Legal Question in Consumer Law in Oregon

auto insurance billing

After reviewing my expenses recently for taxes, I discovered that my auto insurance expired. After calling my company, they said it expired in Dec 06, because I did not pay the bill. After reviewing my bank account, it turns out I did pay it. They said, I turned in the payment over 30 days late, and that they canceled me, and returned my payment. This is untrue, they still have my money. Additonally, since I thought I had insurance, I went over a year without insurance, and now in order to get insurance, I have to pay over 2x more than before. The company additionally, did not try to contact me during this time to alert me of my situation. I am a dentist, make good money, so payment was never an issue. It is just the way in which this company kept my money, failed to give me insurance for the time I payed for, reported to me that during the time I payed for they said I was uncovered, and failed to try to communicate with me about the loss of my insurance.

I am very upset with this company. Not only do I want my money back, but in the broader perspective, I wonder how I can stop this company from pulling these kind of business tactics, creating delinquent fees and putting me in an illegal driving situation also.


Asked on 3/08/08, 2:07 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Daniel Meek Daniel W. Meek

Re: auto insurance billing

You could file a complaint with the Oregon Insurance Division. The form is at https://www4.cbs.state.or.us/exs/ins/complaint/

Whether that agency will do anything is beyond my knowledge. You can call the Division at 503 nine4seven-7nine8zero. (had to write it that way because this site prohibits putting phone numbers in answers)

You could also file suit against the insurance company. If you file suit, what are your damamges? It is hard so say you suffered damages in this situation, since you did not have any accidents while uncovered. There may be a statutory cause of action in Oregon re insurance companies, but my knowledge of the statute is limited to the unfair claims provisions.

Of course, pursuing a lawsuit would almost certainly cost you much more in money and time than merely buying new insurance.

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Answered on 3/08/08, 9:17 pm


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