Auto and Car Insurance

Auto insurance from Allstate claims accident forgiveness is a lie .....?

I had full coverage on my 2004 Liberty Jeep through Allstate. They promised "accident forgiveness" and that my policy would never be cancelled for an accident. I had an accident in August 2006 where my vehicle and another vehicle that hit me (after I lost control of my Jeep on wet roads). I received a letter from Allstate "refusing to renew" my policy in December 2006. What about that "accident forgiveness" they promised me? Before this accident, I had not had an accident in 23 years. What do you think folks???

Public Comments

1. I think they are wrong...I actually thought of converting to Allstate after seeing that commercial too. Better stick with the Geico I know. Good Luck
2. I would contact the Department of Consumer Protection. the best way is to write a letter and explain all the details, including the All State advertisement. Usually, the matter is rectified within a couple of weeks after their receipt of the letter. In the letter, enclose your phone number and time to be reached. You may get a response by mail from them, however.
3. "Accident Forgiveness" is just another amazingly well thought out marketing plan by Allstate. They have an amazing marketing team. The only problem with that is that Allstate doesn't insure people any differently from any other insurance company. You're better off going through an independent agent that can put your insurance through any number of companies and forget all the BS that you see on TV. I'm sorry you had to go through something like this to find out what they are really like. Just find an agent that you TRUST and then the company won't matter because you know it will be the best fit for you. Good luck!
4. Yikes! You got ripped. Must be fine print! I have State Farm and have been accident free for always and my son 18 got into an accident and all set!
5. Sounds like instead of the good hands, you just got the finger. Cheap is cheap.
6. Maybe I'm missing something here, but you said they promised not to "cancel" your coverage then they didn't "renew" your policy. I'm not P&C licensed (don't want to be), but I can tell how that's materially different. Too bad our schools don't teach us how to read through all this crap. I've always wondered why someone would pay EXTRA for this coverage, especially if they had a good driving record like you.
7. Well, "accident forgiveness" usually means, they won't SURCHARGE you for the accident - but they still count it as a claim against you. Also, it usually only applies to the FIRST accident. If you have more than ONE, well, that's not "an" accident. Additionally, technically, a nonrenewal is NOT a cancellation, not that it makes ANY DIFFERENCE to a lay person. Out of curiosity, did they list the single at fault accident as the nonrenewal reason? Because there ARE exceptions to a 'nonrenewal' clause - namely, if the AGENT is being cancelled with Allstate, or Allstate is pulling out of your state, or that line of business. And by state law, they need to list the reason for nonrenewal. IF your policy clearly states "renewal guarantee" AND your agent isn't cancelled, or Allstate isn't pulling out, you can contest the cancellation with your state insurance department! Just jot them a note saying, "hey, they promised to renew me forever! And here's the cancellation notice! Is this legit?" Because the state insurance department actually has the POWER to make Allstate renew your policy (but that doesn't mean Allstate has to let you make PAYMENTS, so be prepared to pay in full, with no installments).
8. It depends on the state. Allstate DOES offer Accident Forgiveness but it is also under state regulation. If you are in the state of CA, then that "benefit" cannot apply to you. The CA Dept of Insurance recently passed laws outlawing accident forgiveness as an unfair practice so any company in CA offering you that benefit is breaking the law, and it will not be honored at the time of loss. Any complaint can be forwarded to your state's DOI. Being an Insurance agent (FYI NOT an Allstate agent) is that I happen to live in CA and Allstate airs the "Accident Forgiveness" commercial CONSTANTLY, and if you read the "fine print" at the bottom of the screen, it reads *Not available in a states. . . . and yet they air the commercial in the states it's not available in. Unbelievable.