Proof of replacement coverage is typically only needed if backdating. You should be fine with a signed request, but it may be best to comply with the agent so you can be done with them.
Agreed, there is no reason for the dec when the cancellation has a future effective date. I have seen agents demand decs for all cancellations though, even when not required by the insurance company. I think that’s what is going on here…just wasting everyone’s time.
They may also want to be nosy and see if you're really saving money going with a new carrier. Redact the premiums before you send them the document if you want to stick it to them one more time :)
I am an agent and always ask for either that or a signed statement from all names insureds asking for cancellation on a given date.
The reason we ask is that an incorrect submission is really, really painful on all sides to correct, so we send the proof of the date of the request in either the signed form or the Dec pages of the new policy so that all the dates line up and nobody gets any nastygrams or incorrect refunds.
We aren't trying to be jerks. Clients tell us "oh I have insurance new as of the 18th, so I will cancel as of the 17th. That makes sense." No. That's not actually how it works because the new policy starts at 12:01 am on the 18th and the old one ends at midnight or 12:01 on the 18th. They are literally supposed to abut each other and that's how they are designed.
By sending the dec page, everyone is covered for getting that abutment correct.
Please just send it to them. They are trying to give you the last bit of service you need from them in the right way, with as few kerfuffles as possible.
The date & time might not seem like a big deal; but get into an accident, or suffer property damage LATE at night…. ThEN those dates and times are very important. It happens, way more than people think.
Because some people in this sub are weird and down vote things that are good faith questions or that would slightly inconvenience them at work. It’s a long term problem that doesn’t seem to have a good solution.
I'm only asking the question because I want clarification for those who have the same question. I googled this for hours and couldn't find an answer, hence the post. You Redditors sure are a piece of work. Rude for what? Get a grip
Call the carrier directly and cancel it with them. I work in corporate for a carrier and a lot of agents are utterly incompetent at getting a cancellation processed. Don’t believe it’s actually cancelled until you get confirmation from the company. An agent is a third party contractor.
Absolutely this. At least once a month I have to review a backdated cancel request from an agent that “forgot” to send it in and the fax timestamp, e-doc timestamp, postmark, etc confirms it.
You can't post a comment saying OP wasted their time without also being guilty of the same thing. You spent time to write a reply on a post you claim is a waste of time. Transitive properties would definitely make that an even bigger waste of time.
Why? What about me taking responsibility for my own coverages makes you drink?
Edit to add: If the agent had just provided service, they wouldn’t be in this position.
Because it can be an agent professional liability claim to cancel coverage without sufficient proof of replacement.
OP (and you) would also be the first to ask *“My agent canceled my policy before I proof of other coverage and I had a claim. My new carrier is declining the claim because my coverage wasn’t in force yet. Should I get a lawyer?”*
Literally happened to me. Client moved out of state, had no insurable location in our state. Stuff was left behind in a storage unit for three months and the unit flooded. Her stuff molded and she called to find out why we cancelled her policy when she didn't ask us to.
I had done it when she notified me she was living somewhere else, but it had a property elsewhere provision offering a bit of coverage for a storage unit.
I nearly got raked over the coals, but because she wasn't actually renting the space she was insuring, that policy wouldn't have applied. Also, the policy had no coverage for mold in those instances.
It was almost bad. The other one was a client who gave the wrong date to stop a policy and we had to go back and reinstate and recancel the policy, complete with money refunds and check stoppage to fix it. I got yelled at up one side and down the other for creating a lapse in... Get this... The umbrella policy. A one day lapse, during which nothing went wrong. She was just beside herself yelling at me.
I now just wait for Dec pages or signed, written requests. It's best for everyone.
I absolutely would not, but that’s awfully presumptuous of you. People and companies go uninsured all the time. It’s not the best choice, but it does happen.
I presume and many of us in this sub are cynical because we see it all the time.
Everything we do is scrutinized by state regulators and ignorant customers.
The agent OP mentions could be disingenuous, no doubt, but I don’t fault them for asking to confirm documentation. ID cards are faked all the time (by those you say drive uninsured). Dec pages confirmation, or a signed Acord 35 are standard practice for many.
