Removing a Prior Resident from My Maryland Insurance Policy
I live in a rental home in Maryland, and I’ve recently encountered an issue with my Progressive insurance policy. A former resident named Stacy D. (last name withheld for privacy) was added to my policy as an insured driver. I know very little about her—mostly just that I occasionally receive her mail, which indicates she once lived here.
This morning, I received updated policy documents and was shocked to see that my monthly premium jumped from $140 to $580 due to Stacy’s addition. Furthermore, I’ve lost some discounts, including my safe driving discount, because she has reportedly been involved in two at-fault accidents in the last year.
I contacted Progressive to request her removal, but the underwriting department informed me that I need to provide proof that she no longer resides at this address.
I have a few questions:
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How can I prove that someone I don’t know isn’t living here? I don’t have any way to contact her or find her current address—my only connection is that I sometimes receive her junk mail.
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If I succeed in having her removed from my policy, will I be able to regain my discounts, like the safe driving discount?
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As a renter, are there additional measures I can take to prevent previous residents from being added to my policy in the future?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I’m sorry to hear about your situation; that sounds really frustrating. Here are some suggestions and answers to your questions:
Additionally, you might want to contact the local post office to inquire about returning misdelivered mail to inform them that she no longer resides there.
Getting Discounts Back: It’s worth asking Progressive directly about reinstating your discounts once they have confirmed that Stacy D. has been removed from your policy. They may need to reevaluate your risk without her in the picture. Make sure to keep records of all your communications with the insurance provider regarding this matter.
Preventing Future Issues with Prior Residents:
I hope this helps resolve your issue quickly! If you continue to face challenges, you may also want to consult with a consumer protection agency or legal expert familiar with insurance policies in your state.