Denise Wardwell Farmers Insurance Extremely Unprofessional Rip OFF Houston Texas
I have two vehicles, both Dodge Rams. One is commercial, one is personal. I gave Cookie a list of equipment and value when I signed up and said multiple times my main concern is protecting my equipment no matter what.
Well, today I had a small incident and the friendly customer service turned horrid and rude. They are playing the "she's not in the office" game with me.
As it turns out they did NOT give me full coverage on my work van. Why? Because State Farms quote was $220 for both vehicles and equipment so they beat that with $175/month by slipping in the liability on the van instead of full coverage.
I signed without reading like an idiot. My fault for thinking they are professionals.
I just dread to think what would have happened had this been a major issue that destroyed the entire van with equipment.
They refused to give me the corporate number for Farmers, the agent ID number or anything to properly identify the agent.
So. Here I am. They didn't want to listen to an unhappy customer and play the "she's not in the office game" with me, so I'll tell people who will listen. THE WORLD!
Never EVER EVER trust these people and for God's sake NEVER sign anything they give you without reading it three times and turning it over to an attorney. They don't care about you or your property. They only care about taking money in exchange for NOTHING!!!
That's all they've done for me the year I've been with them. And when I needed them, I was left out to dry. I couldn't even get a fax number to fax a request to not auto bill me anymore. It's absolutely SICKENING!
Chris
Houston, Texas
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
None
Houston,Texas,
U.S.A.
UPDATE! IT GETS EVEN WORSE!
#3Consumer Comment
Tue, June 09, 2009
First, thanks for the comment and I'll re-read your advice and perhaps follow through with it. I want to get this typed while it's fresh though!
I canceled by policy in January of 2009 but it was set to expire in February. Well, not only did she royally screw me over in order to make a sale as stated above but she IGNORED MY LETTERS TO CANCEL! That's right! She ignored my letters to cancel! So I get a bill saying I owe about $100. YEA RIGHT! There is NO WAY I'm going to pay it!
I reported her to the Texas Department of Insurance for fraud and deceptive practices. I reported her again for the fraudulent bill. I get a call today from Gina Prade who is in the Austin office. She asks me to fax her a copy of my new insurance. WRONG! It's none of her business who I'm insured with! She said she would take care of the balance if I faxed her proof that I was insured by another company. Yea, I'm going to go out of my way to do that. Not after this fiasco. I don't trust them with my information and there is no reason I should.
It really sickens me. Not a single apology or anything for the misconduct. If this was all a misunderstanding she would have apologized and tried to make it right to the customer. Instead she continues with deceptive practices and fraud! I don't understand, she's really THAT desperate for $100 that she would lie about me canceling my policy?? What sense does that make? It's about getting me back for reporting her to TDI. That's all it is.
It's been a nightmare. I just dread to think what would have happened if the incident was more severe or to the point that all of my work equipment was destroyed. You live and you learn. I put my trust in the wrong people. Yes, I've learned my lesson. TRUST ME, I've learned my lesson! Trust NO ONE in business! I should have known. But she's twice my age and twice more experienced (at being a snake). I feel completely taken advantage of.
Stone
West Hollywood,California,
U.S.A.
Call you insurance commissioner!
#3Consumer Suggestion
Sun, January 18, 2009
Hi Chris,
Just read your ad and I'm calling BS on that agent and her staff for not telling you that you didn't have full coverage on your vehicle . Well, here's the good news. I work for major a inusrance co. and these are the steps you need to take in order to resolve your issue before five o'clock on Monday.
Stop by the agency (unexpected) and do a face to face. If the agent is there then explain to her your situation and see if it can be resolved amicably. If your agent refuses to try and fix the situation then let her/him know you will be filing a complaint to the insurance commissioner (which all complaints are taking very seriously). I'm almost sure you will get a response with that answer.
If push comes to shove and you want immediate attention then calculate your total loss and file a small clams suit in Los Angeles superior court (against the agent). You can do all of this online (for $52)and make sure she is served by a processor or the Sheriff for that matter. Usually the Sheriff will charge $25 to hand deliver that subpeona which could be very embarrassing to her. Inlcude all these fee's in your suit which can be collected if a judgement is awarded.
Once she is served then she'll have to bring Farmers into who will likely settle with you for the full asking price just to avoid public humility...to much crap is going on in today's world to have some negative s*it said about you, and especally an Insurance company.
Anyway, dont be afraid to stand up for yourself and to a large Co. Threaten to drop a note to the L.A.Times (who's ever so familiar with Farmer's Antics) that they just might make your story front page material. Also, let the agent know that if she doesn't make good on her promise you will make her spend down that E & O coverage for misrepresenting her agency (which by the way might only be one millon dollars). You have your proof...show her that they lied to get your business when you had full coverage with the prior carrier...which is a BIG NO, NO!
BE PERSISTENT, BE PROACTIVE and keep a paper trail.
Well, I hope this has helped and good luck with your fight. I'm a consumer just like you and I sued a MAJOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION last year and won for poor customer service. Why? because I"M WORTH IT and I stood up for me!
P.S.
Farmers Corporate Address/Number is:
4680 Whilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA. 90010
323-932-3200
good luck my friend!