Complaint Review: Progressive Insurance Companies - Albany New York

Several years ago, I purchased a used year-old car from a car dealership. It was a Sunday, and I was unable to reach my own insurance agent to get insurance on the car that day. But I desparately needed a car since my car had died. So the dealership brings in an independent agent who sells me a Progressive policy. It stated in my policy that if I submitted proof of other insurance, I would be released from the minimum 6-month clause referenced to in the above post. I also paid $100 down, $50 in cash and $50 with a check (and kept my receipt). I looked over the policy and it seemed like a pretty good deal... for a few days anyway. Until I received a bill for around $200 stating that my policy was in arrears for non-payment! The statement did show a $50 downpayment, but not the full $100 that I paid. Of course I immediately called my regular long-time insurance man, and got coverage for my new car. Before I could get a copy of my proof of insurance mailed to progressive, they had dunned me again (less than a week had passed) and stated that my coverage would be dropped if payment was not received (okay..that's exactly what I wanted anyway). I phoned them and stated that I had submitted proof of insurance in the mail to them, to cancel the policy immediately. Then they told me that if I didn't pay the bill, they would send me to collections. I told them about the $50 downpayment in cash that was apparently pocketed by the salesperson, and read to them the portion of the policy relating to the "can cancel before 6 months with proof of other insurance coverage." I received yet another nasty letter about being sent to collections. They must have mailed it the minute I hung up the telephone. In response, I wrote a very strong letter outlining the steps I would begin taking if I received any further collection attempts (including the location of the courthouse where they would be expected to respond to a lawsuit and the name of my local paper where they would be free to respond to any editorials I would be writing about their company). I made copies of my downpayment receipt and pertinent portion of my policy refering to the release clause. I also suggested that they contact their independent contractor in reference to the apparent theft of $50 cash, of which they could recover from him if they so desired. I never heard another peep from them, and wouldn't recommend to anyone to obtain insurance through any independent insurance agent at a car dealership. The policy that I was sold sounded very good, and I even got temporary policy paperwork, but it didn't have any premium amounts on it, so all I had was the salesman's verbal quotes. But the statement I received was WAY beyond the quoted amount. I actually only had the insurance for 5 days before my regular insurance was activated. I think my $100 down payment more than paid for a week. (Especially since I paid less than $100 per month for full coverage with my regular insurance.)

I thought I would like to have progressive insurance due to you can do everything over the Internet well I was wrong after a Month I didn't like Progressive so I went back to dairyland. I received a letter stating that I owed them 200.00 and I called them and they had told me it was because I didn't keep my policy with them for 6 months. I told them that no one told me about that when I talked to the guy on the phone and the ladie said well it is in your terms and disclosure and I said what terms and disclosure the guy told me over the phone. So I ened up paying the 200.00 due to they had put it into my credit report and it droped it 45 points and I couldn't get the mortgage that I was trying for due to that.But now I tell people not to go with progressive because they have hiding fees and don't tell you everything until you drop them. Thank you for your time.

I dont mean that I want money into my 401k or social securities. I only mean that Im tired of seeing rich insurance companies who pretty much slap people in the face when they file a claim. When you get into a serious accident there is no money that can replace inconvenience or loss of time let alone a complete change of life and the way you feel. I only think that if people were smart enough and stable enough to take care of their own business then things would be alot easier. What I meant by the 401k and SS account wasnt that I want money put in their, but I think if everyone had an account for car insurance reasons things would be treated a little diffrently. Lets say for the past 10 years you have put $130 dollars a month for insurance in an account aswell as using stock options (like a 401k) to increase balance...I think everyone would be a little more careful when driving because they know that is their money that they can physically see monthly but they cant touch. I think if people lost the attitude "well I have insurance to take care of that" then alot more people would be alot more careful.

