Questions about New Collection being reported

[MustImprove]

Question on a account that went into collections on my CR this past week. For a bit of history sake I don't have much on my CR (not good at least) but an auto loan with about 7 lates but none within the past 2 yrs, and a couple student loans that were paid off ovr 5 yrs ago but are still showing which I don't believe is valid, and one other collection that I'm dealing with for a previous account with a balance of $457. One of my main problems I've been told in the past is that my score is low because I have no CC's a move in the past I thought benefited me but now I've learned otherwise. But now with a low score and no credit history it's impossible to even get approved for a CC to even help improve my score. I had reached the point to which I just plain gave up. Then just recently I found this thread while net surfing started to read the forums and found a bit of hope.

I pulled a CR and EQ score last week and was at 586 not good but progressing somewhat from where I had been considering only paying my car note helps. Then I signed up for the score monitoring yesterday and was surprised to see my score had dropped to 557 due to a new collection. This collection is only $111 and is from a medical bill that I had been waiting for the Insurance company to pay but did not. I missed the letter from the collection agency to dispute within the 30 days. My question is what would be my best course of action? I have been considering calling them and explaining my dispute and offering to pay just to get this item removed but is that likely to work? Like I mentioned I've just very recently been started the process of rebuilding my credit which for me seems like its never ending. I'm rather new to the board but I've read many post along with the Credit 101 thread which has given me more hope that I can eventually improve my credit and would really appreciate any suggestions on this matter. To be honest after pulling the score yesterday and seeing this drop again I almost just cashed in my chips again but this time I refuse.

Sorry for the long winded post and whatever grammatical errors I am sure to have made especially considering this is my first post in a forum.

[Anonymous]

Should the insurance company have paid that bill?  That's another issue that you can use.

DV the CA and then after they receive it dispute with CRAs,, if they respond try for a PFD with the OC  IF (BIG IF) you can't get the insurance company to pay it.  Track that down with the IC - why wan't it paid?  Of the OC mis-coded then they can re-submit and it all goes away with a little pushing from you.

[MustImprove]

I believe the insurance company should have paid for the bill.  They have lagged in in paying a few others in a similar way before eventually paying. I'm not sure what DV stands for maybe I haven't read board as much as I thought... From the steps you're suggesting I take it calling is not a good option.  I glad I posted in that case.

Message Edited by MustImprove on 11-13-2007 11:26 AM