[onetwo_threefour]

My only problem was the way ING handled it. Rather than sending a letter that says, 'We notice that your renewal date has passed and that you did not pay the renewal premium. As such we are forced to cancel your policy and charge you a cancellation fee of $200.00 unless you submit a written cancellation request to.... and a copy of your new policy with an effective date as at your renewal date...' instead of an invoice for $200 and a curt letter stating they are cancelling the policy for non-payment of premiums and charging acancellation fee without mentioning that said fee could be avoided. You gotta know this happpens all the times at renewal dates and from a customer service standpoint ING certainly left a bad taste in my mouth on that one.

From a legal standpoint, once the policy term is up, and the contract has expired there is no obligation on the part of the consumer to re-up with the same company and no validity to a cancellation charge. The only thing an insurance company should be able to require is a written cancellation request with an effective date as of the renewal, even if same is back dated because it is sent in later.