The Washington state insurance commissioner’s office has issued a cease-and-desist order against an Ohio company that’s selling unauthorized vehicle service contracts.
Auto Repair Warranty, Inc. and company founder Michael F. Petruziello have been ordered to immediately stop selling or advertising insurance in Washington. Under state law, such contracts are considered to be insurance.
Neither the company nor Petruziello is authorized to issue or sell insurance in Washington. Neither has applied for or been granted a registration as a motor vehicle service contract provider.
Investigators for the insurance commissioner’s office know of at least two Washington consumers who have purchased coverage from the company. The company’s website is: www.autorepairwarranty.com.
The order requires the company and Petruziello to provide the insurance commissioner’s office with a list of Washington customers, how much they’ve paid, and their contact information. The company is also required to notify all Washington customers about the order.
Under Washington law, any unauthorized insurer is individually liable for the performance of the contract and for the full amount of any loss sustained by an insured person under such a contract.
For a copy of the complete cease-and-desist order, click here.
Update: The Better Business Bureau reports that the company is not BBB-accredited and has a "D" rating with the group. The link has more information re: resolutions of the 84 BBB complaints filed against the company.
