On Disk Monthly 59/odm59.zip/DISKOVER.TXT

Text File | 1991-07-26 | 6KB | 138 lines

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|E║ ^0First Things First|E ║       ^1 Diskovery |E        ║ ^0First Things First|E ║
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^Cby
^CJay Wilbur


It's been an interesting month around the hallowed halls of Casa
Softy.  It would seem my "call 'em as I see 'em" style of writing has
ruffled a few feathers--for which I am sorry.  My column in Issue 57
disturbed a reader who is a State Farm insurance agent.  That
Diskovery column detailed the trials and tribulations of Jay Wilbur,
average American consumer, as he attempted to insure his computer
equipment.  What follows is the correspondence from and to one of
State Farm's more knowledgeable agents.

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Mr. Jay Wilbur
Big Blue Disk
P.O. Box 30008
Shreveport, LA  71130-0008

Dear Mr. Wilbur,

I was rather taken aback yesterday when I booted up my recent copy of
Big Blue Disk.  The first article "Diskovery" really kicked State
Farm Insurance Company in the seat of the pants.  I have been an
agent for State Farm for 39 1/2 years and feel that the article is
not true in the manner in which you portrayed.

First of all, your homeowner policy whether it be a tenant policy, a
condominium owner policy, or a bona fide homeowner policy
automatically provides $5,000 of computer coverage.  That amount can
be increased to a maximum of $10,000 for an additional premium.
Depending on the deductible that you carry on the base policy, the
rate ranges from $15 to $19 a year.

Your article says, "State Farm nor any other insurance company that
she knew of would touch me.  Why?  Because I had the unmitigated
audacity to bring work home from the office and do it on my PERSONAL
computer..."  What a bunch of male bovine droppings that is.  The
endorsement in our manual reads in part, "...this coverage applies to
equipment primarily used on premises regardless of whether it is used
in a business..."  You will note that it doesn't matter a tinker's
damn if you use it for personal or for business purposes.

In some instances (and yours happens to be one) where the amount of
computer value is greater than that available under the homeowner
policy, [there's hope].  No sweat, we just move over to our
commercial lines division and under the "Inland Marine" offering, the
coverage will be provided.  We have a goodly number of similar
situations, and I write a "Media/Equipment Floater" policy.  The rate
is $10 per thousand with a yearly minimum of $50.  The mandatory
deductible is $50, but by going to a higher deductible an applicable
discount would apply.

So you see, Mr. Wilbur, your article has done an injustice to State
Farm, and I believe that you should correct that in your next
offering.


Sincerely,



Les Schwartz, Agent


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06-21-91

State Farm Insurance

Les Schwartz, Agent
Minnetonka, MN

Dear Les,

Wow!  It's easy to understand why you were seeing red when you read
my column.  And I'm sorry that my DISKOVERY column about computer
insurance was a shock to you.  However, my words did accurately
detail my adventures as a consumer into the land of computer
insurance.

Everything you read is what happened to me as I tried to get my
computers insured.  If you think you were taken aback when you read
the article, you should have seen me talking to my agent without
success!

In all cases my agent continued to tell me that I could not be
written a policy because my computers were not 100% for personal
use.  I can assure you that I didn't take any literary license in
writing this column.  After your letter, I feel certain your manual
clearly states the opposite of what my agent told me.  But, as you
can probably tell, my agent didn't read it.

You mention that you could have taken my computer insurance problem
to your commercial lines division.  My agent also mentioned this and
made several calls to them and back to me to get more information.
And yet, I was told on more than one occasion that my equipment
could not be insured.

I am pleased to know that State Farm has agents like you.  Too bad
you weren't here when I needed you.  I have no doubt that if you had
been my agent I would not have had any problems.  I certainly hope
that my former agent represents the minority of State Farm agents.
Unfortunately, I had to seek assistance elsewhere.

Your letter and this reply will be printed in the next Diskovery.
For the record, I would like to apologize to all the competent State
Farm agents who would have had my policy ready in moments.

I understand your distress at my column, but while it probably seemed
unfair to you, hey, it's what happened to me.  However, I do
apologize for giving some readers a misconception about State Farm by
lumping in all agents with my former agent.

Regards,



Jay Wilbur, Managing Editor
On Disk


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Note to Our Readers:  YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE the volume of mail
regarding this column.  Looks like we struck a nerve.  We heard from
readers insured by other companies as well who had the same problem.
For the record, State Farm (or any other insurance company) is not
the enemy.  If you don't get satisfaction from your agent, ask him or
her to read the company manual or contact another agent!