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Why I hate insurance companies..

S4Alex

S4Alex

Active member
Joined
Oct 25, 2002
Location
San Carlos
Moto(s)
:selcycrotoM
Name
Alex
So... before I started track days, I called and verified that I would be covered, I told them what I would be doing. The agent on the line said.. yeah, you should be covered, have a blast. He even knew what a trackday was.

Fast forward a year and change... to hhhmmm.. let's say May 10th of this year. Yeah, a not so good day. I had to make my claim.

Everything is going smoothly.. I am about 95% done with my claim. Bike is estimated. Bike is totaled. Insurance Auction house place picks up the bike. Insurance gives me a call and tells me how much they are givng me. Tells me to send in my pink. I send it in, FedEx next day. I send pictures of my gear.

So, now I am just waiting for my check so I can get back on two wheels.

I get a call from the main Insurance Adjuster, she say's "Mr. Moreno, I am sorry to say, we are not going to be able cover you."
I ask why and she states... Because you were in an activity that challenges the speed or handling characteristics of a vehicle, or improves or demonstrates driving skills, provided the activity occurs on a track or course that is closed from nonparticipants."

Well, great. Add that to the list of shitty news that I am getting. Just a rant. Not that I am pissed they are not covering me, but that I had to go through all the damn hoopla that I have getting my bike here and there and everywhere. But, that I could have spent this time getting my bike back up and running and been on with my life. Instead, I get a bunch of uninformed adjusters.

Blah... end of my rant.
 
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Do you remember the name of the guy that said go ahead?
I would call them back and tell them that they said that you would be covered.
 
I'd fight that. You should be able to get it covered. If not, this sets a terrible precedent.
 
ZREX1100 said:
Do you remember the name of the guy that said go ahead?
I would call them back and tell them that they said that you would be covered.
Click to expand...

Yeah... they have that right (don't know why) to change coverage at any time. Last year with statefarm my friend was covered on the track, totaled the bike. got it paid off. Got a new bike and then they told him he wouldnt be covered because of a policy change.... How many of your insurance agents call you and tell you about changes? Send out a letter... maybe. sorry dude!
 
ZREX1100 said:
Do you remember the name of the guy that said go ahead?
I would call them back and tell them that they said that you would be covered.
Click to expand...


Yeah, I kept repeating that. I have no idea who it was I talked to though. It was like a year and a half ago when I started track riding.

I am not so much pissed that they are not covering it, as much as me being strung along like this. Right now my bike is at some auto insurance place, and hopefully its being kept okay. Since, now its going to be on my own dime to get it fixed.

USAA is my insurance. Truthfully, I have had claims with them before and have never had an issue like this. I really hate bad mouthing them, but still.

So, since the bike is not being claimed on anything, is it still a clean title?

I dont know what kind of recourse I have, maybe threaten to cancle all my policies with them? Yeah, but I am just one so that probably wont do anything. Kinda sucks.
 
You're just one, but send them an email linking to this thread. I'm sure they'll love the publicity.

Find some higher-ups and CC them as well. I know I wouldn't buy USAA if they won't cover track crashes after saying they would.
 
S4Alex said:
Yeah, I kept repeating that. I have no idea who it was I talked to though. It was like a year and a half ago when I started track riding.

I am not so much pissed that they are not covering it, as much as me being strung along like this. Right now my bike is at some auto insurance place, and hopefully its being kept okay. Since, now its going to be on my own dime to get it fixed.

USAA is my insurance. Truthfully, I have had claims with them before and have never had an issue like this. I really hate bad mouthing them, but still.

So, since the bike is not being claimed on anything, is it still a clean title?

I dont know what kind of recourse I have, maybe threaten to cancle all my policies with them? Yeah, but I am just one so that probably wont do anything. Kinda sucks.
Click to expand...

I would try talking to someone higher up than the little representatives and their managers.
Tell them your circumstances, and if they still don't agree to fix your bike... Forward them this posting, and let them know you will tell every single person you ever meet with a motorcycle to never buy their insurance, and it's going to end up getting them to lose a lot more than the couple grand they will spend to fix your bike. Lawsuit mentionings also get them motivated to help you as well.
 
Give them a call and tell them the full story. Sounds like you've been a customer of theirs for quite some time, that should carry some weight in getting this at least partially covered.
While they do have the right to change coverage, but they must notify you first. Hell, if you don't get anywhere w/phone calls, file a BBB complaint.
 
Do you have a copy of your policy? Did you read it? Was this sort of activity covered, then a subsequent policy ammendment changed that, or was it just the word of the agent you were going on?

Insurance agents, loan agents, and used car salesmen all have the tendency to tell you what you want to hear. Trust their word all you want, but it's always a good idea to verify that the policy covers what they say it does.
 
I've had USAA for years. I'll call them tomorrow and ask if I'm covered for a track day /school.
 
My policy says racing and speed contests are not covered?

So trackdays are not racing thats for sure, but would they be considered this "speed contest" clause?

To the opp maybe you should seek lawyer advice if they dont pay up.
 
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Well, this is what the Main Adjuster told me that legal told her after "further" review. That line was something that she stated and was stated in the policy. I was not fully sure if I was covered or not, so I called. Mainly because it sounded like that clause would relate to a time or race event and not a "motorcycle safety school". So, I brought this up to the person I talked to about riding with an instructor, non-competitive environment so that I would be a better rider on the street.

If you have USAA for insurance, look at your policy section N. Tell me what you think from that. Like I said, I have been happy with USAA, up until now.

Would I have gone to track if they did not cover me? Yes and I would have gladly eaten the cost of any repair that I would have needed. However, I was confident in my knowledge that I was covered. Everything up until the conversation that I had today led me to believe that I am covered.

Should I pursue this further and take legal action? This is something that needs to be considered and discussed, I suppose, with a lawyer. It all depends on how you would read the section regarding "events".

Amit, do you have USAA? Andy.. again, please check section N and let me know what you guys think.
 
i used to work as an insurance adjuster...and used to deal with stupid agents all the time. It sucks so bad to tell someone that their house isnt covered and they're gonna have to pay several thousand dollars to get their water damage fixed. "But the agent said I was covered!"

Yes...I bet he did. The agent gets paid commision on your policy. So as long as you keep the policy with the agent he gets paid. So usually agents lie through their teeth to say everything is covered and then comes the day when a claim is NOT covered. Dont rely on agents...read the policy...I cant stress that enough

Edit: You posted above at the same time I was posting...I guess just advice to others from me then
 
Just to let you know, a lot of insurance companies are changing their polices (and they won't notify you of the changes) that trackdays are being specifically excluded due to a rash of claims.
 
I would fight it....I called state farm and they still cover track days since you are not going there to win money or a trophy..Im a stars shop for usaa and they are one of the best out there...they also realy strive for customer satisfaction....just bitch and whine and complain they will change there mind I bet...also helps if you have been a member for a long time .... good luck man keep us posted on what happens..
 
They sure took your money to cover you, abrupt and arbitrary change of coverage after your claim is illegal.

I'd get a lawyer involver - give him a 1/3rd slice of the punitive pie.
 
I am really sorry to hear that this happend but.... they wont cover it most reguler insurance companys will not cover it. So make sure to have a copy of you insurance policy on hand if it says it will. I would also try to fight it based on the fact that they said go ahead. I have a lot of friends that ride ont he track and if (when) they do/ did :shhhh you have to say you wrecked it some were on the road NOT the track. It sucks I know :thumbdown but it is the way it works with a lot of companies unless you have it stated other wise
 
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