And just for the record, this is the first accident and ticket on a
previously spotless record . . .

I understand (more clearly now than ever) the insurance game and don't plan
on jumping ship, especially given that I recently came over to Farmers in
order for my fiance and I to have everything insured together (discounts,
etc).

I've got a great agent, a personal connection - and they're doing everything
they can to fight for me . . .

-MD

On Tue, Nov 11, 2008 at 4:21 PM, Greg Potts <greg@pottsfamily.ca> wrote:

> Hi David,
>
>
>
> David Kao wrote:
>
>> The insurance company may raise the premium for Matt's insurance
>> and get all the money back they pay out for his claim. This is the
>> game they play.
>>
>
> That's not a "game", that's their business model.
>
> Seriously, by having an "at-fault" accident he has proven to be a higher
> risk to them, justifying a higher premium. Unless he has been accident
> free for at least the past five years he is pretty much guaranteed a
> premium increase no matter where he takes his business. At least that's
> how it is in my market.
>
>
>> If they do not treat Matt right by paying what he deserves why stay
>> insured with them and let them get all their money plus more back?
>> A good insurance company will not only treat Matt right to pay
>> out enough to make Matt happy. They may even keep the premium unchanged
>> instead of punishing Matt.
>>
>
> The only way a bean-counter could justify that behaviour is if he was
> charging too much in the first place.\, or if he has a totally clean
> record previously. I don't think we have that data at the moment.
>
> There is a huge difference between a good
>
>> and a bad insurance company. It's always a good idea to quickly drop
>> off from a bad one and switch to another, hopefully a better one.
>> This helps to drive the bad one out of everyone's way.
>>
>
> We agree on the above, but with a recent at-fault item on your record it
> might not be the best time to change. And in addition, it's worth noting
> that in ^my^ market it isn't always easy to change insurers on a 20YO
> vehicle. Many companies will flat out refuse the coverage.
>
>
>> Yes, I agree if they treat Matt right and if he is happy then stay
>> insured with them. Obviously it seems that's not the case now.
>>
>
> Right now is a bad time to judge an insurance company, as has been said
> previously, a lowball offer on an unusual vehicle like a vanagon is not
> uncommon. It certainly couldn't hurt to shop around and compare notes
> with other NV vanagon owners on the list, but I certainly wouldn't jump
> until I looked where I was going land...
>
>
>> David
>>
> \
> --
> Happy Trails,
>
> Greg Potts
> 1973/74/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
> 1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop
> www.busesofthecorn.com
> www.pottsfamily.ca
>