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Safeco Insurance Company of America Complaint - Safeco Doubled My Insurance Premium After The Start Of The Policy! - Automobile Insurance
Automobile Insurance - Complaint
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA -- A little more than 5 weeks ago, I switched my automobile insurance policy from Progressive to Safeco because Safeco initially offered me a cheaper premium.
I was paying $359 for a six month policy with Progressive, but after checking out the rates of other companies online, I decided to switch to Safeco because they quoted me a six month policy for $294. I truthfully and completely filled out the online application, disclosing the only blemish on my driving record, which was a speeding ticket (63 MPH in a 55 MPH zone) which I received 3 years ago in New Jersey.
I cancelled my policy with Progressive and started my new policy with Safeco on February 9, 2009. On February 17th, a little more than a week later, Safeco increased my premium by $305 to $599! This is more than double the price that they initially offered me! When I called them up to ask why my premium was being doubled, they told me that it was because of a moving violation which I failed to disclose on my application. When I asked them the specifics of the moving violation which I allegedly failed to disclosed to them, I found out it was the 3 year old speeding ticket which I had in fact told them about!
I protested this ridiculous "bait and switch" premium increase and asked them to restore my original premium quote, but they wouldn’t budge. They told me that I could simply wait until my policy renewal in August for the moving violation to come off of my record (moving violations remain on your insurance record for 3 years and 3 months) and my renewal premium would decrease. I told them that I would not pay any additional premiums, and I notified them that I would find another insurance company.
After doing some more research, I got a six month insurance premium quote from GEICO for $319. After making sure that they were aware of my motor vehicle record, and that the premium quoted would not mysteriously increase after the start of my policy, On March 9th, I cancelled my automobile insurance policy with Safeco, and started my new policy with GEICO. Even though it has been less than 2 weeks since I became a GEICO customer, I have not yet had any problems or any premium increases from them.
I have one word of advice to anyone who is contemplating switching their automobile insurance company to Safeco based on a cheaper premium quote... DON'T!
I was paying $359 for a six month policy with Progressive, but after checking out the rates of other companies online, I decided to switch to Safeco because they quoted me a six month policy for $294. I truthfully and completely filled out the online application, disclosing the only blemish on my driving record, which was a speeding ticket (63 MPH in a 55 MPH zone) which I received 3 years ago in New Jersey.
I cancelled my policy with Progressive and started my new policy with Safeco on February 9, 2009. On February 17th, a little more than a week later, Safeco increased my premium by $305 to $599! This is more than double the price that they initially offered me! When I called them up to ask why my premium was being doubled, they told me that it was because of a moving violation which I failed to disclose on my application. When I asked them the specifics of the moving violation which I allegedly failed to disclosed to them, I found out it was the 3 year old speeding ticket which I had in fact told them about!
I protested this ridiculous "bait and switch" premium increase and asked them to restore my original premium quote, but they wouldn’t budge. They told me that I could simply wait until my policy renewal in August for the moving violation to come off of my record (moving violations remain on your insurance record for 3 years and 3 months) and my renewal premium would decrease. I told them that I would not pay any additional premiums, and I notified them that I would find another insurance company.
After doing some more research, I got a six month insurance premium quote from GEICO for $319. After making sure that they were aware of my motor vehicle record, and that the premium quoted would not mysteriously increase after the start of my policy, On March 9th, I cancelled my automobile insurance policy with Safeco, and started my new policy with GEICO. Even though it has been less than 2 weeks since I became a GEICO customer, I have not yet had any problems or any premium increases from them.
I have one word of advice to anyone who is contemplating switching their automobile insurance company to Safeco based on a cheaper premium quote... DON'T!
Comments:
Posted by madconsumer on 2009-03-19:
you'll be very sorry you change to geico .....
Posted by Toni I. on 2009-03-19:
GEICO can't be any worse than Safeco... or can they?
Posted by RestaurantGuy on 2009-03-19:
Geico will cancel your policy at the drop of a hat. My neighbor was hit by another driver. The police and the other driver both said it was the other drivers fault not my neighbors. Geico cancelled his policy due to the accident stating he was a risk because of the accident. Good luck with them
Posted by madconsumer on 2009-03-19:
resturantguy, that is exactly what they did with me. they dropped me mid term after my vehicle was repaired. claimed i was a bad risk. guess not, 8 years later, i am accident and ticket free.
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