Aside from one's family and friends (and for women perhaps their OB/GYN), there seems to be no more enduring relationship than with one's Insurance Agent. I for one had been with mine for 8 years. He may be difficult to get hold of, and when I finally do, he may share a little too much, but mostly it was working. So lately, in searching for ways to save a little extra cash (because let's face it, I don't have the nerve to break up with the cable company), I called said Insurance Agent and asked to change my deductible from $100 to $500. This in turn saved me a whopping $7 a month. If I went for even less coverage, it would reduce my payments by a whopping $3.50. Are you freakin' kidding me? I'm already paying $1,100 a year, and all you're willing to go down is a lousy ten bucks? Granted, there's not much he can do - his hands are tied by the big evil corporation ALLSTATE. You know, the one who is being sued because they won't pay on their obligations from Hurricane Katrina.
I mentioned this in passing to one of my co-workers last weekend. A while later, she happened to be on the phone with her Mother, who just happened to mention her insurance agent. Apparently they have gone to the same agent for the past thirty years and totally love him. Not only that, but he's independent, and doesn't mind helping his clients shop around. So based on their recommendation, I called their agent this week.
He was more than happy to help. He did some searching and recommended a local company. And the price was close to half of what I've been paying. Not only was it cheaper, but it was cheaper for MORE COVERAGE. This was a no-brainer. I decided then and there to make the switch.
The only issue in this whole thing is that I didn't want to have to call my Allstate agent and break up with him in person. I know, I'm a chicken. So, I get the big idea that I'm going to call the main Customer Service line and break up with him that way. It just saves the whole awkward "I met someone new and I'm leaving you" conversation. No one can ever say that I'm emotionally mature when it comes to relationships. But, as we all know from Murphy's Law, the best-laid plans do not always work out as intended.
I called the main line, and spoke to an agent who asked me why I wanted to cancel my policy. I tell her "Y'all have priced me out!" I'm then told - "No problem we can totally do that for you - I just need to get your agent on the line." WHAT THE... I try to say "No, I don't want to go through my agent", but alas, she doesn't hear me because I'm already listening to not-so-lovely hold music. She finally comes back to the line and says "I have your agent on the line". To which I say, "But I don't want to speak to my agent." Well, again, she can't hear me, because in those few seconds she has conferenced him in and COMPLETELY HUNG UP. So instead of speaking to her, I get to hear my agent say, in a voice completely hurt "Don't worry Trace, I'll cancel it." Needless to say, I was mortified. Not only that, but I felt embarrassment, anger, and pain that I'd hurt someone's feelings - even if it's only a business relationship.
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