First, let me say that I'm Jon's brother, so I can hardly claim to be unbiased…read more
That said, I also bought my insurance from State Farm for many years, on price. So I doubt that "family business loyalty" would make Jon's short list of my most endearing qualities.
At some point, though, Allstate got seriously competitive on price, and he beat my rate, so I switched. Their insurance rates continue to be competitive, and his staff is always quick to get back to me, so it's actually been all good.
I could be wrong, but I don't think I get special treatment, either. When I drop by his office, I can always hear him or his staff with other people, and they seem as courteous and friendly with them as with me.
I eventually placed an IRA with Jon, and he has done well with that also. I push back pretty hard on Jon and he rarely convinces me of anything right away (as his brother, I have an inborn suspicion that I'm smarter than him, you understand...)
But he was very insistent that I get into a particular fund family, and even with the last several years being some very tough ones in the investment world, I've done well with that, so his confidence was well-placed.
I was disappointed that someone felt Jon wasn't interested in her business. Jon is pretty straightforward, and if he doesn't have a product that fits your needs, he's going to say that---a quality I find refreshing but others may differ. (She probably went in to see him just after I'd just gotten done razzing him on the phone and he was probably still trying to think of a good comeback...)
in any case, Jon's turned out to be a good agent for me, with competitive products and a responsive staff, and as far as I can tell he treats people very well. So coming from a guy that he knows would switch back to State Farm if any of that weren't true, I think I can pretty honestly recommend him.
(But I'm still smarter than he is...)