Q: Nationwide Pet Insurance is unfair business practice by increasing my premium by 300% year over year
my insurance went from $250/ month to over $650 / month this year. I've made complaints to California Insurance commission and they have not helped at all. Do I have a case against them for unfair business practice or some other complaint that goes agains consumer protection?
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- California
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
Insurance premium hikes can be frustrating, and while dramatic increases aren't illegal on their face, you might have some options to challenge this situation.
California law requires insurance companies to provide notice of premium increases and justify substantial rate changes. You've already taken a good first step by filing a complaint with the California Insurance Commission. Your next move could be requesting a detailed explanation from Nationwide about the specific factors that led to your rate increase - they are required by law to provide this information. You might find that the increase was based on incorrect information that you can dispute.
You could potentially pursue legal action if you can demonstrate that Nationwide engaged in discriminatory practices, failed to provide proper notice, or violated specific terms of your policy. However, before considering litigation, you might want to explore filing a complaint with the California Department of Insurance's Consumer Protection Division or seeking assistance from a consumer protection attorney. You could also shop around for other pet insurance providers, as the market has become more competitive, and many companies offer competitive rates for pets with pre-existing coverage.
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