"Let me see if I can match your rate."
RANT WARNING! If your auto insurance company tells you they can "match" or "lower" your rate that you've gotten from another company, RUN. Run far away.
Because honestly, that's just not possible unless your agent is doing 1 of 3 things:
#1) Raising your deductibles
#2) Lowering your liability limits, OR
#3) Misapplying discounts!
Unfortunately, I've run into this way situation WAY too many times recently when our clients call to cancel their existing insurance policy. Their agent will say something along the lines of, "let me see if we can match that rate", or "let's take a second look at this and see if we can lower your price."
First off - as insurance agents, we don't set the rates. We can't just magically make up a rate to match another company's rate. The actual rate itself is so far beyond our control as agents, so I figured I needed to set the record straight.
Ask yourself this: if my current insurance company can all of a sudden lower my rate to match another company's rate, why haven't you been given that same rate all along for as long as you've been insured with them? Why does it take a phone call to cancel your policy for them to "look into this to find a lower rate"?
If this has happened to you recently, take a look at your policy to see exactly what changes were made that lowered your premiums.
Because trust me, you don't want to be surprised when you have to file a claim and find out that your deductible went from $500 to $1000!
I hate that I even have to make this post, but this has been going on far too often recently and I felt like something needed to be said. Do yourself a favor and check your policy from time to time to make sure you're not putting yourself at risk.
....And for the love of God, if you find out that your current liability limits are $25,000/$50,000/$20,000, please, PLEASE just stop what you're doing and call us immediately at (540) 904-7833, or visit us at www.MeadorInsurance.com for a free review of your coverage.
Trust me - you'll be glad you did.