National Underwriter - November 7, 2011

Underwriter

Mr. Rousseau,

certainly nothing of what follows is meant to be rude or an insult, so please forgive me if you find my comments offensive. I am baffled.

trying to understand how an educated man in your position, and in your prior employment situation also, could be without a basic renter’s Homeowner’s Policy, is more than I can do.

surely the magazine, Multi-Housing news, had articles regarding renter’s Insurance.

Over the years many hard luck stories made the news when apartment dwellers suffered a fire and “lost everything.”

next came your decision to choose UsAA over state Farm at more than double the premium based on the three reasons given. none of which satisfied any thoughts I might have.

First and foremost, they are both direct-writers. You received no consultation nor guidance from a knowledgeable insurance agent. You were not an informed buyer and could have benefitted from talking to an independent agent with a cIc or cPcU designation.

no one suggested the possibility of a non-Owned Auto Policy? Do you ever rent vehicles?

What about a Personal Umbrella excess Liability Policy? I guess the state Farm website didn’t offer that either.

then you paid twice as much because of loyalty to the brand— based on your credit card loyalty, not prior insurance experience. You could have paid State Farm with a credit card, too.

And the deductible? $250 vs. $500? For a guy who has never had insurance nor a claim, now you want a low deductible. Why not consider the premium savings for a higher deductible?

Lastly, neither of those companies advertise in this trade journal.

John L. Black, CIC
The Insurance Center of Durham, Inc.

Litigation Managment
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For Risk Managers

Page 20

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WORKERS’ COMP WISDOM

E Page 26

In Exclusive NU Roundtable, Award Winners Discuss Their
Fears & Philosophies—Plus Loss Control, Return-To-Work Strategies,
Incentives, Safety And Educating The C-Suite

See page 15

Photo by Tom Grill/Corbis

FEATURED FRAUD

Sparks To Fly In Texas Courtroom

Page 12

I enjoyed reading your editor’s corner today; however, I am rather surprised by your decision.

Again and again we educate consumers about having a person to talk and confer with. We, as agents, as taught to ask hard questions, to be sure we are not eliminating any coverage, and to offer our expertise in what is needed.

by UsAA asking four questions, were they really giving you what you needed or were they being an “order taker” and giving you what you requested?

state Farm online search seemed to go one step further and asked for other details. Imagine what an agent who was actually trained to provide coverage and delve into your individual needs would have asked . . .

sure, we can all be “order takers,” but when claim time comes, and you are not insured properly, who is on the line? Will you lose any assets you have because they have not been protected?