Hi everyone, (long-time lurker here using a quick-made account for this post). I’m in a difficult financial and legal situation and could really use some guidance. On November 15, 2024, I was involved in a DUI accident while working as a delivery driver (not alcohol-related). I fully acknowledge that driving under the influence was a serious mistake. The reason I ended up in that situation was that I took drugs to cope after a traumatic work incident, where someone flashed a knife behind my back the previous week. On the night of the accident, I was working with the same person again, and I made the wrong choice in handling my stress. I deeply regret my actions. Since then, I have complied with all legal and rehabilitation requirements—attending therapy, DUI courses, and adjusting my medications—and I’ve made a complete turnaround in my life. During my delivery shift, I hit another car (a 2024 Toyota Highlander), but thankfully, no one was injured. My insurance initially handled the claim, but now Wilber Group has purchased the debt from the insurance company and is demanding $25,000 from me. My Financial Situation: • I am a student and will not have a steady income for the foreseeable future. • I am on disability due to hearing impairment and mental health conditions. • I currently make $17/hour, working 24 hours per week. My Questions: 1. Can I negotiate this debt down to 10-30% of the amount owed? Since debt collectors often buy debts for less than their full value, is it realistic to settle for significantly less? 2. Can they take any of my assets or garnish my wages? Location: Minnesota, and I’ve heard there are exemption laws, but I’m unsure how they apply to my situation. 3. What is my best strategy for dealing with this debt? Would negotiating a lump sum settlement be my best option, or should I try for a payment plan? 4. Could bankruptcy help me discharge this debt? Would a DUI-related accident debt like this be wiped out under Chapter 7 bankruptcy since I have no significant assets and low income? 5. Could recent tariff increases on cars affect the amount I owe? Since the Toyota Highlander I hit was a 2024 model, and the incident happened before April 2, 2025, could the recent tariff increases on imported vehicles have inflated the amount Wilber Group is demanding? If so, how can I challenge that?

I just thought about checking on my fetch insurance, went on to the medical record page, and found out that ALL my pet’s medical records were deleted!!! It says no medical records at all, but I’ve been updating my pet’s medical record since I adopted him in 2023. There are 4 records that I updated, including annual wellness check and initial baseline. I have the confirmation of medical records emails from fetch last year. I called them and reuploaded all the files. The customer service was nice but she said that she has no idea why this happened, and no further clarification on how to prevent this in the future. This feels so shady. Everyone with Fetch, please have the habit to check on your records regularly, because I’ve had experiences of them refusing my claim because I didn’t post annuals check up record every year. I can’t even imagine what could’ve happened if I didn’t think about checking the insurance today… still in shock

I just got an email that they're increasing premium from $38 to $60 in 60 days. Any suggestions on another insurance company?

Before I contact them does anyone know why I could get a 42% increase in cost at renewal? I've been with them for over a decade! I had one claim this year because lost control of car in snow storm and hit a pole. My rate went up by $11 a month(which I understood) but a crazy rate increase at renewal is new to me! Is this normal??

After all these years, it still grinds my gears. A truck carrying drilling waste accidentally went into the wrong farmer's field, and sprayed a tiny bit of it on the alfalfa field, before the driver realized his mistake. I was called in to analyze the soil test data and write a report and recommendations. The tests showed salinity deep in the soil profile, that couldn't have possibly come from the drilling waste, and I said so in my report. I was called to a meeting with the insurance adjuster and had to endure a thorough dressing down for it (by a British accent no less) and made to look the fool in front of my peers. The insurance company was far more inclined to spend dozens of millions to excavate all the soil and have it replaced instead. That was my first inkling that insurance companies don't really want to avoid big payouts; they use them to justify raising their premiums.