I am sorry for your loss however..... What would you like the insurance company to put in your 401k or similar program? You stated that money pays the bills but does not make you the way you were before the accident. I strongly agree with you but what should be put in your 401k? Money? You said thats not good enough. I don't know what else can be put in a 401k. If the insurance carrier at fault paid limits to you for the loss than why can't you put these funds into your 401k or similar program?? As far as the IME. The fact here is and I'm not stating this is your case but, many unmoral medical providers often assisted with unmoral attorneys want to rack up as many medical bills and treatments as they can for profit. They want to take advantage of you and the insurance company. There comes a point where treatments may seem excessive or perhaps the type of treatment your getting is not helping you. Red flags all over the place. The insurance company needs to verify thru a honest doctor that you are still suffering, you would do better with a different treatment, etc. If the independent doctor states you are still having problems because of the accident than fine. Your benefits will be provided. If not, you have no right to continue collect funds or receive treatment that is not helping you in the first place. All this does is increase everyone else's rates. If the insurance company could "clone" you and replace your body, they probably would. However money is the only thing they can provide you to attempt to compensate you for your loss.

I don't understand how people who pay their insurance every month and have a good standing can get the short end? I also do not understand how insurance companies can make so much money off people and not be willing to insure them when thats what they pay for? I think its bad humor when you dont get what you pay for. I do not pay for insurance to make someone rich! When an accident is not my fault and I am in pain I expect that insurance to be there. I had an accident because someone else ran a light and sent me to the hospital, I have room to talk. I believe an easy settle to this fraud would be to treat insurance like 401K or social security. To many insurance companies are getting rich and not handling what we pay for. The right to free travel is being taken away. The pain someone goes through after an accident cant be replaced my money, money only takes care of the hospital bills, lawyers, and time off work. How does that really help.....we only want to feel like we did the day before. solution....maybe we need to elect and re-elect insurance people or put it into a 401k or social security account somehow.

I don't understand how people who pay their insurance every month and have a good standing can get the short end? I also do not understand how insurance companies can make so much money off people and not be willing to insure them when thats what they pay for? I think its bad humor when you dont get what you pay for. I do not pay for insurance to make someone rich! When an accident is not my fault and I am in pain I expect that insurance to be there. I had an accident because someone else ran a light and sent me to the hospital, I have room to talk. I believe an easy settle to this fraud would be to treat insurance like 401K or social security. To many insurance companies are getting rich and not handling what we pay for. The right to free travel is being taken away. The pain someone goes through after an accident cant be replaced my money, money only takes care of the hospital bills, lawyers, and time off work. How does that really help.....we only want to feel like we did the day before. solution....maybe we need to elect and re-elect insurance people or put it into a 401k or social security account somehow.

Dear Ms. Questionable, I am a No-Fault insurance representative and am not surprised by your feelings about your experience with your insurance. There are some people that do get hurt by the system, however, you do not appear to be one of them. Your tale is pathetic. What kind of attorney do you have? If what had happened to you was so terrible, they would have assisted you being they are likely getting at least 33% of any settlement you are offered. I am guessing that you attorney knew that you had prior problems, that they were well documented, and that they knew they would lose in pursuing this further. We all pay for insurance and, in New York State , every household pays an estimated 1200.00 a year in preimum to cover insurance fraud. As an insurance representative, I have seen people who get fat and think that we should pay for diet pills, people who think that we should cover expenses to paint closets and bathrooms. I think that you need to obtain a copy of your policy and New York State Regulation 68, and review them carefully.

