Location: New York I am trying to navigate the ongoing challenges in the hardship surrender of a life insurance annuity (qualified) I inherited from my father when he passed in NOV 2013. He was 82 years old when he passed and was already taking disbursements (Metlife at that time). In early 2014, I truly thought that I had requested a full pay-out on the life insurance; however, Metlife then informed me that I had already annuitized the policy (?), and it was documented on my 2014 annual FMV notice from Metlife that there was "no servicing agent on record". At that time, I did not get too upset about the mix-up because my family was doing fine financially, then. However, I am now 61 and my wife is 62; and now our financial situation has turned dire, as last year we already liquidated the other inherited life insurance annuity from Security Benefit which was super easy and paid-out within days. The reason for this eminent need is that my wife lost her job in March 2024 and she has been unsuccessful in finding a new role in this unsure job market (>500 job applications), and her NY unemployment insurance was exhausted long ago. We also have three sons, with two currently being in college in which one of them has autism in which I have dedicated my life, acting as his personal attendant of sorts to assist his K-12 education. His disability application for SSDI is still in the appeal process with the SSA, so we have paid for his first year of community college, with a great deal of assistance from me. Unfortunately, after several documented/recorded calls with Brighthouse, they have failed to provide me with a copy of my original contract, or the ability to even open an on-line account. Whenever I call them, I am not even treated as a real Brighthouse customer as my annuity contract is immortalized allowing me no visibility of my account, and I am informed that I will not be able to withdrawal the money until age 73. After 11 years, the annuity is only worth \~$28,000 (started out at $37,000 in 2013). It's not a lot of money to most people, but it could save my family at this point! I would be so grateful if the legal expert in this community could help me navigate down the correct paths to possibly resolve this solution as we really can't afford a financial planner or attorney at this time. I'm not even sure that I'm using the correct surrender request form (EF-70N-DXC 10/23) because I never get a response from Brighthouse, and I am very gracious in my communications with them.

I’ve had liberty mutual since i leased my Jetta in 2021. My rate was $145/month until jul 2023, when my coverage renewed and then it increased to $197. Then increased again to $225 in jul 2024. I called and spoke to an agent to ask about the increase and they said it had nothing to do with my credit and that rates were simply rising across the board… In 2022 I had a small fender bender with someone while parking, my insurance covered it i think. I never followed up with my insurance to see if they actually filed a claim. In 2023 my car was side swiped by someone parallel parking and they left a note and their insurance covered the damage and repair. But that was the only accident i had. No speeding tickets, but i did have many parking tickets (my city is brutal). Now I’m wondering if I should shop around, but seeing other peoples posts im not sure if $225 is even that high rn? My credit score is 759 and I make $72,800 a year before tax.

I currently have Progressive but they just jacked up rates without even a "hey we are going to raise your premium from next month". Erie Insurance is highly recommended but they seem to have strict criteria such as 3 year residency status (which is what an agent told me) hence am looking for other options. I am looking for good customer service - does not give you the run around when you need them. Decent prices. I am not looking for the lowest rates but at the same time something that is fair. And transparent. I kinda feel cheated by Progressive who slyly raised the rates. Am based in PA if that matters. Any suggestions welcome. Thank you.

Our puppy went to a few puppy socials in the past week. Today he started having a loud dry cough, so we took him to the vet. The vet diagnosed him with a minor respiratory illness. The vet wasn’t concerned because he was still eating well and had no change in energy level, but still prescribed him some cough suppressant. We mistakenly filed a claim to Trupanion at the vet to try to cover the medication. However, we were on day 28 of the 30 day waiting period and Trupanion denied the claim. Furthermore, Trupanion now saying that “cough” is a pre-existing condition and we will no longer be able to submit any claims for “cough” in the future. I saw that some insurance providers delineate between curable and non-curable pre-existing conditions. Does anyone know if Trupanion does this? Additionally, is there any way to get the “cough” removed as a pre-existing condition from Trupanion or are we screwed? Thank you!

