Worst insurance company ever!
by Brad D on Apr 1, 2019
1 out of 5 stars
I notified AMA insurance that our house had sold on July 25th. When I was asked for our new address, I let them know that we are living in a fifth wheel until we figure out where we are going. I let them know we are going to spend a couple of months on Vancouver Island in the winter, and that we planned to go across Canada in the summer. I did not give time frames, nor did I say we would be leaving Alberta permanently. On Thursday, August 16th my husband and I both received e-mails and phone messages telling us to contact AMA immediately. The phone message said that because I had not sent in my confirmation of the primary driver, my auto insurance would be cancelled. I called them and asked what they meant. I've had the car since November 2014 and have never had to submit such a thing. I was told that a registered letter had been sent to my last known address on July 30th. I, of course, had not received that letter since we had sold that house. When I pointed that out, she then proceeded to tell me that I was moving to BC and would be travelling around Canada and the US, so, therefore, they could no longer insure me. WHAT? I told her we were NOT moving to BC and that we were not travelling to the US in our fifth wheel. I also told her our home base will be Alberta. She did not take my new address. I have several questions about this. 1. since when does an insurance company get to dictate where I travel? 2. Why would anyone send a registered letter to somewhere the person no longer lives? It took two weeks to contact us by e-mail and phone. Would that not have been the way to connect in the first place? 3. I was told that AMA is only licenced in Alberta so they could not provide us service in other provinces. My insurance policy went to the end of November. As of this date, I have been in Alberta for all but two weeks of the year. Does that mean we would not have been covered in the other province we visited? I am thankful that I have never had a claim. I suspect it would have been a gong show with how AMA has handled this situation. Total crap service! When I complained about this formally, I was connected with someone who was "reviewing" our situation. I was told our insurance would be reinstated. They acknowledged that they should have found another way to contact us for the information they required. So, the "reinstatement" is: a reduced liability coverage and no collision or comprehensive. Complete garbage. We are looking for alternatives since their reinstatement as it stands is not acceptable.
My husband bought his first vehicle and when trying to get insurance, ended up signing a policy with AMA. The premium was outrageous but we weren't in a position to change providers at that time. We had a monthly payment system set up, but honestly did miss a couple payments. We're were always at the branch later that day or the next day with cash in hand to pay.
The policy was up for renewal and we knew they probably were worried about us so we went into the branch to resign and offered to pre-pay there months, as a sign of good faith. They told us it wasn't a problem and not to worry, and that the policy had been auto-renewed at the same price and terms.
About a month later we were pulled over (burnt out brake light) and provided our insurance pink card, registration and license and the officer went to verify it all. He came back 10 minutes later informing us our pink card was invalid and the policy had been cancelled. We had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. Husband called AMA Goodman's and was informed that on the 1st premium payment due date, AMA had tried to deduct the entirely annual premium, which obviously had bounced. They had then cancelled the policy as a result and had mailed a notice to us yesterday (obviously hasn't arrived yet).
As a result, we were running without insurance and were handed a $5k fine. The officer was sympathetic and while he was supposed to have vehicle towed to impound lot (at our expense) and held until set could provide proof of insurance, he let us call a tow truck and tow it home (3 blocks).
We reinsured with a different company through a broker that evening and won't ever go near AMA again.
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my car was involved for an accident two months ago. i inquired and able to talk to the assigned adjuster. her name is patricia v. With in two months, we only contact each other for 2 -3 times. First call i made was to inform about the accident and inquiry. just short talk. Second is to know the update , to let us know how much is the damaged and we might pay out of pocket and last was to re update as its been weeks. Since we received a call from rcmp asking about our report, i needed to call her . It is very hard to get thru and cannot reach her line. As a costumer, i am very worried of the amount of damage and the anxiety of waiting for long affects. i left a contact number for her to call me back to. So happy that she was able to call me back after several tries reaching her but only to hear a "rude" voice from her saying, "i am extremely busy person, I will call you when i got an answer from other insurance company" ", you keep asking the same question over and over again" (which i didn't, we just talk 2-3 times but i didn't asked over and over again). I wish the supervisor could hear our conversation. I was calm but so disappointed and so frustrated. She keep saying i will call you as soon as i get an answer but when? she said it can reach two year to settle??? for god sake...I have been with AMA since i start driving and this is my first time to complain. i am not a complain person . God knows but this time i feel so hurt and frustrated.. I even tried to ask more question in regards to accident but you can hear irritation and seemingly she wanted to cut off the only or she is the rush keep saying she is extremely busy person. i asked if where can i get an answer to my question or if i can change her as my adjuster but said "unfortunately not". i understand she might be busy as she keep on mentioning, but that is her job. I am also busy with my job and my personal but i am trying to escape from my job just to call AMA to get thru promised service. We pay expensive monthly premium for that service yet not so worth. paying very consistent but to answer question is so hard and she wanted me to wait until she get answer? when? what if it takes 2 years as she mentioned ? should i not be entitled for an update so we would know what to do ? She just dont know the anxiety we feel waiting for the update.i told her she could have say it in a nice way not being rude and explain to me about the insurance thing . she must always remember i am a costumer and she provides service. I am not even harsh and talking in a nice way yet she feels irritated. I wish the manager could discipline and not tolerate that kind of attitude. For now, i just feel so bad...
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I was a customer with AMA for 18 years. I had an accident six years ago not my fault. I had a six-month-old Jeep Grand Cherokee that was a total Loss unfixable. I lost over $8000 with the payout. Was told that was all they would give. Took over 2 months to resolve. Complaining doesn’t help, was told to get a lawyer. Unbelievable, employees not in a good way. Very rude, ignorant and arrogant. About five months ago I received a bill for $5400 a year for insurance. This was the first time that I realized how much we were paying, as my wife always pays the bills. I thought this was extremely high, although, it was for three vehicles. I decided then and there to reach out to her broker it was the best decision I have made in a long time. By doing this it’s saved me over $2000 a year. I can mention several other bad experiences I’ve had with this company. I hope whoever decides to, read this review and please take my word for it. If not, read the other reviews, they are all quite similar. This company is very crooked and dishonest! Hopefully, you make the proper decision.