1 /5 Jake Kenz: I called United Insurance Partners (UIP) to discuss a letter sent to me by Mercury Insurance Group (MIG) that stated that I owed $70.55 for “insurance provided” up to the cancellation date of my policy. I found this interesting since my agent and I cancelled my insurance strategically on the last day of my policy-month to avoid any prorated amounts or lapse in coverage. This letter must have been sent in error.
Months later I get a letter from an attorney that states my account is in collections and to send them the money. I called into UIP to discuss this matter; they stated that the amount was due as a “cancellation fee” from MIG. I told them that this was not discussed with me prior to cancelling my policy with them and the letter states “insurance provided” not a “cancellation fee.” They attempted to play the blame game with me and denied any wrong doing.
From there I called MIG’s billing department to discuss the situation. The person I spoke with didn’t want to hear it and kept repeating my name after every other sentence. I found this extremely rude and condescending. I was transferred to the customer service department at MIG. I explained to the person on the phone that my agent at UIP told me that my “insurance provided” was paid accordingly at the time of cancellation. The person on the phone tried to make the case that “insurance provided” and a “cancellation fee” is one in the same. She also stated that in the 20 plus page renewal packet they sent me 8 months ago it clearly states somewhere in the packet that there is a cancellation fee. So it’s my fault.
I don’t know about you, but if someone sends me a bill that asks you to pay for something you already paid for (“insurance provided”) I don’t pay it again. If someone sends me a bill for something I have not paid (“cancelation fee”) then I pay it. Now, due to MIG’s inability to clearly state what my charges are for and their UIP’s inability to fully disclose all charges at the time of cancellation; my credit has been dinged.
