Lan's City Auto & Founders Insurance

Lan's City Auto & Founders Insurance

August 15, 2005

Please post this complaint. Thank you.

August 15, 2005 Founders Insurance Company Ms. Jane Abed, President 1645 E. Birchwood Ave. Des Plaines, Illinois 60018 Re: Lan’s City Auto Body & Founders Insurance Policy # VLIL0ssss Ms. Abed: I, Fred L Nance Jr., report the following to Ms. Abed, copying Senators James Meeks and Barack Obama, Illinois State Representative David Miller, Bill of Lan’s City Auto, and www.complaints.com. On August 11, 2005 at approximately 8:30 am, my wife Darlene Bouyer-Nance, took her car, Toyota Corolla, to Lan’s City Auto Body (Lan’s). The Toyota Corolla was taken back to Lan’s because the drivers’ side window and the passenger side front window rattled while the car is in motion. Both windows were repaired as part of the “insured” work done on the Toyota Corolla for “hit and run” accidents to the car on August 19, 2004 and April 9, 2005. In addition, the rear view mirror on the drivers’ door, which was part of the “insured” work of August 19, 2004, was disconnected from the door. Bill of Lan’s assured me I could get the work done anytime I brought the car in for repair. Bill and I have been playing telephone tag and having other business. I have been keeping in contact with Bill regarding this repair. My wife called on August 15, 2005 requesting information on the work mentioned above. The owner, Bill, reported the work was done an hour after my wife brought the car in. My wife asked Bill why didn’t he call her to report the work was done. Bill informed my wife he did not have her number. My wife asked Bill why didn’t he call her husband. Bill stated to my wife that he would not call her husband for anything because he complained to Founder’s about his previous work on the “insured” Nissan. My wife got off the phone stating to me, “He is so arrogant.” On August 15, 2005, my wife and I went to pick her car up from Lan’s City Auto. I tape-recorded the following conversation. I asked Bill “if the car was completed an hour after my wife left the car, why didn’t he call my wife?” Bill stated, “Why didn’t you call me?” I informed Bill he had a responsibility to call me or my wife informing us the car was finished. Bill stated he did not have our phone number. I informed Bill he has done work on our cars and has invoices for the work with our phone numbers on it, and he has told me in the past that he keeps the information on his computer. I also informed Bill he told my wife this morning he would not call me under any circumstances because I filed a complaint with Founders on him. I informed Bill I am writing about this issue. Bill stated, “Go ahead and write. You have written before.” I informed Bill I would send him a copy of the letter I will write. Bill stated, “Send me two.” I informed Bill I will send two, and that he can give one to his lawyer. The complaint Bill reports I made was a verbal complaint about the services of Lan’s City Auto with Founders Insurance in regard to the accident repair for March 18, 2005. This repair was for the Nissan Altima. I left the Altima for repair on March 19, 2005 after the accident of March 18, 2005. I received the Altima from Lan’s City Auto on April 7, 2005. I complained to Bill about how the Altima was repaired. I had a lot of trouble getting the Altima fixed. I called Founders Insurance many times. Finally, on June 16, 2005 I talked to Tinesha Wilson of Founders Insurance. Tinesha was the claims agent for Founders Insurance on this case, which was claim # 0105003666. I informed Tinesha about the faulty car repair to the Nissan Altima. I informed Tinesha I did not want to take my car back to Lan’s City Auto. Tinesha informed me I had to take the car back where it first had service so the Adjuster could examine the car for the faulty repair work I am complaining of. I complained to Tinesha of the relationship between adjuster Bill Meyer and Bill of Lan’s City Auto. I felt Mr. Meyer was biased toward me and my repairs. I informed Tinesha that on June 16, 2005, Mr. Meyer was very belligerent and discourteous to me telling me I could not take my car anywhere else for additional repairs to the faulty work and that he had the final say to the matter. Tinesha told me that was not true. Tinesha stated that on Thursday, June 23, 2005, Mr. Meyer and another adjuster, Mr. Jay Svehla, would be at Lan’s City Auto. I took the Nissan up to Lan’s on June 23, 2005. Mr. Meyer was very offensive and nefarious with his actions and verbal communication to me. I called Tinesha and told her about the communication between Mr. Meyer and I. Tinesha informed me that Mr. Sylvester Lewinski, Founders Insurance Physical Damage Supervisor, would be getting in touch with me. Mr. Lewinski called me on Friday, June 24, 2005, suggesting I call him at 847-812-1185, on Monday, June 27, 2005, to set a time to meet. I met with Mr. Lewinski on 43rd and Union in Chicago; and left my car for viewing and adjustment. The adjustments were made and completed. On August 15, 