Complaint Review: Nationwide Insurance (Homeowners)

After being a customer with Nationwide Insurance, for both home and automobiles, for many years I recieved a notice declaring that the rates for my homeowners insurance had nearly doubled.

After checking further I found that Nationwide Insurance had, by way of new technology, located insured homes that were more than 5 miles from the nearest fire station.

I do not recall this being asked of me when I chose Nationwide to insure my property. I sent the local office (David Carpenter Insurance 232 E Old Hickory Blvd Madison, TN) a written request 4 months ago for a copy of the signed documentation stating that there was a much higher premium for those living more than 5 miles from a fire station. To date I have received nothing.

I argued that I was exactly 5.9 miles from one fire station and 6 miles from another and the fact that they, for many years, either didn't care, didn't know, or did not have such a policy in place was not my fault but theirs. To suddenly "Discover" that I was 9/10ths of a mile beyond their supposed 5 mile limit was either a new policy or one they chose to ignore when they eagerly signed me up as a customer.

In my opinion, whetever the situation may be, Nationwide agreed in writing to insure my property at an agreed amount but has renigged upon that agreement either by instituting, enforcing or discovering a policy that I did not agree to.

I have had several problems with Nationwide over the years and in each incident it was found that they were at fault. I will give credit to The Office of David Carpenter and his staff as they have always been kind, courteous & helpful in resolving past issues. In this instance unfortunately, despite the best efforts of Mr. Carpenter and his associates, they have informed me that nothing can be done.

I can understand that a new prospective customer being advised of the 5 mile fire station limit and given a map indicating exactly where their property was in relation to the nearest fire station as an acceptable business practice. What I find unacceptable is a policy being written in which the 5 mile limit is not explained nor is the exact distance determined prior to selling the product. Furter I find the act of going back through alrerady agreed upon contracts, determining that the Insurance company was in error and then making the customer pay, in essence for the companies mistake reprehensible if not illegal.

I hope others that have had this happen to them join together and tell Nationwide Insurance company just exactly what they can do with their 5 mile fire station limit.

Some things are right. Some are in between. Some others like Nationwide's 5 mile policy is  just plain wrong.