Increase deductible
by Gman2006 on Sep 13, 2019
1 out of 5 stars
When my windshield cracked due to a truck kicking up rocks, I had to run around to get my windshield replaced by their people instead able to do it at the closest windshield repair service. And on top of it, I had to pay $300. Why have insurance? When I went with another company when my insurance expired, Belairdirect still wanted me to pay for their insurance, saying that it is still in force! Obviously, if I did not pay for the renewal, I am NOT insured by them, and therefore I am not obligated to pay them! I would never deal with them again or can recommend them to anybody!
First, they wanted to update our claims history (there were none) and our points (again none), then because we had a windshield claim, they downgraded our glass coverage. We had ONE glass claim and they downgraded our coverage because "there have been a lot of claims in your postal code". What tripe. Bye bye Belair, I hope you go broke!
We have only one company in our town that replaces windshields, I got a claim number, went to the installer, I was told that Belairdirect will only pay for a portion of the cost if I want the window replaced I will have to pay the difference, I called Belair and was told they only pay what they think it is worth! Other insurers pay the industry-standard price, Belair pays 100.00 less! As the company's representative said take it or leave it. I choose to never deal with Belairdirect again and will do all I can to discourage anyone I know from dealing with them
I went to the garage today for changing my windshield and I had a big surprise.
I have the insurance for the replacement but the guy at the customer service told me that I have also restriction no 3, nobody talks to me about this when I took my insurance.
Restriction no 3 is they will pay for my windshield if I received a plane or a part of a plane into it, explosion, thunder, hail, fire, riots, earthquake, wind storm but if I receive a rock in my windshield they don’t pay.
I understand that if a reactor falling from the sky on my car and broke my windshield I go directly to the store buying a loto... if I am still alive.
They should explain this to me when I took the insurance, cheaper but I have to pay 550$, the word for this is fraud.
I have been driving 30+ years and other than a windshield, I've never made a claim - ever. I have been with Belair for about 3 years. Walking back to my truck after my son's soccer game this week, I noticed someone had taken out my sideview mirror (2017 Toyota Tundra truck). On Monday I called Belair, they gave me a claim number, told me where to take my truck (they would forward my information) and away we go. The total estimate (after part and labour) was $290 and my deductible was $300 so I emailed the rep from Belair to say I would pay for it all myself. (Now it gets weird). 2 days later they phone me and tell me I have to get a claim number from ICBC and send them (Belair) a copy of a police report. They then say since I don't have extended coverage through ICBC the deductible is $750, but they are willing to pay their $300 deductible as part of that, so I would only have to pay $450. I asked the rep why I would go file a police report, get a new claim number from ICBC, scan it all and send it to them, then pay them $450? My quote (for everything) was $290) His answer was that he had begun to work on my file and that "the wheels were in motion" and that I should "follow through until the end." Otherwise, I'm not acting in good faith. What??? Also, I had to go through ICBC because they did not really cover the "hit and run" of a parked car in the traditional way - they work with ICBC. None and I mean none of what they were saying made sense! This was a 30-minute phone call that bordered on harassment! I will tell this story to everyone I know as this goes well beyond the lines of bizarre!
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I am in British Columbia. Been driving for 35 years and have made no claims with Belairdirect. Had two vehicles insured: 2017 Ford Escape and 2016 Ford F150. For both last year $1200. This renewal is $1600. I made two rock chip claims and am being told that these rock chip claims are the reason for the increase. The rock chip filling is like $40 each. Which have now cost me $400! This is insane!
I loved having Belair as an insurance provider, for almost 4 years. They were easy to talk to and friendly, their rates were great. Then, our vehicle was broken into, so we made a claim. It was like dealing with a different company. They were stingy on the coverage and tried not to have to pay for much, which was a car rental and glass. We made them cover it, as full coverage was our plan, they did, then forced us to find another insurance company. Nice. Never again.
