I had Travelers for a few years and decided to change to a different insurance company for my house and vehicles.

Today I received a bill in the mail and decided that I was going to call them and tell them why I canceled my policy as a courtesy.

I was told that if I didn't send them something in writing requesting they cancel my policy that they would continue to bill me for it. And if I didn't pay them I would be turned over to a collection agency.

I told them that my phone call was my way of canceling the policy.

The papers I received said that the policy had lapsed (their words) and that they were offering to reinstate the policy for a price.

Well I have already sent the money to a new insurance company that will give me better coverage for less money.

I don't think that I owe the Travelers a written statement in order to make them stop billing me.

They threatened to turn me over to a collection agency if I didn't pay.

Sorry but I don't do business that way.

I heard that some cell phone companies are treating their customers the same way making it very difficult to cancel the accounts. People ended up owning these cell phone companies money even after they went to another cell phone company.

I think this is a type of EXTORTION! and it should be made illegal.