1 /5 Al Hilsenbeck: For many years I had homeowners insurance here and for almost as many I also had auto insurance. I had had to sever my business relationship due to very poor professional conduct and frankly, rude behavior from Mr. Kent Jones. I probably stayed too long in fact. As the auto premiums continued to rise I was getting quotes from other places but actually stayed out of loyalty until the delta became a little too much to justify it. Here are some examples. A few years back, when my homeowners rate almost doubled (windstorm was separate) I shopped around and found a better rate. When I called to notify them I would not be renewing, the lady asked if she could look into this. I got called back and she said I could be insured for almost the same amount as in the previous year. When I went in to pay I asked about why I wasnt given that option initially. She actually said to me that they give this option to customers when their existing policy premiums get to high. So I guess if they can get you to pay the higher rate they will hide the better customer friendly option. Then last July when I decided to finally switch auto insurance carriers I called their office and let the lady answering know. She again asked if she could look into it. I said sure. I never heard from her. A coupe weeks after policy timed out Mr. Jones called me and asked if I wanted to continue. I mentioned I had called and informed I was cancelling and was asked at that time if they could look into it. I said I never got a call back. Mr. Jones then said to me you must have called the corporate number if you didnt get a call back. What an insinuation. I actually took a screen shot of my call log and emailed it to him to verify I had called his office. And even one more time, last fall, I tried again to give them business. I called for auto rates. The lady gave me quotes that were right at 100% higher than I usually pay for 6 months. So I asked if that was an annual rate. She said no. I said that is almost exactly two of my previous 6 months payments so I assumed it was annual. Twice more I asked and she always came back that it was annual. So I emailed Mr. Jones. He did call me back and said he has a lot of turnover and he had the correct figures. He never apologized but blamed the help. Keep in mind, this coming off the heels of him blaming me(!) when he said I must have called the corporate office. Being contrite has value. And finally, in all the years I was there for homeowners and auto, I never, not one time, got called in for a consultation. Anything that changed over tie was driven by me. A contradiction I would get from Farmers mailings. So if you do business there please dont take anything at face value, do your homework, and understand Mr. Jones is not in it for what is best for you.