2005, I attempted to confirm the meeting place between Mr. Lewinski and myself by calling Tinesha and Pam Nardi. Tinesha reports her records indicate I met with Mr. Lewinski at Regional Collision. I asked her for the phone number and address. She reports the items are not listed in the records. I called Pam Nardi, who was rude and obnoxious stating, “I don’t work in claims.” Bill of Lan’s City Auto was rude and nefarious to my wife, Darlene Bouyer-Nance on Thursday, August 11, 2005 and Monday, August 15, 2005 because of this complaint, which he made clear when he stated this morning, August 15, 2005, “Go ahead and write. You have written before.” This behavior should not be allowed from a contractor of business for automobile repair. If Founders Insurance does nothing about this, they ignore and condone the behavior and character of Bill and Lan’s City Auto. It appears the same character and behavior is exampled among some employees of Founders Insurance also. I expect a written apology from Lan’s City Auto, especially to my wife. I am placing this complaint on the Internet for public viewing, specifically, in the South Suburbs. Ms. Abed: Is this the way your customers are treated by those you enter into contract with to provide services to automobiles insured by Founders Insurance? Is there normally retaliatory actions taken in response to complaints filed with Founders Insurance on “contracted” auto repair shops with Founders Insurance? What is your response to this issue raised? The repair to the rear view mirror on the drivers’ side door of the Toyota Corolla still needs repair. Lan’s City Auto did not complete this work. The mirror is still detached. Senators Barack Obama and James Meeks; Illinois State Representative David Miller: My wife and I were involved in 4 different accidents during the period of August 2004 to April 2005. We were not the cause of these accidents. Our Toyota Corolla was hit by a hit-and-run driver twice. Our Nissan Altima was forced into another car by the driver who hit the car and pushed the car into our lane. Our Mercury Tracer rear-ended a car in the rain. The Mercury accident may have cause because it rear-ended someone. These cars were insured by Founders’ Insurance. Founders terminated our auto insurance because of these accidents. On May 16, 2005, Founders Insurance sent a letter to my home by way of Northwest Insurance Network, Inc. stating, “It has come to my attention that the Insurance Carrier(s) below with which we placed coverages do not intend to renew your policy upon expiration.” I had a very extensive and intensive conversation about the accidents with Ms. Abed of Founders Insurance about this issue. It appears that legislation in Illinois allows rates to go up on the consumers of auto insurance whether they were liable or not for the auto accidents they have, as stated by Ms. Abed. If this is true, there is seriously something wrong with this legislation. This legislation was referenced by Ms. Abed as reason for termination of my policies. It appears to me an insurance company should recover damages from the carrier of the auto whose car was responsible for the accident. In concert, police officials from all law enforcement bodies taking complaints from accident cases should issue tickets to the responsible parties. Please see my complaint regarding Northwest Insurance Network, Inc. and Founders Insurance on www.complaints.com letter dated April 12, 2005. When you get to this website, put Fred Nance in the rectangle box to view this complaint. Northwest Insurance Network, Inc. is a broker for insurance companies such as Founders Insurance. Why does the consumer need a broker? A broker is an added expense to the consumer. If a broker is not needed, then the consumer needs information to this end. Ms. Abed, I am seeking an apology from your auto service/repair vendor Lan’s City Auto. Bill does not give his last name on his business cards or make it available for his customers. I am also seeking any and all other remedies you deem necessary and appropriate. Senators Obama and Meeks, and State Representative Miller, I am seeking legislative investigation and possible amendments to present legislative acts governing auto insurance liabilities to consumers of auto insurance, that is, why are consumers who are not at fault in automobile accidents held responsible for the other drivers’ liability? I believe the example above, excluding Lan’s City Auto’s behavior, describes the relief I am seeking. In so far as my complaint against Lan’s City Auto, I am seeking notation and acknowledgement from your offices that you will investigate my complaints and compare it to other consumer complaints, which may be filed with your offices or other governmental agencies regarding auto repairs and negligence with auto repairs as a whole. Everyone in the Southern suburbs of the Chicago area should know how Lan’s City Auto operates. I will do my best to spread the word. Respectfully submitted, Fred Nance Jr., ABD, MA, CADC, NCRS South Holland, Illinois 60473-3436

