.
Insurance Bureau of Canada is the lobby group for insurers and is not in their interest to spank their members.

http://www.finance.alberta.ca/public...s-conduct.html

[dmac]

197.00 increase amounts to what on a percentage basis?

I once got my home insurance renewal, year after the flood. It went up 105%. I had no claims but was in a postal code that had experienced damage. I no choice but to walk.

[Okotokian]

Were you paying one year at a time, so have to "accept" or decline a new offer each year, or were you on monthly payment plan with automatic renewal unless you cancel?

IF the former I'm not sure how they can charge your insurance you never agreed to. You basically drove uninsured for 6 days. If the latter, then it's your problem I think. There is no "acceptance" provision in a plan that rolls over automatically, only cancellation if you don't want it anymore. What do the original plan documents say????

[CanuckShooter]

They declined your reasonable offer...let them pay some lawyer $500 an hour to come after you for the paltry difference....drag it out and then settle...at least you get the pleasure of knowing they made some lawyer better off.

[splake0]

I renew annually. One payment.

[winged1]

When my father passed away and my mother applied for insurance on the 'family' vehicle, Meyers insurance in the Park attempted to charge her as a first time driver, even though she had a license and shared the vehicle. A call to the insurance bureau had it fixed in about 20 minutes.

[ETOWNCANUCK]

I seem to recall the Alberta budget increasing premium coverage.
Obviously insurance companies want to start charging the customer quickly as they were likely informed of the increase long before the customer is.

Would this not be the reason for the sudden increase.

[ETOWNCANUCK]

Originally Posted by CanuckShooter

They declined your reasonable offer...let them pay some lawyer $500 an hour to come after you for the paltry difference....drag it out and then settle...at least you get the pleasure of knowing they made some lawyer better off.

And in the meantime he can't get insurance coverage because he defaulted.

So he's without, but a guy has to make a living right?

Does he drive and risk a $2850 no insurance fine, or does he work with his adjuster to come to an agreement .

Should he pay the $197?
Maybe, maybe not.

But it seems ridiculous to have him wait it out for them to go after him.

[splake0]

Originally Posted by ETOWNCANUCK

And in the meantime he can't get insurance coverage because he defaulted.

So he's without, but a guy has to make a living right?

Does he drive and risk a $2850 no insurance fine, or does he work with his adjuster to come to an agreement .

Should he pay the $197?
Maybe, maybe not.

But it seems ridiculous to have him wait it out for them to go after him.

I have insurance coverage with another company now. I can't seem to get Johnson to budge on this issue. They say it is my fault and am standing firm. I don't know why they are taking such a hard stance but don't seem to be customer orientated.

[omega50]

Originally Posted by splake0

I have insurance coverage with another company now. I can't seem to get Johnson to budge on this issue. They say it is my fault and am standing firm. I don't know why they are taking such a hard stance but don't seem to be customer orientated.

Not sure why this is still an issue. Contact the Superintendent and let them fulfill their purpose.
The only validation that you truly need is the adjustment. Seems like a WIN for you is an admission of guilt on Johnson's behalf. Improbable, but not impossible

Insurance companies are threatened all of the time. Most times they are happy when you get a lawyer, because lawyers are easy to deal with and all emotion is removed and then the company has no further contact with you and the lawyer is still under the same obligation as the client to PROVE their case.
But in this case no lawyer is required.
The superintendent will make a determination as to whether they bargained in good faith.
If what you say is true-They did not.

[splake0]

Originally Posted by omega50

Not sure why this is still an issue. Contact the Superintendent and let them fulfill their purpose.
The only validation that you truly need is the adjustment. Seems like a WIN for you is an admission of guilt on Johnson's behalf. Improbable, but not impossible

Insurance companies are threatened all of the time. Most times they are happy when you get a lawyer, because lawyers are easy to deal with and all emotion is removed and then the company has no further contact with you and the lawyer is still under the same obligation as the client to PROVE their case.
But in this case no lawyer is required.
The superintendent will make a determination as to whether they bargained in good faith.
If what you say is true-They did not.

Just sent an email to the superintendent. will update soonest.
But I also wanted all to be aware of Johnson"s Insurance unfair practices and the lack of customer care

[recce43]

Originally Posted by splake0

Just sent an email to the superintendent. will update soonest.
But I also wanted all to be aware of Johnson"s Insurance unfair practices and the lack of customer care

I have had Johnston insurance for 15 years always have had great service . and they actually dropped my rates. we have everthing through them house cars trailers

[Kim473]

No claims or acidents in 20 years ! Odds are your do for one, Thats what I was told one time. Needless to say, I found another company. Send them a check and a letter explaining how you came up with the figure and see what happens.

[Okotokian]

Originally Posted by splake0

I renew annually. One payment.

Ah, well then there can be no penalty for cancelling a contract that was never entered into in the first place. If they didn't receive the new contract from you plus payment they should have notified you that your insurance had expired.

Now if you drove your car after insurance was supposed to have expired, that tells me that you DID expect to be covered by them. Otherwise you are breaking the law. So if you expect to be covered I guess you have to follow their rules.

[Slash8]

Dont pay em

My wife and I were insured with Johnson for 15+ years. We are both in our 40's. Prices started to climb higher and higher a little at a time. We have had no accidents and no claims ever. When we finally pulled the pin we were paying around 720 a month for house and auto insurance, they were basically bending us over and ramming it in dry. When we asked why all the increases? We were told our coverage was based on the provincial average and it was pricing adjustment, I asked to see some documentation on how they came to the decisions they did and we saw nothing. It was around this time they stopped returning our calls. My wife did some digging with other insurance companies and it didn't take long to find another provider. We pulled the pin with Johnson, put a stop payment on the account and that was that. I told them if they wanted it we would see them in court. We now pay around 490 a month for the exact same coverage. That's a significant reduction in my books and it sure helped out with beer and wine purchases. My Dad told me once if you want to work in the Insurance industry, a pre requisite is being so crooked you have to screw on your socks in the morning.

[CanuckShooter]

Originally Posted by ETOWNCANUCK

And in the meantime he can't get insurance coverage because he defaulted.

So he's without, but a guy has to make a living right?

Does he drive and risk a $2850 no insurance fine, or does he work with his adjuster to come to an agreement .

Should he pay the $197?
Maybe, maybe not.

But it seems ridiculous to have him wait it out for them to go after him.

You missed where he said he found another agent...last line of 2nd para..

[splake0]

UPDATE:

Unifund has decided to reverse the short rate cancellation and to process the cancellation on a pro rata basis.

Yours sincerely,


Compliance Officer
for the Superintendent of Insurance

Thanks for all the advice and recommendations.
And to the Superintendent

[omega50]

Originally Posted by splake0

UPDATE:

Unifund has decided to reverse the short rate cancellation and to process the cancellation on a pro rata basis.

Yours sincerely,


Compliance Officer
for the Superintendent of Insurance

Thanks for all the advice and recommendations.
And to the Superintendent

Glad to hear.
Seems fair