Call Kurtis: Insurance Company Takes Six Months To Pay Stolen Car Claim

RIO LINDA (CBS13) — Jodi Johnson's Toyota Tundra was found abandoned and burned 40 miles from her Rio Linda home in Marysville. She says despite reporting it in June to her insurer Progressive, they still had not paid her claim.

"I just don't think they're being fair. This why you're supposed to have insurance," she said.

Jodi says Progressive has interrogated her, asked for personal information and required recorded sworn statements and examinations under oath.

Nancy Kincaid with the Department of Insurance says insurers often take longer to investigate these types of claims because California ranks number one for stolen cars and fraudulent insurance claims.

"If there is a claim that an insurer receives that has the slightest question it begins to take a different track," Kincaid said.

In 2013, five people were arrested in Sacramento accused of staging a car theft.  The Contra Costa D.A. busted an organized crime ring where insurers lost up to $600 thousand.

Jodi insists, she had nothing to do with her truck being stolen.

"I love that truck," she said.

We reached out to Progressive which refused to talk about this case, other than saying it's working with Jodi to "...resolve the claim."

Six months after reporting that her car was stolen and burnt, Jodi's $11,000 claim was approved.

Jodi is just happy it is finally over.

"I didn't have any idea it was going to be stolen out of the driveway ," Jodi said. "The least [Progressive] can do is stick up to their part of the deal."

The California Department of Insurance says companies can take as long as they need to investigate a claim, as long as they can prove their moving forward with the case. If you have trouble getting a claim process, the agency suggests you reach out to them for help. You can also hire an attorney or your own certified investigator to look into the case.