It Happened to Me -- Insurance

[FNSafari]

Yeah I know Gary. In the olden days Government Employees Insurance Co. was for enlisted men. USAA was for officers only initially. Other than my BIL, retired Major, the rest of my family that have USAA didn't use them until they accepted enlisted personal.
My BIL had his collection of early 1911 pistols (6ea) stolen from his home and he was satisfied with his check as well as having his new 2500HD 4x4 crewcab Chev stolen from his rear driveway. They made him happy.

Butch, if your BIL hadn't had bad luck he would have had no luck at all. I would have been the collection of early 1911s I would have missed for sure!!

 

[Kurz]

Can I ask, have you ever filed a claim?

I hope you're asking me for a response...

I've had State Farm my whole insurable life, home and cars. That's all I needed when I was employed by other folks in a company. They paid health and life for me because of my rank in the company.

State Farm and I had a very nice sit down discussion when I left corporate life for a business on my own. Yes, they handled everything except the business insurance which I had to find from another supplier. Business insurance for a gunsmith is totally different from the regular Home, Life and Casualty. Fortunately SHOT Show was in a couple of weeks and there were a dozen or more insurance companies (at that time) who wrote policies for gunsmiths.

Have I filed a claim with State Farm?

Once as a homeowner and once for my car.

I did not call them, they called me to arrange for an estimator to look at the house.
The new roof was severely damaged in an awful tornadic wind/hail storm. They took care of everything to completely replace the original new roof with another new roof. The screens had to be replaced and a new energy pack on the roof was a total loss. Everything was replaced new.

Driving down a small 2-lane country road in Georgia, a small doe jumped right out from the roadside. Fast reaction timing had me just tap her rear end, knocking her a little sideways. She got right up and ran off. The car was not so lucky. I called State Farm, they took care of everything after receiving my assessment of the accident. It took a week for the repairs from a highly recommended shop, it was perfect! Not dollar one from me just a quick phone call to see if I was happy. I also received a letter from the body/repair shop asking if I was happy or needed anything corrected.

My business insurance is handled by a company specializing in working with gunsmiths. I also have machine insurance for the CNC machines in the shop. Speaking of which, I need to get back to work...

Regards.

 

[ronsatspokane]

USAA doesn't write commercial vehicle insurance. They refer people to Progressive and literally are the middleman. The conversation with Progressive is relayed via USAA. It didn't turn out well either.

So I have a problem with any company that charges me for a good or service at a rate that allows them to make large donations to causes they support as is the case with Progressive. Does not matter what that cause is. What it means is that I am being overcharged and my money is being used to fund someone else's agenda.

A good example is my local power company. They pride themselves on their philanthropy. Don't get me wrong, they fund some very good causes but what happened to businesses that provided a good or service and left the money they give away in my pocket so I can fund my own agenda via charitable giving. It's not like I can move to a service provider who charges me the cost of providing said service plus a reasonable profit for their investors. Power companies have a monopoly in their service area.

Most companies these days do this so when you are forced or choose to do business with a particular company it is good to what causes your money is funding.

 

[JSH]

Not my experience. I have Germania, but I think they are Texas only. Had a hot water heater spring a leak and ruined over 2000' of hardwood floors. Ixed me right up. Hail damage on a 15yr old roof. All shingles removed and new roof installed. I added ridge vents. My only cost was the ridge vents.
I can't speak for other insurance companies, but I'm very happy with Germania. I switched from Farmers about 15 years ago to Germania and saved $500 a year in premiums.

Buddy had the same thing happen some years back, dishwasher upstairs. Ruined kitchen floor, flooded the basement, sump pump was at the opposite end of the house. They paid up. Then his rates went up, then up again, then again till he dropped them and moved on.
I hear of similar circumstances more and more. Seems to be a big viscous circle with a bunch of people with their hand out.
It isn’t all the insurance companies fault, there is a lot of fraudulent crap that caused theses problems.
It’s sad that a persons word and or a handshake means nothing to a huge majority anymore.

 

[Alguapo]

I had SF for over 25 years. Wind storm came through and damaged the house and some property. They paid and then we had a pipe leak and damage some walls and carpet. We got a letter saying they were cancelling the home insurance. I called and said what about all the other stuff, trailer, 2 cars, motorcycles, etc.... Oh they were fine with them. I told them that's not how it works. WE cancelled them and moved on.