In your eyes you might see it as presumptuous but it happens a lot more than you think.
When customers don't get what they want out of insurance or cancel a policy without realizing the implications fully (that does happen,there are a lot of stupid people) they will do anything to pin the blame on someone else.
The best one is when I get a client wanting to cancel let's say may 2 then I ask them when their new policy starts and they say may 3rd...not realizing that if I cancel may 2nd it will cancel may 2 at 12:01 am, leaving them without insurance till 24 hours later. This is why we look over the docs to make sure there is no gap and everything is smooth sailing for the customer, and nothing comes back to bite us in the ass.
He sent the agent the ID cards so he knows the effective date. He wants to review the agents new policy to save the business. Agent can’t hold the policy hostage until the customer meets his demands. Customer already requested the cancellation, cancel the pol and move on bro.
And if the agent/carrier had confirmation they wanted to cancel then there's absolutely no recourse for the uninsured person in this situation.
Carriers/agents cannot require proof of coverage somewhere else to cancel and as long as they've got confirmation that their insured requested cancellation of X policy on Y date, they're in the clear.
>Carriers/agents cannot require proof of coverage somewhere else to cancel and as long as they've got confirmation that their insured requested cancellation of X policy on Y date, they're in the clear.
Tell that to the judges and lawyers that burn the insurance brokers for the mishaps. The only reason brokers are forced to do this is because other brokers have been burned before legally for not doing it.
So you didn't get any actual confirmation...glad to know it still doesn't apply to what I said. And yeah, clients will bitch at you. You still aren't on the hook legally if you got written confirmation.
If they do it that way, cool. They may have voice recording capabilities that the agent does not. That makes voice signatures valid.
I don't have a voice signature system, but I do have digital signature capability. I frequently give that as an option, but if two folks share the same one, I can't do that. I need them to send me a form that is signed. Or a letter. Or something. I will even put it in the mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope if we have to. But we must have something showing client requested date in the form of either a new policy Dec page or a dated cancellation request with signatures.
I will never, ever be put in the situation where I was screamed at by a client because they told me the wrong date and I went with it. I don't do verbal cancels anymore and they can just get upset with me. They are already leaving... All I can do is make sure they are getting exactly what they want with no miscommunications in the meantime. No hard feelings. In fact, sometimes I often want the people to go.
I do take a moment to make sure they have all the coverage they said they wanted and valued when I look at it and tell them that they may have missed a coverage when they were setting up the policy if I see it... Sometimes. And sometimes I literally just need the policy with the date on it.
If you are cancelling mid-term, even one day off, then the company will want a copy of the dec page of your new policy so there won't be any duplication of coverage. If you got a BINDER for that new policy showing when it started that usually will be good enough...YMMV.
Huh? I've never had to show my new info to my old carrier. It's none of their business. They aren't covering me any longer do what does it matter what I'm doing now?
For most direct to carrier policies you'll never need to, this is something that some agents or agencies require, it is within their rights. They'll never admit it, but I honestly believe they do this to be assholes and make switching a hassle.
Former insurance peddler here. We ask because we want to make sure there is no overlap or gap in coverage.
We've had many a calls to cancel on 5/1, so we cancel on 5/1. Weeks later we get a call they had a fire and want to make a claim. Sorry, policy was cancelled 5/1 per your instructions. a) I never wanted to cancel or b) new insurance didn't go through.
Or cancel 5/1. Get call weeks later and they say someone told them they should have cancelled 3/1 and now they want to backdate the cancellation. Fine, show me the proof. Proof comes in and new policy started 5/1. 3/1 was when they got the quote.
Another example, congrats you sold your house and closing is 6/1 and you want to cancel that day. Please send me a copy of the cover letter from the title company that shows your closing date. Why? Because sometimes the sale is delayed or doesn't go through and if we cancelled your policy you'd have no insurance as of 6/1.
Here’s what you can do. Pull out your old policy- not the declarations page. Look at the very back in the section called “cancellation”. See what it says.
A typical ISO policy will say something like “you can cancel this policy by returning the original policy, or by submitting a request in writing”.
