12/5/12 State the Facts and do no Harm
State Farm.
So I just
heard the jingle from the State Farm Commercial, “That like a good neighbor Start
Farm is there”. And I just had the worst experience ever with them. So my take
on that song is, “Is Like a bad Neighbor Start Harm is not there…..” They have a horrible billing and customer
service system. Basically it went down like this. I bought a new car last month
and In order for my insurance to go right into effect while I was still at the
dealer I had to sign up with auto pay where a certain amount was deducted from my
checking account per month. The amount was only for $87.00 If I had not signed up for auto pay I would have had to pay double the amount of $161.00 even though I was a previous customer.
Well I wanted to save the extra eighty dollars so I agreed, thinking I would
just cancel auto pay the following month. I do not like to have things taken
out of my account because it is too hard to keep track of it. I like to pay my
bills on line or over the phone when they are due, that way I can keep track of
it and keep in control. So this new month rolls around and I called STFM and
the snippy customer service rep on the line said, “yes, I could cancel auto pay
but I would still have to pay double". The double amount was still going to be for
$161.00. I said that’s bull pucky for I
just paid a months dues the previous month. It was not like I was behind on my
payments. So I sent a check for $81.00 in, thinking it would just suffice. Well I got a call stating that I was up for
cancelation because I only sent it the $81.00 amount. So I said, Ok OK, I will
send another $80.00 to cover the complete amount of $161.00 since my $81.00
check cleared. And this is where State Farm was not there. She said, " No way,
that my check will be sent back and that I needed to pay the $161.00 right then
and there because I was in some kind of cancelation mode status". I said no way!
You already have this months dues of $81.00. I will only pay $80.00 which would
equal the $161.00 and she said that my check will be sent back regardless and
that $80.00 will not do. And on and on she went being rude and uncompromising
so I hung up on her. She treated me very badly and I did not get what I wanted.
I then called another State Farm agency and he said he would check. He then
called me back and said the same thing. (I know he checked with her) that I
needed to make the whole entire amount $161.00 even though they had $81.00 of
it all ready cashed and sitting on the account. So out of complete fear and
desperation of being canceled I sent them $161.00. This neighbor now felt
angry, and fearful. Then the following Tuesday the day before cancelation, another
rep called me and said, that she could take my payment of $80.00 over the
phone. I said WHAT!!!?? You mean this
could have been taken care of on the following week and now you’re saying I can
do this?! I said it was too late. I already mailed in the $161.00 and it would
bounce if I paid her another $80.00 over the phone. I did not know if the check
had cleared or not. She said if it did
not post in time I would be a few days without coverage. Well, as of this
writing it has not posted as cleared from my account on the cancelation day of
today. So I guess I do not have coverage. Yes, State Farm is there to take all
your money and leave you without coverage. So I wrote the California State
Insurance Department and filed a complaint. I am not sure I know what else to
do since Start Farm is there to keep my money hostage. I cannot cancel my check
nor can I get it back. So I guess they will keep my $161. Plus my $81.00. State
Farm is there like a greedy neighbor! They now have $242. Of my money and I
have no coverage. State farm can keep the buffalo away from my car but not rude
customer service reps who take revenge on you by complicating your life. All
she had to do was take my payment over the phone a week ago and we’d all be
happy neighbors. Instead she got bitchy and took my money as hostage. So people
State Harm is there to do you wrong! UPDATE: 1/11/13 So my $161. 00 cleared on the same day I got my $81.00 back in the mail. I was cancelled for 3 days. Thank God no fender benders. The next day I got another bill for $81.00 due the same day. I let it go and now I owe $164.00. So I slipped it in their front office mail slot because of all days, it is due on the 13th which is a Sunday. What they do not know is I am canceling them in April when my 6 month is up and going to another Insurance company that will give me more in coverage and less in monthy installments. Trust me, at this point if State Farm were my neighbor, I would move~! I am also going to persue action from the State Insurance Board in April. I will let you all know the outcome.
