Insurance Agent Change -- I am a bit ticked

[ktlm]

It is pretty common when an agent retires or quits for some other reason that either 1) the insurance company assigns your policy to a new agent if they are employee agents or 2) the agent sells their book of business to a new agent or 3) if they are "captive agents" (i.e. can only write for that company by contract), then either they are allowed to sell the book of business to a new company approved agent, or sometimes the insurance company itself directs what agent gets the book of business (sometimes through a sale from the agent and sometimes by contract the agent just has to pass it down without compensation for the business he built). It is not at all uncommon not to get notice- more often than not, the next correspondence from an agent usually comes under a new letterhead. I don't think it is anything to be upset about. Stay with the agent if you decide you like him, and if you don't, then find another agent. I sure wouldn't switch agents just on the principle of not getting notice. I also wouldn't let the fact he is young influence your decision. In my experience, sometimes the younger agents who have more current training and education in the field, may actually be better then some of the older agents who have not stayed up with the new trends or stayed current, or the few who just try to do things the "old" way even if the law has changed and that is no longer the right way. That is just a generalization though- really some agents are good and some are not regardless of age. There are some great older agents and some great young agents.

We actually had a situation years ago where our agent closed their office and the insurer we used at that time notified us that there were no longer any local agents in our area and that we should deal directly with the company from there on out. We never had any issues with the direct communication. We were fine with cutting out the middleman.

For our current insurance with a different company- we are also company direct and do not have an agent. It really depends on the company and their structure. Some run everything through an agent, some don't.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

I understand your frustrations but there may be more to it than you have been privy to. Depending on your retired agent's contract, they may not have been allowed to notify anyone as it can cause a disruption to the book of business. Who knows the reason the new agent did not personally contact you. Perhaps the book of business is too large to contact everyone personally or they truly may not feel that was a good idea.

It sounds like you are on the fence about what your bottom line is. When you shop your rates one of two things will happen. 1. You will find it cheaper elsewhere and switch, leaving the new agent you aren't quite happy with behind. or 2. Your current policy will still have the best rate and then you can talk to the company about changing agents if you are unhappy.

At the end of the day there are people who still care about the relationship they have with their agent and it sounds like you are one of them. I built my agency off clients like this. I know most of my clients on a personal level and wouldn't fathom not notifying each of them if I retired. (I don't have any contract that says I can't). But for the record, I am many decades away from retirement and I hope that someone would not judge my intelligence or capabilities because I am a "young guy"!

 

[aclov]

This happened to me a few years back, had been using my dads State Farm agent than he retired and a new young guy took over. Truth is I've never even spoken to him, any questions even claims have been handled by his staff. I've never even been to his office! Everything has been done by phone or fax.

 

[Jedana]

We used to use an agent, but now just deal directly with the insurance company.

We had used this agent when we lived in northern NV, and when we moved to Phoenix, we got a different agent, same insurance company. A year later, there was a fender bender--needed to have some body work done. Called the agent, and there was no insurance. We had been paying him every month, on time, but he didn't send the payments in to the insurance company! We had had no insurance for almost a year, due to the negligence of the agent.

The insurance company, after a lot of phone calls, faxes (copies of the checks and statements from the agent)--decided to cover the damages, as it wasn't our fault the agent pocketed our $50 a month. Turns out we weren't the only ones he did this too--never any of the big $ clients, just the little guys, people paying $50 or less a month.

We changed to Geico after that, and stuck with them for over 10 years. Geico handled the 3 fender benders, and 2 accidents with no problems, but shot my rates up due to the 2nd accident (first one was a pedestrian, and in no way my fault; 2nd was rated 25% my fault--car was totaled)

Moved to Progressive; had lower rates for a year, then shot up to double, so back to Geico. Good for a year, rates doubled, moved to Esurance. Staying steady after a year, so we'll see. Had to have the windshield replaced yesterday, due to flying rocks off a rock hauler on the highway last week, and it was one form on the internet, one phone call from the glass company and 2 emails confirming the appointment. No cost, no fuss.