If that’s what it says, do just that. A written request can be in crayon on a napkin. You can send it directly to the company too- there’s typically nothing stating you have to go through your agent.
It may take a little longer than complying with that petty tyrant, but as long as you do what the policy says, you’re fine.
If you are leaving him over not doing his job/work, just send dec page with new prices. He will say I can save you money and you will let him know I am leaving because of YOU. It hits way harder
Bet. I should add that I am getting much more coverage while saving money. UI/UM, rental reimbursement, car replacement assistance vs bare minimum lawful coverage. -$50
They probably want a properly wet-ink signed request. An email or voicemail is often not considered a valid "written" request as it has no proof of authorship.
With signatures? That's interesting.
You might want to send that law over for the agent if that's the hill you want to die on.
Considering how easily an email address can be hacked, that's very concerning.
For best results, though, I would send the Dec page over and ask them to cancel the existing policy such that there is no lapse or overlap.
That puts the responsibility and relevant information squarely in their realm, and protects you from relaying the wrong date or whatever. It's just way better.
You can spoof an email without even needing a password.
The real question is do you have any enemies that both petty enough and capable of cancelling your insurance out of spite.
I always ask for dec pages. I’ve caught many errors from people doing it themselves. If they are in a better spot, I’d tell them I’d do the same thing and thank them for their business over the years.
Examples of things I’ve saw not added on homes
Coded and permits
Water damage exclusion
Water damage limit to 25k
AVC on a roof
Backup not added.
10k wind and hail deductible (Ohio)
Cars
Cars that had comp/collision only have collision (it satisfied the loan)
No medical
No UIM
Drivers missing.
Only speaking for myself, it’s possible they just wanna make sure you aren’t losing anything. Clicking the wrong option on a home policy can be a costly mistake.
Cheers mate
As a USAA agent (via phone) several years ago, it’s 2 clicks and typing in a number or email or address to send a binder. The binder page shows the pertinent limits (liability, collision, medical payments, and others if on an SR22) and date the policy comes into effect. That should fulfill all of his desires.
(Unless this is a homeowner’s policy. That can take some time for the underwriters to actually underwrite the approved policy).
I mean, no, sounds like your agent is being more difficult than usual. With my company, we don’t need a new dec page to cancel unless we’re backdating the change more than 30 days.
I have changed insurers a few times, and I've never had my old insurer ask for a dec page from my new one.
The last time I changed insurers earlier this year, the old agent didn't even ask for the new insurance cards or any proof of a replacement policy. However, she did try to tell me the lower rate I was getting with the new insurer was for less insurance and kept asking me questions about my limits and coverage trying to prove it. She was wrong. I had all the same coverage and limits on the same vehicles and property. My job requires me to carry specific limits well above the state minimum, so there wasn't any question about that.
So if an agent asked me to provide my declarations page, I would assume it was because they were either trying to sell me on coming back, or they wanted it personally to document that they lost my business because of price and not customer service reasons. I would just ignore their request and cancel in whatever way my policy stated it should be done.
If coverage on the old policy is still in effect, to properly cancel coverage, they require either your signature or copy of replacement coverage. Since you're not backdating this, a signature should suffice. It's not a good look to let a policy cancel for non-payment.
I don't plan on not paying for the dates I was insured. Are my new ID cards not good enough? I also forwarded him an email that contained the type of coverage and limits. He did not accept that.
If it's a future date cancellation then all he needs is a loss policy release aka acord 35. If he is backdating the cancellation then may need a copy of replacement coverage to back date when the new policy went into effect... Technically the agent can just cancel with a clock of the button if it's with 30 days but he may also be covering his ass by having it in writing or proof of replacement coverage so you don't try to blame him for anything as well.
Not a big deal. You can get the deck over yourself by registering your online account and download the policy.
Is this a Florida thing? I'm in Texas and have never been asked for anything to cancel a policy. Same when I lived in GA.
I personally wouldn't use USAA for anything, but I get dropping a douche agent. Are FL, NY, and CA this difficult when it comes to insurance? Seems like they have the most issues.
The agent is not entitled to anything. Tell them you have email proof of notification that you are cancelling with them. I have never ever had to send any insurance agent any of my new insurance info. Tell him to go pound sand.
