Quote:
Originally Posted by rogerk
IMHO, it is almost always better to deal with an agent rather than get stuck with missing some detail or a wrinkle unique to the market here. Think about liability, lightning damage, not to mention mold due to the failure of your AC while you’re on vacation for two weeks … the list goes on. It is not just a new roof due to wind damage.
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And I would “vet out” the agent you use as well. Some are better than others. As a retired claims manager, I can’t begin to tell you how many insureds were surprised (or sometimes even misled) by what an insurance sales agent told them when they purchased their policy. So many agents unfortunately know very little about the exclusions/definitions/limitation/duties of the insured, that are detailed and found in the pages of the policy. We in claims had to be the “bad guys” and often explain to the insureds why something was not covered (though it was plainly stated in the policy, most insureds don’t take the time to read their policy cover-to-cover), and like I said, most sales agents don’t even understand the policy they are selling in full detail.
So far, I have not been impressed by the sales agents at Villages Insurance. Though nice people (mostly), the one’s I have worked with seem “under-trained” with their knowledge of the policy they are selling you. Beyond limits, coverages, deductibles, and premiums, they appear hard-pressed to respond to specific questions about potential exclusions within the policy. Just this past week, a Villages insurance agent answered my question regarding potential loss to my birdcage as “well, it appears that would be covered” - What do you mean appears? I don’t want an agent to “wing it” with me, and if they don’t know the answer to my questions, I would appreciate them telling me so, and that they would research and get back to me. I don’t want them guessing on something this important. When I asked about replacement cost in case of a “total loss” of my home, the agent said sorta snarkily, “You know everyone way over-pays for their homes in The Villages, and you can get the same home way cheaper in Summerfield.” That comment sorta came out of nowhere, and right there I determined to seek out a non-Villages agent. Luckily, as a retired claims manager, I can “vet out” my agent ahead of having a loss. I am now on the hunt for a good agent, who knows and understands the product he/she is selling.