Hi all, Looking for some advice on this situation: I had a motorcycle insurance policy with Hastings Direct while riding on a CBT (A1/A2 licence). A few days ago, I passed my full A licence and phoned them to update my details. They then told me that, due to their underwriting criteria, they can no longer insure me with a full licence — and that the policy would be cancelled from the 18th of July 2025. Shortly after the call, I received an official email confirming the cancellation. It states: “We’re writing to let you know that your bike insurance policy has been cancelled… This is because of the new information provided. Based on these details, it means we can no longer cover you.” However, during the phone call, I specifically asked if I’d need to declare this cancellation to other insurers. The rep told me no, I wouldn’t have to, because it wasn’t cancelled due to anything I did wrong (no missed payments, no claims, no dishonesty). They said it was purely down to a change in licence type and eligibility. I’ve emailed them asking for that in writing to cover myself — but in the meantime: ⸻ My questions are: 1. Do I actually need to declare this as a cancellation when applying for future bike insurance? 2. If I don’t declare it (based on what Hastings told me), can another insurer later void my policy if they find out? 3. Has anyone else experienced something similar? ⸻ I’m trying to avoid getting hit with sky-high premiums over something that wasn’t my fault. Any advice from people in the industry or who’ve been through similar would be much appreciated! I’ll be pretty shocked if I find out I need to declare this going forward as the policy cancellation outcome has been completely out of my control. Simply phoned to let them know I have now passed my MOD2, I wasn’t looking to change my bike or anything else whatsoever and wanted to continue my policy for the time being with my 2011 Honda CBR. Also worth mentioning — Hastings waived any cancellation fees, and I’m getting a refund for the unused portion of the policy. That seems to suggest they don’t consider it a “bad cancellation,” but I want to make sure I’m not risking non-disclosure by trusting what they said on the phone. Thanks in advance.

I have a 5 year old maltese with no pre existing conditions and currently use Nationwide. My dog had to have a simple surgery to have something removed on her eyelid and Nationwide only paid out ~10% of the claim. I am looking to switch carriers in exchange for better coverage. If I only wanted to insure against accidents, unexpected events, and not routine care like vet visits and bloodwork, what pet insurance company offers the best value? I am a bit lost and the marketplace for pet insurance seems to be large and growing. The goal is to have a lot of coverage for, say, a $4,500 surgery as the result of something unexpected. What does everyone think?

Location: North Carolina Ill glve you guys the short story. Was in wreck back in November. Not my fault and my car was totaled. Called the other parties insurance, they gave a story that the other person didnt have insurance since August. Went to my insurance to file the claim and my insurance was lapsed due to failure to pay. I was behine 2 months. So they dont want to fix my car. I still owe 20k on my car. Anything that i could do besides let my credit take a hit?

Got this chat request today from Healthy Paws. I don’t have a policy with them, I just comment when I see the insane premium hikes they’ve been doling out lately. Healthy Paws, folks are starting to ask questions about your rate sheets and what you publicly disclosed and what you actually charge consumers. I’m not an actuary, so I’m no expert, but it’s wild to me that any state would sign off on a 200% 500% or even 1000% increase. Maybe they did. But it is feeling a bit shady. You should publicly disclose your algorithm and show us! There are lots of people here who would love to see this information provided transparently. We all expect annual increases. It’s the name of the game. But we don’t expect to pay faithfully for years and towards the end of our pet’s life, have our premium jacked up so high as to be an insult. So unless you have some kind of reasoning for that…or a promise to fix it, it’s impossible to recommend you anymore on this sub by most people with brain and a conscience.

I have medi-cal through anthem blue cross in association with LA care health plan. I have never had Medicare part B. I had a ultrasound in october 2024 which was approved by my primary care provider. I just got a letter today from the centers for medicare and Medicaid services, fargo ND. It is saying that the ultrasound was not approved and i may be billed 220$ It also says i have not met my part B deductible of 240$ Again, i don't have medicare part B. Im not experienced with these insurance issues. I dont know if medi-cal already paid this or not, it's been almost 6 months. Is this medicare preparing to bill me for services already paid by medi-cal ? Thank you, input appreciated.

I just dropped Embrace pet insurance. My dog has a soft palate and breathing problems which are hereditary. The woman on the phone said they do cover hereditary conditions as long as it wasn't something that was detected before the policy began or after the waiting period, because then it gets listed as a pre-existing condition, which no pet insurance covers. I'm so confused. If the condition is hereditary then of course it was detected early on. I've literally spent 10k on vet bills for my dog (who's only 10 months old) and I've never been reimbursed fot a single thing because everything she went in for is considering "pre-existing", whether its seizures, bladder issues, bowel obstruction, or anything related to breathing. She gets aspiration pneumonia like every 2 months because she throws up and then it goes back into her lungs and then I have to pay for x-rays and give her antibiotics. The waiting period for it to not be considered pre-existing is 180 days. That's just not possible in her case. Literally the only way I'd ever be reimbursed for anything is if she broke a leg or something. Is there any pet insurance that will cover hereditary health issues without listing them as pre-existing? Do I just go to a different vet and not give her insurance info from her previous vet or what? Her vet bills are becoming unaffordable at this point. Just at a loss of what to do. Anyone who can give me advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.