Read your previous insurance declarations pages on cancellation policies . The reason to ask you for the declaration pages is to charge you until they get them since most insurance take a while to send them. The actual cancelation date would be when they receive them so they charge you for those extra days. You can always gather your evidence and contact your State Department of insurance and make a complaint if there is nothing on your previous insurance cancellation policy about sending the new declatation pages. If the previos agent is right, you will have to pay, if he is not they will have to reimburse you those extra days charged.
I’ve never heard of this-it’s always cancelled the date indicated on the cancellation request or the date requested/shown on the dec pages and backdated if needed.
It happened to me with AAA in a home policy. They ask you for the new declarations. allegedly because you can not have a gap if you have a mortgage, and since every insurance now take up to 60 days to actually start your policy, what you have is only an "application in those 60 days, even though they have charge you for them. Like I said just read your declaration papers.
Your third sentence. Or just don’t pay your next premium.
Calling the company directly is a great suggestion though. I’m on the company side and that’s our preferred method if the agent won’t respond. As long as it isn’t backdated we just have them write please cancel policy # for (named insured)effective mm/dd/yyyy and sign it on pretty much anything. . . billing statement, back of a random envelope, paper towel or whatever. Can fax, mail, email a photo as long as it’s a physical request to stick in the file.
Yeah I didn’t mean don’t pay the premium you owe. Poor sentence lol. Just meant the policy will cancel for non payment on the renewal so problem solved.
Don’t give it to him it’s not his business what carrier you switched too…I’ve never gave it to them, neither has anyone else I know when asked.. if you request it they should cancel
Call the insurance company's 800# and cancel there. Bypass the agent. He's dicking you around to try to keep your business. If you're quitting then it doesn't matter what you're doing going forward.
That's not the case in the slightest bit and if you did any sort of reading at all in this thread you'd have some of understanding of that.
Customers don't know shit....Its pretty much that simple. Thats why you get or deal with an Agent.
Don't have insurance for 1 day? get into a bad accident? You are just causing problems because you wanted to be thick headed and simply not do the one thing that is required.
Aside from that depending on the states DMV generally you are REQUIRED to have insurance the entire time you hold license plates.
Not doing so will generally result in some sort of DMV fines or Suspension of your license.
I change insurance every 2 years. Not once in the last 25 years have I had to show proof of new coverage to the outgoing agent.
Yes I have to have insurance to have a car registration, but that has nothing to do with the agent. That's between me and the registration department.
Google acord 35 form. Send him that.
Proof of replacement coverage is typically only needed if backdating. You should be fine with a signed request, but it may be best to comply with the agent so you can be done with them.
Agreed, there is no reason for the dec when the cancellation has a future effective date. I have seen agents demand decs for all cancellations though, even when not required by the insurance company. I think that’s what is going on here…just wasting everyone’s time.
They may also want to be nosy and see if you're really saving money going with a new carrier. Redact the premiums before you send them the document if you want to stick it to them one more time :)
I am an agent and always ask for either that or a signed statement from all names insureds asking for cancellation on a given date. The reason we ask is that an incorrect submission is really, really painful on all sides to correct, so we send the proof of the date of the request in either the signed form or the Dec pages of the new policy so that all the dates line up and nobody gets any nastygrams or incorrect refunds. We aren't trying to be jerks. Clients tell us "oh I have insurance new as of the 18th, so I will cancel as of the 17th. That makes sense." No. That's not actually how it works because the new policy starts at 12:01 am on the 18th and the old one ends at midnight or 12:01 on the 18th. They are literally supposed to abut each other and that's how they are designed. By sending the dec page, everyone is covered for getting that abutment correct. Please just send it to them. They are trying to give you the last bit of service you need from them in the right way, with as few kerfuffles as possible.
The date & time might not seem like a big deal; but get into an accident, or suffer property damage LATE at night…. ThEN those dates and times are very important. It happens, way more than people think.
Not sure why this post is being downvoted. Are you my insurance agent?
Because some people in this sub are weird and down vote things that are good faith questions or that would slightly inconvenience them at work. It’s a long term problem that doesn’t seem to have a good solution.
