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Complaint Details
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Initial Complaint
04/19/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Billing Issues
- Status:
- Answered
On 1/6/2023 our mom passed away and we contacted Miller insurance agency, the car insurance company she used. She had paid her 6 month premium and we were told, once we get the death certificate, we could get some of the money she paid back. Once we got the death certificate, I contacted them and they wrote us a check for 30 days ($286.00). They made the check out to her but we had already closed her bank account. I called them on 4/19/2023 to see if they could make the check out to me or my bother who is the executor of her will. I was told that we would need a letter of testamentary from a lawyer and we would have to establish an estate account and they would make the check out to her estate. It seems like companies do this so it's not worth the time and effort to cash a small yet worthy check when your loved one passes away. We'd spend more money getting a lawyer to draft a letter for us, so there is no point in cashing the check. Companies know this and take advantage of families who lost a loved one.Business response
04/19/2023
At ****************** request after receiving the required death certificate for his mother, we processed the cancellation and a pro-rata refund was sent to him in the name of *********************** (standard practice when an insured has passed away). Based on this complaint, we have now requested the insurance carrier (Progressive) stop payment on the original check and a replacement check is being issued payable to the Estate of ************************ Progressive advised that whoever has legal authority should be able to cash the check, as per ****************** request.
**** Miller
Miller Agency Inc.
Customer response
04/20/2023
Complaint: 19956299
I am rejecting this response because:A check made out to the estate of my mom would require us to open an estate account just for a $268 check. If made out to my brother, who is the executor of her will, he could go cash that check. That is a simple solution that the insurance agency could do, but refuses.
Regards,
*********************Business response
04/20/2023
We are not refusing to provide a solution. When an insured is deceased, the standard protocol with all insurance companies is to refund to the deceased or their estate. This is the legal process and part of that process requires the family of the deceased to go through a legal process since the family member is not the insured that the contract was with. Unfortunately, it is not an easy or preferred process and we tried to help by re-issuing the refund check to the estate. *** contract was with *************** and cannot be "transferred" to a family member. *** standard process is to create an estate, and unfortunately that process *** come at a cost to the family. Had ************** not closed the bank account, there would have been that option to deposit the refund check. If we could refund to **************, we would, and would much prefer to if we could, as we had a wonderful relationship with his mother, providing to her insurance needs.
**** Miller
Miller Agency Inc.
Customer response
04/20/2023
Complaint: 19956299
I am rejecting this response because: If they wanted to help they would. Every other business my mom dealt with has been more than accommodating given the current situation. Legally they can make the check out to my brother. He is the executor of her will. We closed her bank account b/c we didn't anticipate any problems with any company, like we are now. Again, the company can make the check out to whom ever it wants. It's not like she is going to sue *********** or Miller Agency.
Regards,
*********************
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Contact Information
220 E Washington Ave
Navasota, TX 77868-3028
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Get a QuoteCustomer Complaints Summary
1 total complaints in the last 3 years.
0 complaints closed in the last 12 months.