Frustrated: Onlia’s Inability to Cancel My Insurance Policy
I’m feeling quite frustrated with Onlia, my insurance provider, as they have been unresponsive for months regarding my inquiries and requests to change my account. I hold both Auto and Home insurance policies with them in Ontario, Canada.
After noticing that my issues weren’t being addressed and seeing similar complaints from others online, I decided it was time to cancel my policy. Unfortunately, despite numerous attempts, I haven’t been able to do so. I’ve submitted several support tickets and tried to reach them by phone, only to end up on hold for hours without ever speaking to anyone. To make matters worse, my policy remains active, and just yesterday, another monthly payment was deducted, completely disregarding my cancellation request.
Given this predicament, what are my options for canceling my policy without running into legal issues? Can I instruct my bank to halt payments to Onlia and go ahead with securing coverage from another provider? I feel completely helpless as they continue to charge me while offering no reassurance that they will be there when I truly need assistance.
I’m sorry to hear about your frustrating experience with Onlia. It sounds really stressful trying to cancel your policy without any response from them. Here are some steps you can consider taking:
Document Everything: Keep records of all your attempts to contact Onlia, including dates, times, and details of what was communicated. This will be essential if you need to escalate the issue later.
Escalation: If you haven’t already, escalate your issue within Onlia. Look for higher-level customer service contacts or a complaint resolution department. Sometimes, contacting them through social media can elicit a quicker response.
Contact the Insurance Ombudsman: In Ontario, you can contact the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) if you’re not getting anywhere with Onlia. They can help you understand your rights as a policyholder and may be able to assist in resolving the issue.
Bank Payments: Before you instruct your bank to stop payments, it’s a good idea to check with them about the potential implications. Stopping payments might be viewed as a breach of contract. Make sure you fully understand your rights regarding canceling your insurance policy before taking this step.
Purchase New Insurance: If you decide to go ahead and purchase a new insurance policy, do so with clear documentation that you are actively trying to cancel your Onlia policy. Just be aware that a new insurer might want to see proof of cancellation from your current provider.
Legal Advice: If the situation doesn’t improve or if Onlia continues to withdraw payments without service, consider seeking legal advice. A lawyer could offer you guidance on how to proceed without legal complications.
You deserve to have your concerns addressed and resolution to this bothersome situation. Good luck, and I hope you find a speedy solution!