FarmersInsuranceGroupSucks.com

[gotLost]

I am a former employee of Farmer's Insurance Group and am, like many others, jaded by this company (and probably the majority of insurance providers) and it's claim process. As a Helppoint Rep I was made to take claims, make people "feel better," but not actually do anything for them. You see, Farmers believes that customer service is all about how warm and fuzzy you feel at the end of that initial call (I was told on numerous occasions to talk about the weather to build rapport), regardless of the fact that you are getting a poor impression of how the claims process really works. They are even requesting their claims reps to quote the slogan "Farmers gets you back where you belong" (which is only true if you have every coverage available). But, then their adjusters are forced to undercut, undervalue, and deny claims just so that the company can save more money.

I am not writing this as an attempt to bash a company. Afterall, that only leaves you angry and feeling more helpless. Rather, I hope to outline how you may fare better in a claim, regardless of the company:

(1) Learn how your insurance works. The biggest mistake that people make is assuming that their insurance company is there to help them. They're not, they are in the business to make money. Read your policy! If you can't understand it, find a book, website, or a person who can.
I was actually told by the management of Farmers not to advise some coverages, such as Uninsured Motorist, medical, endorsements, or even some rentals; additionally, agents are not required to know coverages for their license, so they probably don't know either. [b]It is YOUR responsibility to know what your coverages are[/b]. There is a lot to learn, so my suggestion is that everyone should take a class (or more) on insurance. Their value in knowledge far outweighs their initial monetary cost.

(2) As a continuance from the above, find out what the following coverages mean, how they work, are they available in your state, under what situations do they apply, are there any exclusions(specific situations where they absolutely will not apply), what are your responsibilities to utilize these coverages, to whom do they apply, and are there deductibles (the money you are responsible to pay to utilize the coverage).
liability, uninsured motorist(UM), uninsured motorist property damage(UMPD), med pip, collision, comprehensive, stereo endorsement, property endorsements, rental, tow, non auto liability, property, contents, jewelry endorsements, sewer and drain backup endorsements

(3) Remember, service is a verb. It doesn't matter how warm and fuzzy you feel after that initial call if you still don't know what is happening. Put the idea out of your head that the person on the other line should make you feel better . Insurance is business, plain and simple.

(4) Find out what insurance bills are up for voting. How good or bad the insurance is in your area is completely dependent on law. If the public will get informed, we could shake the insurance industry to its core. Insurance companies have a large group of lobbyists working on their behalf. Think of how much greater the consumer would be as a collective group.

(5) Be legit. Did you know that according to one survey, one out of every ten claims has an element of fraud. That is a large part of why your insurance rates are so high. It is not okay to bump up your claim value - afterall, you are the one that pays that bill. In its creation, insurance was designed to put you back where you were, not better.

The best way to protect yourself when you are involved in a claim is to know your rights, responsibilities, and coverages prior to ever having the claim.

[admin]

Hello GetLost,

Thank you for the information on how Farmers handles claims. I was quite familiar with their adjusters tactics, "...then their adjusters are forced to undercut, undervalue, and deny claims just so that the company can save more money. "

The info about how to learn about insurance was helpful also. Hopefully others will learn from your post and from other information posted on this web site. Keep on posting!

[StJoeMo]

Five years ago, I bought my wife a van. Our first new vehicle ever. We love it, exactly what we wanted.
Well, the company I work for basically gave me the boot 2 days after a big 25th anniversary party for me, nice, eh.
Part of my severance package and my profit sharing went to pay off all our debt, other than our home.
Fresh start, clean slate.
A couple weeks ago, a women ran into the side of the van. She was ticketed. We took our van to the dealer we do all of our business with, and had it fixed. Times are tight, but we squeezed that in.
Farmers refused to pay for $488.00 worth of the repairs.
It is four weeks before Christmas, not been a really good year, and they basically told me in no incertain terms that I am SOL.
They refused to pay for insurance on the rental car we had to get. Fine, insurance company refusing to pay for insurance, what does that tell you?
Then, I guess they only authorize used or cheaper parts in the repairs of vehicles. We had it fixed with new parts.
Our only option, per Chris Strobel of Farmers insurance at phone number 913-234-3668, would be to sue the driver (a neighbor) directly. Then they would represent her and fight us in court.
Over $488.00
At Christmas time.
I called Mr. Strobel "strooge", poor guy.
Our van, we really care for that van and it shows. Hit by a women insured by Farmers, she was tickets, and we are out almost $500.00 before Christmas.

_________________
St. Joe Mo

[Insider]

Well, I have read your loss and the circumstances surrouding the repair of your unit. First I might say, why did you get the unit repaired without letting the insurance company see it first? Then, you would have known what to expect if you had. I can hardly say your in the right to just get something fixed and expect the bill to be paid. Bet you would not like it if someone just sent to you the bill. As far as the rental goes, in most states your only entitled to loss of use, not a rental. And certainly not insurance on a rental car. Your insurance already covers you in a substute vehicle. I believe your required by law to have insurance if your driving a car, regardless if it is your car or not. As far as used parts go, your car is 5 years old. Is there something wrong with the other non-damaged parts on your van? Then what makes you think used parts on another unit is any worse then your vehicle. As far as cheaper parts go, there are parts called Plantuim Plus and the aftermarket parts have a life time warranty. And yes, they are less expensive then the factory parts. Why dont you ask your dealer about that one and why thier parts dont have lifetime warranties. I am not particullary pro-Insurance, but you do need to take responsibility for your actions.

