Unique Insurance Insurance Company that Doesnt Pay - ITS TRUE! CHICAGO Illinois

On December 16th, My Girlfriend was involved in an accident with my truck. She was not able to break on an icy road and slid into a tree, damaging the complete front end of my truck. I filed a claim immediately with UNIQUE INSURANCE, my insurer. I received a letter in the mail on January 01, 2008 asking for a filled out questionnaire filled out and signed, including a description of how the accident ocurred, and a copy of the police report. I filled out the required documents and mailed them to UNIQUE.

My girlfriend received a call from JOE MENDEZ, from Unique Insurance, telling her that I had to take my car to "NETHERTON'S BODY SHOP INC", in Kankakee, IL. Once I received this information, I placed 3-4 calls to Joe Mendez, leaving messages asking for a call back. He never returned my call. Finally I reached him, and explained to him that NETHERLANDS BODY SHOP was over an hour drive from my house, and they are not open on Saturday's so getting an estimate there would be very tough to do. I explained to Joe that there are 3-4 body shops within a 10 mile radius of my house in which I could receive estimates, and I could fax him all the quotes. Joe told me that I had plenty of time to get it to Kankakee, because they were doing some sort of background check on me and my "GIRLFRIEND" (in a threatening voice) because we only have had coverage for two weeks prior to filing this claim. I explained to them I had been covered by his insurance agency for 1-2 YEARS, and my policy was only RENEWED two weeks ago. He told me that if "I must take it to Netherlands if I want to get my truck fixed, and that I have no other options." He hung up the phone on me, and for 2 weeks straight I left messages and received no return phone call.

I finally took a day off work and drove the truck to Netherton's on 01/31/08. They explained to me that they would mail it to Unique insurance, and I received a faxed copy of the estimate on 2/6/08. One Week later, I received a letter from UNIQUE Insurance, again asking me for a "LEGIBLE" Copy of the police report and something proving the date of the accident. I had already sent them the ORIGINAL Copy with the questionaire, which does show the date of accident on it. They must have already received this, as on my claim number they had the Accident Date written on the letter, even though I filed the claim the day after. I again sent another copy of the police report (original) that I received from my local police officer.

I made another call to UNIQUE Insurance to check the status of my claim on 02/20/08, where I was told that JOE MENDEZ is no longer with the company, and my claim would be handled by HARRY. I left a message on Harry's voicemail at this time, requesting a call back. After no response, I called Tuesday 02/26/08 and requested another call back. After no response again, I called today, and was told that my claim is now being handled by "TOSHA" in the claims department. I have again left a message on her voicemail.

It is impossible to get an answer from the Claims Department. I find it ridiculous that I have to take my truck to a certain body shop to get an estimate and repair work when there are plenty of capable body shops nearby my residence. The insurance company told me that they are a Chicago Based company, and do not have good body-shop coverage in my area, so why would they insure me to begin with? My truck has had trouble starting since the accident and I have replaced the battery and had several mechanics look at the truck since the body shop stated that the accident did not cause this and in fact it was the cold.. Even though My truck was in excellent conditon prior to the claim and never had a problem started.

BOTTOM LINE - UNIQUE INSURANCE SUCKS. BIGGEST RIPOFF. HOPEFULLY WHOEVER IS READING THIS WAS SMART ENOUGH TO RESEARCH IT BEFORE, AND HASN'T ALREADY BEEN HIT WITH THIS.

I will be filing a complaint with the Department of Insurance tomorrow, assuming I again do not receive a returned phone call today.

Bonez
MAZON, Illinois
U.S.A.