- Report: #554805
Complaint Review: Hartford Casualty Insurance Company - Hartford Connecticut
Reported By:
Max T -
Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Hartford Casualty Insurance Company
Hartford Plaza Hartford, 06115 Connecticut, United States of America
Phone:
800 423-6789
Web:
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Hartford Casualty Insurance Company Can't cancel auto policy without paying "fee" Hartford, Connecticut
I was referred to Hartford by AARP. In fact, I joined AARP because that way I could get a "deal" on my auto policy. The AARP membership was purchased, then Hartford was called to provide auto coverage. I kept the coverage for a year and renewed it but a month later I found the same insurance for $650 less per year.
I called Hartford to cancel the policy and get a refund. All seemed fine until I got the "refund" check which was about $237 short! I had just paid Hartford an up-front charge of $563 on 12-02-2009 so when I cancelled on 01-04-2010 it had only been 35 days. I assumed I would get a refund of $380 but the check was for only $143!
I called Hartford on 01-13-2010 to ask why the refund was short and was told that there was a "cancellation fee" of 10% of the remaining "contract." I asked why I was not told that there was such a fee (I may have decided to keep Hartford if I had known that) and I was told that the person who took my cancellation order should have told me of the cancellation fee. I insisted that I was not told and therefore there was no contract and no cause to withold funds.
I was told that Hartford records all calls and If I would sign a release allowing them to retrieve the recorded call that we could clear it up. I said Ok, send it. The agent kept saying that it had been emailed but I did not receive it so I asked that it be faxed instead. The agent put me on hold for several minuted then returned and told me that the cancellation fee was outlined in the original poilicy somewhere near the back or the policy book they had sent. Apparently, the "recording" was a ruse.
When the agent read the sentence to me, it was very vague and said something like "If you fail to keep the policy for the full term, Hartford may charge a fee according to it's policies." Nowhere was I ever told of its "policies" (whatever that means) and I was not informed of the outrageous fee when I cancelled.
I was also told that AARP is aware of the Hartford's cancellation fee and that the state of New Mexico "allows" them to do this!
Be aware! This may be a state-wide practice (I have NEVER heard of it before) by insurance companies to rip off the public by stating a vague policy somewhere near the back of the legalese, then scam your money!
Do Not Use Hartford Casualty Insurance Company!!!
Do not believe that AARP is looking out for seniors!!!
I called Hartford to cancel the policy and get a refund. All seemed fine until I got the "refund" check which was about $237 short! I had just paid Hartford an up-front charge of $563 on 12-02-2009 so when I cancelled on 01-04-2010 it had only been 35 days. I assumed I would get a refund of $380 but the check was for only $143!
I called Hartford on 01-13-2010 to ask why the refund was short and was told that there was a "cancellation fee" of 10% of the remaining "contract." I asked why I was not told that there was such a fee (I may have decided to keep Hartford if I had known that) and I was told that the person who took my cancellation order should have told me of the cancellation fee. I insisted that I was not told and therefore there was no contract and no cause to withold funds.
I was told that Hartford records all calls and If I would sign a release allowing them to retrieve the recorded call that we could clear it up. I said Ok, send it. The agent kept saying that it had been emailed but I did not receive it so I asked that it be faxed instead. The agent put me on hold for several minuted then returned and told me that the cancellation fee was outlined in the original poilicy somewhere near the back or the policy book they had sent. Apparently, the "recording" was a ruse.
When the agent read the sentence to me, it was very vague and said something like "If you fail to keep the policy for the full term, Hartford may charge a fee according to it's policies." Nowhere was I ever told of its "policies" (whatever that means) and I was not informed of the outrageous fee when I cancelled.
I was also told that AARP is aware of the Hartford's cancellation fee and that the state of New Mexico "allows" them to do this!
Be aware! This may be a state-wide practice (I have NEVER heard of it before) by insurance companies to rip off the public by stating a vague policy somewhere near the back of the legalese, then scam your money!
Do Not Use Hartford Casualty Insurance Company!!!
Do not believe that AARP is looking out for seniors!!!
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Max T
Santa Fe,New Mexico,
United States of America
Hartford called me!
#2Author of original report
Tue, February 02, 2010
Hartford called and said they had reviewed their recording and had determined that I was NOT informed of a cancellation fee, and that they would refund the total I asked for!
The Hartford Personal Auto Insurance Policy booklet for New Mexico has the full agreement regarding coverage and terms. Under "Other Termination Provisions" on PG 22 OF 23, (the ONLY place it talks about cancellation), I located the text:
"IF THIS POLICY IS CANCELLED, YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO A PREMIUM REFUND. THE PREMIUM REFUND, IF ANY, WILL BE COMPUTED ACCORDING TO OUR MANUALS."
If there is a fee for early cancellation in their manuals, unless I am privy to their "manuals" BEFORE I SIGN UP, then there is no contract. There may be a cancellation fee described in their manuals, but since I have no way of seeing their manuals...
I doubt very seriously that the conversation was recorded! Even if there is an early cancellation fee, it must be stated in the contract. Imagine firing your gardener and him asking you to pay for the rest of the year! If it is not written into the contract from the beginning, there is no cancellation fee.
The hubris! The gall! The chutzpah!