I have been a customer of Belair (formerly Canada Direct) for fifteen years. I have never had a claim during that entire period until last October when I had a broken windshield replaced. I paid the $200.00 deductible had the work done and never thought anything more about it. I have just received my car insurance renewal notice and was informed that due to my claims history they can no longer offer me Windshield Replacement in my new policy. Contacting the company to get this stupidity reversed proved fruitless and I was informed that I could apply for coverage again in three years if I do not have any more glass claims. It appears that as long as you blindly pay for services that you do not use, you are considered a good customer, but the minute you use the service you have been paying for, they drop you. Makes one wonder why insurance companies are allowed to get away with these games. My recommendation to anyone who cares to listen is to avoid this company. There are other companies out there. You may pay slightly more but in the end, it will be worth it.
This company belairdirect Insurance underwritten by Intact, are nothing but a bunch of crooks. I recently called in to submit a claim in regards to 'stone chip' damage along the top roof panel above the window on one of our vehicles. The damaged area had increasingly rusted and if not fixed will only get worse and could become a safety issue in regards to the window itself. There is absolutely no other rust on the vehicle, as we Krown yearly.
Was not impressed with the handling of this claim from the beginning by belairdirect Insurance. From the start the were uninterested in accepting our claim. It was made to seem that the problem was due to routine wear and tear, and would not be covered. I informed them that it was not the case. The rust problems and damage was due to stone chipping from debris thrown up by construction trucks on the highway in Ontario. They gave us the run around from the start, at one point telling us that a Claims Appraiser would inspect the vehicle and no Appraiser showed after we went through the inconvenience of leaving the vehicle at the autobody shop, twice. I called belaridirect and was informed that no appraisal had been set-up in the first place. I can assure that I checked twice to confirm the date for the appraisal. So, it is my view that after the difficult time I was given in regards to this claim, that belairdirect never had any intention of doing anything with it and therefore never set up the appraisal. No actual Appraiser ever showed up, instead they requested photos be sent. Based on these photos off the internet they have determined not to cover the claim. This is inane to say the least and unacceptable, and not why we pay insurance. The vehicle was struck while be driven on the highway by stones, that caused the damage. If driving on any roadway in Ontario and a flying object struck the car it is an accident, regardless of fault. In fact it doesn't matter if the car was parked in our driveway and something fell or struck the vehicle, it is still an accident and covered by Comprehensive. belairdirect's attempt to classify this as normal wear and rust is ridiculous, and confirmed by the Manager of the Autobody shop with which we deal. We carry Comprehensive coverage for a reason, and it does not matter whether the ‘flying stones’ or debris strikes the glass window, headlight, grill or any other specific part of the vehicle - Comprehensive: With this option, you are covered for any threat or danger other than collision, including theft, damage or loss caused by vandalism, projectiles, and falling or flying objects such as stones kicked up by a truck in front of the vehicle. The only important thing to remember is that this coverage applies to the vehicle only, not passengers. I have discussed this with the Shop Manager and a very experienced body work tradesman, and they stated that the damage was caused by stones/debris striking the vehicle in that spot. So this is nothing but a ploy for belairdirect to get out of their responsibility and not cover a legitimate claim.
We were customers with belairdirect for 10 years plus and have not even had a claim in over seven plus years. To start being given a difficult time, just when we need the help of our insurance company is a disappointment. We have attempted to resolve this matter with the company but to no avail. We will be getting rid of belairdirect as our Insurance provider because of this incident and their unreliability in terms of providing coverage. We filed a complaint with General Insurance OmbudService of Ontario and will also be contacting other government and media consumer protection and advocate agencies to ensure this story gets out to the public and on file. The belairdirect Insurance company already has a noted reputation for this kind of despicable conduct and rip-off, and now we understand the reason. We have owned vehicles, been driving and have carried insurance for over 40 years - STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY!
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I have several cars insured with Belairdirect. I just received an email from them stating "After careful review of the policy mentioned above and based on new information, the following modifications will be made to the policy as of the effective date indicated above: Increasing your comprehensive deductible from $200 to $1000. Your revised policy will follow shortly." I've never had an issue Canadian Direct (their predecessor) for approx 30 years. With this particular vehicle we've had two claims in 10 years. The claims were 1 windshield replacement and last year the back window blew out when I was replacing a hatch strut. Needless to say with this type of customer service attitude they will be losing my business on all my vehicles. I'll also share this on social media.