Legalized gambling - that's all insurance is.
In my 20th year as an educator, I am used to being taken advantage of. However, when I got my latest house insurance statement, I was stunned at yet another rate increase. I have lived in the same house for 20 years. I have never filed an insurance claim for anything, house nor car. So I was confused at how my rates were being increased again - $2000 for house insurance.
I don't live in the fekin' Taj Mahal, so how in the hell am I paying so damn much?! When I called to find out, I received an attempted lecture on how insurance works.
"Well when there are a lot of claims due to something like a natural disaster, we compensate by raising rates ..." said the woman who unluckily received my call. Interrupting her, I stated, "I know how insurance works. I wanna know why I'm paying $2000 for house insurance when I have filed no claims in two decades?!"
But it gets better. The insurance on my truck is $120 per month, alone. On my second vehicle, $100; and this is with a multi-car/house discount. I'm damn near 50 years old. These are the same rates I paid when I was 18. I have had no accidents and no tickets - What The Hell?!
She immediately told me the agent would call me to address my concerns. Three days later, he left me a voicemail and never attempted a second call. Soooooo, basically, he isn't that concerned with my concerns; therefore, I'm switching companies.
I stopped in another insurance office to get a quote. When giving the specs for my present house coverage, the new agent told me a quote of approximately $800 per year for my house and $100 for both my autos.
And, it's better coverage. My existing auto insurance with Horace Mann was for $100K; if I destroyed some yuppy scum's Volvo, and he had three of his stupid ass blokes along for the ride, and each suffered minor injuries, I was only insured for $100K. Needless to say, 100K would be exhausted immediately, following the given scenario. The new insurance's quote for nearly half the cost provided more than double and a half of additional coverage.
As an educator, I am used to being shat upon, looked poorly at, and undervalued. But this is Horace Mann, insurance specifically for educators. The company's moniker is named after a famous teacher. They should be championing affordable rates for teachers; but they are in goose-step with all the others who exploit teachers for their own profits.
Well this teacher is jumping ship. I hold no loyalty for those who hold no loyalty for me. To hell with Horace Mann - he was a "Whig" and his namesake is an extension of their successors, the Republicans, and their continued assault on American educators. read more