Community Forums

Magoo · 08-09-2008, 02:41 PM

Early in June I contacted AON ins. to notify them that I didn't plan to renew my RV ins. They notified me that I must contact them in writing with an explanation as to why I was canceling. As I got coverage for only 50% of their rates, I was glad to accommodate. They then sent me a letter stating that I really needed RV ins as though I was so stupid that I wouldn't have arranged for coverage from another company. On 8/6 I received a multi page policy for the renewal of 7/31. I called their customer service. The lady said to ignore it as I was getting a cancellation notice in the mail. I got the cancellation letter dated 7/30. Sure enough when I balanced my bank account today I found that they had taken out the first month renewal premium of $246.00 on 7/31.

Magoo · 08-09-2008, 02:41 PM

Early in June I contacted AON ins. to notify them that I didn't plan to renew my RV ins. They notified me that I must contact them in writing with an explanation as to why I was canceling. As I got coverage for only 50% of their rates, I was glad to accommodate. They then sent me a letter stating that I really needed RV ins as though I was so stupid that I wouldn't have arranged for coverage from another company. On 8/6 I received a multi page policy for the renewal of 7/31. I called their customer service. The lady said to ignore it as I was getting a cancellation notice in the mail. I got the cancellation letter dated 7/30. Sure enough when I balanced my bank account today I found that they had taken out the first month renewal premium of $246.00 on 7/31.

Toby · 08-09-2008, 05:31 PM

Magoo

I think this procedure is becoming more of a regular practice, rather than a "mistake." So what is the consequence of them doing this. None. What are the benifits? They hope you forget about fixing it and they get to keep the money. I have had 3 companies do this to me in the last 3 or 4 months. Since they havn't "broken any laws"--since it was just an oversight. I think a lawyer will get ahold of this practice one day and start a class action suit. While this will not stop the practice, it will affact some of them. JMHO. s/Toby

SideRoads · 08-09-2008, 06:18 PM

I never, never, ever give any company, insurance or otherwise access to my account, period.

I use my Banks Bill Pay. OR,

I call them and give them a credit card number, I just activated with a fixed amount through my Bank. Every payment online is made with a new credit card number generated by my bank, with an amount I indicate. Only that company can make a charge for the amount I specify, and NO MORE.

They get a verbal notification of cancellation. Then no further payments.

If you are on auto payments, companies that I am aware of, want a letter of cancellation. They are members of my KMA Club. No access to my account.

Good Luck

Gary RVRoamer · 08-09-2008, 06:34 PM

Excellent advice, sideroads. There is no need to authorize direct withdrawals from your account in this day and age. Free 'bill payer' services are widely available and give you the final control over your money.

Toby · 08-10-2008, 05:18 PM

SideRoads/RV Roamer

Just goes to show what era I live in. Never heard of Banks Bill Pay. We do all our banking with a Credit Union, so this is something I need to check into real soon. Hope they have such a program. I use Pay Pal when I buy something off Ebay, but the Banks Bil Pay sound super. s/Toby

SideRoads · 08-10-2008, 07:15 PM

Toby,

Here is one website for BOA that demonstrates how Bill Pay works.

Bank Of America Bill Pay

I'm sure other sites may have similar tutorials.

You don't have to register to use the demo.

Hope this helps.

If you have an account with a CU, I would be surprised if they don't have bill pay.

Some financial institutions charge a fee for the service. Others do not.

I know BOA does not charge Bill Pay fees with the accounts I have.

Good Luck

Dsouthw524 · 08-11-2008, 03:31 AM

Many Credit Unions have the electronic payment capabilities similar to the banks. Other options are to use Quicken on your own computer. They charge around $10.00 per month and you can schedule your payments way in advance or in many cases the payment is able to be made within 2 days from authorization.

Another service is Discover Card. They have a utility that will generate a one time use credit card number for on-line use at no extra charge.

melvonnar · 05-18-2009, 02:54 PM

Advice in situations like this----
call your credit card company and deny the charge; works for me; I NEVER allow insurance companies or anyone direct access to my bank account.

TXiceman · 05-18-2009, 03:47 PM

I do not let anyone have debit access to my accounts for the same reason. I use On Line Bill Pay and send them the money.

You need to contact your bank and put a stop on any payment to that company.

Ken

Ray,IN · 05-18-2009, 08:59 PM

This is a lucrative practice. They get to use your money for a period of time, while you pay any fees or interest. I used to work for a company/conglomerate that would not pay incoming bills until the creditor gave notice of impending collection action. In most cases they got to use someone else's money for about 4-6 months before paying the bill.
Never give anyone debit access to your money! You have no protection, vs a credit card.

chasfm11 · 05-18-2009, 09:50 PM

Ditto for us on never giving anyone access to our bank accounts for automatic charges. Also Ditto for BOA bill payment. We've had it since '96 and I've never had a single problem in that time. They also have a feature which collects at least some bills and lets you view them online rather than having paper copies sent through the snail mail.

Our credit union does offer a service with some of the same bill payment features. I've just stayed with BOA because their's works and I saw no reason to change.

BTW, I cannot tell you the number of times that I've had companies mess up billing and then turn around and tell me that the solution to my problems was to allow them access to my bank accounts. I about laugh myself silly when then do that.

read & learn · 05-19-2009, 08:25 AM

We also have BoA bill pay. What is great is we have schedule payments for bills that are the same each month, life insurance-Directv-electric & gas, but all others, vehicle insurance-phone etc we put in the amount not the billing company.

David K · 05-20-2009, 05:35 PM

I have used Bank of America Bill pay for over 5 years now -- never had a problem with it and I control the amount paid to each payee. I have put items such as a recurring car payment on "auto pay" and that way I don't have to remember to go up each month and make the payment. When you set up an auto pay, the payment is made each month at the same payment date (adjusted for Saturday and Sundays so the payment is made a little early if necessary). The other nice thing about Bill Pay is that you get full use of your money -- it is delivered on the due date and you don't have to worry about mail "float" or getting lost in the mail.