What do you think about this?

[Tuffcookie]

I am not happy with my current insurance company and decided to send letters out to 10 differenct companies to see if I can do better with my premiums. I sent a cover letter, asking for a quote, along with a copy of my current coverages (home & car) and a copy of my driver's license. I whited out the premium amount. The amounts of the coverages are still showing. Yesterday one of the companies I sent the request to called me at work and wanted to know what my current premium was. I told him I would rather not reveal that. I could tell he was ticked. Today I got my letter and information back from him with a letter that read: Dear ______, Thanks you choosing the agency for your quote. I am unable to quote your insurance needs without the information we spoke of in our phone conversation on May 8, 2003. I am returning your information to you along with this letter. Sincerely, _________
What do you think of this? None of the other companies I spoke to, and most of them have called to give me quotes, required to know what I was currently paying in premiums. Frankly if I am trying to get a competive price, I would rather they don't know what I'm paying right now.
Does his request to know what I'm currently paying seem unreasonable?

TC

 

[Tony-NJ]

I'd give him a figure of about $700 less than what I was paying LOL!

 

[Luv2Roam]

I don't think they needed to know. If they had standard pricing, what difference would it make?

 

[minniecarousel]

Good for you!

Obviously, you can get/did get a quote without giving out dollar info! That's a company that doesn't want your business!

 

[JustHolly]

Sounds like a sketchy place! You should tell us all who the company is so we avoid them!

Well, you can cross that company off your list!

Holly

 

[Tuffcookie]

I have a good mind to contact another agent of that same insurance carrier to see if they will give me a quote and then if they do, show them the first guy's letter!

TC

 

[chell]

Originally posted by Tuffcookie
I have a good mind to contact another agent of that same insurance carrier to see if they will give me a quote and then if they do, show them the first guy's letter!

TC

That sounds like a great idea. It would be interesting to see if that is the policy of the entire company or just something that agent was doing.

Personally, I wouldn't want to give that company my business if that was their company policy.

 

[disykat]

Very strange. I think they should have standard pricing. If their standard is to just barely beat your old price, I would not do business with them. (Though I do like the idea of giving them a false old premium - I'm not usually an advocate of lying, but they are asking an inappropriate question)

 

[philaround]

If this was an insurance agency that booked insurance policies from several different companies they would need to know at least a ballpark premium figure so they could decide what company to quote you. I'm sure that getting a quote from every insurance company they deal with would be nearly impossible and very time consuming with little or no expecation of making any money.

If this guy represents only one insurance company then I see a real problem. It would indicate that insurance rates are not really based on you, your driving record, your location, the number of miles you drive annually, etc but on the compitions rates.

 

[SuiteDisney]

I think it's none of his business and I wouldn't deal with someone who tried to pressure me like that.

 

[flrose]

You were right not to give out the premium. The only information they need is your current coverages so they can quote a premium for the same coverages.

Also, alot of insurance companies have websites now and you can go in and get a quote yourself.