Do Insurance companies encourage crime by penalising the victims with increased premiums?

Question

I have recently been a victim of crime. I had my car keys stolen from my house whilst I was asleep, my car has since been recovered but has been written off. Even though I only owned the car for 1 month I'm not likely to receive enough back to replace the vehicle and also I've lost 2 years no claims bonus so my next insurance policy will be much greater. Is this the right way to treat victims of crime and by acting like this are the insurance companies actively encouraging crime to boost their profits?

Leslie T - I think you are missing the point here !!!

I wasn't speeding, I wasn't being a road pest, I was imply being asleep in my own house and I was burgled !!

And it's not only I that will pay more in premiums, the people who live around me will also have higher premiums because they live in what is now a less disreable area in the insurance companies eyes.

Answer 1

Increased premiums should encourage you to be more street-smart and participate in more personal security. If you add or modify the locks on your home, and add an Alarm system, you might get relief in your premium. Talk with your insurance agent about the stepts that you can take to protect yourself.

Your whole neighborhood is at risk. Meet with your neighbors about increasing security. Talk about forming a neighborhood watch or Crimestoppers group. If you get some concerned citizens to meet, you can invite the local police to meet with you. If you show an interest, the police will patrol your neighborhood more.

Here are some websites about forming community groups. Take action, and stop being a victim. Start making the criminal a victim, by sending them to jail.

http://www.c-s-i.org

http://www.usaonwatch.org/

http://www.ncpc.org/

Good luck

Answer 2

I am a victim of a hit and run, the other driver was uninsured and has not been caught by the police yet. Because I am having to apply through a special fund , I will have to pay a three hundred pound excess, and I know for a fact that I will probably lose my no claims and my premiums will be higher next year. My husband is thinking of fixing it up for me on the cheap because of all this but it's still going to cost me. It's so wrong that the victims have to pay the price , but even more sadder than that is what message does this send out to the pieces of scum that do this ? They are getting a tap on the wrists if that and the victim has to suffer all the stress and expense.

Answer 3

So you have paid more in premiums than collected in this recent theft?? Most do not. Believe it or not, you are partially responsible for the claim......you left your car there, thus the theft took it instead of someone else's car. That's why you bought the insurance, to cover something you couldn't afford to cover on your own. It's part of life, live with it. At least your child wasn't in a car seat in the back when it was taken.

Answer 4

I work at an Insurance Company!! How dare you...

Just kidding. I'm with you. They "pro-rate" your policy, so now that you got your car stolen you will have to pay increased rates starting from the day you had it stolen. If you have no more accidents for the next 4-6 years, it will probably return to your original rate. You can try to get another rate from a different insurance company (don't tell them I told you), like State Farm. It may not be as low as you had before, but it will probably be better than what you have now with your current insurance company.

Answer 5

why should you not pay more? you just cost the insurance
company a bunch of money do you think you should get the same rate as me if i haven't cost the company a dime ?
some people are accident prone and are trouble magnets with little black clouds over their heads, constantly problems tho no fault of their own, but i don't think they should be entitled to the same rate same about people who speed, i try to be careful
obey the laws and be a curteous driver because i don't want to pay higher rates, if all the rates are going to be the same then nobody would have any incentive to obey the law

Answer 6

The whole reason for insurance is too guard against the unforeseeable. For insurance companies to penalises you for being sensible and responsible enough to get insurance is extremely wrong, especially when it was not your fault. And as for not giving you enough to replace the car after 1 month you should fight them. Nothing depreciates that fast!!

Answer 7

the bottom line is that insurance companies reward folks for not having claims. so if they take away your discount for no claims there not charging you more there just not allowing a claim free discount. so why would you expect to get a claim free discout when you have had a claim.

Answer 8

umm soz

Answer 9

it's a thought

Answer 10

I don't think so!