It is time for us to change.
Our choice is between a company with a bad reputation, but that was bought by a larger company not long ago with the pledge to clean up it's act, and another company, one that we have had in the past, and had problems with.
On one review site, the company with the bad reputation has a 76% dissatisfaction level and the other company has an 84% satisfaction level.
But, when I look at our State's Complaint Index for the last three years, they are exactly the same, 145 (100 being normal), so they are exactly as bad in that regard. Both have paid settlements to the state.
The problems with both are rising premiums and difficulty in getting claims paid.
The plan we prefer is with the company with the poorer reputation. Of course, the Internet rep has all the rebuttals. His explanation is basically that when you are a big company you have problem policyholders, and agents, so that there are misunderstandings regarding waiting periods, what is covered, etc. He says everything is in writing and as long as we read and understand the policy, that is what we get and how they service it.
Both plans serve the same providers in our area, but when I called the business offices of the two hospitals we would use if we had to, they would not comment on claims experience.
Even with all this information available to make an informed decision, it is not an easy one. The information actually makes it more difficult.
We are leaning toward: make sure everything is in writing in the policy, pay a little more to lock in the rate, and pick one. Then, if they jack us around hope we can switch to another company.
Our choice is between a company with a bad reputation, but that was bought by a larger company not long ago with the pledge to clean up it's act, and another company, one that we have had in the past, and had problems with.
On one review site, the company with the bad reputation has a 76% dissatisfaction level and the other company has an 84% satisfaction level.
But, when I look at our State's Complaint Index for the last three years, they are exactly the same, 145 (100 being normal), so they are exactly as bad in that regard. Both have paid settlements to the state.
The problems with both are rising premiums and difficulty in getting claims paid.
The plan we prefer is with the company with the poorer reputation. Of course, the Internet rep has all the rebuttals. His explanation is basically that when you are a big company you have problem policyholders, and agents, so that there are misunderstandings regarding waiting periods, what is covered, etc. He says everything is in writing and as long as we read and understand the policy, that is what we get and how they service it.
Both plans serve the same providers in our area, but when I called the business offices of the two hospitals we would use if we had to, they would not comment on claims experience.
Even with all this information available to make an informed decision, it is not an easy one. The information actually makes it more difficult.
We are leaning toward: make sure everything is in writing in the policy, pay a little more to lock in the rate, and pick one. Then, if they jack us around hope we can switch to another company.
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