Over the recent weeks, we have taken more than a handful of calls from soon-to-be former
State Farm clients. The story that we are hearing is that State Farm is choosing to no longer have the calling individual as a client of theirs. Understandably, the calling individual is quite upset about it...and wouldn't you be?? One would think, "okay, well, I can see the insurance carrier's stance to some extent. That client must just be a terrible client who files lots of claims." I'll share a review of two of the most recent call we've taken.
We'll call the first client "Joe".
Joe called our office,
Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency, last week. Joe let us know that
State Farm is choosing to non renew his home insurance. Our first response was of course, "sorry to hear that!". Joe then went on to explain his history with them as a carrier.
Joe's parents were insured with State Farm, as a lot of ours are/were. When Joe bought his first house, he just followed suit of his parents and also became a State Farm customer. Fast forward 10+ years and Joe has been a loyal client for many years.
While Joe was continuing his business with State Farm, he was also having success in his professional career, which soon led him to purchasing a new home. Joe's new home was a $600,000 property for him and his growing family.
Prior to moving into his new home, there was a small water loss which he filed a claim for. In Joe's opinion, not a big deal. He paid a deductible and State Farm paid a few thousand to help with the clean up. Then, Joe moved to his new home and, as luck would have it, three years later had another small water loss. This put Joe as having 2 water losses over a 4 year period at two different location.
Prior to Joe's next home insurance renewal of his $600,000 home, he received a letter indicating that State Farm saw him as too much of a risk to insure and is giving him two options. Option one, carry an extremely high deductible or, option two, find a new carrier. Joe called his Agent but the Agent indicated his hands were tied. After being a client for many, many years and paying State Farm thousands and thousands of insurance premiums, they no longer want his business because of TWO claims at TWO properties no less!
Joe googled for a new insurance provider and found
Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency. At
Farmers Insurance, we only look back 3 years for any home insurance claim history. We did have to account for one of his water losses but were able to provide insurance for Joe and his entire household for less than he was paying with State Farm!
We'll call the second client "Mary".
Mary called
Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency within the last few days. Mary had been with
State Farm for 20+ years. Mary had purchased a home to retire in in 2009. Over the next 5 years, the area that Mary lived in was hit by two large storms. The first storm caused lots of shingles to be blown off Mary's roof. Mary filed a claim, paid her deductible, and State Farm helped repair her roof. Three years later, a second storm came through, bringing lots of hail with it. Everyone in Mary's neighborhood, including Mary, needed a new roof due to this storm. Mary filed a claim, paid her deductible, and State Farm replaced her roof. Both claims, as Mary would put it, were "unavoidable".
Prior to her next home insurance renewal, Mary learned that State Farm no longer wanted to insure her as she had filed too many claims over the past 4 years. Mary had been a loyal client for 20+ years and filed TWO weather related claims in the past 4 years and she is now forced to find another provider.
Mary was understandably upset and vented to anyone who would listen. Fortunately, one of those listeners told her to call
Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency. We met Mary and were able to be of immense help.
Farmers only looks back three years so we only accounted for one of the two hail claims. Also, Farmers Insurance offers a New Roof discount. Not only could we provide insurance, but we lowered her deductible and saved her $1000+ on her home insurance premiums.
If you, or someone you know, is going through a similar situation with
State Farm or your carrier, we encourage you to give
Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency a call at 913-383-3276 or email us
HERE.