Vivian Perez - Cliffside Park, NJ

MY ALLSTATE HORROR STORY

I had an Auto Insurance Policy with Allsnake for 2 cars. Last yr. I sold one car and advised Allstate (David Ingersoll, Agent) to cancel the policy on that car. He advised me to send him a written request. I did exactly what he indicated and I also asked him to adjust the premium and send me a new statement.

After several weeks I didn't hear from him and my premium was due in a couple of days, so I called and kept getting Mr. Ingersoll's voice mail. I left numerous msg. and never got a call. A week after my policy was due I called again and got a live voice (John Catalano, Agent) assured me that Mr. Ingersoll would return my call. A week later I called again and Mr. Ingersoll had no clue what I was talking about. We went through the process a second time where he told me to send a check for XXX because the payment was due and that he would send me an adjusted premium. I sent him the check. I thought everything was taken care of.

The following month the premium was due again and I had no clue how much I was paying, so I called again, and again I got no help. So I waited to get a notice from them, I got nothing. Then my bank statement came in and I noticed the Allstate check was not cashed. So I called again and Mr. Ingersoll again had no clue, he didn't recall our conversation and stated he never received the check. I sent another check and he promised to call me back and never did.

A week later I got a letter from Allstate stating my policy had been terminated for non payment. I knew this had to be a mistake. I had sent Mr. Ingersoll a check to cover the premium, and he assured me that he would take care of it. After further investigation little did I know that Mr. Ingersoll had originally cancelled the policy. I was angry, I felt cheated, & betrayed . How could he do this to me. I was driving a leased car for 3 months without insurance.

It was a total nightmare. I couldn't drive my car until I got new insurance, and then I had to dish out more $$$ to get new insurance because the previous policy had lapsed.

"There is no incentive for insurance companies to do what is right, such as live up to the promises made in their policies. Tort reformers fueled by insurance money think big business and the insurance industry need to be protected against "runaway juries." It's the other way around. Big business and the insurance industry have always been able to take care of themselves. The little people need protection from them. This country was founded on the common law right of the little guy to get into court with his hired gun to fight the oppressor, be it big government or big business. Take that away and we have nothing left. Look around. It's being whittled away, bit by bit, caps on damages here, restrictions on jury trials there. It won't end until we recognize the enemy and join together to take a stand against them. It will take the little people to do this together".

Louis G. Fazzi, Esq. Attorney & Counselor At Law