Geico send me to collection for $ 205.00 for an insurance policy that I never had.

[sergioconti]

Last December 2023 I called Geico asking for a quote of a home insurance that we finally got on 2/9/2024.

The mortgage company offered us a good insurance for less than Geico and we took it.

On March I started receiving letter from Geico asking payment for the full year of insurance for $ 750.00

I explained that we never had insurance with them and still they send me a final bill for $ 205.00 for insurance of January 2024 and December 2023. I explained that we got the house on 02/09/2024. They asked for docs that I sent to them showing that we have another insurance company for our home. Today I got a letter from Credit Collection Services saying that I'm in collection.

I know it isn't a lot of money but what really upset me is the way how they make business and treat people. I have three cars with Geico, but I want to choose another insurance company, if you can help with and advice in both matters, I will appreciate.

Sergio R. Conti

[AARPConsumerCare]

@sergioconti Hi Sergio, thank you for taking the time to reach out. I'm sorry to hear about the experience you've had. AARP does not have a relationship with Geico but if you're needing legal advice for your issue with them, I'll be happy to provide you with the info we have available. AARP was instrumental in starting legal hotlines for seniors, but we do not have any direct affiliation with them. Legal hotlines typically provides brief advice over the phone and callers are responsible for obtaining information about any costs involved. If you are a qualifying low-income individual, legal aid is also provided. To access legal hotlines, websites and/or legal aid, please visit findlegalhelp.org. 

I understand that you're also looking for a new insurance provider. Although AARP isn't an insurance company, we're in your corner. We work with insurance carriers to make carefully researched and evaluated products available to you. The AARP® Homeowners Insurance Program from The Hartford offers coverage for those who own a house or condo. For more information, please go to the AARP® Homeowners Insurance Program from The Hartford website or call 1-888-755-0425. Be sure to enter or mention your AARP membership number to get a quote online or by phone. I'm always here to help, please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything further!  - Janelle M.

[GailL1]

@sergioconti 

You left out a very important part of the puzzle - 

When did you tell Geico the beginning date of the policy which they quoted to you after giving them other specifics.

Did you have other coverage on the home for the period for which they may have insured you ?

In other words, what you need to prove to Geico is the effective dates of the policies - 1,  the ending date of the one that you previously had

 2.  the beginning date of the one you picked up from the mortgage company.

Was there a lapse in these dates?  If so, Geico is saying they had you covered for at least some of this period.

It has been my experience that when a mortgage company takes it upon themselves to offer home coverage for a borrower, they do it when a previous policy has lapsed and it is a legal requirement covered in your mortgage documents that the home must be CONTINUOUSLY insured for the amount of the mortgage (at least) and most people insure their dwelling for replacement cost so that if something happens not just the mortgage is paid off - because the home will need to be replaced.

If I were you I would definitely scrutinize the policy from the mortgage company to make sure YOU (your home) is protected to your best benefit and not just the mortgage holder.

I am sure that if you prove to Geico that you had ample other coverage for the period in question they will understand the problem as long as you didn’t make any commitment to them - verbally or written.

Came back to edit to add:  If this was a NEW home for you with a closing date on 02/09/2024 - Geico may not have understood that - if they did, they would have issued you or the closing attorney a letter of insurance which should have been included in the closing docs - but you also had to pay for this document and the insurance for which they were committed to provide.  

Maybe something went wrong here an you did not pay Geico for this new home purchase commitment and at closing the mortgage company had to act fast.

Details make all the difference here -