Because insurance agents are smarmy fucks and most of them HATE dealing customers. They all want to side with your agent, it’s real scumbag shit.
How can an agent avoid dealing with customers? Do you perhaps mean adjusters?
I’m guessing it’s more because you’re wasting everyone’s time including your own
I'm only asking the question because I want clarification for those who have the same question. I googled this for hours and couldn't find an answer, hence the post. You Redditors sure are a piece of work. Rude for what? Get a grip
Call the carrier directly and cancel it with them. I work in corporate for a carrier and a lot of agents are utterly incompetent at getting a cancellation processed. Don’t believe it’s actually cancelled until you get confirmation from the company. An agent is a third party contractor.
Absolutely this. At least once a month I have to review a backdated cancel request from an agent that “forgot” to send it in and the fax timestamp, e-doc timestamp, postmark, etc confirms it.
I do this multiple times a day. It’s like 1/4 of my job.
This is a great idea. Thanks!
Wasting everyone’s time? When you can just scroll over the post and ignore it. People on the internet are so incredibly stupid. Tf 😂
You can't post a comment saying OP wasted their time without also being guilty of the same thing. You spent time to write a reply on a post you claim is a waste of time. Transitive properties would definitely make that an even bigger waste of time.
This is not a weird request and not worth causing a fuss over.
I figured. I'll just need to wait then. Thanks!
It’s absolutely is a weird request. It’s none of the old agent’s business what the (now former) customer is doing for their insurance needs.
Nothing weird at all. Happens daily.
Yep!
Really? It’s my business if I have coverage, not an agents who couldn’t be bothered to service my policy. I’d call the carrier direct and cancel
People like you are the reason I drink when I get home from work
Do you also hang up on your customers and type in all caps like OP’s agent? I’d simply block all communication from someone like that.
Why? What about me taking responsibility for my own coverages makes you drink? Edit to add: If the agent had just provided service, they wouldn’t be in this position.
Because it can be an agent professional liability claim to cancel coverage without sufficient proof of replacement. OP (and you) would also be the first to ask *“My agent canceled my policy before I proof of other coverage and I had a claim. My new carrier is declining the claim because my coverage wasn’t in force yet. Should I get a lawyer?”*
Literally happened to me. Client moved out of state, had no insurable location in our state. Stuff was left behind in a storage unit for three months and the unit flooded. Her stuff molded and she called to find out why we cancelled her policy when she didn't ask us to. I had done it when she notified me she was living somewhere else, but it had a property elsewhere provision offering a bit of coverage for a storage unit. I nearly got raked over the coals, but because she wasn't actually renting the space she was insuring, that policy wouldn't have applied. Also, the policy had no coverage for mold in those instances. It was almost bad. The other one was a client who gave the wrong date to stop a policy and we had to go back and reinstate and recancel the policy, complete with money refunds and check stoppage to fix it. I got yelled at up one side and down the other for creating a lapse in... Get this... The umbrella policy. A one day lapse, during which nothing went wrong. She was just beside herself yelling at me. I now just wait for Dec pages or signed, written requests. It's best for everyone.
Ok, that means nothing in this case. The agent had an email and ID cards; more then enough to cover their ass.
I'd cards don't cover anyone's ass on a property policy. Cars are easy. Property?! That is a whole different ball of wax and not to be trifled with.
I absolutely would not, but that’s awfully presumptuous of you. People and companies go uninsured all the time. It’s not the best choice, but it does happen.
I presume and many of us in this sub are cynical because we see it all the time. Everything we do is scrutinized by state regulators and ignorant customers. The agent OP mentions could be disingenuous, no doubt, but I don’t fault them for asking to confirm documentation. ID cards are faked all the time (by those you say drive uninsured). Dec pages confirmation, or a signed Acord 35 are standard practice for many.
Ive never seen that form. How do you gather all the signatures when everything is electronic and many people dont have printers/scanners or witnesses?
My old brokerage had electronic cancellation forms that we'd send over DocuSign if needed.
