Posted On: May 19, 2005, 4:09 pm CDT

Posted By: Farmers Agent

It is a gross error on the Zurich management to allow Farmers auto rates to remain uncompetitive across the USA. Farmers has lost an extremely important part of the auto market share. Rather than admit the uncompetitve rate structure allows the exchanges to make more profit, Farmers reverts to the agency force and blame the agents for loss of auto sales and retention. Farmers has announced an increase in their life insurance rates on some term insurance. Their life rates aren't as low as Zurich's but they claim they must raise rates due to outside forces. (reinsurance) Agents are being terminated for lack of production and retention. If the price isn't competitive the product can't be sold. Farmers needs to realize that insurance is "just in case" something happens. Yes, it is a necessity and mandatory in some instances but if you never make claims it is an expensive protection to buy "just in case". The American public is rate wise to the insurance companies such as Farmers that continue to raise rates and reduce coverage.