They are based in Canada but also do business in the United States with agencies in California, Oregon and many states, however, the way they run their business is scandalous and criminal. It works like a Ponzi scheme they take money from consumers that want a low price however do not protect you or represent you when there is a claim. Instead, this is what they do, immediately side with the other party without checking out the facts while punishing their own clients with higher deductibles for something they didn't do.
Another thing they do is hire some of the most incompetent, stupid and rude and uneducated people possible that will berate, talk down to you and piss you off. You can file as many complaints to the Department of Insurance however, they are still in business and that is the problem.
Mercedes Betanco and Nicole Mcguire and every other adjuster we had to deal with just gaslight you and make you perpetually angry. Absolute s**t backwards company. As of 2020, there were over 186 consumer complaints tallied on the CA Insurance Commissioner site from angry and unsatisfied former clients. Don't waste your time and money with them as they will not represent you when something happens.
Its a great concern that I was treated so rudely and Francine Lanser in claims needs some serious retraining. She was disrespectful and made fun of me about issues not related to the claim. Enterprise even commented about her issues I know its numerous. If she has numerous complaints, which I can be 100% positive this is the case she should no longer work for your company and work for a collections agency that would be more suitable for her. Please also inform her chain of command that even if you Google her name with "Wawanesa Francine Lanser" the amount of complaints is unacceptable and numerous. She is really creating a negative image for the Wawanesa team and does not support the Mission Statement. She was so mean and rude and unprofessional I thought it was an April fools joke. But her abusive language speaks for itself.
The Wawanesa Experience – “Earning Your Trust Since 1896”
On 3/17/2019, my vehicle was involved in a “minor” bumper to wheel-frame/rim collision with an uninsured motorist operating a vehicle NOT owned OR registered in her name who, after receiving DMV license, registration and insurance information connecting the vehicle to my name, left only a phone number and quickly left then scene. (No uninsured motorist name, no vehicle registration, no proof insurance, no license – AND because I was able to “track” this woman down and take pictures of her vehicle that same night I held off choosing a direction – as in NO contact initiated with Wawanesa from MY end.)
On 3/29/2019 (first Wawanesa contact), I received a telephone call from Wawanesa (Dustin Cernitz, Inside Claims Rep.) and was informed that a motorist (didn’t provide a name) had contacted them on 3/28/2019 (4:38PM) and was seeking $4256. 00 in damages to repair “her” vehicle – the one she does NOT own -- yet apparently utilized to generate a claim. Dustin asked if I would send him pictures of my vehicle’s damaged bumper (happily complied), with a RECORDED statement taken at his request to assist with the investigation process. When asked for the uninsured motorist’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance connecting the driver to the claim I was told to follow up with Wawanesa’s liability claims adjuster, Shannon Pesqueira.
On 4/1/2019, I was contacted by Shannon Pesqueira, claims adjuster assigned by Wawanesa to handle the case and told that Wawanesa does NOT/is NOT allowed to forward insurance or connected party DMV related information based on California right to “privacy/confidentiality” laws. When I researched further, coworkers Lidianna de silva and Renee Lee (both connected to claims) became involved -- with both ladies supporting Ms. Pesqueira “No right–privileged information” conveyance. Following electronic clarification with Wawanesa’s Renee Lee, supervising claims adjuster, I was electronically notified (within 15 minutes of our ending communication exchange) that Wawanesa had initiated a “claim” (seemingly on my behalf of and without my knowledge) with an insurance company “The General” – an agency operated by a group of lawyers registered out of Sacramento (according to SOS website) to finalize the claim.
As of this day’s posting, I have NOT been contacted by anyone connected to “The General,” but when I do, I’ll post an update.
The WORST Insurance company in Canada. They NEVER return phone calls and they will use every excuse possible NOT to pay their claims. I was rear-ended and both the RCMP and my insurance company said it was not my fault, but it took 62 days for Wawanesa to respond. The only way to get action was by threatening legal action and taking my claim to the government Ombudsman.
They settled my claim for less than the value of the vehicle and after 3 MONTHS Wawanesa has still not paid for the towing fees. DO NOT USE Wawanesa; it is a Ripoff Company!!!
I filed a claim for rodent damage that happened when rats/mice nested in the engine compartment of my 2011 Toyota Tundra and chewed some wiring. My claim was assigned to Francine Lanser.
Initially, when I got into my truck to go to the train station, my dashboard lit up like a christmas tree. Because my truck is still under its extended warranty, I believed it was a technical issue since I drive my truck every day. Toyota of Carlsbad advised it was rodent damage and I authorized them to repair the damage. It cost me $800! When I picked up my truck, my advisor told me the damages may be covered under the "Comprehensive" portion of my auto insurance policy. I have a $300 deductable for Comprehensiave coverage through Wawanesa Insurance Co.
Ms. Lanser called and left a message on my phone. In that phone call, she was accusatory and told me the claim was "questionable". Basically, calling me a liar! Following 29 years in law enforcement, I felt her rude words were unwarranted and wondered how she could come to a conclusion before talking to me, observing the damages, or reading the dealership reports. She made that determination simply from a claim number!
When I returned her phone call, she was rude and discourteous, chastising me for not listening to my phone messages. (I actually did listen to the messages, hence, I called her at the number she left!) I sent photographs of the damage (taken by dealership personnel) along with Toyota of Carlsbad invoices and receipts, however, have not heard back from her. At this point, I assume my claim has been denied by her. I have been unable to get in touch with her.
