Allstate renters insurance

[doze]

Last year I got renters insurance from allstate and allowed them to deduct payment from my bank account, but since I moved and my roommate has insurance I simply let the policy expire (or so I thought). I checked my bank balance tonight and it has a deduction from Allstate WTF.

The only contact I had with Allstate was a message several weeks ago asking me to update my address, that I did not reply to. I suppose they just decided to bill me for another year anyway, but isn't this fraud? Has this type of thing happened to anybody else?

 

[Safeway]

It might have been written into your original contract or TOS? Automatic renewal unless you specify "No."

 

[Miramonti]

Its no different from their auto policy. That's standard for insurance policies.

 

[DaWhim]

you need to write them a letter saying you want your policy terminate immediately. make sure you send it certified, so they can't say they didn't receive it. the best thing is don't let them take out the money from your checking, what were you thinking?

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: DaWhim
you need to write them a letter saying you want your policy terminate immediately. make sure you send it certified, so they can't say they didn't receive it. the best thing is don't let them take out the money from your checking, what were you thinking?

Yep. Very sound advice.

 

[mugs]

You don't know what fraud means...

 

[KLin]

Originally posted by: doze
Last year I got renters insurance from allstate and allowed them to deduct payment from my bank account, but since I moved and my roommate has insurance I simply let the policy expire (or so I thought). I checked my bank balance tonight and it has a deduction from Allstate WTF.

The only contact I had with Allstate was a message several weeks ago asking me to update my address, that I did not reply to. I suppose they just decided to bill me for another year anyway, but isn't this fraud? Has this type of thing happened to anybody else?

It's called auto-renewal and just about every insurance company out there offers it. It's not fraud.

 

[Miramonti]

All my bills from solid companies, from credit cards to utilities and insurance, are setup for auto-check withdrawal. I see no problem with that, and if I ever have one, I'm confident it will be able to be cleared up. Haven't missed a payment for many years with it and my fico has rocketed.

 

[Miramonti]

When you signed up for auto-checking withdrawal, the renewal terms were probably in the acceptance terms.

 

[Vic]

Auto-renewal is a convenience, not fraud. You should have received notice of the renewal, along with a Dec page for the new policy, about a month ago.

 

[Brainonska511]

Never use autopayments. You want to be the one holding the cash when there are problems. Now, make sure you send a certified letter and call them up informing them of the cancelation. Maybe if you're lucky, you can get your money back for the autorenewal.

 

[Skeeedunt]

There's nothing wrong with automatic payments... so long as you cancel services you no longer desire

 

[kami333]

Allstate also gives you a discount if you use their autopay

 

[doze]

Thanks for the info. guys, I guess I need to give them a call tomorrow. I had no idea that this is the standard with insurance, I have been with the same car insurance for years and always pay with a check by mail every month.

I did this all by phone/fax last minute (which is why I approved the electronic debit) because the apartment I was moving into last Spring required renters insurance. Guess I should have been more proactive when I moved, but they never sent paperwork since they do not even have my current address. I guess I was the ass in assuming that it would just expire automatically.

on a side note: For those who said I don't know what fraud means, billing without permission is a form of fraud. Sounds like I gave them permission just by signing for auto-billing last year.

 

[chuckywang]

Thanks for the free money!

<--works at Allstate

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: doze
Thanks for the info. guys, I guess I need to give them a call tomorrow. I had no idea that this is the standard with insurance, I have been with the same car insurance for years and always pay with a check by mail every month.

I did this all by phone/fax last minute (which is why I approved the electronic debit) because the apartment I was moving into last Spring required renters insurance. Guess I should have been more proactive when I moved, but they never sent paperwork since they do not even have my current address. I guess I was the ass in assuming that it would just expire automatically.

on a side note: For those who said I don't know what fraud means, billing without permission is a form of fraud. Sounds like I gave them permission just by signing for auto-billing last year.

allstate--1 doze--0

 

[DaWhim]

Originally posted by: jjsole
All my bills from solid companies, from credit cards to utilities and insurance, are setup for auto-check withdrawal. I see no problem with that, and if I ever have one, I'm confident it will be able to be cleared up. Haven't missed a payment for many years with it and my fico has rocketed.

setting it up with my checking is the last thing I want to do. it is pain in the ass to fix when somethings go wrong. I have no problem with credit card, you can easily dispute it. this is the difference I am talking about.