I bought a house last year in Southern California. Finding homeowners insurance was really difficult, and AAA was the only large carrier writing policies that were reasonably priced and had faith in if anything happens. Although we are not in a high risk fire area, it's been difficult for everyone to be insured.
Our 1 year home buying anniversary just came up, and I thought it was weird I hadn't been charged on my card for homeowners insurance renewal (thought it was on auto renew). And then I logged into their portal and find no mention of my policy. We didn't receive any notice in the mail about it over the last 2 months. I then searched my email, and saw they never emailed me about renewing the policy either.
So I dig out my original evidence of insurance and see that it's expired 10 days ago (they set the insurance to start before we took possession and while it was still under contract)! I try to renew via the policy number, and of course that doesn't work. I have to talk to someone.
Well, they're closed until Monday (hope nothing happens until then). How screwed am I? Is AAA intentionally not sending out renewal notices so that policies lapse so they don't need to write them in California? Has this happened to anyone else? Why would they not be sending out urgent notices via email or mail if I needed to take action? Is there any recourse if they won't renew despite never sending renewal notices?
My AAA homeowners insurance lapsed without a single renewal notice (mail or email) from them
byu/smoldering_debris inInsurance
Posted by smoldering_debris
2 Comments
California insurance regulations requires them to mail out minimum 30 day notice for non-renewal or 10 day notice for nonpayment. They just have to have proof mailing. If they are late sending out these notices they have to extend the policy period long enough to comply.
Call them first thing Monday if nothing shows up online over the weekend. Sometimes it’s an IT issue.
OP, what address was on your mailing address? I wonder if it was sent to the prior address since when it was incepted, you would have been living there at that time. Check your portal as it should have the original declaration page.