 

[tvguy]

Had to have the windshield replaced yesterday, due to flying rocks off a rock hauler on the highway last week, and it was one form on the internet, one phone call from the glass company and 2 emails confirming the appointment. No cost, no fuss.

Windshields are tough, depending on your deductible and the cost of your windshield. Back when I had a $250 deductible, I went through insurance and found out the total cost of the windshield installed was $256. If I had known that I never would have filed the claim. Now my insurance deductible is $1,000, a windshield will clearly be out of my pocket.

 

[Sheaboys]

We had the same insurance agent (owner of the only insurance company in our small town) for 16 yrs. She took care of our cars and home owners. Never an issue when we purchased new vehicles. She seemed great, and local.

Until we had to file a homeowners claim, due to a tornado! Then all hell broke loose. I called the insurance company, which was literally the center of town, but had not been hit. Told them what happened (they knew already obviously), they said get your policy number and call 1800.... I was shocked. I worked in life insurance for many years I would never hand out a 1800 number to a client. They called me, it was up to me to get the answer. The last thing I needed to do was find the policy, which was nearly impossible. We found out just how disorganized she was, she lost our rent check from the insurance company for 2 weeks. Our home owners insurance definitely could have been alot better. We got pretty screwed by the insurance company.
Once we purchased a new home, I took our business elsewhere. And I became more knowledgeable about our insurance.

But for the 16yrs we had her, we thought she was great.

 

[bumbershoot]

While it wouldn't bother me to have an agent change, I know it bothers others. Depends on what you like. For me, we had Geico for years and I never minded not having one person to call. Then in the aftermath of FIL's death we switched to the insurance company they had, because I thought the agents I spoke to there (while helping MIL) were nice. And they had a "leave Geico for us" type of offer LOL.

But over time I realized that calling anyone in their office yielded the same results.

My MIL, however, was weirdly and mystifyingly changed from the guy *who was still in the office* to a totally different office. They have never been able to change her back, though when I call to help with issues for her, I just call "my" office (formerly "her" office) and whoever answers the phone will help.

However, when there's a claim, you call the 800#. That's just their protocol.


As someone else said, if you do change companies, definitely tell the agent why, since you appreciate communication.

 

[Jedana]

Windshields are tough, depending on your deductible and the cost of your windshield. Back when I had a $250 deductible, I went through insurance and found out the total cost of the windshield installed was $256. If I had known that I never would have filed the claim. Now my insurance deductible is $1,000, a windshield will clearly be out of my pocket.

No deductible with comprehensive coverage. Good thing, as our deductible is $500.


FL state law

627.7288 Comprehensive coverage; deductible not to apply to motor vehicle glass.—The deductible provisions of any policy of motor vehicle insurance, delivered or issued in this state by an authorized insurer, providing comprehensive coverage or combined additional coverage shall not be applicable to damage to the windshield of any motor vehicle covered under such policy

 

[tvguy]

No deductible with comprehensive coverage. Good thing, as our deductible is $500.


FL state law

627.7288 Comprehensive coverage; deductible not to apply to motor vehicle glass.—The deductible provisions of any policy of motor vehicle insurance, delivered or issued in this state by an authorized insurer, providing comprehensive coverage or combined additional coverage shall not be applicable to damage to the windshield of any motor vehicle covered under such policy

That's cool.
Flip side of that, my mom is from Saskatchewan Canada. Her sister lived way far north in the Province where there were a lot of gravel roads. 2 windshields per year per car, and insurance would not pay for any part of it.

 

[yoopermom]

I understand, because I am very attached to my agent, too . She works out of a single person office for one insurance company only, but is one of those great customer service people who is always there for you, remembers all the details of your life, and is truly "a friend in need". After watching Breaking Bad (with "Better Call Saul") my DH and DS used to say, "Better call Lenore" (our agent), whenever we had a problem. She's a true fixer!

