Many agencies accept cash payments. Although cash payments are allowed, insurance agencies are not banks. Constantly coming in with large bills can eat up an agencies cash resources quickly. Plan on rounding up your payment or bring exact change to help your agent out.
2. Call after Hours
It just doesn't make sense to call your agent after hours. Sure trying to catch your agent shortly after closing time is understandable if it is urgent, but leaving a message requesting your agent to call you the following day seems pointless. Agents are at their desks manning the phone 9 to 5. You on the other hand are out and about possibly not anywhere near a phone when the agent goes to call you back. Keep it simple and call your agent when you have a free moment during your agent's office hours. If you do have some urgent matter, call the customer service number.
3. Consistently Pay Late
Insurance agents do a lot of busy work while at the office. Lots of agents monitor their clients' payments so they do not lose business and to help protect their clients against a lapse in insurance. It is frustrating for an agent to see so many clients paying service charges and late fees. A client receiving a late fee every month can sometimes come to see the fee as part of their normal payment and will not figure it in when
shopping for car insurance quotes. Making a new policy appear to be a better deal than it would normally. Of course all insurance companies charge late fees so it will eventually catch up to a chronic late payer. Lots of agents call clients with reminders about their last day to pay, which can get annoying month after month.
4. Make 101 Changes to Your Policy
All clients make changes from time to time. It is an obvious part of the job for insurance agents. Changes made multiple times a month every month is not normal. If you are in the business of repairing and selling vehicles or are constantly switching to a different beater vehicle, consider giving your insurance agent a break and call your insurance carrier's customer service number.5. Divorce then Get Back Together
Insurance can get complicated for clients splitting their
car insurance apart after a divorce. Unfortunately it is a common occurrence and creates more work for the agent. It is certain the agent would prefer to keep both individuals as clients than complain about a little extra work. However, it is when the couple flip flops back and forth with an on again off again relationship that the annoyance grows significantly for agents. Make sure the divorce is final before contacting your insurance agent about separating policies.
6. Complain about Your Rate Without Making any Concessions
It is always encouraged to call your agent if you are not happy with your insurance rate. Asking your agent if you are getting the
cheapest insurance possible is a smart question to ask. It is important to listen to your agents advice. Sometimes nothing can be done about your rate, but if you are carrying both
comprehensive and
collision on an old vehicle or constantly getting late fees it is time to make some concessions. You should try to work with your agent not complain just to complain.
7. Use Bad Phone Skills and Cell Phone Connections
Saved the best for last with bad phone skills being the best way to annoy your agent. When calling your insurance agent, first clearly state your name. Sure it seems obvious, but speaking slowly and clearly on the telephone is not as common as you might think. It is even worse now everyone is using cell phones, half of which drop calls or fluctuate in and out. VIN numbers are constantly read over the phone to insurance agents and it is very difficult to hear all of those numbers and letters correctly. Use proper phone etiquette and be patient if information needs to be repeated.
