Stay Away From Progressive Insurance

[05aggie05]

I woke up a couple of weeks ago to find my truck had been backed into by something. I immediately called Progressive (my former insurance company), and filed my claim. They had the truck towed to a shop the next morning (as the truck was not able to be driven because the bumper was pushed into the tire). Long story short, when the claims adjuster called, he said they would only cover a part of the damages because he said that it was two separate accidents. I, like most on this site, am very cautious and particular about my truck, so there is no way I would have had another accident and not had it fixed. (note: I have never been in an accident in my life, nor ever filed a claim). The insurance people stuck to their guns and would not cover the vast majority of the repairs. They are paying about $450 to the body shop. I am paying out of pocket $1163.55 to get the rest of the damages fixed. This is with putting my old fender flair back on because it only has minor scratches and will save me a hundred bucks. I also lost my grill guard because it got bent and chipped. If I wanted my truck back to normal, it would cost me about 1700 out of pocket. None of this includes my $250 deductible. I am paying to get my truck back to as close to perfect again as I can afford, but progressive is basically barely touching it. Why would I have full coverage if they are just going to deny me and make me pay for it anyway. They told me that I can file a separate claim, but it would go against me and probably dramatically raise my rate. This is such an absurd situation, and I am writing to let others know about their practices. BTW I did dispute this all the way up to their senior management, with nothing. I now filed with the better business bureau. Hopefully that may bring a response. If anybody has any other ideas, I am all ears.

[BuckFeverZ]

No idea's, just wanted to say that it is bullshit what they're pulling.

 

I have had nothing but good luck with American Family Insurance.

[mr_bots]

Sounds like you need to talk to the body shop. They got the idea of two accidents from somewhere.

[MarkD]

Man! That is crazy! Can you speak to another rep, or an independent arbitrator?

[rckt442]

My opinion - don't give up. This is a common tactic that small insurance companies use to get out of paying claims. I can't believe that a company as large as Progressive would try this move. I had this happen about 15 years ago when my truck (S-10) was rear ended. They tried to say that some of the damage was from another collision and could not have been caused by a rear end collision at the particular point of impact. The entire right side of the bed side buckled. I stuck to my guns and called the company every day for a solid month, and eventually they gave in. What finally did it (I think) was threatening to get a lawyer. I told them that I didn't care how much it was going to cost me in legal fees to make sure that they owned up to their responsibility.

 

There is also the possibility that your truck was struck more than one time that night, making it look like two collisions. Either way, it doesn't matter. Is this the only insurance policy that you've ever had on this truck? If so, then what difference would it make if it was two separate accidents? Wouldn't both be covered? Did they send someone out when you first got the insurance and verify that there was no damage to the truck prior to the policy taking effect? I know my State Farm agent does this when I put new (or used) vehicles on my policy.

[HomieG]

Send them a letter to document your story, and copy your states insurance commissioner and ask their office to investigate. Also, tell the insurance company it was one accident, unless they can prove otherwise.

[05aggie05]

When I first got my truck, it was inspected by the bank for the insurance company. And about two accidents, that is exactly what I told them. I woke up, saw it the way it was, and had no idea what happened. I personally think that it should be covered no matter how many accidents happen to it when I am sleeping and it is parked. That is why I pay them. Finally, yeah, I did speak to different reps all the way up the chain, and they just say that they stand by the first guy by what they see in his pictures. The body shop owner agrees with me about the situation, but they don't take his opinion. He is someone my family knows personally.

[asilverblazer]

Why are they saying two accidents? What particular damage leads them to believe there has been two accidents? Never give up, even if you switch companies they should still pay for their responsibility.

[05aggie05]

The grill guard got pushed into the hood and the bumper is pushed in/dented on the driver side. There are also scratches across the hood and fender that carry over from the bumper and grill guard scratches. My assumption is that a brush collection trailer or yard trailer backed into me when limbs were hanging out. They say the grill guard could not be pushed in the same as the bumper was, and that the scratches had to have been there previously also. They claim this even though that with the damage, MY HOOD WOULDN'T EVEN OPEN!!! How could I maintenance or drive a vehicle for extended miles in which the hood wouldn't open AND the bumper is pushed against the tire. I am still pushing and trying though. Very frustrating. This has been ongoing for three weeks now, and hopefully I get my truck back tomorrow morning. This rental POS is driving me crazy. (Dodge Caliber)

[dsmazz]

I would put Progressive on notice that you are filing a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance Regulation (or whatever it is called in Texas). And then do exactly that. Take photos, ask for a statement from the body shop supporting your claim. Tell Progressive that you will seek damages from them if the Texas Department of Insurance Regulation sides with your position, if they, Progressive, continues to take their current position.

 

I know it's too late now, but a few years ago I considered going with Progressive. First thing I did was talk to a local body shop about how good or bad they were to work with. Well, I tossed Progressive's quote in the trash before I left the body shop and decided to stay with my current insurance.

[Z71kris]

Progressive=

so does allstate for that matter....

eff them both

[MS3DALE]

We have issues with Progressive at our dealership quite a bit,My one parts guy dropped them after his wife had issues with them after she hit a deer,They did the same thing.....said that there was "previous" damage to the car ('02 Cavalier Z24) when there was none,they also wanted her to use an old used door and a generic fender to fix it.

[MS3DALE]

Progressive=

so does allstate for that matter....

eff them both

 

Allstate's even worse!! You wouldn't believe how they cut corners on estimates "after" they give an estimate to the customer,I see it all the time with them! They'll write an estimate up using all new parts,then call the body shop back up a day or two later and say...."we found a bunch of used parts we want you to use" or "we need to go with aftermarket parts on Mr. Smith's car to keep from totaling it"

 

Stay away from them also!

[J-man67]

I CANT stand insurance companies. I consider them legal theft! They take take take, then when you go to use it they get all tight-wadded on you. Having said that, the company I least want to blow-up is State Farm :o)

[MS3DALE]

I CANT stand insurance companies. I consider them legal theft! They take take take, then when you go to use it they get all tight-wadded on you. Having said that, the company I least want to blow-up is State Farm :o)

 

State Farm is one company we have very little,if any,issues with,There OK!

We don't have any issues with Erie either,Which is who I have,Erie is not available nationwide though,I think just in the Northeast.