Comment On This

On July 28, 2007, my husband and my two boys, ages 3 and 4 were driving back home from the DuPage County Fair. We were at the intersection of Route 56 and Route 59 in Warrenville, IL the third car back at a red light. When the light turned green, we followed the procession of cars and approximately 100 feet after the intersection, we were struck on the right rear side of our vehicle. The truck was trying to speed up, and my husband rolled down his window to tell the driver to pull over because he was trying to run. My husband managed to box him in as I was dialing 911. The truck had five passengers, and all were speaking Spanish. The driver asked my husband (in bad English), if he would take $100 to avoid the police.

To make a long story short, when the police arrived they were very thankful that my husband had boxed him in because they had received a call a few minutes before ours from a pizza delivery man stating that the truck had been driving erratically and weaving. The police conducted a sobriety test, the driver (Mario Botello) was arrested on the spot, charged with drunk driving, and his vehicle was impounded. The police assured us that the individual had legitimate, current insurance through Founders Insurance Company.

On Monday, I contacted both my insurance company (Geico), and Founders to report the accident. I went to the body shop that Founders asked me to go to in order to get the estimate and I proceeded to wait another two weeks. Founders assured me that if their "insured" was found at fault, then they would compensate us. Right from the beginning I never had a good feeling about the whole thing. The representative Paula Dietz, would never answer her phone, and then she would return my calls only at the end of her shift. When I would get her messages, I would call her back the next day, but she would never answer and the whole cycle would repeat again. When our paths would cross, she would either tell me or my husband that they were still trying to get in touch with their "insured".

This went on for two months. Simultaneously, I was speaking with Geico as well, and they stated that they would always be more than happy to assist with the repairs to our vehicle, we would just have to pay the deductible.

Finally, yesterday October 25, 2007, I decided to give Founders one last chance. I had been calling them repeatedly over the past two weeks without response. I called Geico and they got a supervisor on the phone. The supervisor assured me that Paula Dietz would be calling me. As soon as I hung up with Geico, she did call. This is what she said:

"I have not been able to get in touch with our insured. However, we do have conflicting reports of the accident. If you would like, we can settle this right here and now. We will pay only 50% of your estimate"

My husband and I went through the roof. How could she have conflicting reports if she is still unable to get in touvh with her client? Why would she offer a settlement to us if he was not at fault? Why had she avoided our calls for almost three months?

I immediately called Geico to inform them of their "offer." They said absolutely not. Geico is now going to handle our case. They will adjudicate our claim, and get back our deductible.

Founders Insurance Company is THE most unprofessional company that I have ever dealt with in my life. They are allowing a drunk driver to get away with not compensating us for our loss. What if we had of gotten hit harder? The place of impact was just inches from where my four year old was sitting. I will continue to submit my complaint to anyone that will listen. Beware of Founders!!

V/R,

Emily Lindsey

Aurora, IL