Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Chairboy on June 28, 2005, 05:43:25 PM
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Hi guys,
I'm having a very frustrating insurance problem, and I'm wondering if any of you have any ideas on how to resolve it.
I contacted AOPA and filled out an online application for Renters Insurance for flying rented planes. I paid a year of premiums (around $540 or something) and went a flying.
They sent me a letter saying 'You need to fax or mail in the signed application', so I requested a copy of the letter. They emailed it to me, and I faxed it to them and my wife mailed it off that same night.
I just received a check from them for $272 without explanation. I called, and they said that my policy was canceled because they didn't receive the form, and that 50% of my policy was theirs to keep because no matter what happens, you pay for the first six months of coverage.
I asked what it would take to fix this, and they said that essentially I was out of luck, if I wanted to get insurance, I'd have to pay the full year again, essentially meaning that I received a couple weeks of coverage for $272, and they keep the rest.
This just isn't right.
My fax machine log (it's a shared fax) only goes back a couple days, so I can't prove I faxed it to them, and we didn't send the letter as certified (because nobody's ever done anything like this before).
I got ripped off for 6 months worth of coverage. I'm paying for it, but they ain't giving me the service I paid for.
Any ideas? I can't afford this, I scrimped and saved to come up with the initial money, and $272 is a LOT of money to me right now.
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Write a letter to the AOPA president and the staff members who do their corporate partnerships and branding.
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Contact your state's Insurance Commissioner.
Insurance companies hate dealing with them.
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Contact state insurance board if can't resolve with the company, hopefully they will come to their senses.
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Many states have what are known as "insurance bad faith" laws. They encompass a lot of practices, and essentially get teh insurance companies into a bunch of legal hot-water. Check it out, many time a lawyer will take a case like this on contingency (no money down). Also, check and see if Oregon has an unfair business practices act; it also could serve as a way to get the insruance comp. to comply.
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Definately write Phil Boyer and his staff about this situation. Then also call the state board of insurance. That is bull what they are pulling.
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Dahak sez "Status change".
Just talked to a manager at AOPA IA, and he was able to get it reinstated after all. This guy was super helpful, and I'm gonna write a fine letter to his boss.
I had actually contacted the Oregon insurance agency, and was getting ready to do the paperwork. Really glad these guys came through.
While working on this issue, I was saddened by all the aviation paraphenellia littering my desk (instrument rating books, airplane models, 'Say Again, Please', etc) so I stood in front of an outside window while chatting w/ him when, as if to taunt me, a GA plane flew overhead, apparently flying IFR (I Follow Roads) up I-5.
But I am free to fly again, yee-haw! All I need now is money. Oh wait, back to square one.
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Glad to hear it worked out for you.