When It Comes To Paying Insurance, Sometimes You Need To RIP OFF The Bandaid
I work as an insurance agent in British Columbia. In British Columbia, you have to go through the government to get car insurance. However, I work at an agency, so we’re basically a middleman; I don’t actually work for the government.
A guy walks in and tosses his papers on the counter.
Customer: “Three months [insurance].”
Strike one for tossing papers disrespectfully.
I begin to do my job, which unfortunately involves lots of simple questions I legally have to ask. These involve, “Are you driving it the most?” and going through coverages. Typically, I apologize for doing it because I know it’s annoying, but I try to be as fast and polite as possible.
I begin to ask my questions.
Me: “Are you still the principal operator?”
Customer: “Yep.”
Me: “Still driving it—”
Customer: “Yup.”
Me: “—driving it the most?”
Customer: “Yup.”
Me: “And are you—”
Customer: “Yap!“
Strike two. I say f*** it and just cut to the chase.
Me: “Sir, it is $198 to renew your insurance.”
This is fairly cheap for three months.
Customer: “What?! How much was it last time?”
I look at the papers.
Me: “Sir, your insurance went up eight dollars.”
I don’t think this is a big deal, but he starts losing his s***, wondering why the insurance corporation of British Columbia is personally victimizing him by charging eight dollars more. I explain that their rates increased a few months ago, and it affected everybody. That doesn’t cut it though; he is furious.
I gather his documents and ask him to sign, and he rips them from my hands.
Customer: “Which one of the documents goes to ICBC?”
That means the government.
Me: “None of them do; they stay in our office.”
He ignored me and began to write something on our copy of the paperwork, and at that point, I’d just had it with the guy. He stormed out as I sarcastically wished him a fantastic day.
I immediately read what he wrote: “RIP OFF!” in all caps across the page.
I felt better after reading his comments. At least he thought he was making a difference anyhoo.