As I talk to people who dealt with Commerce insurance there seems to be a pattern of abuse, mistreatment and many violations of civil and privacy rights.
For the past six years I've been paying Commerce Insurance more than $2000 a year to insure my vehicles. Never put in a claim. On September 30 2002 (that's right 9/30/02) My vehicle (Along with many others in this section where I parked)was stolen. It has been three months and representatives are using thier power to abuse, violate and delay resolving this claim. At this point even a denial would allow me to seek legal action, but they realize that and continue to delay, lie and harrass me, my family, friends and employers in any attempt to further delay the claim.
I have spoke to many others whom are victims of Commerce, I actually spoke with an employee who said "I would never insure my car with Commerce they'll do anything not to pay!"
Many specific incidents of Commerce misleading and abusing the rules.
1. My car was stolen on 9/30/02 and it wasn't until 10/18/02 did their rep. call me for a deposition. When he did he said he couldn't take my statement until NOvember 4th 2002, many weeks after the incident because he was "Backed up with cases". I called him a fee days later to see if anyone cancelled to fit me in sooner and found out he lied. He was on vavcation and out of the country!!!! So while he runs around Europe my case sits!!!
2. Three months later giving no specific reason foir the delay, Rep. Doreen O'rourke promises me that if I send her a copy of the credit report she'll make a decision on the claim "TODAY" I fax her the requested info and she never calls me back!!!!
3. One of thier representatives is thrown off the property for asking and requesting from the resident manager information that is illegal.
4. Rep. Doreen O'rourke tells me the delay was they were waiting for information an investigator was suppose to send and he wasn't returning his calls. I called the guy and he told me he sent the info and talked with her much earlier before our conversation. she lied.
5. A BOston Police officer told me their was a rash of vehicles stolen from the same street that week, many went unrecovered like my vehicle. The rep from Commerce delays the claim beacuse she says I made up the story about the BOston Police and says she's delaying the case because "There were no cars stolen on that street." I contact the Boston Police and they first tell me the rep. from Commerce was lying because there is "NO agency not even the Police can gain information on the number of thefts in a specicifc zone until 3 - 6 months later when all precincts report, only the individual officer can tell you how many reports he personally took. But no one would know the exact amount espicially none, until a report is concluded."
6. Another rep. Brian Scoefield promises me the case would be settled in 10-14 days. That was on December 16 2002.
7. The person handling the case is shuffled to another department after three and half months and now I have to deal with a brand new person who is using her lack of knowlegde about the claim to further delay the outcome.
8. Another investigator breaks and enters on private property to obtain information illegally! I catch himon the property and invite him in my house and give him the requested information he earlier tried to gain illegally.
9. I signed off on a complete release for them to get all finacial and personal documents. I have sent tax documents, financial records, phone records, medical records, bank, retirement records, police reports, credit reports, I gave four recorded depositions. They have harrassed people at my work, place of residence.
10. As they string me along week to week promising me they are close to a conclusion, I am paying thousands for a rent a car. The rep tells me she'll reinburse me for all of the rental. I later find out she lyed and they have no intentions of paying for the extra charges.
It's going on four months and they have not given me one single SPECIFIC reason for processing the claim. I have done all their work for them and volunteered all my personal information.
If anyone has been successful in this situation, please advise me.
Theresa
Wakefield, Massachusetts
U.S.A.