Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Lost In The Shuffle

I can't believe it. With all of the craziness of traveling for the holidays, taking care of dogs and working on my mobile home, I forgot to pay my car insurance. I was driving to meet my carpool this morning and for some reason I started thinking about it. I couldn't remember putting the new insurance cards in my wallet and truck. And then I thought a little more and couldn't even remember paying the bill. I usually don't forget things like that so I checked my bank account online. Nope, no cashed check. This is one of the few bills that I still pay by check. I wish they did automatic payments like most people do.

So, I got home tonight and shuffled through my old mail. I have a pile of it that I haven't sorted. I mean, I do one initial sort when I get it and take out anything important and then I leave the rest for later. I did remember seeing something from the insurance company but I thought it was for my homeowner's insurance which is paid automatically with my mortgage. I found the letter and it was indeed my car insurance bill and new cards. It was due on the 12th. I hope there is some sort of grace period. I'll have to call my insurance agent and find out. Maybe if I plead temporary dog-induced insanity?

***Update: I checked their website and they do have an online payment option now. I registered and paid by credit card (more cachback points!) and signed up for email bill notification so that my next bill will not get buried in junk mail!

3 comments:

Over the Cubicle Wall said...

10 days is what my grace period is. I think they still charge a small late fee, but they don't cancel your policy and you are still covered. If they cancel your policy after 10 days, they charge an exorbitant reinstatement fee. Good luck on yours.

Lizzie @ her homeworld said...

I know exactly what you mean. Insurance is okay here as you just get a notification and they continue to take the payment monthly or annually until you tell them not to. But car tax is a reminder and it comes really early. Last time I forgot it completely and got fined £60. On top of that I made the cheque for the fine out to HMRC instead of HMC (or something similar) so they returned it, made my payment late and put my fine up to £90! I feel as though I am personally bailing out the governement as they bail out the banks. Grrr!
Lizzie

Daizy said...

Over the Cubicle, I sure hope I have a grace period. I was only 8 or 9 days late....only.

Lizzie, wow, that is a big fee. And to return your check was just adding insult to injury. :(