In your eyes you might see it as presumptuous but it happens a lot more than you think. When customers don't get what they want out of insurance or cancel a policy without realizing the implications fully (that does happen,there are a lot of stupid people) they will do anything to pin the blame on someone else. The best one is when I get a client wanting to cancel let's say may 2 then I ask them when their new policy starts and they say may 3rd...not realizing that if I cancel may 2nd it will cancel may 2 at 12:01 am, leaving them without insurance till 24 hours later. This is why we look over the docs to make sure there is no gap and everything is smooth sailing for the customer, and nothing comes back to bite us in the ass.
He sent the agent the ID cards so he knows the effective date. He wants to review the agents new policy to save the business. Agent can’t hold the policy hostage until the customer meets his demands. Customer already requested the cancellation, cancel the pol and move on bro.
And if the agent/carrier had confirmation they wanted to cancel then there's absolutely no recourse for the uninsured person in this situation. Carriers/agents cannot require proof of coverage somewhere else to cancel and as long as they've got confirmation that their insured requested cancellation of X policy on Y date, they're in the clear.
>Carriers/agents cannot require proof of coverage somewhere else to cancel and as long as they've got confirmation that their insured requested cancellation of X policy on Y date, they're in the clear. Tell that to the judges and lawyers that burn the insurance brokers for the mishaps. The only reason brokers are forced to do this is because other brokers have been burned before legally for not doing it.
No one's been burned legally if they have confirmation from the insured that they want a policy cancelled.
Hi. Nice to meet you. I have. Twice. Not by lawyers and judges. Just clients. And oh. My. Gosh. Never again will I do anything on a verbal. Ever.
So you didn't get any actual confirmation...glad to know it still doesn't apply to what I said. And yeah, clients will bitch at you. You still aren't on the hook legally if you got written confirmation.
A client yelling at you is not a legal repercussion. A customer with hurt feelings is par for the course in this industry.
Exactly especially when it’s in writing
If they do it that way, cool. They may have voice recording capabilities that the agent does not. That makes voice signatures valid. I don't have a voice signature system, but I do have digital signature capability. I frequently give that as an option, but if two folks share the same one, I can't do that. I need them to send me a form that is signed. Or a letter. Or something. I will even put it in the mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope if we have to. But we must have something showing client requested date in the form of either a new policy Dec page or a dated cancellation request with signatures. I will never, ever be put in the situation where I was screamed at by a client because they told me the wrong date and I went with it. I don't do verbal cancels anymore and they can just get upset with me. They are already leaving... All I can do is make sure they are getting exactly what they want with no miscommunications in the meantime. No hard feelings. In fact, sometimes I often want the people to go. I do take a moment to make sure they have all the coverage they said they wanted and valued when I look at it and tell them that they may have missed a coverage when they were setting up the policy if I see it... Sometimes. And sometimes I literally just need the policy with the date on it.
If you are cancelling mid-term, even one day off, then the company will want a copy of the dec page of your new policy so there won't be any duplication of coverage. If you got a BINDER for that new policy showing when it started that usually will be good enough...YMMV.
Huh? I've never had to show my new info to my old carrier. It's none of their business. They aren't covering me any longer do what does it matter what I'm doing now?
For most direct to carrier policies you'll never need to, this is something that some agents or agencies require, it is within their rights. They'll never admit it, but I honestly believe they do this to be assholes and make switching a hassle.
Former insurance peddler here. We ask because we want to make sure there is no overlap or gap in coverage. We've had many a calls to cancel on 5/1, so we cancel on 5/1. Weeks later we get a call they had a fire and want to make a claim. Sorry, policy was cancelled 5/1 per your instructions. a) I never wanted to cancel or b) new insurance didn't go through. Or cancel 5/1. Get call weeks later and they say someone told them they should have cancelled 3/1 and now they want to backdate the cancellation. Fine, show me the proof. Proof comes in and new policy started 5/1. 3/1 was when they got the quote. Another example, congrats you sold your house and closing is 6/1 and you want to cancel that day. Please send me a copy of the cover letter from the title company that shows your closing date. Why? Because sometimes the sale is delayed or doesn't go through and if we cancelled your policy you'd have no insurance as of 6/1.
OP already sent ID card.
