Freeport senior shocked by insurance rate hike after coverage lapse
Wayne Schneider, 66, says he spent most of his life driving and maintaining affordable auto insurance coverage.
More Stories
A Freeport senior citizen says he has been priced off the road after learning that a lapse in auto insurance coverage caused his premium quote to skyrocket, despite having a clean driving record and not owning a vehicle during that time.
Wayne Schneider, 66, says he spent most of his life driving and maintaining affordable auto insurance coverage. But when he recently obtained an insurance price quote after going 10 months without a policy, he was stunned by the price.
"I'm stuck. I don't know what to do," Schneider said.
According to Schneider, he had been paying just over $200 a month last year to insure his Ford Ranger. However, after canceling that policy and going 10 months without insurance coverage, his new quote exceeded $1,000 per month.
"I've had a car my whole life. Insurance has always been inexpensive. I have no tickets on my license," Schneider said. "This is something really wrong."
The dramatic increase occurred after Schneider got rid of his truck due to costly transmission problems. He surrendered his license plates to the Department of Motor Vehicles and canceled his insurance policy because he no longer owned a vehicle.
What Schneider did not realize was that auto insurers often penalize drivers who experience a lapse in coverage, even if they are not driving and have no vehicle to insure.
Consumer advocates say continuous insurance coverage is a factor in the pricing models many insurers use.
"Unfortunately, auto insurance companies have algorithms that evaluate your lapse in coverage for any reason, and they typically are going to charge you more if you don't have auto insurance coverage," said Chuck Bell, a financial policy advocate with Consumer Reports.
Frustrated by the situation, Schneider sought help from elected officials and government agencies. He says he was eventually directed to the New York State Department of Financial Services, which regulates insurance companies.
However, Schneider says he was disappointed by the response he received.
"I said, 'What am I supposed to do? I can't get to the store. I'm 66,'" Schneider recalled. "She says, 'Why don't you take an Uber?' I said, 'Take an Uber?'"
When asked about Schneider's concerns, a spokesperson for the Department of Financial Services did not address the alleged Uber comment. However, the agency said Schneider was provided with information, resources and options that could potentially reduce the cost of coverage.
For now, Schneider says he remains without a car and unable to afford the insurance rates he has been offered.
Liberty Mutual, Schneider's former insurer, said it could not publicly discuss the details of a customer's policy.
