Why you should always go with an actual insurance agent!

[Lesli]

I just found out today that the insurance on our car is NOT valid! We've had this car for a year and a half. Thank heaven we have not had to have a claim because they could have walked away from it!

State Farm called yesterday and asked if I would like a quote. We had been thinking about switching insurance and so I said sure, so I gave the woman the information I had and they called back today for the information I didn't have yesterday, but as I explained our situation the agent on the phone told me that she couldn't quote me a price, that I would have to talk to an agent in Pennsylvania.  So, I called an agent in Pennsylvania, only to be told that they couldn't do it either and he explained the problem to me in depth.

So our situation is that our car, was bought by my MIL for my DH,  the title and the loan are both in her name but we make the payments.  She lives in Pennsylvania and we live in Ohio. The dealership knew what the situation was and where this car was going when it was purchased and we knew she had to be on the insurance but what we didn't know was that we weren't technically allowed to put insurance on the car at all! She is the only person who is allowed to insure that car, so our insurance isn't vaild.

She is rectifing the situation right now.  But this is what you get for buying a policy completely online. We have Progressive right now and my DH couldn't be bothered to go in and talk to someone, so he just did it online. I am not knocking Progressive, because if we had gone into an office this wouldn't have occured.  Just that I am now wiser about buying insurance. 

[countryrose80]

Sep. 16, 2009 at 5:41 PM

Oh my gosh! What a headache. Thankfully you have straightened it out.

[sati769leigh]

Sep. 16, 2009 at 6:31 PM

someone is telling you stuff that is not exactly true. as longas you have permission to drive a particular caar you CAN get insurance to drive it for yourself. at least you can where i live. I am so sorry you are going through this.

[MegaMamaTX]

Sep. 17, 2009 at 12:39 AM

Yes, I agree with sati--I used to sell insurance. You can insure a vehicle that you drive, no matter whose name its in. You are buying insurance to protect yourself and the car. If your MIL buys the policy and doesnt have you listed as a driver, any injuries you or any of your passengers may sustain probably wont be covered. And the insurance co can say they wont pay the claim since MIL wasnt driving at the time of accident. Whomever is driving the vehicle needs to be covered on the insurance, no matter who's name is printed on the card.

If you think you've been taken, contact your State board of Insurance and talk to someone. They'll be able to tell you what's up and what to do. Perhaps you can get your money back from all those premiums from Progressive, if OH or PA have any state laws about this situation.   Good luck!