Hi, First off, let me list out my situation quickly: Washington State College Student Insurance: Medicare --> EMI Health (Switched, received pay raise) Today, I checked into my dentist for a cleaning. I informed the front desk person I had switched insurance providers. She didn't say much, but checked me and said I would meet with a patient resource person after my appointment. I went back, had what I thought was just a cleaning. I went to the waiting room, then had my meeting with the patient resource specialist who told me that my insurance was no covered. no worries, what does a cleaning cost? $70? No issue. Well no. They did a "scaling" thing because my gums were inflamed so the total is $209. In this meeting was the first time I was informed about the scaling they did to my teeth. I have no recollection at previous appointments of them mentioning scaling or anything. I was never disclosed any cost because if I would have heard $209, I would have dipped quick. Is there anyway I can get out of this? I feel kinda screwed over because I had no idea what they were going to do to my teeth or procedures performed. It was my impression it was just a cleaning. I understand it is MY RESPONSIBILITY to verify my dentist is in my network, so I own up to that. It is mainly the scaling thing... I have a phone call with the dental supervisor. What should I say? I want to be as respectful as possible. Thanks

We have home & auto bundled with the agency of the credit union that holds our mortgage loan. Every year, they wait until the last possible time to send our annual escrow payment over to the insurance broker. So much so, that we get warning letters from the mortgage holder that they will have to get insurance for us at whatever rate they can get it because we have not made our payment on time. I think the agent is getting more interest on our annual payment by letting it go 1 month past the due date. Is that a normal practice? We are never late with our monthly payments that combine mortgage and home insurance together. We have an outstanding credit rating (800+). Am I wrong to be furious with the insurance agent/agency? What can we do? I am kinda afraid to look at other options. We trusted this agency/Progressive to take care of us. On another note, our auto coverage has ballooned from our initial rate when we first switched to this agency. We are two retirees who drive about 3-5 miles a day locally for errands and to pick up and drop off a grandchild at preschool. We've had 1 total loss in 2022 on a 2003 car that was hit by a deer ($2,600). I checked with our 55 year old daughter. She pays less for her home & auto coverage with AAA. I want lower rates and better service, but I don't even know where to start. I'm afraid that I will make a mistake and lose everything by being undercovered or taken advantage of. I thought Progressive was the best. Help!

I am going through Tesla insurance for my Model Y. I had a few aftermarket parts and vinyl wrap that needs to be replaced as part of the repair. The quote/check for the repair does not include just three items and the shop is saying that they will submit a separate claim/payment for that item after everything else is repaired and done. Additionally, they are saying that after all of that, I need to go get a quote for the wrap and submit that separately on my own to see if Tesla will reimburse me for it. Anyone have any insight on this? At this point, it has taken me several months to even get a reply back from the shop, I almost want to just ask for a check and get it done elsewhere or figure it out on my own. The only issue is the check was sent to the shop as a two person check, so I almost feel like I will be stuck with this shop.

So I have auto insurance with All State here in Canada and I was provided a questionnaire for my renewal term which I filled out. All state says to fill it out otherwise there’s penalties and whatnot so I fill it out. They increased the premium on my last monthly payment before renewal and aren’t budging because we sent the questionnaire that they asked for before we paid the last payment so now they’re counting it as a policy change which is stupid. I work as an actuary in auto insurance and I’ve never dealt with this sort of stuff. What should I do?

I have two cats, Fox and Ollie. They are brothers and turn four in September. I got Nationwide Pet Insurance in July 2024 for the first time. I did not notice at the time, but their plans didn't match. Fox's was $189 for the year, Ollie was $190. I called to change the renewal policy so it was the same, and to add Behavioral coverage. I wanted to match Ollie's coverage to Fox's, add behavioral. Fox's renewal, with NO CHANGES, increases by $125/YEAR in July. The woman on the phone said it's "because he is a year older." Lady, he will be FOUR this year. FOUR. Current: $19/mo > $29/mo So, recommendations? They are two boys, indoor, vaccines up to date but no recent vet visit. I'm mildly concerned Ollie has a behavioral issue but no diagnosis and running off vibes and tiktok diagnosis, not real doctors. I am going to wait to take him to the vet about this until I have the right insurance policy JIC, but SHOULD I even have cat insurance?!?! Otherwise, they're two healthy young cats. Indoor. Thoughts?