| Mercury Insurance Student Discount/Renewal problems We have Mercury Insurance, and we have a 19yo son who just finished his 1st semester of College with a 3.66gpa(only took 9 units because of secheduling conflicts). He took 1 semester off(Fall 2011). We have the good student discount. We recieved a letter from the Broker, stating that they need his Fall 2011 College Grades(he took off that semester), or they will remove the Good Student Discount AT renewal. I faxed over a copy of his 2011 High School report card and Current College report card. They call me today, saying that the Good Student Discount would be removed effective TODAY. I told them that can't happen since their letter says it will be removed AT renewal, which is in September. She called back and said that letter might have been sent in error, but there is nothing they can do. What options do I have? The discount is $300. They acknowledge they sent the letter that said the discount would be removed at Renewal(in September), but she said it will be removed today because he doesn't have grades for Fall 2011.
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No Victim=No Crime |
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 BlitzenZeusBurnt Out CynicPremium
join:2000-01-13
kudos:2
 ·Frontier FiOS
| Push it up the chain, or shop around for another provider. I realize that if you're under 25 insurance is expensive, I was paying for my own when I was under 25 like many other people, and the only way I could afford it was liability only so I had to own the vehicle which needed to be a runner.
I've never heard of them, but unless they have been really good to you it just might be time to move on. If you cancel your policy they get no further money.
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I distrust those people who know so well what god wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires- Susan B. Anthony
Yesterday we obeyed kings, and bent out necks before emperors. But today we kneel only to the truth- Kahlil G. |
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| said by BlitzenZeus:Push it up the chain, or shop around for another provider. I realize that if you're under 25 insurance is expensive, I was paying for my own when I was under 25 like many other people, and the only way I could afford it was liability only so I had to own the vehicle which needed to be a runner.
I've never heard of them, but unless they have been really good to you it just might be time to move on. If you cancel your policy they get no further money.
Well, even with the removal of the discount, they are cheaper than all other major carriers. I don't know if it is Mercury's fault or the agent's fault, but I figure if I have something in writing from them, they have to honor it. I will push it up the chain like you suggest. Thanks for the advice!
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No Victim=No Crime |
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 The PigI know you want to be mePremium
join:2009-09-11 | reply to billydunwood
I don't see a problem (except for yours)!
You told insurance company your son was in school but he wasn't! |
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| said by The Pig:I don't see a problem (except for yours)!
You told insurance company your son was in school but he wasn't!
Wrong! When we added him to our insurance 6 months ago, they asked for his last High School Report Card, which we provided B+ average, which qualified for student discount. When we renewed in September, they didn't ask for it, they just sent me a renewal bill. Last week they send me a letter saying for me to send them his Fall 2011 College grades, or if we dont send them/don't have it the Student Discount will be CANCELLED AT RENEWAL(September 2012), in WRITING. Then, they call today, and VERBALLY tell me that despite what the letter says about cancelling it at RENEWAL in September, they will cancel the discount effective today. How is that my fault? I never told them he was in school in Fall 2011, when he wasn't, PLUS I sent in his Spring 2012 Report Card, which the broker said wouldn't do anything for us! So it's not my fault!
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 thegeekPremium
join:2008-02-21
right here
kudos:2
 ·Suddenlink
| reply to billydunwood
Your son is an adult now. It's time he get his own insurance. Life's a bitch. He either finds a way to afford it or starts walking everywhere. People need to stop enabling their adult children. Your savings by not having him on your insurance though will be much more than the $300. |
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tcopePremium
join:2003-05-07
Sandy, UT
kudos:2 | reply to billydunwood
Who is the letter from? I'm guessing the agents office and not the insurance company? I also think this is an independent agent. If all of this is correct, the agent does not want to honor the letter as it would mean they have a huge issue. They would need to somehow pay that $300 out of their own pocket. But they is a really awkward situation as it would mean a 3rd party paying for part of the bill.
You can certainly write the agent a letter and point out their written statement. Let them know you intend to hold them to the statement in the letter if your premium is increased. The kicker is to inform them that they may want to report this error to their E&O carrier to address (Errors and Ommisions). No agent wants to hear this as their E&O insurance cost a fortune so they don't want any claims filed against it. The issue you have is if there is any other agreement that the discount would be removed immediately. If there is, then the agents office can also argue that you knew (should have known) that the letter was incorrect.
Is this $300 per 6 months? If so, I'd think it would be pro-rated if removed... no? If so, that is about $150.