[Guest]

Insider.... Who do you work for? Your insider information is incorrect .
After reading this and onother of your posts I have to say you know nothing of the law and aren't helping anyone.

[insider]

Actually, I do know the law. Per the name insider. I work for an Insurance co in Texas and per my post, I dont always agree with them. However, it does no good to encourage ignorance whatever the venue. If you think the loss of use issue that I have stated is wrong, then tell me the law that says 3rd parties are entitled to rent cars. I will be happy to tell you the lawsuit that says that they are not. In Texas that is. Also, the frivilous lawsuit statue is in force and if you think otherwise, step up and prove it. I am helping people more by making them research and think with common sense then you are.

[Insider]

I would also like to say that Got Lost is another obvious writer that is actually trying to help people. If you have a specific question I bet one of us could actually help you instead of the usual Montra that some have shown in these postings. We are after all, trying to help others in here not just spill out the same ol same ol to make ourselves feel better.

[admin]

Insider,
Please do not harass and criticize victims of Farmers Insurance who post here. If you don't have anything constructive to say that might help the victim get a fair settlement please do not reply to their post. Please review the Terms/Rules.
http://www.farmersinsurancegroupsucks.com/phpBB2/disclaimer.htm

I created this forum so victims can file their complaint, vent and possible get some constructive advice so they can get a fair settlement from Farmers. After getting ripped by Farmers the last thing you want is to get criticized.

Thank you.

[Insider]

Hey friend, I was not ripping them, they were ripping me. You should send that note to the person that said I dont know what I am talking about when it is clear that he does not. I am writing in my free time with the intent to actually help people, not promote negative feelings that dont help anyone resolve problems or help them get a better handle on thier issues.

[Guest]

Well insider you don't know what you are talkng about. You are an insurance company trained mouthpiece. You may know some of the rules in Texas but guess what pal, the rest of the world ain't Texas!!

In one of the other complaints you told someone that they could be countersued in small claims court. It doesn't work that way in that particular jurisdiction. You are spreading the same kind of B.S that any adjuster or low level manager of an insurance company would do.

You also seem to think people should be greatful that an insurance company is willing to put used parts on a car or give them half the cost of a tire. One can only hope you get the same kind of treatment some day.

Right is Right meaning DO THE RIGHT THING!!!!

Perhaps in time laws will change and things like you are reading about here won't happen. Until then HOpefully people will read this stuff and see insurance companies for what hey are.

[jjamming6]

[Insider]

Actually I never said that they could be sued in Small claims court or counter sued in that venue. They can be sued in any venue in Texas. Appears you have no problem putting words in peoples mouth. I did state I have knowledge in Texas previously. Appears you just want to fight instead of research a problem and get some resolution. As far as my tenor goes, I certainly have worked for a company a lot longer then you have. What are your qualifications? Your able to get on a website and make accusations and half truths. Guess that means you really dont know what your talking about. I am not a low level manager or low level adjuster. You sure assume a lot. Think about it this way, who better then an employee of Farmers to help you and others wth problems. I guess you want to rant and run everyone off that can help. Sad, I could have helped you and others instead of having to listen to someone who just wants to whine. Boy, what a big mouth, no knowing moron you are.

[Dasfuk]

By your own post, your van was 5 years old. Why would an insurance company put brand new parts on your car, when your car was not brand new. Why was an agreed price not worked out addressing these issues prior to the van being repaired?

I do agree that they should pay for the rental insurance however. I am assuming since this is an issue that you had only liability on your van as it was at least 5 years old. The arguement that you can use is that this was an added expense that you would not have had to incur if it was not for their insured striking you and your vehilce being in the shop. Now if you ran out and dropped your "full coverage' right after the accident to save money, then shame on you.

Another route that you could go is to approach your neighbor with the amount of money that Farmers will not pay you and see if you can work something neighborly out.

[Texan]

I'm going to have to step in and help the Insider out...he's right on one issue. The insurance companies will NOT reimburse you for the damage waiver if you elect to purchase it from the rental company. EVERY driver in the great state of TX is required to purchase liability insurance, and thanks to a suit filed by a rental company against one of it's renters, the courts have found that a driver's PERSONAL LIABILITY policy can be claimed upon for damages to a vehicle rented by the insured. The courts feel that the contractual liability a renter has to return the car undamaged is a liability that should be covered by the renter's PAP.

The rental companies won that round, but the down side is that now nobody has to purchase the optional damage waiver when they rent a car.

As far as the used parts issue goes, ask yourself this... If I wanted to buy your van (a 1998 model, we'll say), would I go to the new car lot or the used car lot? End of argument.

[Dasfuk]

Liability insurance on the rental is most likely not the issue. The issue in 99.9% of these is comp and collision, because people drop these coverages as soon as their car is a piece of crap. That would make we wonder why these people think that they are owed new parts on the car when they did not think enough of it to carry "full coverage".