 

[dakor]

I was told machine shop no problem, day care no problem, farming operation no problem, rifle building shop sorry we cant insure you. I spoke to 2 different agents in two different towns from State Farm.

So I am not surprised they would not insure him. If you think thats bad try get liability insurance. I found 2 places that would do it and thats it. Talked to many brokers and companys. So there are not a lot of options for guys like me and you pay through the nose when you find someone.

I pay 500 dollars more a year for liability insurance than my buddy who had it for his oil drilling rig business. Think about that for a second. If you look at his risk vs mine and I pay more?

 

[tjtjwdad]

I hear AMICA is real good but I have no personal experience with them. USAA is good if you're eligible.

 

[butchlambert]

Butch, if your BIL hadn't had bad luck he would have had no luck at all. I would have been the collection of early 1911s I would have missed for sure!!

Yes, only early very clean weapons

 

[PhilC]

So I have a problem with any company that charges me for a good or service at a rate that allows them to make large donations to causes they support as is the case with Progressive. Does not matter what that cause is. What it means is that I am being overcharged and my money is being used to fund someone else's agenda.

A good example is my local power company. They pride themselves on their philanthropy. Don't get me wrong, they fund some very good causes but what happened to businesses that provided a good or service and left the money they give away in my pocket so I can fund my own agenda via charitable giving. It's not like I can move to a service provider who charges me the cost of providing said service plus a reasonable profit for their investors. Power companies have a monopoly in their service area.

Most companies these days do this so when you are forced or choose to do business with a particular company it is good to what causes your money is funding.

I agree. We're fortunate to live outside Avista's service area. Member owned IP&L has been an excellent provider.

 

[Hydenseek]

You are much more deprived than the people not having a cake baked for them. This is how we are going to have to fight back.

 

[mikecr]

Before this years end, everyone good & normal will be living in fear.
This, because there is nothing good & normal that can be done about it.

 

[DaveTooley]

Just a heads up. We called our dear friend who wrote the personal auto insurance to cancel the policy yesterday. She said she couldn't compete with USAA. She's with NW Still working on the business truck. YMMV

 

[NDAR15MAN]

Positive it was the Agent That made that bone head decision , not State Farm. Call Bloomington ILL Corp office. After they ask you who the agent was that turned you down then ask to be transferred to another Agent in your town. Ask new agent when you call or sit down with him or her If they are anti 2A If so keep looking for a pro 2A Agent. There is a ton of State Farm agents that are Pro Gun and Hunting. Don’t ask me how I know. State Farm in my opinion is the finest insurance company in the country.
Very Deep Pockets to pay off any claim on the spot if you are covered. They have the cash to reimburse any person or business at the drop of a hat. Marty

 

[DaveTooley]

Positive it was the Agent That made that bone head decision , not State Farm. Call Bloomington ILL Corp office. After they ask you who the agent was that turned you down then ask to be transferred to another Agent in your town. Ask new agent when you call or sit down with him or her If they are anti 2A If so keep looking for a pro 2A Agent. There is a ton of State Farm agents that are Pro Gun and Hunting. Don’t ask me how I know. State Farm in my opinion is the finest insurance company in the country.
Very Deep Pockets to pay off any claim on the spot if you are covered. They have the cash to reimburse any person or business at the drop of a hat. Marty

It was corporate not a local agent. We're shopping home owners with USAA but that's more complicated because we live in a hurricane zone. We have to have wind and hail. Flood insurance not so much. The worst storm got to within 8" of the duct work under the house. If water got in the house all of eastern NC would have flooded.

 

[FNSafari]

It was corporate not a local agent. We're shopping home owners with USAA but that's more complicated because we live in a hurricane zone. We have to have wind and hail. Flood insurance not so much. The worst storm got to within 8" of the duct work under the house. If water got in the house all of eastern NC would have flooded.

Regardless of who made the decision to not insure you because you are in the lawful firearms trade, its discrimination not allowed under any state insurance law I am familiar with. You state insurance department has a complaint process for just such spurious actions.

 

[Bad Mojo]

Lawsuit. If you do nothing and switch to a different provider, they win.

