Insuring Success

Rage Against the Insurance Machine
"Insurance rage" is taking its place right up there with road rage. Frustration and apprehension about how you will be treated by your insurance company is the first symptom, and usually appears when you make a claim. Hundreds of dollars are paid to an insurance company and all you have to show for it is a policy and a promise. You are asked to trust the company, and the company, in return, expects your full cooperation.

Many people understand insurance gives their life stability and eliminates the need to keep thousands of dollars in reserve in case of future losses. It should be an anxiety reliever, not a stress producer. Policyholders who escape losses help compensate those who don’t—many people never have to make a claim and are very happy about it.

The trust factor is important, but if you are someone who expects a return for every dollar spent, you could be susceptible to insurance rage. An insurance company is in business to make money, but don’t assume their money is made by cheating customers at claim time. Also, don’t expect compensation for every dollar you pay to your company, or assume that every possible claim you can make should be made. Frequency of claims made is more important to an insurance company than the severity of a claim. Those with insurance rage cannot understand that concept, and when pointed out, usually produce words of unhappiness with the company agent.

Advance stages of insurance rage can invade the moral fiber of the insured. Property and casualty insurance fraud costs billions annually in exaggerated claims. Many consumers are not aware that insurance fraud is a crime.

Insurance is well regulated by law, so if you have a serious problem with your company about a claim, you can file a complaint with the Department of Insurance. Don’t fall victim to insurance rage—at least not until you pay the premiums for the only sure bet policy—life insurance. TPW