In the end, the insurance company will probably remove the discount and you'd need to seek recovery through legal means if that happened. You can try to press the agents office to see if they may be able to get that changed. |
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The PigI know you want to be mePremium
join:2009-09-11
2 edits | reply to billydunwood
said by The Pig:I don't see a problem (except for yours)!
You told insurance company your son was in school but he wasn't!
said by billydunwood:Wrong! When we added him to our insurance 6 months ago, they asked for his last High School Report Card, which we provided B+ average, which qualified for student discount. When we renewed in September, they didn't ask for it, they just sent me a renewal bill. It is too YOUR fault as you knew the insurance companywas going to check on his grades at the end of each semester, when he wasn't in school you did not tell your insurance company, you actually lied to your insurance company by making payment on your sons STUDENT discount when you know he was NOT in school! And when you got your son the discount they told you they wanted or would check his grades at the end of each semester, if they don't check how do they know if the kid is in school or not?
My son was on it until his grades dropped and they put him on regular adult plan!
PLEASE PAY YOUR BILL AND STOP CRYING YOU GOT CAUGHT LIEING! |
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1 edit | said by The Pig:said by The Pig:I don't see a problem (except for yours)!
You told insurance company your son was in school but he wasn't!
said by billydunwood:Wrong! When we added him to our insurance 6 months ago, they asked for his last High School Report Card, which we provided B+ average, which qualified for student discount. When we renewed in September, they didn't ask for it, they just sent me a renewal bill. It is too YOUR fault as you knew the insurance companywas going to check on his grades at the end of each semester, when he wasn't in school you did not tell your insurance company, you actually lied to your insurance company by making payment on your sons STUDENT discount when you know he was NOT in school! And when you got your son the discount they told you they wanted or would check his grades at the end of each semester, if they don't check how do they know if the kid is in school or not? My son was on it until his grades dropped and they put him on regular adult plan! PLEASE PAY YOUR BILL AND STOP CRYING YOU GOT CAUGHT LIEING! If the insurance company checked or asked for his grades at renewal in September, do you think I would be here? No. I would have told them he is not going to college and paid whatever the amount was without the discount. But, they didn't ask for it. They asked for it the time before, but didn't ask in September. They just sent me a renewal bill, and I paid it. If they asked me or checked his grades, they would have removed his discount in September at renewal, not now all of the sudden. When they send me a renewal bill in September WITH a student discount and don't ask me for any documents, how the hell is it my fault? It's not. If they asked in September, I would have said, he took a Semester off, paid the extra money and be done. But, they didn't ask for proof, and now all of the sudden in the middle of my renewal and despite a written letter from them stating the discount won't be dropped until September 2012, they want to drop the discount. Not happening, and not my fault.
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No Victim=No Crime |
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| reply to thegeek
said by thegeek:Your son is an adult now. It's time he get his own insurance. Life's a bitch. He either finds a way to afford it or starts walking everywhere. People need to stop enabling their adult children. Your savings by not having him on your insurance though will be much more than the $300.
Oh, don't worry, he pays me for the insurance. I just put him under my plan because it is a little cheaper for him than buying his insurance. My son and I don't mind paying the extra $300, we just thought that would be at renewal in September like the letter said.
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No Victim=No Crime |
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| reply to tcope
said by tcope:Who is the letter from? I'm guessing the agents office and not the insurance company? I also think this is an independent agent. If all of this is correct, the agent does not want to honor the letter as it would mean they have a huge issue. They would need to somehow pay that $300 out of their own pocket. But they is a really awkward situation as it would mean a 3rd party paying for part of the bill.
You can certainly write the agent a letter and point out their written statement. Let them know you intend to hold them to the statement in the letter if your premium is increased. The kicker is to inform them that they may want to report this error to their E&O carrier to address (Errors and Ommisions). No agent wants to hear this as their E&O insurance cost a fortune so they don't want any claims filed against it. The issue you have is if there is any other agreement that the discount would be removed immediately. If there is, then the agents office can also argue that you knew (should have known) that the letter was incorrect.
Is this $300 per 6 months? If so, I'd think it would be pro-rated if removed... no? If so, that is about $150.
In the end, the insurance company will probably remove the discount and you'd need to seek recovery through legal means if that happened. You can try to press the agents office to see if they may be able to get that changed.
The letter is from my agent/broker not from Mercury directly. And your right, its $300 for the year. It's kind of a lame arguement if they say I should have known, lol. They should have asked for proof. Instead, they just sent me a renewal letter, and I paid it. Didn't know I would have any problem, until now. Thanks for your help.