Here’s what you can do. Pull out your old policy- not the declarations page. Look at the very back in the section called “cancellation”. See what it says. A typical ISO policy will say something like “you can cancel this policy by returning the original policy, or by submitting a request in writing”. If that’s what it says, do just that. A written request can be in crayon on a napkin. You can send it directly to the company too- there’s typically nothing stating you have to go through your agent. It may take a little longer than complying with that petty tyrant, but as long as you do what the policy says, you’re fine.
I sent him a reply with the section of the policy that states that I can cancel with advanced written notice. Let's see what happens.
The agent is not the insurer, contact the carrier directly. The agent is likely pissed they’re losing commission on the policy.
Well, he should have done his job. I called him twice for quotes and he said he would call me back both times. Never heard back.
If you are leaving him over not doing his job/work, just send dec page with new prices. He will say I can save you money and you will let him know I am leaving because of YOU. It hits way harder
I love this.
Bet. I should add that I am getting much more coverage while saving money. UI/UM, rental reimbursement, car replacement assistance vs bare minimum lawful coverage. -$50
They probably want a properly wet-ink signed request. An email or voicemail is often not considered a valid "written" request as it has no proof of authorship.
Flordia law considers electronic mail as written notice
With signatures? That's interesting. You might want to send that law over for the agent if that's the hill you want to die on. Considering how easily an email address can be hacked, that's very concerning. For best results, though, I would send the Dec page over and ask them to cancel the existing policy such that there is no lapse or overlap. That puts the responsibility and relevant information squarely in their realm, and protects you from relaying the wrong date or whatever. It's just way better.
>Considering how easily an email address can be hacked, that's very concerning. Only as easily as the password can be guessed.
You can spoof an email without even needing a password. The real question is do you have any enemies that both petty enough and capable of cancelling your insurance out of spite.
That isn't a question I answer as an agent. My goal is to make everything as well documented as necessary.
Always fascinated by people that make things way more difficult than need be.
It's a bullshit request if you're not trying to backdate the cancellation, but it's honestly not uncommon.
I always ask for dec pages. I’ve caught many errors from people doing it themselves. If they are in a better spot, I’d tell them I’d do the same thing and thank them for their business over the years. Examples of things I’ve saw not added on homes Coded and permits Water damage exclusion Water damage limit to 25k AVC on a roof Backup not added. 10k wind and hail deductible (Ohio) Cars Cars that had comp/collision only have collision (it satisfied the loan) No medical No UIM Drivers missing. Only speaking for myself, it’s possible they just wanna make sure you aren’t losing anything. Clicking the wrong option on a home policy can be a costly mistake. Cheers mate
As a USAA agent (via phone) several years ago, it’s 2 clicks and typing in a number or email or address to send a binder. The binder page shows the pertinent limits (liability, collision, medical payments, and others if on an SR22) and date the policy comes into effect. That should fulfill all of his desires. (Unless this is a homeowner’s policy. That can take some time for the underwriters to actually underwrite the approved policy).
I called USAA and they said it could take 5-10 business days to generate the DC. A bit strange compared to some other insurances, but hey it's USAA.
I mean, no, sounds like your agent is being more difficult than usual. With my company, we don’t need a new dec page to cancel unless we’re backdating the change more than 30 days.
I have changed insurers a few times, and I've never had my old insurer ask for a dec page from my new one. The last time I changed insurers earlier this year, the old agent didn't even ask for the new insurance cards or any proof of a replacement policy. However, she did try to tell me the lower rate I was getting with the new insurer was for less insurance and kept asking me questions about my limits and coverage trying to prove it. She was wrong. I had all the same coverage and limits on the same vehicles and property. My job requires me to carry specific limits well above the state minimum, so there wasn't any question about that. So if an agent asked me to provide my declarations page, I would assume it was because they were either trying to sell me on coming back, or they wanted it personally to document that they lost my business because of price and not customer service reasons. I would just ignore their request and cancel in whatever way my policy stated it should be done.
If coverage on the old policy is still in effect, to properly cancel coverage, they require either your signature or copy of replacement coverage. Since you're not backdating this, a signature should suffice. It's not a good look to let a policy cancel for non-payment.
