Before you get an insurance quote from Hartford, STOP! ...

[Bill_S_1]

As many others do, I am reviewing my insurance coverage and costs, and getting a few quotes. I was about to make my decision, then read that a forum member got what he said was a very good rate on his class A, from Hartford. In fact, he said he joined AARP just to get that insurance, and with a nice discount.

I decided to get a quote from them, as we already have AARP medicare supplemental ins. Went to the Hartford webside, and began the process for an on-line quote. 6 or so pages of forms, gathering lots of personal information. At the end of the last form, they provide a button to see their quote, and when I clicked it, a pop-up message says they "cannot provide a quote based on the information provided".

Next morning, I called them, and told the lady I am puzzled, as I completed all of the info, and know I have clean driving record, etc, etc. She said I see the problem: you don't have any other insurance with us. I said no, but they never asked that question, or stated anywhere that it was a requirment. I asked for a supervisor.

David came on the phone, and I told him I don't want my personal info to be collected by a company that had no intention of providing a quote, since I did not meet their requirements, and I want my info purged from their system. He said he would talk ti IT dept, and get back to me.

He called back yesterday, and said due to company policy, no information collected from applicants can be deleted, and furthermore, that information will also be shared. I let him know that if they have a policy of not offering RV insurance unless you already have auto insurance with them, that should be the first question asked on the form. This practice is deceptive.

If you agree, let Hartford hear from you. The CEO is Christopher Swift, Hartford Consumer Affairs, 1 Hartford Plaza, H01-19-3, Hartford, Ct 06115. I don't have a phone number or email address for Mr. Swift. Maybe someone here can provide it?

[Y-Guy]

If you read their posted privacy policy everything is laid out there. Most of us go into things without reading. Until the US adopts a "Right to be forgotten" your option is to work with the company. In their privacy policy (yes I did go and read it) there is an email address; I'd start there with a simple polite explanation of why you would like your information removed.

[ksg5000]

I would start with complaint to AARP which gets fees for steering people to Hartford - then file a complaint with the Insurance Commissioner.

[Bill_S_1]

Ralph Cramden wrote:
Anything you apply for online be it insurance, a loan, banking, a purchase, anything, is going to result in the entity collecting, keeping, and sharing your info within the scope of the law. Somewhere in the process they had the disclaimer which you had the opportunity to read, that's in the law also. Some are good at cleverly hiding those disclaimers and terms but they're there, or the feds would be coming down on the entity like a ton of bricks not to mention the law firms who would circle like sharks.

Ralph, others; I am fully aware that lots of our personal information is 'out there'. But I have problem with a company who collects information using deception. They sell RV insurance; Clicky

Nowhere does it say that in order to get an RV quote, you must already have auto insurance with us. They don't even tell you that when they announce that they cannot provide a quote for you: We're sorry.
Thank you for considering The Hartford, but we are unable to provide you insurance coverage based on the information youprovided.
Clicky

Well I provided everything they asked for. But they left out one important detail, which should have been the very first question. If you don't have auto insurance with us, then we cannot provide a quote. WHY DON"T THEY TELL YOU THAT AT THE BEGINNING? They are deceiving applicants by NOT telling them they are not going to receive a quote. This is wrong. And once they have it, you cannot have them remove it, so there's you personal ID info in yet another company database that can be sold, hacked, or used in some other way.

[3_dog_nights]

Interesting. I do have my auto policy with them, and they told me that they don't write Motor homes. Confirmed this when I cancelled my 5th wheel and truck. Ended up with Safeco.

[Ralph_Cramden]

Anything you apply for online be it insurance, a loan, banking, a purchase, anything, is going to result in the entity collecting, keeping, and sharing your info within the scope of the law. Somewhere in the process they had the disclaimer which you had the opportunity to read, that's in the law also. Some are good at cleverly hiding those disclaimers and terms but they're there, or the feds would be coming down on the entity like a ton of bricks not to mention the law firms who would circle like sharks.

[Ductape]

Submit a written request to delete your application. There are good reasons why businesses with sensitive information do not allow rank and file workers to alter or delete permanent records.

If you knew how much Google and Facebook have on file about you you’d really blow a gasket .

[ScottG]

Wow, that's really lousy in this day and age.
We checked with them about 8~10 years ago and they were high anyway.