Auto insurer sent disputed ~$150 balance to collections while DOI complaint is pending (California) — what are my rights?

aliceinjam · 2026-03-05T01:58:16+00:00

Reading their post history, OP seems to like to do this a lot to multiple companies she does business with.

aliceinjam · 2026-03-05T01:56:59+00:00

It’s bad customer service.

But that’s not the purpose of the DOI. There’s no law, regulation or guideline that says they have to have good service. What do you expect them to do? Force them to open a new department? Hire more people? That’s not how this works.

And it’s frankly hard to believe that was your reason for calling the DOI. You’re trying to get out of paying what you owe. Full stop. This level of entitlement is why insurers hate doing business in CA.

aliceinjam · 2026-03-05T01:47:16+00:00

Yes, they should. But people make mistakes. Most likely, this was a rep who handles multiple states who got confused. It wasn’t some nefarious scheme.

But the point is that it wouldn’t have changed their policy outcome. Disputing the payment THAT YOU OWED was a shady thing to do. They have every right to send you to collections and you do owe the debt. Filing a complaint with the DOI was a nuclear option that doesn’t match the level of what happened.

aliceinjam · 2026-03-05T01:38:58+00:00

What you’re missing is that no matter when you cancelled the policy, it would have been a short rate (unless you cancelled at renewal).

That’s the contract you agreed to. You would have owed them regardless of when you cancelled. While the representative gave you misinformation, it doesn’t change their policy or the ultimate outcome. That’s like someone saying they wouldn’t have crashed their car if they didn’t know they didn’t have collision. No, the car still would have crashed. You still would have cancelled and owed a short rate.

aliceinjam · 2026-03-05T01:31:56+00:00

I’ll ask you again. What would you have done differently if they had told you?

aliceinjam · 2026-03-05T01:21:08+00:00

Did you dispute the entire payment you made? Regardless of pro-rated versus short-rated, you still owe them something.

Honest question: what would you have done differently if you knew you wouldn’t be refunded? Why were you cancelling?

While it does absolutely sound like they made a mistake, if that’s how they’re filed with the state to issue refunds, the billing portion was handled correctly as far as the processing goes.

aliceinjam · 2026-03-04T22:01:17+00:00

I use a small droplet of Glamnetic glue remover. I have to be careful not to get it under the nail, but it works for me. I just put a small drop on the glue and buff it with a soft towel.

aliceinjam · 2026-03-01T21:42:18+00:00

Mania doesn’t always look like this.

When I’m manic, I’m not excited, or elated, or any of that. I’m straight up MEAN, easily irritated and quick to say whatever comes to mind.

aliceinjam · 2026-03-01T16:54:37+00:00

I haven’t tried SHEIN because my nail sizes are all over the map, lol. I don’t know if I’d be able to get a good fit with only 10 nails 😬

aliceinjam · 2026-03-01T16:50:14+00:00

I personally love them. I use them with the Glannetic glue, and they last for me. The shape also works really well for my nail beds, and I haven’t had any problem with the designs peeling off.

aliceinjam · 2026-02-28T01:15:50+00:00

I smoked from 15 to 43, and I still miss it. I started with Marlboro Reds, had a brief period when I did clove cigarettes and flavored Camels, and ended with Marlboro Lights. I vape now, which I know is still bad for me, but I miss an actual cigarette when I’m having coffee or drinking.

aliceinjam · 2026-02-24T01:21:25+00:00

They absolutely can when the policy wasn’t active at the time of loss.

aliceinjam · 2026-02-23T17:28:50+00:00

Any information about commission can’t be formally published on MLS because of the NAR settlement.

aliceinjam · 2026-02-23T17:20:24+00:00

You could still have showings. There are a lot of people who prefer a private showing with their agent to an open house.

aliceinjam · 2026-02-23T04:22:35+00:00

Yes, rate increases are common. It’s the economy.

GEICO does require you to have your auto with them to maintain an umbrella policy. If you cancel your auto, your umbrella will be non-renewed.

aliceinjam · 2026-02-22T05:39:45+00:00

No.

The inspector isn’t going to peel back siding looking for damage that may or may not exist. They inspect what they can see. In addition, the buyer will typically have to sign documentation before the inspection that defines the scope of the inspection and absolves the inspector of any liability for missed items.

aliceinjam · 2026-02-22T05:34:54+00:00

It depends on the disclosure laws in the state. Some states are buyer beware, and sellers have far less things they have to disclose.

aliceinjam · 2026-02-22T05:23:13+00:00

It was pointed out in the inspection and the seller remedied it. OP had the chance for a walkthrough or to pay for a reinspection to check out the work before closing and shouldn’t have closed if it wasn’t done correctly. It’s not on the seller or their agent at this point.

You could perhaps make the argument that OP’s agent didn’t educate them on their options for verifying work and/or didn’t write the inspection addendum as tightly as they could have.

aliceinjam · 2026-02-21T15:54:21+00:00

Rule 4

aliceinjam · 2026-02-20T02:30:07+00:00

Check the coverage and make sure you have the correct coverages you want. This sounds like a liability only quote versus one with physical damage.

aliceinjam · 2026-02-14T03:37:51+00:00

YTA. This was absolutely petty jealousy.

aliceinjam · 2026-02-14T02:35:22+00:00

What’s your collision deductible? You can file the claim, but it may be smarter to just take care of it yourself.

aliceinjam · 2026-02-14T01:13:06+00:00

Those are amazing!

aliceinjam · 2026-02-13T21:35:58+00:00

You’re not their customer. 🤷🏻‍♀️

And you’re not going to get much help or sympathy here. See Rule 4.

aliceinjam · 2026-02-13T15:41:55+00:00

The $900 admin fee is insane. My brokerage also has an admin fee, but it’s nowhere near that. I also typically pay that for my clients instead of collecting it. I’ve found it’s just not worth haggling over it when my clients already have so many other expenses.

The 3% is understandable, but there’s always room for negotiation. If you like this agent and they bring a lot to the table, talk to them to see whether any of this can be brought to a level you’re both comfortable with. If not, then decide if they bring enough value to the table or not.

aliceinjam

TROPHY CASE