Posted On: February 25, 2009, 10:20 pm CST

Posted By: just call me Jayne

OK, I've read enough of the yea's and nay's against SF Florida withdrawing from the state and think that, to the consumer out there, you need to arm yourself on the "start up companines" willing to take your business from SF. Check the insurance rating companies BEFORE you are so eager to switch. (one company is giving ALL companies an A rating...unfairly). The OIR decision has not been handed down, and every Homeowner has 6 months prior to their renewal to receive their notice and the exact date of the non-renewal and will have plenty of time get sound advice from their SF agency.
If you haven't heard from your agents, call them. The offices are responding to 9+ hours of phone calls per day among 3-4 (sometimes more) staff people and the agent. The agents and staff haven't forgotten that "good neighbor promise", all though the sky is falling around them. They are there for you still, to calm you, listen to your "hate philosopy" on the company they have devoted their careers to, trying to give you updates and guidance on the situation, while at the same time, wondering if they'll be in the unemployment lines when the non-renewals start happening.
The agents offices are working in the same capacity with long hours, calls and concerns for the Policyholders as when the triplets (charley, jeanne and frances) hit the state.
So now, when the time has come for SF Florida to take a stand after years of fights with the OIR for insurance reform, to get rates reduced, to change how insurance in Florida is written...you scoff at them and think it's time for a mutiny! (did you feel that way when your agent wrote you a check, on the spot, no questions asked...in 2004?)
If you're keeping up with the media frenzy, then you have the mindset that SF Florida is doing this withdraw to benefit the company, and has no regard for the policyholder. You're not giving your agent (or Susan, Lisa, Linda....etc, those "girls in the office") that you have a relationship with, half the chance to follow thru with that "promise" they're so committed to.
A business can't continue to lose money (and the state can't MAKE a company stay if they are losing money) and keep that "promise" to pay on the claims filed. SF Florida would be no better than the companies that shut their doors after Andrew. So instead, a pro-active approach is being taken with the withdraw.
Do you really think SF Florida wants to withdraw? Do you think the agents want to lose their businesses that, the majority, have put 20+ years into? Do you think they enjoy cutting hours? Pay? Laying employees off? NO ONE wants this withdraw to happen except those who insist that SF Florida is trying to hurt them by this decision, stating they have had no claims, no tickets or accidents....well, I'm among the "claimless" also, and am insured with SF Florida as well.
I work in a SF agency. I live this everyday... and yes, I wonder if my future is unemployment. My pay has been cut, and hours have been reduced to keep everyone else in the office employed. I go to work everyday with a smile, treat everyone fairly and with consideration, biting my tongue at the bad language and bad press I hear on the phone everyday. I'm keeping my Good Neighbor Promise because that's what I signed up for.
How many of you would do the same?