Found out I've been driving sans insurance the past month

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

and am I honked off. I knew the payment was due, so I went into the office (half way across Dallas County) and hand-delivered the check. This was mid-December (their office is a short drive from the VA hospital, and I went there after a clinic appointment).

I called this morning to make a credit card payment, and was told my account had been cancelled because I never paid in December. Sure enough, looking at my account (online), the check never cleared. Gone. Up in smoke. His-To-Ree.

So, I started shopping, and before the day was done I had me a shiny new policy with the same terms, but with a monthly premium that costs me 33% LESS. AND this company can do direct banking! The old one wasn't set up for it.

I told my new agent to get a divorce, because I was in love and wanted to marry her. She didn't say no... :evilgrin:

The best part is, their office is all of a three minute drive from me. Why the hell didn't I go to them before?????

*kicks self across room and back*

[Bronco69]

1. Did you call and cancel the check even though it hasn't cleared?

Insurance companies are crafty bastards and if you don't cancel the check they will keep part of it as a "service charge."

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

2. Good idea.

Hadn't thought of that- but since my old policy dies a quiet death officially tomorrow, I don't think it's ever gonna turn up.

[RebelOne]

3. I agree with Bronco69.

Call your bank and stop payment on the check.

[Left Is Write]

4. If you hand delivered that check and then had had a claim

on the policy afterward, you'd have had an excellent case. The insurance company would have wound up having to cover the loss.

Also, it doesn't sound like you received a cancellation notice. You cannot be cancelled without notification. If you wanted to go to the trouble, you could file a complaint with the State Insurance Board.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

5. I'm gonna let the policy die a quiet death

since they unwittingly did me a great favor. I've been thinking of policy-shopping for some time, and this just made it necessary. I got my new policy in less than two hours once I decided to switch. The old company will still carry my life insurance policy (I have no reason to change that, and I bear them no ill will), so all in all it worked out to be a good day. I got lucky (or am just good- I haven't had an accident in almost 20 years).

[unblock]

6. might want to ask them about any such fees first

it might not be worth the $20 or so to put a stop on the check.