Wawanesa Insurance Reviews
They are based in Canada but also do business in the United States with agencies in California, Oregon and many states, however, the way they run their business is scandalous and criminal. It works like a Ponzi scheme they take money from consumers that want a low price however do not protect you or represent you when there is a claim. Instead, this is what they do, immediately side with the other party without checking out the facts while punishing their own clients with higher deductibles for something they didn't do.
Another thing they do is hire some of the most incompetent, stupid and rude and uneducated people possible that will berate, talk down to you and piss you off. You can file as many complaints to the Department of Insurance however, they are still in business and that is the problem.
Mercedes Betanco and Nicole Mcguire and every other adjuster we had to deal with just gaslight you and make you perpetually angry. Absolute s**t backwards company. As of 2020, there were over 186 consumer complaints tallied on the CA Insurance Commissioner site from angry and unsatisfied former clients. Don't waste your time and money with them as they will not represent you when something happens.
Company Complaint Information (ca.gov)
Francine Lanser
Its a great concern that I was treated so rudely and Francine Lanser in claims needs some serious retraining. She was disrespectful and made fun of me about issues not related to the claim. Enterprise even commented about her issues I know its numerous. If she has numerous complaints, which I can be 100% positive this is the case she should no longer work for your company and work for a collections agency that would be more suitable for her. Please also inform her chain of command that even if you Google her name with "Wawanesa Francine Lanser" the amount of complaints is unacceptable and numerous. She is really creating a negative image for the Wawanesa team and does not support the Mission Statement. She was so mean and rude and unprofessional I thought it was an April fools joke. But her abusive language speaks for itself.
The Wawanesa Experience – “Earning Your Trust Since 1896”
On 3/17/2019, my vehicle was involved in a “minor” bumper to wheel-frame/rim collision with an uninsured motorist operating a vehicle NOT owned OR registered in her name who, after receiving DMV license, registration and insurance information connecting the vehicle to my name, left only a phone number and quickly left then scene. (No uninsured motorist name, no vehicle registration, no proof insurance, no license – AND because I was able to “track” this woman down and take pictures of her vehicle that same night I held off choosing a direction – as in NO contact initiated with Wawanesa from MY end.)
On 3/29/2019 (first Wawanesa contact), I received a telephone call from Wawanesa (Dustin Cernitz, Inside Claims Rep.) and was informed that a motorist (didn’t provide a name) had contacted them on 3/28/2019 (4:38PM) and was seeking $4256. 00 in damages to repair “her” vehicle – the one she does NOT own -- yet apparently utilized to generate a claim. Dustin asked if I would send him pictures of my vehicle’s damaged bumper (happily complied), with a RECORDED statement taken at his request to assist with the investigation process. When asked for the uninsured motorist’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance connecting the driver to the claim I was told to follow up with Wawanesa’s liability claims adjuster, Shannon Pesqueira.
On 4/1/2019, I was contacted by Shannon Pesqueira, claims adjuster assigned by Wawanesa to handle the case and told that Wawanesa does NOT/is NOT allowed to forward insurance or connected party DMV related information based on California right to “privacy/confidentiality” laws. When I researched further, coworkers Lidianna de silva and Renee Lee (both connected to claims) became involved -- with both ladies supporting Ms. Pesqueira “No right–privileged information” conveyance. Following electronic clarification with Wawanesa’s Renee Lee, supervising claims adjuster, I was electronically notified (within 15 minutes of our ending communication exchange) that Wawanesa had initiated a “claim” (seemingly on my behalf of and without my knowledge) with an insurance company “The General” – an agency operated by a group of lawyers registered out of Sacramento (according to SOS website) to finalize the claim.
As of this day’s posting, I have NOT been contacted by anyone connected to “The General,” but when I do, I’ll post an update.
The WORST Insurance company in Canada. They NEVER return phone calls and they will use every excuse possible NOT to pay their claims. I was rear-ended and both the RCMP and my insurance company said it was not my fault, but it took 62 days for Wawanesa to respond. The only way to get action was by threatening legal action and taking my claim to the government Ombudsman.
They settled my claim for less than the value of the vehicle and after 3 MONTHS Wawanesa has still not paid for the towing fees. DO NOT USE Wawanesa; it is a Ripoff Company!!!
I filed a claim for rodent damage that happened when rats/mice nested in the engine compartment of my 2011 Toyota Tundra and chewed some wiring. My claim was assigned to Francine Lanser.
Initially, when I got into my truck to go to the train station, my dashboard lit up like a christmas tree. Because my truck is still under its extended warranty, I believed it was a technical issue since I drive my truck every day. Toyota of Carlsbad advised it was rodent damage and I authorized them to repair the damage. It cost me $800! When I picked up my truck, my advisor told me the damages may be covered under the "Comprehensive" portion of my auto insurance policy. I have a $300 deductable for Comprehensiave coverage through Wawanesa Insurance Co.
Ms. Lanser called and left a message on my phone. In that phone call, she was accusatory and told me the claim was "questionable". Basically, calling me a liar! Following 29 years in law enforcement, I felt her rude words were unwarranted and wondered how she could come to a conclusion before talking to me, observing the damages, or reading the dealership reports. She made that determination simply from a claim number!
When I returned her phone call, she was rude and discourteous, chastising me for not listening to my phone messages. (I actually did listen to the messages, hence, I called her at the number she left!) I sent photographs of the damage (taken by dealership personnel) along with Toyota of Carlsbad invoices and receipts, however, have not heard back from her. At this point, I assume my claim has been denied by her. I have been unable to get in touch with her.