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No Victim=No Crime |
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 swintecPremium,VIP
join:2003-12-19
Alfred, ME
kudos:4
 ·RapidVPS
 ·Sprint Mobile Br..
 ·VoicePulse
·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to billydunwood
Is 9 credits even considered full time? It was always at least 12 for me, for insurance purposes. Back in the day the university website allowed students to print enrollment letters off for insurance purposes. When I was down to only a few classes left, and some of them not being offered certain semesters, I was left with taking 2 classes here and there. I would edit the HTML of the page and type in full time and then print.
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| said by swintec:Is 9 credits even considered full time? It was always at least 12 for me, for insurance purposes. Back in the day the university website allowed students to print enrollment letters off for insurance purposes. When I was down to only a few classes left, and some of them not being offered certain semesters, I was left with taking 2 classes here and there. I would edit the HTML of the page and type in full time and then print.
No, they said 12 units is required for the student discount. Funny thing is that they told me that yesterday, not at renewal in Sept.11. They just sent me a renewal letter in '11, and I paid it. They never asked me for any report card verification or college credits, until now
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swintecPremium,VIP
join:2003-12-19
Alfred, ME
kudos:4 Reviews:
·RapidVPS
·Sprint Mobile Br..
·VoicePulse
·RoadRunner Cable
| said by billydunwood:No, they said 12 units is required for the student discount. Funny thing is that they told me that yesterday, not at renewal in Sept.11. They just sent me a renewal letter in '11, and I paid it. They never asked me for any report card verification or college credits, until now
I always had to provide proof twice a year. Come to think of it though this was for health insurance not auto insurance. I think the 9 credits is going to catch up to you probably later this year, when they ask for Spring verification.
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| said by swintec:said by billydunwood:No, they said 12 units is required for the student discount. Funny thing is that they told me that yesterday, not at renewal in Sept.11. They just sent me a renewal letter in '11, and I paid it. They never asked me for any report card verification or college credits, until now
I always had to provide proof twice a year. Come to think of it though this was for health insurance not auto insurance. I think the 9 credits is going to catch up to you probably later this year, when they ask for Spring verification. That's what I thought my agent was for. To make sure I get the best rate and insurance, and to make sure all the paperwork is correct. I shouldn't have to remind them to do their job and ask for report cards, verification, etc.
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No Victim=No Crime |
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| reply to billydunwood
Personally, with that response from the insurance company, I'd look else where. Based on their website and your info, they are NOT trustworthy. I'd shop around and cut my ties asap... Your Money is best spent somewhere where they care... |
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| said by Da Geek Kid:Personally, with that response from the insurance company, I'd look else where. Based on their website and your info, they are NOT trustworthy. I'd shop around and cut my ties asap... Your Money is best spent somewhere where they care...
I think your right. I told them on the phone, that this is not someone I would want to do business with again, and she took offense to that. Mercury Insurance is pretty good, and their rates are great. We will just have to get a better/different agent.
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 VoxxjinMade of HamburgerPremium
join:2010-01-13
San Antonio, TX
·Time Warner Cable
| reply to billydunwood
my opinion:
What does the original policy say regarding the good student discount? It probably spells it out there how it would be monitored and when it could be voided. Sure you could make the argument that the letter you received says "at renewal" but unless that letter is considered part of the original contract, it is just a letter. If the contract says the discount would be terminated upon next renewal, unless the agent has authority to change the contract unilaterally, he should have to abide by the contract.
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Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war |
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tcopePremium
join:2003-05-07
Sandy, UT
kudos:2 | said by Voxxjin:What does the original policy say regarding the good student discount? It probably spells it out there how it would be monitored and when it could be voided.
I doubt discounts are mentioned in the policy itself. The application for insurance would have the wording if anything would. I think there is a good chance that the app does not mention this either. |
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| said by tcope:said by Voxxjin:What does the original policy say regarding the good student discount? It probably spells it out there how it would be monitored and when it could be voided.
I doubt discounts are mentioned in the policy itself. The application for insurance would have the wording if anything would. I think there is a good chance that the app does not mention this either. There really wasn't an application. I emailed the agent last year about adding him, she asked for his name, address, dl number, and his last report card, and told me a price. All was provided, they sent me a renewal for my policy with him added on, and all was good. Until this. I don't know if there is any policy on the discount, I will have to look when I get home.
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