Farmers Insurance (Michael Buhrt-agent) When The Company Selling Trust Lies To You, Who Can You TRUST? Mesa, Arizona

Mr. District manager, first of all, my complaint was not about Bruce, in fact I praise his ability as an agent. Was that what you got out of my complaint. My concern, and complaint was focused on your adjuster, and the lack of professionalism in regards to customer relations, and if she was instructed to treat your valued clients, as uneducated, ignorant buffoons, then I will point my finger at you RW!

Again, I expressed to you, Bruce stated to me (EVERYTHING) when I asked what is covered in the policy I purchased! Yet when your adjuster came to my home, what dose it cover, became (everything except water!)

Without batting an eye, she stated she's closing the case! I only had the policy 2 weeks.
I never had renters insurance before, I didn't go to Bruce's office expecting to purchase renters insurance, so I did not research renters insurance.
I place my trust in Bruce, since he was the professional in that situation.
I did not know that a storm was going to hit this community, I can't predict the future, if I could I would not have purchased that policy!

I didn't think that such a well established, award winning, Large company would stiff me. I am a man of my word! That's how I do business, I may be optimistic in some things in life, When I do business, I expect to be treated in the same manner, a corporation is a group of men, odds are they care about there clients, and their reputation, bad faith is when a company lies in order to remove funds from someone.

On the east coast they have a law on the books "Flem-flam, it's a class 1 felony, a person could be sentenced with up to 25 years, to commit this crime, and all you have to do is lie to a person about the article that you are selling. (Sounds familiar?)

A corporation can commit the same crime, and the guilty party gets a bonus!

I get to lose things that were part of my life, pictures--books--clothes and the list goes on and on.

R.W. I would love to pay a visit to your office, if it's not another trick! I would love to get your point of view in regards to this misunderstanding, I still don't understand how the victim receives the verdict, do the time, maybe there's something I missed?

I'll call bruce friday morning.

Until then,

Peace
Dave
A.B.I N.

"We won't pay cause your apartment complex allowed water to accumulate on your roof". What is it about most insurance companies that they can always find a reason NOT to pay, in your policy? What did the OP say? He went to the agent and asked to be covered for EVERYTHING. Everything MEANS everything. Not "your apartment complex allowed water...", so we won't pay. By the way, how much rain DO they get in Mesa, AZ? A GOOD insurance company would pay the claim and go after the apartment complex. Pay the man's claim under the agent's errors and omissons clause. He failed to include the appropriate coverage.

"We won't pay cause your apartment complex allowed water to accumulate on your roof". What is it about most insurance companies that they can always find a reason NOT to pay, in your policy? What did the OP say? He went to the agent and asked to be covered for EVERYTHING. Everything MEANS everything. Not "your apartment complex allowed water...", so we won't pay. By the way, how much rain DO they get in Mesa, AZ? A GOOD insurance company would pay the claim and go after the apartment complex. Pay the man's claim under the agent's errors and omissons clause. He failed to include the appropriate coverage.

"We won't pay cause your apartment complex allowed water to accumulate on your roof". What is it about most insurance companies that they can always find a reason NOT to pay, in your policy? What did the OP say? He went to the agent and asked to be covered for EVERYTHING. Everything MEANS everything. Not "your apartment complex allowed water...", so we won't pay. By the way, how much rain DO they get in Mesa, AZ? A GOOD insurance company would pay the claim and go after the apartment complex. Pay the man's claim under the agent's errors and omissons clause. He failed to include the appropriate coverage.

"We won't pay cause your apartment complex allowed water to accumulate on your roof". What is it about most insurance companies that they can always find a reason NOT to pay, in your policy? What did the OP say? He went to the agent and asked to be covered for EVERYTHING. Everything MEANS everything. Not "your apartment complex allowed water...", so we won't pay. By the way, how much rain DO they get in Mesa, AZ? A GOOD insurance company would pay the claim and go after the apartment complex. Pay the man's claim under the agent's errors and omissons clause. He failed to include the appropriate coverage.

How does "apartment management allow rain to build up on the roof??"
How can rain build up on the roof? It rained & the roof was there, therefore the roof got wet! In otherwords Mr. DM, are you saying the damage was not sudden & accidental? If that's the case it would seem likely that other renters would have the same problem as well.
I believe, for what it's worth...but I feel bad for this nice man who has all these ruined items, that this needs more investigating. If nothing else why didn't the adjuster explain to the renter exactly why it wasn't covered? And show him as I think he would understand better, if this is in fact the case, if he could see proof of old/existing damage which in turn caused this damage. Then I would agree there is no coverage. At best your customer deserves a little more of the adjusters time in showing him why there is no coverage.
Also be real, why would you expect him to keep moldy items in his house? It is common practice to tell the insured to throw away any items that are wet to prevent mold, mildew, what have you AS LONG AS THEY TAKE PICTURES.
I wonder if your adjuster has a license? If so maybe it's time for some refresher courses or people skills classes as it does not seem that your customer was provided with an adequate explanation.

Hello Dave. My experience is mostly as an auto adjuster but in the late 80's I did handle minor homeowners & renters claims. Most insurance companies policies are written the same, meaning the coverages are basically the same. However there is a difference between "water" damage and "weather" damage. In your case this is water damage related to weather. (VS something such as a broken pipe). Review your policy and see if the damage you incurred is excluded. If not, I do believe renters policies cover "hail, wind, rain, etc". therefore I don't see how they denied your claim. Unless, as stated above you have an exclusion. If you do not have an exclusion for this and your policy (read it) specifically lists this damage as covered you would need to talk to the adjuster's supervisor, go above the supervisor if you don't get anywhere...keep going up the chain of command if you have to. Threaten to report them to the state insurance commision.....no insurance company likes this!
Good luck and keep us posted.

I am the District Manager who appointed Mr. Michael Buhrt as an agent for Farmers Insurance over five years ago. In this time I have not received a single complaint regarding his agency operations.

I have reviewed the customers policies and circumstances and his complaint is totally without merit. The apartment complex most likely didn't maintain their roof and as a result allowed water to accumulate over an extended period of time therefore disallowing a claim on this renters policy.

It is the customers responsibility to read their policy (although after twenty eight years in the business I am aware that they do not) and it is the responsiblity of an agent to report all claims regardless of rather they are covered. Michael acted in the best interests of this customer and there is absolutely no reason to catagorize this incident as an issue. I find the issue with the customer and would be delighted to personally meet with the customer in my office or otherwise. Please contact Mr. Buhrt for my information as he will be delighted to furnish it.

Respectfully,

RW