Billing Frequently Asked Questions

This section includes Frequently Asked Questions regarding payment information.

If you have any questions about your policy wordings or coverage your insurance broker is always available to help you with all of your insurance needs.

Can I change my payment plan?

You can only change your payment plan on renewal. If at any point during the policy term you do not wish to continue on the payment plan you are enrolled in you can choose to pay your balance in full and select a different payment plan on renewal. For information on the payment plans we offer please contact your insurance broker.

Can I pay with a credit card on the website or over the phone?

To pay your Direct Bill policy with a credit card please visit our website. Make a Payment. You can also choose to pay your insurance premium with a credit card over the phone between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm local time Monday to Friday. If you choose to give us the information over the phone we will require the 3-digit security code on the back of the card in order to process the payment for you. We accept Visa or Mastercard.

Why is my payment not going through on the website?

There are several reasons why a payment may be declined however, the majority of the time it is because the transaction failed the Address Verification System (AVS check). This check is an anti-fraud security feature being introduced by financial institutions to protect the cardholder and is beyond our control. Please note that when making a payment on the website the billing address of the cardholder is required. After you enter in your policy number and amount that you wish to pay; when you are directed to the next screen the address that is being requested is the one that is currently on the cardholder’s credit card statement and that is what you should enter. Failure to enter in the correct billing address will result in the payment being declined or not authorized and the funds may be held by the issuing bank for 3-5 business days. Do not try the transaction again without first confirming that you have the address on the cardholder’s billing statement.

Online Banking - How do I set it up? / What account number do I use?

You will need to register for online banking through your financial institution. Depending on which financial institution you are dealing with, our Company name will be listed as “The Portage la Prairie Mutual” or “Portage la Prairie Mutual” or “Portage Mutual Insurance”. You will need to enter your 8-digit policy number with the first digit being a letter. It may be necessary to add one or two zeros to the beginning of the number to make it the required number of digits for your financial institution. You must make a separate payment for each policy.

Can I stop or defer a payment?

If you wish to stop or defer a payment you must contact your insurance broker prior to doing so. At least 4 days notice prior to payment withdrawal date is required in order for use to update your policy accordingly.

Can I change my withdrawal date?

Yes, on the monthly plan you can choose a different withdrawal date. If you wish to do so please contact your insurance broker. Portage Mutual will require a minimum of 4 business days notice to change from your current withdrawal date.

How do I go about changing banking?

For all banking information or credit card changes you will need to contact your insurance broker as we will require a new authorization form to be filled out. Brokers will have our latest authorization forms to help you get started on the process of changing your banking or credit card details.

What happens if my payment is NSF?

If you are enrolled in the Portage Automatic Chequing plan and your withdrawal is NSF the bank will retry (re-present) the payment within 3-5 business days from your scheduled withdrawal date. If the retry is unsuccessful, Portage Mutual will receive a returned item from your bank. Your financial institution may charge you for the unsuccessful attempts.

Will a receipt be issued?

A receipt will not be issued when making payment on your policy.

Where can I make payment?

  • On our website: Make a Payment.
  • A cheque or money order made payable to Portage Mutual Insurance can be mailed directly to the Company using the return envelope provided with your billing notice. (Include your policy number on your cheque when paying by cheque.)
  • Online or via telephone banking through your financial institution.
  • At your broker’s office.

Will I get a refund?

A refund may be issued to you in the event of cancellation or overpayment of your policy. In order to confirm if you are eligible to receive a refund you should contact your insurance broker.