Insurance Agent Change -- I am a bit ticked

[Ranger111]

Not really a Disney question, but...

Have had the same Farmers agent for about 20 years. Agent retired. Was never told. First notice was a new bill with the name of the new agent the agency was sold to.

I called the new agent and "sorta" complained. Got a song and dance.

I usually compare rates once a year or so. Time to compare again in November. I am thinking of doing it early and even if Farmers comes in cheapest again of changing agents.

The new agent is a young guy, so, if Farmers come in cheap, I am thinking of taking my business to another Farmers agent.

Question, yes, I do have one....am I being too "sensitive? If Farmers is still the best rate, I can stay with them, but I CAN switch agents.

Or, if Farmers continues cheap, just flow with it and keep the new guy, who never bothered to tell me he was my new guy.....

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I have trouble understanding why this is an issue. I've had USAA insurance for 34 years and have never dealt with just one agent; just get help from whatever agent answers the phone.

 

[LJSquishy]

I don't understand what the problem is. It doesn't matter who your personal agent is or how young they are...if you have a claim, they do the same job as every other agent. They don't do anything special. If your old agent was on vacation and you had a claim or a question, someone else would assist you.

An agent doesn't need to notify you when they retire, switch jobs, gets fired, quits, or dies. You just get assigned a new agent.

 

[MillauFr]

I guess I don't understand either. What does the agent really do anyway? When I call Amica I just call the 800 number if I have any issues. I just talk to whomever picks up the phone.

 

[Sadie22]

OP, for whatever reason, your original agent elected not to tell you of the retirement. The insurance agent we had for many years told us well ahead of time that he was going to retire. We had moved and had not sought a new agent but knew we would want an agent closer to the new place after our agent retired. We received notification of the official retirement and that we could be assigned to a certain agent in the old community (name and information provided) or choose another agent. We asked around in the new community and ended up going with our current agent after we met with him and decided we liked him. Compared to the agent we had worked with for many years, he was a young guy. He's not as young now.

If you think the new agent for the territory would not be the right person for you, ask friends for recommendations.

 

[disneychrista]

I would actually be surprised if you were notified.

I have AAA insurance and I am actually surprised that 15 years later the same agent is there that was there when I switched.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I don't even know who my agent IS!

 

[Swimalie]

I have trouble understanding why this is an issue. I've had USAA insurance for 34 years and have never dealt with just one agent; just get help from whatever agent answers the phone.

Same here. I just don't see what the issues is as long as the insurance is the same.

 

[TravelMommy]

Our agent is not good at all, messes things up, kept DH waiting, buying our last car, at car dealership for 3+hours!!! last time we bought a car. I understand about wanting a particular agent. AAA told us we cannot change to the good, smart agent in another office, who took care of issue at car dealership in 15minutes, because of where we live (????). But we are able to use the agent in other office. Just makes me mad, we should be able to decide what agent we want(i.e. smart one who knows her stuff). [We have always had good service when dealing with the actual insurance company and use whatever rep we get.]

 

[GrnMtnMan]

OP, for whatever reason, your original agent elected not to tell you of the retirement.

Old agent may have made a financial agreement with new agent to *not announce* his retirement. New agent pays up for an existing book of business, old agent gets a nice retirement bonus. My 15+ year dentist just did this last year...a week or two after I saw him, got a letter announcing he has already retired and sold his practice to two new dentists (though he didn't say 'sold').

 

[3boymthr]

I'd be a bit ticked too at not being told. We have the insurance we have not because they are cheapest (it's massachusetts the only way we save money on insurance is to change the plan and the insurance agents commission otherwise it's all regulated), but because they are close to home and we can deal with them personally for a claim or if I need to make a change and so I can make a payment in person. BUT I'd give the new agent a chance before changing - who knows he may turn out to be the best agent you ever had If you find that next year you've not been happy with the service then I'd change.

 

[StephMK]

I agree that your old agent might not have sent letters for the reason that some might change, leaving the new agent with a smaller book. But I can understand your frustration with no notice.

I worked in insurance and the offices with dedicated agents usually sold that as a benefit - a personal agent who is there for you and personally knows you. I worked on the commercial side but even so, when the agency bought a book of business, they sent letters out introducing themselves to the new clients. An office like Farmer's is different than the big call centers some carriers use. The personal agents typically work harder to develop those relationships that keep people from switching agents.

Some people don't care who their agent is but for the ones who like to know them, a notice would have gone a long way to make people feel confident in the new guy. I wouldn't worry about his age but how knowledgeable he is about your needs.

 

[ajwolfe]

I would be annoyed that the new agent or the old didn't let you know they were leaving. But if the rate was the lowest I would probably just keep my business there, as the new agent's age wouldn't have anything to do with it.

