ouwasp
4/18/2013, 10:31 PM
We had been with a very reputable ins company for 20 yrs... I'll keep them anonymous, call them "Alpha". We never rec'd a penny from Alpha, yet paid them multiple thousands. Guess that's the best way, to have it but not need it.
7/12... we get a letter from Alpha telling us vague house repairs need to be made. We call our agent, are told this applies to the kids' playhouse roof. We have until Feb to do this. A bit puzzled, but no big deal. We get it fixed in Dec.
2/13...we receive a letter stating our Alpha insurance will lapse in April because we haven't completed said repairs. Agent tells us not to worry, an inspector will be sent out.
3/13... receive an "amended policy" full of legalese, telling us we will be billed for the Alpha separately. So what. Who cares about the playhouse roof. Been fixed. We look to be back in good graces with Alpha.
Usually we get billed at the start of April... but not this month. Hmmm. Monday I send my wife down to write a check, as our policy expires on Friday. The agent greets her with this: "I've got good news and bad news. The good news is I'm going independent, and I can save you thousands with Bravo Insurance! The bad news is Alpha has dropped you. But don't tell Alpha about the deal I can make you. I need to stick with the agency for a few more months."
So wife does the 800 number routine, seeking an extension from Alpha. Got the run-around. Turns out they were concerned about our house roof, not the stupid playhouse. They will take our plea under consideration, let us know something in 48 hrs. We didn't rat out their agent, just wanted to see how this would play out. In the meantime, Alpha agent is sending wife emails pumping Bravo insurance, which will be sold from agent's residence soon.
I go to Charlie Insurance, another very reputable company. They really came through last yr when another driver with Charlie Insurance coverage ran a stop sign and nailed my daughter's car. They gave us no hassle at all and were very generous in settling. Good advertisement for them, because now I'm ready to give Alpha the heave-ho.
We work out a policy with Charlie. Roughly the same cost, but a lot more trust. Charlie also says we need a new roof. Fine, we coulda taken care of it last summer. Really doesn't look that bad, but my eye is untrained... Still, I wouldn't have bought new windows and siding last yr if I had known. Oh well, it is what it is. Just thankful I can afford it.
As of midnight tonight, Charlie is our new insurance company. Tomorrow Alpha will be notified we no longer need their services. And they no longer receive our thousands.
7/12... we get a letter from Alpha telling us vague house repairs need to be made. We call our agent, are told this applies to the kids' playhouse roof. We have until Feb to do this. A bit puzzled, but no big deal. We get it fixed in Dec.
2/13...we receive a letter stating our Alpha insurance will lapse in April because we haven't completed said repairs. Agent tells us not to worry, an inspector will be sent out.
3/13... receive an "amended policy" full of legalese, telling us we will be billed for the Alpha separately. So what. Who cares about the playhouse roof. Been fixed. We look to be back in good graces with Alpha.
Usually we get billed at the start of April... but not this month. Hmmm. Monday I send my wife down to write a check, as our policy expires on Friday. The agent greets her with this: "I've got good news and bad news. The good news is I'm going independent, and I can save you thousands with Bravo Insurance! The bad news is Alpha has dropped you. But don't tell Alpha about the deal I can make you. I need to stick with the agency for a few more months."
So wife does the 800 number routine, seeking an extension from Alpha. Got the run-around. Turns out they were concerned about our house roof, not the stupid playhouse. They will take our plea under consideration, let us know something in 48 hrs. We didn't rat out their agent, just wanted to see how this would play out. In the meantime, Alpha agent is sending wife emails pumping Bravo insurance, which will be sold from agent's residence soon.
I go to Charlie Insurance, another very reputable company. They really came through last yr when another driver with Charlie Insurance coverage ran a stop sign and nailed my daughter's car. They gave us no hassle at all and were very generous in settling. Good advertisement for them, because now I'm ready to give Alpha the heave-ho.
We work out a policy with Charlie. Roughly the same cost, but a lot more trust. Charlie also says we need a new roof. Fine, we coulda taken care of it last summer. Really doesn't look that bad, but my eye is untrained... Still, I wouldn't have bought new windows and siding last yr if I had known. Oh well, it is what it is. Just thankful I can afford it.
As of midnight tonight, Charlie is our new insurance company. Tomorrow Alpha will be notified we no longer need their services. And they no longer receive our thousands.