Del Campo Insurance Services, Inc.

Review: I opened up a hair salon and need insurance as requested by the building. I went to Del Campo Insurance and spoke with [redacted]. He mentioned there were no broker/agency fee's and the total was $680.00. After nearly two weeks I had to cancel because the insurance was not what management wanted. Well, now they are saying my premium was only $500.00, and not $680.00. I received a check back for $437.00 on 9/20/2013, but still would like to know what happened to the remaining $180.00?Desired Settlement: To please explain why I got charged $65 for broker fees when there were none and why the premium was $500.00 and not $680.00. Where did the $180.00 go? I would like that money back.

Business

Response:

This letter is in response to a recent complaint that has been made to your department by this insured. The complaint is accusing our company of not refunding this insured the proper amount. The policy in question has been cancelled as requested by the insured. The proper unearned premium has been issued and refunded to the insured minus fees. As a company, we take pride in explaining each transaction with detail to our customers, and this transaction is no way different.

Per the insured's request we have issued a general liability policy (policy #[redacted]) for her business and coverage was bound with an effective date of 07/08/2013. The total paid by the insured on the date of the transaction was $680.00, which paid the annual premium of $500, a wholesaler broker fee of $65, and an agency broker fee of $115. The insured signed the application and disclosure forms that also showed a breakdown of premium and non-fundable fees such as the wholesaler and agency broker fee. A binder was then issued to the insured. A week after issuance of the policy, the insured contacted our office to inquire about possibly canceling the policy due to her commercial space landlord not accepting the company assigned to the risk. The landlord claimed that United States Liability Insurance Co. (USLI), which is the carrier that we placed this risk with, was not a legitimate insurance carrier and that the insured should instead get a policy through her (landlord's) Farmers agent. We assured the insured that USLI was not only a legitimate company but that coverage was bound and that the policy was active. We also offered to fax proof directly to the landlord but the insured refused, claiming that she would personally contact the landlord herself to explain. It was then stated to the insured that she would have to stop into the office to sign a cancellation request in person, and that any unearned premium minus fees would be reimbursed if policy was to be cancelled.

On 08/22/2013, the insured contacted our office to once again inquire about cancelling her insurance policy. This time the insured insisted that the policy be cancelled by phone. Unfortunately, our company guidelines do not permit us to cancel any types of polices via phone, so we then once again advised her to stop into the office to sign a cancellation request. The insured refused and stated that she did not have time to stop in and ended the call. The insured did stop into our office on the following day and signed a cancellation request in person with an effective date of 08/23/2013. The insured was also informed that she would receive a refund for the unearned premium of $437 which would not include wholesaler and agency broker fees as these were non-refundable.

Per her new Farmers Insurance agent's ([redacted]) misguided advice, she then faxed in a formal complaint request to the Department of Insurance (DOI). This request falsely claimed that not only was the policy never issued, but also that we never intended to help her cancel the policy as well. This matter was successfully resolved with our cooperation and with the submission of the requested documentation including the application and broker fee disclosure forms to the DOI. However, her failed attempt with the DOI has now prompted her to involve your department (Revdex.com) in an erroneous effort to try and collect on a non- refundable amount.

A refund check has been issued to the insured for the return premium amount minus wholesaler, and agency broker fees. The check amount was for $437.00 (CK# [redacted]). The check was mailed with an amount breakdown as well.

For your convenience I have included signed documentation which shows the insured's acknowledgement of the non-fundable amounts in question.

Business

Response:

This letter is in response to a recent complaint that has been made to your department by this insured. The complaint is accusing our company of not refunding this insured the proper amount. The policy in question has been cancelled as requested by the insured. The proper unearned premium has been issued and refunded to the insured minus fees. As a company, we take pride in explaining each transaction with detail to our customers, and this transaction is no way different.

Per the insured's request we have issued a general liability policy (policy #[redacted]) for her business and coverage was bound with an effective date of 07/08/2013. The total paid by the insured on the date of the transaction was $680.00, which paid the annual premium of $500, a wholesaler broker fee of $65, and an agency broker fee of $115. The insured signed the application and disclosure forms that also showed a breakdown of premium and non-fundable fees such as the wholesaler and agency broker fee. A binder was then issued to the insured. A week after issuance of the policy, the insured contacted our office to inquire about possibly canceling the policy due to her commercial space landlord not accepting the company assigned to the risk. The landlord claimed that United States Liability Insurance Co. (USLI), which is the carrier that we placed this risk with, was not a legitimate insurance carrier and that the insured should instead get a policy through her (landlord's) Farmers agent. We assured the insured that USLI was not only a legitimate company but that coverage was bound and that the policy was active. We also offered to fax proof directly to the landlord but the insured refused, claiming that she would personally contact the landlord herself to explain. It was then stated to the insured that she would have to stop into the office to sign a cancellation request in person, and that any unearned premium minus fees would be reimbursed if policy was to be cancelled.

On 08/22/2013, the insured contacted our office to once again inquire about cancelling her insurance policy. This time the insured insisted that the policy be cancelled by phone. Unfortunately, our company guidelines do not permit us to cancel any types of polices via phone, so we then once again advised her to stop into the office to sign a cancellation request. The insured refused and stated that she did not have time to stop in and ended the call. The insured did stop into our office on the following day and signed a cancellation request in person with an effective date of 08/23/2013. The insured was also informed that she would receive a refund for the unearned premium of $437 which would not include wholesaler and agency broker fees as these were non-refundable.

Per her new Farmers Insurance agent's ([redacted]) misguided advice, she then faxed in a formal complaint request to the Department of Insurance (DOI). This request falsely claimed that not only was the policy never issued, but also that we never intended to help her cancel the policy as well. This matter was successfully resolved with our cooperation and with the submission of the requested documentation including the application and broker fee disclosure forms to the DOI. However, her failed attempt with the DOI has now prompted her to involve your department (Revdex.com) in an erroneous effort to try and collect on a non- refundable amount.

A refund check has been issued to the insured for the return premium amount minus wholesaler, and agency broker fees. The check amount was for $437.00 (CK# [redacted]). The check was mailed with an amount breakdown as well.

For your convenience I have included signed documentation which shows the insured's acknowledgement of the non-fundable amounts in question.

Consumer

Response:

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

If you look at the documents that were presented with this complaint you will see that my original invoice states "agency broker fee" $0. So why am I being charged $115? Also, I was told about the $65 after the fact that I cancelled the policy, and again was told there was no broker fee at all. This was a bait and switch on the companies behalf because of me cancelling the policy with them. The amount I'm asking for ($180) is not main concern, my concern is that they are taking advantage of consumers who have limited English, and charging them fee's that they claim not to charge. The copies of the fee's were included with this complaint, and they can not then later decide to charge me. This is very unprofessional on their part. I do not agree with their response, and would like my refund. They should be honest with their fee's up front, and hide them.

Sincerely,

Consumer

Response:

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

If you look at the documents that were presented with this complaint you will see that my original invoice states "agency broker fee" $0. So why am I being charged $115? Also, I was told about the $65 after the fact that I cancelled the policy, and again was told there was no broker fee at all. This was a bait and switch on the companies behalf because of me cancelling the policy with them. The amount I'm asking for ($180) is not main concern, my concern is that they are taking advantage of consumers who have limited English, and charging them fee's that they claim not to charge. The copies of the fee's were included with this complaint, and they can not then later decide to charge me. This is very unprofessional on their part. I do not agree with their response, and would like my refund. They should be honest with their fee's up front, and hide them.

Sincerely,