Today, my dislike for insurance companies has flared up again, and I feel like sharing...
1. In the past, I worked for an insurance company for several years as a programmer. I was unhappy working for them because of the ways in which they discriminate and were attempting to further discriminate against people. For example, at the time for this particular company, living in a mobile home would increase your car insurance rate. They discrimiated in every way they possibly could. Some forms of discrimination they only did in certain states, because it was illegal in all the others. Trust me, if it was legal, some of you would be paying higher rates due to your race and religion. All of it has a statistical reasoning behind it, but I can't help but be offended at how little your personal insurance history has to do with your final rates.
2. At the same company mentioned previously, there was a big legal case. In that case, we were asked to destroy any documents over a certain age so that the other company couldn't use those documents against us. It was a legal (as in, not illegal) move. But the reasoning behind it was entirely evil. "So the other company couldn't use those documents against us". Legal battles are about finding the truth, but those words were nearly an admission of guilt.
3. There was a time when I was unemployed and out of money. I let my insurance (State Farm at the time) lapse by about a month and a half because I did not have enough money to pay the premium. When I tried to renew or restart my policy, they would not allow it. I think this is a common practice, again likely statistically motivated, but it still falls under the "evil" category, as it has nothing to do with your insurance history.
4. This one takes the cake. During my unemployment several years back, I had a policy with Millers First Insurance out of Illinois. They cancelled my policy because I was unemployed. Let me say that again. Not because I couldn't pay my policy. Because I was unemployed. This one angered me to no end. I still send them letters every year about it, even though I haven't had a policy with them in years.
Now lets take a look at my own insurance history.
Save for a couple of lapses due to having no money, I've had insurance consistently since I was 16, which is about 16 years of car insurance. In that time, I have had 0 claims. Not a one. I haven't so much as called them to ask a question.
All I want to do is just pay a reasonable premium for the insurance I never need, have my law-required insurance, and be left alone. But apparently even that is asking too much.
They don't care about you. They care only about making as much money as possible through highly discriminatory statistical processes. God forbid any of you end up on the wrong side of their statistical yardstick. Your personal insurance record will only matter if it makes them more money (if you have a bad record).
Today I use Geico. So far, they have had good rates and have otherwise left me alone. I'd recommend checking them out if you are unhappy with your current insurance elsewhere.
Stay safe everyone, and try not to be evil. Feel free to share your own experiences if you like.
1. In the past, I worked for an insurance company for several years as a programmer. I was unhappy working for them because of the ways in which they discriminate and were attempting to further discriminate against people. For example, at the time for this particular company, living in a mobile home would increase your car insurance rate. They discrimiated in every way they possibly could. Some forms of discrimination they only did in certain states, because it was illegal in all the others. Trust me, if it was legal, some of you would be paying higher rates due to your race and religion. All of it has a statistical reasoning behind it, but I can't help but be offended at how little your personal insurance history has to do with your final rates.
2. At the same company mentioned previously, there was a big legal case. In that case, we were asked to destroy any documents over a certain age so that the other company couldn't use those documents against us. It was a legal (as in, not illegal) move. But the reasoning behind it was entirely evil. "So the other company couldn't use those documents against us". Legal battles are about finding the truth, but those words were nearly an admission of guilt.
3. There was a time when I was unemployed and out of money. I let my insurance (State Farm at the time) lapse by about a month and a half because I did not have enough money to pay the premium. When I tried to renew or restart my policy, they would not allow it. I think this is a common practice, again likely statistically motivated, but it still falls under the "evil" category, as it has nothing to do with your insurance history.
4. This one takes the cake. During my unemployment several years back, I had a policy with Millers First Insurance out of Illinois. They cancelled my policy because I was unemployed. Let me say that again. Not because I couldn't pay my policy. Because I was unemployed. This one angered me to no end. I still send them letters every year about it, even though I haven't had a policy with them in years.
Now lets take a look at my own insurance history.
Save for a couple of lapses due to having no money, I've had insurance consistently since I was 16, which is about 16 years of car insurance. In that time, I have had 0 claims. Not a one. I haven't so much as called them to ask a question.
All I want to do is just pay a reasonable premium for the insurance I never need, have my law-required insurance, and be left alone. But apparently even that is asking too much.
They don't care about you. They care only about making as much money as possible through highly discriminatory statistical processes. God forbid any of you end up on the wrong side of their statistical yardstick. Your personal insurance record will only matter if it makes them more money (if you have a bad record).
Today I use Geico. So far, they have had good rates and have otherwise left me alone. I'd recommend checking them out if you are unhappy with your current insurance elsewhere.
Stay safe everyone, and try not to be evil. Feel free to share your own experiences if you like.
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