Automobile insurance billing question..

[thatguy]

Quick question on auto insurance..

this morning I realized that my auto insurance policy wallet card showed an valid date of 7/1/11 thru 1/1/12.. BUT we had not received our renewal notice in the mail yet..

Sorta in a panic, I called our ins company and found out that the renewal notices just went out on 1/4/12.. I went ahead and paid over the phone while i had them.. We got the new policy in the mail today and payment is not due until 2/4/12 (for the policy period 1/1 thru 7/1)

Based on that my insurance card showed an expiration date of 1/1/12, and they generated a new policy on 1/4 and I did not get it until 1/7:

1) Did I have insurance during that time period of 1/1/12 and 1/7/12 (date I paid them)?

2) Is it normal for them to bill you after you are into the policy period?

3) If had gotten stopped by the a LEO and asked to show proof of insurance - would I have gotten a ticket for no valid proof?

4) Is a policy only in affect when it is paid or is it considered valid until cancelled?

Color me confused.. I assumed they would have send me the new policy in late Nov/early Dec with payment due by 12/31..

brian

 

[timswi]

My policy is paid ahead one month by State Farm policy...Kind of eliminates this kind of issue.

 

[Soundguy]

mines on auto steal from my checking..

 

[Bob77064]

Did they send you a cancelation notice? Most insurance companies do.

 

[thatguy]

My policy is paid ahead one month by State Farm policy...Kind of eliminates this kind of issue.

We are with State Farm... So you would have gotten your bill in Dec for a Jan - July policy period?

I do have to admit @430am 'tracy' was very polite and gladly answered my questions and took my CC informaiton..


For the record - I did not ask if she was wearing khakis.. lol

Brian

 

[thatguy]

Did they send you a cancelation notice? Most insurance companies do.

no cancellation notice, they just were late sending out the renewal/payment notice..

Brian

 

[thatguy]

mines on auto steal from my checking..

BUT if my with my old policy period expiring on 1/1/12 and they didnt generate the invoice until 1/4/12 I would still not have a card showing 'current' proof of insurance.

I am going to set ours up so it hits the credit card automatically - once i figure out what my online login name is for State Farm.. lol

Now i just call them and make a payment over the phone - which is just every 6 mths..


b

 

[tallyho8]

Different states have different laws. In Louisiana your policy is in effect, even if not paid, until your insurance co. sends you a cancellation notice.

You may get a ticket for not having proof of insurance and have to go to court but would surely not be found guilty upon presenting your evidence.

 

[Bird]

mines on auto steal from my checking..

Mine, too, but they do send a renewal notice and the new "proof of insurance" forms over a month in advance.

 

[buck12]

Apparently those cards State Farm insurance cards don't mean much. My wife's NEW car was recently hit by a teen. She had enough proof to satisfy the cop that she had current SF insurance but per SF she let her insurance lapse the month before. Now I have to pay my deductible because the idiot can't drive or pay her insurance. Sorry about the rant.