Think your personal information is safe with Geico online? think again! several months ago I went to Geico.com and applied for renters insurance via their online application.
We recently had a burglary and we filed an insurance claim through the underwriter American Bankers Insurance of Florida / Assurant. ( thats a WHOLE other complaint ).
We were recently told our claim had been denied. Reason? The adjuster claimed we committed fraud! Yes, came out and said it was a fraudulent claim. Needless to say I was, and still am, LIVID..She stated that during our application we withheld information such as the fact we had a previous claim in another state some years ago and we failed to state that. And that is concealing information which is "fraud".
I informed her I know D*** well I listed the previous claim and specifically remember doing so. I told her I wanted a copy of the original application . She informed me I would have to go through Geico since it was their website.
I called Geico, explained the problem, and the rep informed me he would have someone check into it and email me the information and/or call me the same day when the other rep got off the phone with another call.
3 days later now, still no call or email. I called geico ( after spending 20 minutes through the usual automated msgs, "press this number for this......") I bet I pressed each and every option listed and spoke to as many reps who informed me, "I do not know who would have that information but i can transfer you to someone who does"..JUST TO BE PLACED BACK ON HOLD IN CUE in circles.
Then, they started telling me they would transfer me to Assurant ( the underwriters). I informed them, "NO, i do NOT want to be transfered to them, i want the information from geico who originally took the application online". they reply, "oh ok, let me transfer you to OUR help desk"..Of course they transfer you to "Assurant". When I get to assurant, I enter my policy number/claim number and then, It disconnects me. ( as if they have me black listed for complaining now).
Each company is pointing the fingers. They accuse you of something you KNOW is false. then, when you ask for the proof. NO ONE CAN FIND THAT INFORMATION!!!!!
Not withstanding the fact that: My claims adjuster stated, "if you had stated you had a previous claim, we would not have insured you". I informed her 1. we DID list that information 2. when we did a recorded statement with her some weeks ago, she asked, "have you filed a claim in the past"? we answered "yes" and gave details, dates, amts, items etc etc etc. She didnt ask a follow up, "have you had any others?". WHen I pointed that recorded statement out to her, she stated, "well, that is beside the fact"..
Yet I played devils advocate and went to Geicos website today, applied for insurance with a different name, address etc etc. I entered 3 different claims, 1. $25,000.00 2.$6,000.00 and it allowed me to go all the way to the final page to enter my credit card, electronically sign, state the date I wanted the policy to start . IN other words, it was going to allow me to start a policy.
In addition, no where on Geicos website did it have a legal statement to the effect, prior claims may or may not be held against you. in the field where it asks if you have had a previous claim, their is a little (?) mark symbol you can click for information that states, "that information is needed to assure the best rate for the policy", it didnt state any legal terminology about "fraudulently" withholding that information. Regardless, the original application we DID list a previous claim!! And now both Geico and Assurant are not wanting to forward me that information.
It is important to note: if you go to Assurant's website to fill out a quote for insurance, you go through the process and if you enter a previous claim, it will not allow you to proceed further.
Many people will say, "the application is for a quote subject to change/cancelation etc and is not a guarantee of service", however, the minute we received our policy, payment receipt and payment plan and months pass and nothing sent to us to the contrary. This is clearly a bad faith denial.