And, yes, we do still have to call the home company downstate, but they are very professional, as well.

Good luck with your transition!

Terri
Proud member of MEEMIC Insurance

 

[rock_doctor]

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[stitchlovestink]

It's always possible the old agent did send out an announcement that was lost in the mail or that was thrown out because it looked like junk mail.

This has been a HUGE issue for me too. My agent retired too, and it seems that every time I call the new agent to have them do something, they say they my former agent was "old school" and they don't do that anymore.

My old agent serviced my account. Twice a year he reviewed my auto policies which saved me money. If you have young drivers in your house, which vehicle you have them on as primary can impact your rates, and those rates can change every few months. You an legally put them as primary on any car, and they will be covered on all cars. Also, if they take a car college , you can legally have the car insured at home, or at the college, and one zip code may have lower rates than the other.

I have no complaint with how the sale went, my old agent put out a letter 3 months in advance of his retiring, and the new agent put out a letter right after taking over. The notification was fine.

Our agent retired very quickly and to us what seemed unexpectedly! I went into his office one day to pay one of my premiums and he was gone! His office staff stayed in place for about 8 months until they sorted out where his HUGE book of business was going to go....it was clearly going to have to be divided as it was just too large for any agent to add to their business as he had been in business for nearly 40 years and was very popular and had received many awards for being such a great salesman. I had known him literally since I was a kid and honestly had been his client since I was about 20. Needless to say, it was an understatement to say that I was only mildly angry not to be told that he was retiring and especially by him. However, after I after a few minutes of conversation with one of his staff, I learned he was dying...and a very quickly and very painfully. So at that point, how could I really and truly be angry?? That is just cruel! The poor man was suffering in pain. My first world problems were so minor in nature in comparison to what he was dealing with!! So really, I totally understood why things happened the way they did!

What I disagree with is those of you who say what does your agent matter??? Well IMO you have not experienced a GREAT agent then. Or had one that SUCKS!!
I worked for an actual insurance company in an actual underwriting department! I KNOW what a GREAT agent SHOULD be doing!! They should be looking to make sure your policy has the RIGHT coverages on it for you!!! if you have a basement...you should have back up of sewer and drains. you would be surprised and the number of people who don't! Get water in your basement and you are probably not going to be covered!! and chances are they aren't going to let you add it after you have already had a water problem in your basement. do you know the difference between ACV and RC on your homeowner's policy? some people don't... your agent should be looking out for your best interest! do you have Bldg ordnance coverage on your home owner's policy? that is an important coverage to have.
my parents' house took a direct hit by a lightning strike the end of june. It caused the entire upper level of the house to burn. The house is uninhabitable. we had TEN fire trucks!! 2 ladder trucks and 8 regular trucks. Just from a lightning strike. Thank GOD they were in the family room which walks out to ground level and not in the bed room on the 3rd floor or they probably would not have gotten out as they are 80 and 83. Anyway, when all is said and done, the house will be pretty much brand new because the have bldg ordnance coverage and the house has to be rebuilt to current codes which means all new wiring, new insulation (not that there is any left...the whole third floor burned up), new sheet rock because the existing elsewhere in the house is damaged. the have all the addendums so that all their living expenses are covered while they are displaced. Because their home was paid for, the insurance company is paying the rent for the condo they are staying in. They could've opted for another house, but because of my mother's medical issues they couldn't find a home suitable like their own home but found a condo that worked. All those expenses are covered because their agent made sure their policy meet their needs. This stuff isn't automatically always there. I understand a lot of people don't want to 'overinsure'. Trust me! I worked in insurance!! I don't want to overinsure! But I want to know that I have want is important because if/when I have a lost I want to know I will be covered! This is going to be every bit of a half a million dollar loss with my parents house. And this has been a very eye opening experience that you just never know when you could be the one. And a GREAT agent can make all the difference. Mine has been there when I needed him for comp auto claims. Okay, stepping down off of my soap box.... Hoping when I move to Florida I will be able to find a great agent.