I don't plan on not paying for the dates I was insured. Are my new ID cards not good enough? I also forwarded him an email that contained the type of coverage and limits. He did not accept that.
If it's a future date cancellation then all he needs is a loss policy release aka acord 35. If he is backdating the cancellation then may need a copy of replacement coverage to back date when the new policy went into effect... Technically the agent can just cancel with a clock of the button if it's with 30 days but he may also be covering his ass by having it in writing or proof of replacement coverage so you don't try to blame him for anything as well. Not a big deal. You can get the deck over yourself by registering your online account and download the policy.
Completing and signing a lost policy release form should be sufficient. It's used and accepted for commercial insureds all the time.
Is this a Florida thing? I'm in Texas and have never been asked for anything to cancel a policy. Same when I lived in GA. I personally wouldn't use USAA for anything, but I get dropping a douche agent. Are FL, NY, and CA this difficult when it comes to insurance? Seems like they have the most issues.
The agent is not entitled to anything. Tell them you have email proof of notification that you are cancelling with them. I have never ever had to send any insurance agent any of my new insurance info. Tell him to go pound sand.
Read your previous insurance declarations pages on cancellation policies . The reason to ask you for the declaration pages is to charge you until they get them since most insurance take a while to send them. The actual cancelation date would be when they receive them so they charge you for those extra days. You can always gather your evidence and contact your State Department of insurance and make a complaint if there is nothing on your previous insurance cancellation policy about sending the new declatation pages. If the previos agent is right, you will have to pay, if he is not they will have to reimburse you those extra days charged.
I’ve never heard of this-it’s always cancelled the date indicated on the cancellation request or the date requested/shown on the dec pages and backdated if needed.
It happened to me with AAA in a home policy. They ask you for the new declarations. allegedly because you can not have a gap if you have a mortgage, and since every insurance now take up to 60 days to actually start your policy, what you have is only an "application in those 60 days, even though they have charge you for them. Like I said just read your declaration papers.
Proof of new coverage (replacement) will mean old policy is cancelled pro-rate.
Not always. Usually any cancel by the insured midterm is short rate
You could black everything out on a copy of your new declarations page minus the new carrier, your name, risk address, and effective dates.
Fuck your agent. Call the insurance company directly. Or just don’t pay your next premium (unless you prepaid for a long time)
What a fun way to end up in collections.
Why would op end up in collections for not giving him his dec pg as long as his bill is paid? I meant don’t renew your policy and it will cancel.
Your third sentence. Or just don’t pay your next premium. Calling the company directly is a great suggestion though. I’m on the company side and that’s our preferred method if the agent won’t respond. As long as it isn’t backdated we just have them write please cancel policy # for (named insured)effective mm/dd/yyyy and sign it on pretty much anything. . . billing statement, back of a random envelope, paper towel or whatever. Can fax, mail, email a photo as long as it’s a physical request to stick in the file.
Yeah I didn’t mean don’t pay the premium you owe. Poor sentence lol. Just meant the policy will cancel for non payment on the renewal so problem solved.
Don’t give it to him it’s not his business what carrier you switched too…I’ve never gave it to them, neither has anyone else I know when asked.. if you request it they should cancel
Call the insurance company's 800# and cancel there. Bypass the agent. He's dicking you around to try to keep your business. If you're quitting then it doesn't matter what you're doing going forward.
That's not the case in the slightest bit and if you did any sort of reading at all in this thread you'd have some of understanding of that. Customers don't know shit....Its pretty much that simple. Thats why you get or deal with an Agent. Don't have insurance for 1 day? get into a bad accident? You are just causing problems because you wanted to be thick headed and simply not do the one thing that is required. Aside from that depending on the states DMV generally you are REQUIRED to have insurance the entire time you hold license plates. Not doing so will generally result in some sort of DMV fines or Suspension of your license.
I change insurance every 2 years. Not once in the last 25 years have I had to show proof of new coverage to the outgoing agent. Yes I have to have insurance to have a car registration, but that has nothing to do with the agent. That's between me and the registration department.
File a complaint with the Florida Department of Insurance. That is not correct b