1 /5 Sweet & Fancy Melons: I have been dealing with Joe McNeil in the High Springs office and every year there have been substantial increases in my premiums. I have accepted this as the norm throughout the industry.
In 2022 my premium was $2,799.11 and this year Joe McNeil sent a proposal of $3,404.95 an increase of $605.84 which I figured was probably within reason so I told Joe I would renew.
On May,1,2023 Joe sent a revised quote of $13,101.70 for a coverage amount of $937,500. I told Joe I didnt need near that much coverage and to get a quote on a lesser amount. Joe stated that the carrier would not insure my building for less so I told him to check with another carrier and he said no one else would write the policy.
I found out through neighbors that the Chiefland office of Nature Coast was providing insurance for the same type of structure for far less, so I contacted Todd Bryant at the Chiefland office and inquired about a policy quote.
The next morning Joe McNeil showed up at my property and said he would find a better rate. A few days after Joe had visited my property he called and said that he had not received a quote, but it looked like they could insure me for $7,000-$8,000 I told him to get the quote in and we would see. A few days after that call Joe called and said he had not forgotten me but he was still waiting on the quote, but it looked like he could get the policy for $6,000-$7,000. I told Joe that if it was that expensive, I would not insure the property but to check on a liability policy only. After waiting for over a week for a quote Joe called me back within an hour of our previous call and stated the quote came back at $4,962.85
It is obvious that Joe McNeil was trying to play me into buying the most expensive policy I would possibly be willing to purchase and I would advise anyone shopping for an insurance policy to use a different agent.
Dennis Tharp
