I am adding this to my blog because it's just another of those insiduous things that are happening today that I think you should know about.  If you're like me you will find this truly disgusting.  The source for the article is listed at the bottom of this post.

You're running on empty, racing around town to get a last minute Christmas gift, and you make a grave but innocent error.  You forget to gas up, and your tank registers "E", and now, you're stuck on the side of the road.

But you thought ahead.  You signed up for roadside assistance with your auto insurance company, so with one phone call, help can be on the way - for free!

Not so fast.  Summoning that "free" help can end up being an expensive mistake.  It could lead to higher insurance premiums or even rejection of insurance coverage.

Huh?

I am adding this to my blog because it's just another of those insiduous things that are happening today that I think you should know about.  If you're like me you will find this truly disgusting.  The source for the article is listed at the bottom of this post.

You're running on empty, racing around town to get a last minute Christmas gift, and you make a grave but innocent error.  You forget to gas up, and your tank registers "E", and now, you're stuck on the side of the road.

But you thought ahead.  You signed up for roadside assistance with your auto insurance company, so with one phone call, help can be on the way - for free!

Not so fast.  Summoning that "free" help can end up being an expensive mistake.  It could lead to higher insurance premiums or even rejection of insurance coverage.

Huh?

Last week, the Tampa Triune wrote about a woman who was denied insurance because she claimed, she had called for roadside help too many tiimes -- two flat tires an a "keys locked in her car" incident during three years.

State Farm, which allegedly rejected the woman's insurance application, wouldn't discuss the specific consumer's situation.  But a spokesman confirmed that emergency road service claims are entered into a CLUE database which the company uses when setting rates and determining insurance eligibility.  

Critics of the insurance industry reacted with surprise. 

My husband and I reacted with surprise...  What about you?  Are you surprised?  Share your comments about this astounding discovery.

You can read the full article written by Rob Sullivan at the Red Tape Chronicles at MSNBC.com  by clicking here http://redtape.msnbc.com/2005/12/run_out_of_gas_.html