Geico Insurance Complaint
Subject: Car Insurance Surcharge; Insurance Company: Geico; Policy #: 01sssss Date of Fire: May 24, ; Automobile 2002 Nissan Altima Dear Sir or Madam: My name is Pellegrino A. Perrone, the reason I write this letter is inquire about “insurance surcharges” on automobile insurance.
On May 24, , while driving on the Staten Island Expressway coming from Brooklyn, NY and heading to New Jersey, the bottom of the automobile I was driving, a Leased 2002 Nissan Altima, burst into flames. Four passengers and myself, vacated the automobile and I called 911. The fire department arrived on the scene and the fire was extinguished. There were no injuries. The car was towed to Bay Ridge Nissan, 6501 5th Ave., Brooklyn, New York 11220.
The insurance adjuster examined the car. The adjuster reported that the fire was caused by the car hitting a bump in the road. Based on that evaluation, the occurrence was classified as an “accident”. Please bear in mind, there was no collision with another vehicle and neither I nor the passengers in the car felt the car hit a bump. It was clearly a “no fault” accident but a serious malfunction in the 2002 Nissan Altima that put the passengers in the car and myself at risk.
The cost of the repair, estimated by the insurance carrier, was $1,721.46.
Since May Geico has charged me with a “surcharge” every time the policy is renewed, which is every 6 months. Thus far, I have paid $1,087.80 in “surcharges” and I was told that this surcharge remains in effect for three years!
There is a provision in the insurance policy under “Good Driver Plan” which explains why there is a surcharge (see copy of policy attached). The fire that happened beneath the automobile on May 24, is classified as an “accident”, and, therefore, Geico’s policy incurs a surcharge to the policyholder based on that classification. THIS SEEMS UNFAIR AND UNJUSTIFIED.
Is the provision legal or am I the victim of an insurance irregularity or scam? As stated earlier in this letter, the total cost of repair was $1,721.46 (with a $500 deductible). The check received from Geico to cover their portion of the repair was $1,221.46. Geico claim number regarding this incident is 011 503 36sssss
Please advise at your earliest opportunity.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,