I have had my auto insurance with this company for almost a year and other than sometimes being slow about posting payments made via snail mail, no problems.
On October 1, I found an unauthorized transaction on my online banking statement and informed my bank, who blocked the card and issued me a new one. I let Permanent General know the situation, gave them the new card number, not a problem.
I received a notice last Wednesday dated 10/9, that my insurance was cancelled due to a "stop payment on premium payment." I called them to see which debit card number they had used, and sure enough, they had used the blocked one. They had told me that upon payment of that premium payment, plus a $20 service charge (which should have been waived because of their mistake) that my coverage would be reinstated with a lapse. They asked for an authorization to directly debit my checking account, which I gave them. Additionally, since the last payment was due within 10 days, I went ahead and authorized that payment for a total amount of $302.29 to pay off.
Received a call Saturday morning from the company who financed my auto, stating that they had received notice of a lapse. I explained the situation, they called them, and lo and behold, my coverage HAD NOT BEEN REINSTATED. This put me in a situation whereas I had to immediately purchase other insurance or risk having my vehicle either repossessed or the finance company putting super-high cost insurance on the vehicle, which would not include liability. Called PGAC and was told by a CSR, "we never said your coverage would be reinstated." Uh, I'm going to give you $302.29 of my money for no coverage?
They presented the $302.29 electronically to my bank this morning. I had put a stop payment on this, but the bank can only stop payment on a draft, not electronic debit. They informed me that I can dispute this.
Just goes to show what a snowball effect can happen because CSR didn't bother to listen.
Sherri
Richmond, California
U.S.A.
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