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Aired on Market Place: Jan. 26, 1999
Caroline Belfoi had just moved into her new home in the country, not far from Ottawa, when she was robbed. She explains, "I came home one day, went in, couldn't find the dog. Found the dog locked in the bathroom.
Came into the main room and there was nothing left but the furniture." The insurance company paid her claim of over $10,000 but when her policy came up for renewal, the company opted out.
Economical Insurance gave Belfoi 15 days notice. Her claims history: two small claims in the previous six years.
It didn't matter that the third robbery was in a completely different location. Economical says she should have had her burglary alarm on.
Belfoi says it was new, wasn't working properly, and she was waiting for the alarm company to come out to reset it. She also had plans to install a front gate. Still Economcal chose not to do business with her.
The size of the claims makes no difference and it can be a few as one claim before you have no insurance.
Once you are considered high risk by one insurer you have been effectively black listed since one of the first questions all insurers ask is if you have ever been refused insurance.
If you answer yes they aren't interested in you as a customer
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