In May of I contacted Progressive Direct via telephone to check quotes for auto insurance. I was happy to discover the reasonable rates they offered. After giving the agent all of my information, she asked me to list the people who were living with me at the time.
According to the agent, it was mandated by Illinois law. My younger brother, who was 16 at the time, was living with me temporarily to finish his school year out before he moved with my parents. I advised the agent of this and she told me he would not be insured. I told her I have no intention of insuring him, as he had no reason to drive my car. He had his own car with his own insurance and he would be moving with my parents an hour away.
At first, everything was fine. Progressive automatically deducted the 80.00 a month premium out of my checking account each month. About three months later, I received a letter from Progressive that I was going to be canceled if I did not pay 985.00 by the date my premium was due. I called them immediately, as I thought this must be some mistake. Another agent informs me that I have been charged for three months to insure my brother.
I advised the woman that I specifically stated I did not want my brother insured. She then informed me progressive automatically placed him on my policy because I did not return the Exclusionary form. I went through all of my policy information and there was no Exclusionary form.
Here begins the process that took me several months to clear up. A few days later I contacted a supervisor regarding this matter. I informed her my brother has his own policy. She stated I should fax them a copy of his policy showing he has insurance and this matter would be taken care of. Well, not so much.
About a week later, I call back. She said this insurance policy is not enough to drop the charges for insuring my brother for two reasons. 1) It was a liability policy and my policy was for full coverage. 2) The policy would not cover him driver any other car but his.
I threatened to go to the insurance commission among other things, but they were determined not to right this wrong. They stood behind the fact that I didn't return the exclusionary form. I was never denying I didn't return it. I NEVER received it. The woman I initially took my policy out with never informed me of this form.
The "outstanding" balance was listed with 1 of the 3 major credit bureaus. At this point, I had had enough. Now they were trying to ruin my credit!
I wrote to the credit bureau disputing the charge, and it was finally removed and has stayed that way for two years and counting. Progressive has not received my business since.
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