You have to be kidding? What matters most to an agent is the price. They all complain about a soft market and making less money; however, they are the source of the problem. They are so paranoid that the “agent down the street” will sell for a lower rate that they do whatever it is they can to sell or a move a policy for a $10 lower rate. Whatever happened to the days of when an agent sold insurance instead of pushed commodities?
Agents started moving business around when insureds started shopping coverage every year. Used to be you had the same agent that your parents had and you sent your kids to him when they needed their own insurance. Now Clark Howard and other consumer reporters are advising insureds shop their coverage because the nice agent that always handled their business is taking advantage of them or heaven forbid is compensated by the company. We still try to sell coverage’s and personal service, but when the insured can save $$ with his neighbors guy,guess what… he’s going to move his business. Even if he calls to see if we can get him a better deal, he thinks we’ve cheated him in the past by not selling the most economical product.
You must be an underwriter. No price does not matter to us as much as you think it does. Retaining and winning the business matters. We can’t win the business with a carrier that does not pay claims. Yes being competetive is very important, however, I sell a lot of Chubb policies and you know that is not based on pricing!!! Oh wait, your an underwriter so you must be drinking the Kool Aid of your company. Let me educate. A Chubb customer knows that he/she has a company that will pay the claim. All the rest of the carrriers are just like….. all the rest.
I am going through a claim on my own home right now for a lightening strike. The big red umbrella has a lot of holes in it right now and I am not happy with the nickel and dime stuff going on.
Great point oh brother. There are only a few companies out there that actually pay claims promptly and fairly and have great relationships with their agents. Chubb is the only national that is worth a darn, and the regionals (Erie, Auto-Owners) are the ones that are shining.
You two must be professional agents, and I applaud that. I wish there were more professional agents out there.
As a company man, we use to and still do pride ourselves on our claims service, but with so many agents crying the rating game, it’s hard to imagine that most agents are selling anything more than price in the PL market.
Keep up the good job and continue to sell the customer what they need.
Claims are huge. My company is rated in the top 5 in claims and we couldn’t be more proud. However, sadly most agents out there would sell claims, company rating, or policy out the window to get 5% lower than expiring.
I agree prompt and fair payment of claims is extremely important…but what about the folks who have never had a claim??? We sell claims responsiveness, broad coverage’s and endorsements that actually mean something to the insured, but when the neighbor’s policy is cheaper, folks are going to start shopping.
Speaking of great claims service from regionals, Columbia Insurance does an outstanding job for commercial insureds and we’ve had no complaints about Hanover for our personal lines.
Many things to consider….Consumers starting shopping when media told them too. Agents (most) are execellent and professional, willing to sell coverage vs price. In the end they must make a living too…as long as they offer what is needed but sell what the insured is only willing to pay I understand. To the co./und’s that have an agent base that constanly complain about price, add value to your product and terminate them. They are always going to sell price only…if their volume is too high to terminate. Who’s the *****?
As an experienced builder in nw arkansas i went through a tornado storm my self and built several homes back and helped families back in their homes. I would love to offer my services in this recent storm. Any ideas of how i can take my in state licsense and work in nc. We have crews available to make a difference.
You have to be kidding? What matters most to an agent is the price. They all complain about a soft market and making less money; however, they are the source of the problem. They are so paranoid that the “agent down the street” will sell for a lower rate that they do whatever it is they can to sell or a move a policy for a $10 lower rate. Whatever happened to the days of when an agent sold insurance instead of pushed commodities?
Agents started moving business around when insureds started shopping coverage every year. Used to be you had the same agent that your parents had and you sent your kids to him when they needed their own insurance. Now Clark Howard and other consumer reporters are advising insureds shop their coverage because the nice agent that always handled their business is taking advantage of them or heaven forbid is compensated by the company. We still try to sell coverage’s and personal service, but when the insured can save $$ with his neighbors guy,guess what… he’s going to move his business. Even if he calls to see if we can get him a better deal, he thinks we’ve cheated him in the past by not selling the most economical product.
You must be an underwriter. No price does not matter to us as much as you think it does. Retaining and winning the business matters. We can’t win the business with a carrier that does not pay claims. Yes being competetive is very important, however, I sell a lot of Chubb policies and you know that is not based on pricing!!! Oh wait, your an underwriter so you must be drinking the Kool Aid of your company. Let me educate. A Chubb customer knows that he/she has a company that will pay the claim. All the rest of the carrriers are just like….. all the rest.
I am going through a claim on my own home right now for a lightening strike. The big red umbrella has a lot of holes in it right now and I am not happy with the nickel and dime stuff going on.
Great point oh brother. There are only a few companies out there that actually pay claims promptly and fairly and have great relationships with their agents. Chubb is the only national that is worth a darn, and the regionals (Erie, Auto-Owners) are the ones that are shining.
You two must be professional agents, and I applaud that. I wish there were more professional agents out there.
As a company man, we use to and still do pride ourselves on our claims service, but with so many agents crying the rating game, it’s hard to imagine that most agents are selling anything more than price in the PL market.
Keep up the good job and continue to sell the customer what they need.
DWT…you hit it on the head.
Claims are huge. My company is rated in the top 5 in claims and we couldn’t be more proud. However, sadly most agents out there would sell claims, company rating, or policy out the window to get 5% lower than expiring.
I agree prompt and fair payment of claims is extremely important…but what about the folks who have never had a claim??? We sell claims responsiveness, broad coverage’s and endorsements that actually mean something to the insured, but when the neighbor’s policy is cheaper, folks are going to start shopping.
Speaking of great claims service from regionals, Columbia Insurance does an outstanding job for commercial insureds and we’ve had no complaints about Hanover for our personal lines.
Many things to consider….Consumers starting shopping when media told them too. Agents (most) are execellent and professional, willing to sell coverage vs price. In the end they must make a living too…as long as they offer what is needed but sell what the insured is only willing to pay I understand. To the co./und’s that have an agent base that constanly complain about price, add value to your product and terminate them. They are always going to sell price only…if their volume is too high to terminate. Who’s the *****?
As an experienced builder in nw arkansas i went through a tornado storm my self and built several homes back and helped families back in their homes. I would love to offer my services in this recent storm. Any ideas of how i can take my in state licsense and work in nc. We have crews available to make a difference.
Mark Hardy