Belair Wolf in Sheeps clothing
by TH on Oct 4, 2018
1 out of 5 stars
We have been with BelairDirect, previously CanadianDirect, for over a dozen years, with home and auto insurance. We received our auto renewal with a 70% increase. We drive less than 20k a year, accident-free, no points or violations, exact same insurance on the same vehicle. We asked why. Belair said to help pay for other bad drivers and everyone pays. We understand this is how insurance works, but come on, 70% increase. If this happens to our home insurance, then they will lose all of our business. This company has changed dramatically since Beliar took over, unfortunately for the worst.
Despite providing Belairdirect with all relevant copies of signed documentation, they refused to cancel my policies for Home and Auto. They continued to withdraw money from my account for two months past my request for cancellation. They refused to refund me the money and I had to put a stop order to prevent further withdrawals. There was no communication from them to me despite numerous emails from both my new broker and myself asking for clarification on why Belair would not cancel my policies nor refund the monies taken from my account. Cannot express strongly enough DO NOT DEAL WITH BELAIRDIRECT! Rating -- 0
I want to personally thank Belairdirect policyholders that took the time and effort to let Canadians know about how terrible the insurance company staff treats their customers. I personally have an auto insurance claim that is waiting for their approval. Since submitting my claim information, I have been lied to and have received rude behaviour. I am cancelling all my policies later this year including boat, home, quad, and 3 autos. And to make matters worse, the repair shop that is supposed to honour a lifetime Rely Network warranty on its historic repair is trying to avoid fixing poor repair work. I would avoid Carstar and Belairdirect. Just a reminder that it's the staff of the company that represents the name of the business. So when you are lied to and/or treated poorly, then why continue to pay out your hard-earned money to people that can't be trusted. Canadians work hard enough for their money, why should we continue to lose? I encourage to take your business with a 5-star rating, not a 1 star.
For the past 2 years I have had a home & auto policy with Belairdirect. My premiums are coming due in July. I recently got a letter from them stating that my policy's will have to be paid in full upon renewal. I have never missed a payment and have had no claims. So I called and spoke to some "well-trained customer service person" that kept telling me that we didn't meet the criteria for the monthly payments. I asked what the criteria was. He just kept saying that we didn't meet the current criteria. So I asked to speak with his supervisor. He told me that someone would contact me later that day. I'm still waiting. So I called the next day and got some other "well-trained customer service person" on the phone. Each time that I asked him a question, he kept going back to his script saying that the company was changing its policy. He couldn't tell me why we were not allowed to pay monthly anymore. After speaking to him for 30 minutes and getting nowhere, I demanded to speak with a supervisor. He said that someone would call me back, to which I replied "not on your life am I hanging up until I speak with someone". So I waited on hold for another 10 minutes. A supervisor came on the line. I asked him the same question. Why are we not allowed to make monthly payments anymore and just what criteria did we not meet. He told me that in Alberta they have had many delinquent accounts, cancelled policies, and basically (my words) deadbeats. He said that the company was moving toward a full payment for their policies. He couldn't or wouldn't tell me if this was for everyone or just select customers. At no time would he tell me why we're going to be asked to make a full payment in order to renew our policy. It was like being in the Twilight Zone. You could ask any question you wanted, but they only had one answer and they kept repeating it over and over. So that was an hour of my life that I will never get back. Needless to say, we are searching for a new insurance provider. If I had read some of these reviews, I'm sure that I would not be adding my own frustrating experience for your reading pleasure.
New to Belairdirect, 15 years with a previous insurance provider, great driving record, no claims, rates creeping up each year, this year huge increase. Decided to shop around, Belairdirect quote online was quick and easy, surprised the actual premium is very close to the online quote. Great customer service, Agent on the phone was knowledgeable and processed auto and home with one call. In that honeymoon period, but so far I recommend Belairdirect to anyone looking to save!
Did you know that on average Ontario drivers with good driving records pay $1,805/year in auto insurance? Is your insurance rate higher? Get a free car insurance quote and start saving today.
We have been using BelairDirect auto insurance for about 15 years and can say pretty satisfied with their service and pricing. Their accident forgiveness is fantastic. Despite two major accidents, our rates stayed steady and slowly dropped. Some people are impressed with how low our rates been going. Having a big company with their vast resources available in case something wrong is assuring. At times we had to negotiate the rate and ask for ways to save. Agents were always courteous and helpful for the most part. I wished to get home insurance with them but their rates were high despite being a long time customer.
As a satisfied client, I shall remain with Belairdirect in the foreseeable future, because of its competitive premium rates on both auto and home insurance, as well as for the quality of service this company has provided, especially with regard to the residential claim I had to make after severe storm-damage to the roof of my property.
I got my very first car last september (20 male KW area) and had the insurance with TD general since i had home insurance with them too. However, after half a year, i felt like my insurance premium was too high which is 380 a month, so i did a quote online on belairdirect, it ended up 190 a month with 900 dollars annual for home insurance bundle. awesome company, I'm doing well with auto merit, too. And hopefully i could end up saving more!
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Your friend at first, then watch them JACK THE PRICES UP. I have this year an 8% increase to my home insurance. LAST YEAR, they just... changed my policy because THEY wanted to... lower my flood coverage because they thought my coverage of 10K was too high, so lowered it to 3K ALL WITHOUT MY CONSENT, and didn't give a discount for that. Also just now they wrote me a letter saying THEY think my car deductible should be $1000, not $500. "The winter tire discount has been removed from the above-listed vehicle as it no longer qualifies" ... what? I just spent $1900 on tires and wheels why doesn't it qualify? AND you raised my insurance. P.S.: NO CLAIMS for the home or auto, not 1 in 17 years, and perfect driving record, not even a speeding ticket. Again, they'll be all cozy the first round then annually ding these things to their advantage.