Allstate, Sam Zenor Agency ripoff Fraudulent billing and reporting Meridian Idaho

I have used Sam for all of our insurance need for TEN YEARS. I have always found his staff to be resurceful, helpful and professional.

The only way a insurance company KNOWS about an accident is if you told them....if you did, then ANY AGENT has a fiduciary responsibility to inform the company. It is the insurance company ITSELF that generates the rate...not the agent. It sound like Sam (as a good business man) paid the cash out of his own pocket to satisfy the BBB claim...insurance agents on earn 10% of the premium as commission...no agent is going to risk their license for $10/yr.

 

Our response to this is so late due to just now stumbling across this. This whole story is way off base. The only accurate statement here is that I am an insurance agent and I own an Allstate Insurance Agency in Meridian, Idaho. Anyone that has bought an insurance policy knows that this type of action would not be allowed because of the regulations imposed by department's of Insurance on Insurance Companies and their agents. Insurance companies set prices and underwriting guidelines not agents...In this situation, Mr. Culp is not telling the complete truth regarding all of the claim and accident history on his policies. In addition, the one claim Mr. Culp is openly disclosing (running into the bike rack) was not reported by me (probably by the claimant) and it involved more than $5. Agents don't file claims on policyholders...claimants and insured report claims to the insurance companies. Mr. Culp acts as if he should get a "free pass" for his actions. However, it does not work that way regarding driving records and insurance claims. In addition Mr. Culp claims he was overcharged for 3 years and I did it. Insurance companies set rates not agents. Agents apply the rates to customers regarding the rules and regulations supplied by the company. Mr. Culp's rate was based off of his situation as are all customers (driving record, type of vehicle , claim history, household members... etc.). Insurance agents goals are to get customers the best possible rate in order to retain them as customers...not overcharge them. Again, there is more to the story than is being disclosed. I also find it interesting that being in business for over 22 years and insuring thousands of customers I now have to defend myself on an internet site. All I will say to anyone who reads this and has any question of our reputation to call us and we can supply a non ending list of personal and professional references and see this report for what it is. PS. The Idaho department of insurance did investigate our handling of this situation and NO disciplinary action was taken against us.

I have a few questions and even a few suggestions on how to avoid this in the future.

First, you say that Allstate and specifically Sam Zenor over charged you for three years. Why would you let someone get away with that for one payment? Didn't you monitor how much you were paying them? If someone is overcharging me for one month, I correct the situation let alone three years. Even after that you stayed with them and claim to have been over charged in Oct. '04. No offense but, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...." you know the rest.

Second, regarding the accident that is on your record, you admit to hitting the bike rack. You say that you have had a spotless driving record for 20 years, but thats not exactly true is it? According to you, you hit a bike rack 2 years ago. Plus anyone who buys insurance knows that if you turn in an accident and the insurance company has to pay out, it is going to go on your record and is probably going to raise your payment (even at Geico). Another question is if the part that was broken in the accident only cost $5.00, why on earth would you turn that in to your insurance company? It seems it would have been smarter to just pull out the billfold and pay for the part. As for when the accident was turned in, first we all know how long it takes paperwork to go through, and second I feel that it isn't really fair of you to drag this Allstate branch through months of investigation, notify everyone from the BBB to the State Insurance Commission, to the Chamber of Commerce, and then get all indignant when they don't do you any favors. No offense but you don't exactly sound like the type of person who would have handled it different. Talk about the pot and the kettle.

I'm curious as to what the Idaho State Insurance Commission found. Did Allstate do anything wrong?

You also say in your second report that Allstate contacted you and offered to reverse all charges but you turned them down. Sounds to me like they were trying to make things right. What exactly do you want from them?

I think you have taken this thing way too personal and are refusing to be reasonable. Even when they tried to do the right thing you refused to be reasonable. You DID have an accident and you DO have the responsibility to monitor your own finances. I'm not saying that Allstate did everything right but we have to remember that they are just people too. When they do something wrong, we should call them on it, but when they attempt to make thing right, we should act like grown men and accept their apology and move on. Sounds to me like they were operating like a normal insurance company. Get over it. They did all they could.

Mr. Zenor has been my agent for over 15 years and I have never had any problems. I've dealt with him and his office on numerous occasions and have always been treated with professional respect and courtesy. Recently I had a claim involving my car getting backed into by my sister in her driveway and both of us had Allstate. Allstate/Mr. Zenor sent me to repair shop and got my car fixed with no money out of my pocket. He even picked me up a rental car to use why my car was being fixed.

I have been with Allstate since 1962 and have had a few different agents over the years and I have never had any problem changing agents...I just asked and it was done.

The only problem I've ever had with their billing is the cost...hehe...but I've checked around and they still have the best price!

After filing this report here, Allstate contacted me and offered to reverse all of the charges. I declined. I filed another complaint with the BBB and was advised to report Mr. Zenor to the Idaho State Insurance Commission. I called them and they wanted everything in writting. (They were very interested in Mr. Zenors' activities) I am doing that today, 6 December 2004. I am also fowarding a copy to the Meridian Chamber of Commerce. Lucky for me I kept copies of everything and I am able to provide all information needed.

That SOB even tried to charge me $3.08 for terminating my coverage! THEN, he sent me a letter telling me I could save up to 25% by switching to Allstate! I know it's petty but it's the principle.

Have you contacted your state Insurance Commissioner and reported Allstate's antics? If you have a copy of the refund check and correspondence with Allstate, make sure you provide those as well. Include the information that Allstate refused to allow you to go to another agent. Good luck.