I am unable to obtain automobile insurance because Pembridge Insurance blemished my insurance file by falsely entering that my policy was cancelled for non-payment when in fact Pembridge entered my bank account, in May 2003, without authorization and emptied my bank account. I had no previous knowledge that this withdrawal was going to take place which caused my mortgage payment to almost be returned NSF by my bank. Had my bank not cover the mortgage payment, I would have incurred a $200.00 fine as well as a major nightmare with my mortgage company.
I was made aware of this withdrawal when I deposited money into my account only to find that after the deposit, I had a negative balance in my account. I immediately contacted my bank who informed me that Pembridge withdrew over $358.60 when my auto policy was $56.18.
When I later tried to obtain a lower premium, I found out that I was blacklisted by Pembridge. I contacted the Insurance Hotline who directed me to the Insurance Brokers Assoc'n of Ontario who directed me to the General Insurance Ombudsman of Ontario. I still was not able to get any assistance so I contacted my MP and my MPP.
My MP was able to get me a contact at Pembrige. I spoke with Karen Faulkner who told me that she appreciated the fact that I had to return the unauthorize deduction due to the fact that my mortgage payment was jeopardized. She also informed me that I had a self-renewing policy and that Pembridge was not obligated to inform me of the upcoming renewal.
I told her that the auto in question was no longer in my possession of which Karen told me that she would have the blemish removed but only after I provide her a copy of the ownership. Of course, I no longer have the ownership since I no longer own the automobile.
It appears to me that Pembridge made a grave mistake of which could be easily rectified but due to Pembridge's bullish tactics, I am unable to obtain auto insurance.
I did receive the renewal notice for my home policy in August 2003 and immediately informed Pembridge via fax of my intention to obtain a lower premium. During my search, I found out that Pembridge changed its name to "Pasco".
I authorized my bank to send a "good faith" premium of $31.45 for the home policy so Pembridge would not at a later date notify my mortgage holder of non-policy. When I obtained a new home policy, I sent Pembridge a cancellation letter via fax and requested return of my "good faith" payment.
When I did not receive my refund after 6 weeks, I sent another fax to Pembridge. To my surprise, a message was left on my answering machine from Pembridge notifying me that although Pembridge did receive my faxes and "good faith" payment, Pembridge recorded that my home policy was cancelled for non-payment and that I would not be receiving my refund.
Now I am left with no auto policy and no refund from my home policy. No one in the government of Ontario or Canada, (insurance ombudsman, elected official or otherwise) has been able to assist me with Pembridge. So I am left with filing this report because I need my insurance file rectified and prompt refund of my premium.
Paula
Courtice, Ontario
Canada
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