For those questionning why/how you would know your agent. We have had American Family for 13+ years, with the same agent. He is the only agent in his office - local to us. If we need him for something we call him directly and speak to him only or his receptionist. There is no calling and just getting another random agent. In our area, this is how most insurance companies are set up like American Family, Shelter, Farmers, etc.

 

[jcano]

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.

 

[malibuconlee]

I don't understand what the problem is. It doesn't matter who your personal agent is or how young they are...if you have a claim, they do the same job as every other agent. They don't do anything special. If your old agent was on vacation and you had a claim or a question, someone else would assist you.

An agent doesn't need to notify you when they retire, switch jobs, gets fired, quits, or dies. You just get assigned a new agent.

I disagree with you. I think if you are assigned a new agent someone SHOULD notify you.

I actually had something similar happen with Farmer's. The agent we used closed up shop. Disconnected number and everything. It wasn't transferred to another agent.

We had a house for sale after a job transfer and moved out of state. I let the agent's office know what was going on and they said no problem just to call and let them know when we sell the house so they can terminate the insurance. Six plus months later when this happened I tried calling and got a disconnect notice. Took me weeks and multiple phone calls before I got a "regional manager" to help me. I had to call the national number and boy was it frustrating.

At least the OP was transferred to another agent. Not sure who that would have been if we were still in that house!

 

[malibuconlee]

I would be annoyed that the new agent or the old didn't let you know they were leaving. But if the rate was the lowest I would probably just keep my business there, as the new agent's age wouldn't have anything to do with it.

For those questionning why/how you would know your agent. We have had American Family for 13+ years, with the same agent. He is the only agent in his office - local to us. If we need him for something we call him directly and speak to him only or his receptionist. There is no calling and just getting another random agent. In our area, this is how most insurance companies are set up like American Family, Shelter, Farmers, etc.

Exactly! In small towns there aren't 5 State Farm agent's to choose from. There is one and one for a couple of other insurance agencies too. My in-laws used the same insurance agent for over 30 years. They haven't been nearly as happy with the guy who the business was sold to when their agent retired a couple of years ago.

I remember when I was little Mr. Donahue. He had my mom's life insurance policy. He actually came to our house and collected her premiums. I had him as a substitute teacher when I got into high school. Very sweet guy. I think he brought me hard candy when he would visit

 

[mom2rose&john]

Not really a Disney question, but...

Have had the same Farmers agent for about 20 years. Agent retired. Was never told. First notice was a new bill with the name of the new agent the agency was sold to.

I called the new agent and "sorta" complained. Got a song and dance.

I usually compare rates once a year or so. Time to compare again in November. I am thinking of doing it early and even if Farmers comes in cheapest again of changing agents.

The new agent is a young guy, so, if Farmers come in cheap, I am thinking of taking my business to another Farmers agent.

Question, yes, I do have one....am I being too "sensitive? If Farmers is still the best rate, I can stay with them, but I CAN switch agents.

Or, if Farmers continues cheap, just flow with it and keep the new guy, who never bothered to tell me he was my new guy.....

You are entitled to change agents/insurance whenever you want. However, your statement about the new agent being "a young guy" shouldn't be the only reason to switch. Young, middle age, old shouldn't trump educated, trustworthy and responsible. And, I would hope (if you decide to change agents) that you call or write to him about the change since that is a quality you expect in people.

 

[robinb]

I would be annoyed if I was changed to another agent without a personal notice by either agent. It is very impersonal and unprofessional in a business that sells (in part) personal and professional service. Even if the agreement was in place where the old agent could not send notice, the new agent should have welcomed you to his agency. If he could let something simple like that get by him, I wonder how well he would do in helping me in a claim.

You are entitled to change agents/insurance whenever you want. However, your statement about the new agent being "a young guy" shouldn't be the only reason to switch. Young, middle age, old shouldn't trump educated, trustworthy and responsible. And, I would hope (if you decide to change agents) that you call or write to him about the change since that is a quality you expect in people.

I agree.

 

[tvguy]

I have trouble understanding why this is an issue. I've had USAA insurance for 34 years and have never dealt with just one agent; just get help from whatever agent answers the phone.

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.

 

[Judique]

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.

Ha - I'm old school/new school when it suits me!

I had an agent change maybe 10 or 15 years ago and since this area was full of agents, I guess my account was probably sold to the one I have now.

Her office is very close to me and the service is excellent and a combo of new, without losing the old personal touches. The office is welcoming with treats in the candy dish and occasional little promo gifts when you drop in. My accounts get reviewed and whenever I drop by she offers to cash out a policy I have, because it makes me, not them, money. It will mature soon enough so I tell her leave it there - I know where to find it if I need it!

But - I remember questioning the agent change and being a bit aggravated that I had to deal with a new office. For me it worked out well. Maybe yours will also.....and oh yeah.....she was younger 15 years ago, but is now looking nice and mature!