Idiotic. You can't force someone to do business with you. That's what the liberals do to people. Any company has a right to choose with whom they do business. In the case of insurance companies, it's a game of risk -- a game they chose not to play.

 

[Bad Mojo]

I won’t go off on a rant about insurance but........
I always liked to think I got what I paid for, made a claim for hail damage roof (only claim I have ever made in 30+ years). Adjuster was coming to look it over, I told them I wanted to be present, SOB came and went and went as he pleased. They wanted to repair it rather than replace, repair cost fell under my deductible.
I had a well known roofer in the area inspect it, pictures estimate and all.
Round and round the game went. I got PO’d paid for ALL of it out of pocket, steel roof rather than asphalt. Insurance came out and looked it over. Oh glory be they informed me since it was steel I would get a better rate, I was told it would be a substantial savings. Now wait for it,here it comes........saves me $50 a year.

You may as well get the cheapest you can find. Getting what you pay for ain’t gonna happen.

Read your policy. Your policy is a repair policy first, replacing when the cost to repair exceeds a threshold percentage. Loss less than deductible? You didn't mention how low or high it was. $500? $10,000? (I don't care; just letting everyone know it is an important detail left out.)

 

[Bad Mojo]

Positive it was the Agent That made that bone head decision , not State Farm. Call Bloomington ILL Corp office. After they ask you who the agent was that turned you down then ask to be transferred to another Agent in your town. Ask new agent when you call or sit down with him or her If they are anti 2A If so keep looking for a pro 2A Agent. There is a ton of State Farm agents that are Pro Gun and Hunting. Don’t ask me how I know. State Farm in my opinion is the finest insurance company in the country.
Very Deep Pockets to pay off any claim on the spot if you are covered. They have the cash to reimburse any person or business at the drop of a hat. Marty

I agree with getting a new agent. The new agents don't have the same connection with the policyholder that the old-time (10 years ago and before) agents did. The new agents are pushed on metrics so much that they don't have the connection - or have time to go have dinner with a PH like the old ones did. Agents want customers. SF agents are not employees; they are independent contractors exclusively licensed to sell the products. And, the agents are in "competition" with the other agents in their area. I really have a hard time believing an agent would turn down a premium if they could put it in the bank. It helps their "score."
Also, "don't ask me how I know."

 

[Ned Ludd]

Idiotic. You can't force someone to do business with you. That's what the liberals do to people. Any company has a right to choose with whom they do business. In the case of insurance companies, it's a game of risk -- a game they chose not to play.

Who's really being idiotic? A company cannot simply terminate a contract because they disagree with someone's politics. That is a discriminatory practice and not any different from an LGBTQ person using legal means to force a baker to make a cake for their wedding? In fact, it is exactly the same. Companies will continue to attempt to force their political beliefs on the public unless forced to do otherwise. You can be a sheep and simply accept what they dictate, or you can try to do something about it within the legal framework of our society. You might not win, but at least you would have made a fight out it. Not every LGBTQ case where an individual or couple has attempted to sue a baker or wedding planner has been successful, but many have. It's about using the exact same tactics the left favor against them.

 

[Bad Mojo]

Who's really being idiotic? A company cannot simply terminate a contract because they disagree with someone's politics. That is a discriminatory practice and not any different from an LGBTQ person using legal means to force a baker to make a cake for their wedding? In fact, it is exactly the same. Companies will continue to attempt to force their political beliefs on the public unless forced to do otherwise. You can be a sheep and simply accept what they dictate, or you can try to do something about it within the legal framework of our society. You might not win, but at least you would have made a fight out it. Not every LGBTQ case where an individual or couple has attempted to sue a baker or wedding planner has been successful, but many have. It's about using the exact same tactics the left favor against them.

I only read to your 2nd sentence. You seem extremely confident they declined coverage only because they disagreed with a political stance. You also seem convinced "big, mean ol' SF" is anti-2A. You, and any of the others screaming that the sky is falling may be surprised if you really knew instead of BLASTING conjecture. SF is in IL - way down south of Chicago, down where the corn grows reallllly tall.

Calm down, people. Paying an insurance premium doesn't make you an expert in the industry. I live close to an airport but that doen't make me a pilot. The OP's story could have had a few more details of the conversation, but that might not have incited such incindiary responses, eh?