This email is a rebuttal to RipOff #3718. It was sent by Jeanne White at [email protected]. Ripped-off by Progressive Insurance Companies (#3718) Their relationship to the company: Owner UPDATE: The Independent Medical Examiners (IME's) that conducted exams on me as directed and paid for by Progressive were: November 30, 1998: Dr. Thomas A. Blando, DC, Chiropractor, 11 Carlile Avenue, Utica, NY 13502, phone (315) 793-0017. At that end of my visit with Dr. Blando, he told me that no matter what anyone told me to continue doing everything I have been doing (i.e. the chiropractor visits I had been doing with my own chiropractor, therapies at home and the aquatic physical therapy program I was in, medications, nutrition, and following all instructions and visits that all my healthcare providers were giving me). I thought that was nice of Dr. Blando and even told my own doctors what he said, as well as my attorney, etc.... that's why I was SHOCKED when he reported to Crossland Medical Services, P.C., P.O. Box 8001, Huntington Station, NY 11746, (ultimately to Progressive as they were the ones that ordered and paid for the exam) in a report dated December 11, 1998, that in his opinion that my condition had improved and stabilized at that time and that maximum benefit from treatment has been reached and that chiropractic care was no longer necessary. He also stated that the reoccurrence of my symptoms were primarily due to pre-existing conditions and that I could return to work. All clearly opposite of what he told me at the end of my visit with him on November 30, 1998! I wished I had taken another person in with me AND videotaped the entire visit!!!!!! After my strong objections, Progressive directed me to and paid for another IME with: Dr. Daniel Elstein, M.D.,P.C., Orthopedic Surgeon, 325 University Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210, telephone: (315) 478-3157 on May 25, 1999. In a report to "Crossland Medical Services, P.C., P.O. Box 8001, Huntington Station, NY 11746" (ultimately to Progressive who ordered and paid for the exam) dated June 4, 1999, "it appeared that the motor vehicle accident has aggravated my condition, and caused soft tissue injury aggravating preexisting condition. In addition, he said that there is evidence of a cervical strain unassociated with the pre-existing condition. He felt that I should continue with "home exercises" and that he felt that maximum medical improvement from physical therapy had been reached and that I did not require further physical therapy." He also stated that he felt that "returning to work would be "therapeutic in nature" because I held an "office job". And that I would have pain from time to time and I could use Motrin and occasional Darvon for pain. And that he suggested I be reexamined after six months after returning to work and he didn't feel any significant permanency as a result of the soft tissue injuries." When I went to his office that day, I later told Progressive and my doctors and attorneys that I would not have gone to his office alone at night and was apprehensive even during the day, and that I would NEVER choose him as a "surgeon". His "office" was VERY shabby, and did not look like a "surgeon" or any doctor I would trusts office to look like. The office where the woman sat was a combination of record files on shelves and her office, VERY narrow hallways, VERY SMALL examination rooms, could hear into the next examination rooms....ALL his patients that I saw there were other "IME" visitors (at least one of them had her attorney with her - which I now think is an EXCELLENT idea) and the other patients were OLD people clearly being brought in by wheelchair from nursing type homes (very obviously Medicaid type patients) and one poor lady I felt so bad for: I (could not help hear her through very thin walls) complaining to Dr. Elstein very emphatically her complaints of specific pain and problems at the home and it seemed to me that his response was to get her more medicine and get her out of there and not even responding to her complaints and questions and then I heard him (again through very thin walls) dictating her visit with him (I knew then that I was in trouble of getting any kind of "serious" consideration from him). For the exam he had his nurse observe his "exam" with me. The exam room I was in was NO bigger than maybe 6 x 8 and that would be BEFORE putting in an exam table and chair. He told me he had a neighbor who was in the same branch of government service I was in and knew the nature and gravity of my work, at least I thought that might help me in my case and have him give an HONEST report. As I said, he stated in his report that he thought it would be "therapeutic" for me to return to work, clearly showing he had NO idea or comprehension as to what was needed for my position. I am naming these IME's and "Crossland Medical Services" as to alert anyone being directed by Progressive Insurance to attend. I cannot emphasize enough that should you have no other alternative to visit any of these mentioned to take a witness with you, preferably your attorney, AND videotape THE ENTIRE visit!!!!!!! Progressive, based on the IME visits, that "per Regulation 68, Section 65.15, if the insurer has information which clearly demonstrates that the applicant is no longer disabled, the insurer may discontinue the payment of benefits. Also, effective January 3, 1999, an Independent Chiropractic Examiner and effective July 19, 1999, an Independent Orthopedic Examiner stated, that you have reached pre-accident status, are not disabled and can return to work." Dated: November 8, 1999, by Kristen Singley, No-Fault Specialist. It is worth noting again; however, that 1) a United States Government Agency retired me disabled in a decision dated June 7, 1999. 2) a New York State Supreme Court matter was settled without any further proceedings acknowledging serious and permanent personal injuries to the Plaintiff in a Release dated December 10, 1999. And 3) the Social Security Administration Law Judge found that I cannot perform any job held at the time of the motor vehicle accident nor any job held prior in a decision dated December 28, 1999. All THESE agencies' decisions are clearly AFTER Progressive and their IME's decisions. For the record, this update has been put on this paper with major assistance from my husband. Sincerely, Jeanne White iW10-2