Removing a Prior Resident from My Insurance Policy: Need Help!
I live in a rental house in Maryland, and I’ve encountered a frustrating situation regarding my Progressive insurance policy. I’ve recently discovered that a prior resident, Stacy D. (last name withheld for privacy), has been added to my policy as an insured driver. I only know of her because I occasionally receive her mail, which indicates she used to live here.
This morning, I received updated policy documents showing that my monthly premium skyrocketed from $140 to $580 after adding Stacy to my policy. Additionally, I lost several discounts, including my safe driving discount, as Stacy reportedly has been involved in two at-fault accidents in the past year.
I contacted Progressive to resolve this issue, but their underwriting department informed me that I can’t remove Stacy unless I provide proof that she doesn’t reside at my address.
I have a few questions:
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How can I demonstrate that a stranger doesn’t live at my residence? I have no way of contacting her or obtaining her current address; I’m only aware of her existence because of junk mail.
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If I manage to remove this individual from my policy, will I be eligible to regain any discounts, such as the safe driving discount?
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Since I live in a rental property, are there any measures I can take to prevent previous residents from being added to my policy in the future?
Any guidance or advice would be greatly appreciated!
It sounds like a frustrating situation, but here are some steps and suggestions that may help you resolve the issue with Progressive and protect your policy in the future:
If you continue to receive mail for Stacy D., a good step is to mark it “Return to Sender – No Longer at This Address” and drop it back in the mailbox. This might help indicate to the postal service and insurance companies that she isn’t residing there.
Getting Discounts Reinstated:
If you successfully have Stacy removed from the policy, you can certainly ask Progressive about reinstating any discounts you lost, such as the safe driving discount. Be sure to mention how her inclusion negatively impacted your insurance rates.
Preventing Future Issues:
If you find the company isn’t being cooperative, you might also consider executive-level customer service options or file a complaint with Maryland’s Department of Insurance, which oversees insurance practices in your state. Good luck, and I hope this gets resolved quickly for you!