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Ripped off by Encompass Ins
May 31, 2009
Auto coverage
I was involved in an auto accident late afternoon on a Friday. A vehicle moved from the right lane, across mine and stopped suddenly half in my lane and the turn lane. I barely tapped the other vehicle with my left front bumper and the other vehicles right rear bumper. I exited my vehicle and went to the passenger side. There were 2 small children in car seats that were not even awakened in the accident. There was a late teen female in the passenger seat and another female driver. I inquired as to their condition. All was well. I called 911 and was instructed to move my vehicle to the right and off the roadway. A county vehicle with yellow lights arrived and informed the other driver to also move to the right. When the officer arrived he DID NOT ISSUE ME A TICKET. He also was not able to obtain a statement from the driver because she COULD NOT SPEAK ENGLISH. I spoke with the encompass representative first thing Monday morning where I gave my statement. My case went to 3 different representatives until one told me that both females had medical bills. I asked how the agent knew this, and she said that she "just did", and refused to tell me how. Two days later, (45 days after the accident) I received a letter from an ambulance chaser attorney that I turned over to Encompass. I called a buddy that works in a claims department as an attorney and he said for as little damage as was done that Encompass would probably toss $500 at them and tell them to get lost. Well, it turned out to be $35, 000. $350 damage to a bumper of the other vehicles Honda Odassy mini-van and the rest to pain and suffering. I found this out by calling Encompass and finally got an answer. I called my agent who is supposed to be my advocate - wrong! All agents to is collect the money and give no service. I insisted that Encompass let the other party take me to court - a jury would have found in my favor (I had cell phone photos of the positions of the vehicles at the time of the accident - Encompass did not want to see them). Encompass said that the statement the other party gave was that they had been traveling in that lane for the last 3 miles. Encompass does not support their customers. My auto rates went up 37%, and my home insurance that is also with Encompass went up 15%. As soon as I find out who their biggest competition is... I am switching! I can not say any good things about encompass. They are rip-offs and do not look out for their insured. I have been with this same agent since 1976 - yep 33 years. There is NO loyalty in this industry.
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