More to the insurance saga in Florida ... Recently I gave you a client's experience in searching for insurance, and that he did not choose the lowest bidder - he chose the one who asked him questions and counselled him. And more on my own property insurance quest (note that my non-renewed policy cancels in less than a week). Note - last year's homeowner's policy cost $1,729.
Old insurance agent: I had initiated contact after the nonrenewal notice and agent's office returned my call to say, too early to worry about it, we'll get back to you 30 days before cancellation date. 2-3 weeks before cancellation date I received from the agency a policy from a new insuror for $9,900 and an invoice. A week after that I received cancellation of policy notice from new insuror that premium had not been paid and if it weren't paid by 8/30 it would be cancelled. I ignored both. Thursday I received a call from a young woman at the insurance agency saying they hadn't received payment for the policy. I told her that I was not paying $9,900 for insurance. She said, Oh, I have a quote here from Citizens (insuror of last resort) that I guess I should have sent you sooner. Do you want me to fax it over? Yes, please. Interesting - the premium was $1,000 higher than from New insurance agent, for less coverage.
New insurance agent: Had one quote for $11,000 which she did not even forward to me. Sent me quote from Citizens (insuror of last resort). Called me to go over the quote. Asked many questions - do you have a security alarm? is it monitored? What kind of screening/fencing do you have around your pool? Then she discussed options with me - do you want to explore the cost of changing the deductible amount? We looked at cost vs benefit of stating I had an intercom system (definitely not worth getting replacement cost for this 20 year old intercom system I don't use). She was timely responding, gave lots of information and options, outlined the documents she needed, and sent someone over to my office to pick up the signed application and check.
Many of us start conversations with a new potential client with a counselling session. If any of you have wondered about the benefits of it, just look at the results from these insurance cases. Clients choose to work with someone they feel cares about them, and addresses their needs. They don't want to be just a number, or an "inconvenience" or afterthought to an agent.
Oh, by the way - the premium I paid was $4,363 - a 250% increase from last year.
