[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

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.

You are asking for too much. Insurance agents are not really "agents" in the legal sense. They do not have the power to commit the insurance company to any legal obligation. So, basically, they are just salespeople. If you really want to know what is covered in your policy, you need to either read the policy yourself or hire a lawyer to read it. The insurance company doesn't care what the agent tells you as long as they sell you a policy, which is all they are paid to do. Why should they bother to train their agents to know what the policy covers? They do not represent you or the company.