I purchased a renters insurance policy when moving to a rental in Jacksonville, Oregon. My garage was burglarized shortly after the move. I made a complete report of the loss to the local police and to the insurance company (Allstate). Major runarounds followed. I was switched from one claims agent to another and twice required to start over. They wanted me to produce receipts for all missing items. Twice I was required to have forms notarized by local Allstate agents at $20 (a small fee both times).
It became clear to me that claims agent Ann Lewis of Oregon/Idaho Claims was searching for any means to avoid paying this small loss. Then it happened. A couple of weeks ago, she somehow came into a handwritten note from a Jacksonville police officer. The note was quite unprofessional, unsigned, and not on letterhead. It said that the victim had reported a laptop computer missing from the home he is staying at and that later he asked that no further action be taken.
How, I ask, did agent Lewis manage to induce a police officer to provide her such a report? I had accurately reported the loss of more than a dozen items, and at no point did I ask that no further action be taken. How did she get a policeman to write a note like this for her? The Chief of Jacksonville Police assured me that such an unprofessional note would never come from his department, but as a fact, one officer did send just such a note. Based upon this unprofessional, false, and unsigned note, Agent Ann Lewis was happy to inform me that Allstate would not have to pay my claim.
A dreadfully bad move on her part, I'm afraid. I promptly set out to do some research. I learned of a pattern at Allstate: they target primarily those least able to pursue any recourse. She was aware that I am a disabled veteran presently living in a VA home.
Clearly I am just the kind of person that these Good Hands folks walk all over. She would have no way of knowing that in this particular case she was sinking her teeth into the wrong tiger. She had no way of knowing that this particular vulnerable senior has a number of college degrees and is in some respects a rather resourceful citizen. Formal complaints would be forthcoming from me in all directions. My story was being told all over the Internet. The Jacksonville PD now assures me that their report is being corrected. Claims Agent Ann Lewis, however, has now taken the liberty of contacting a member of my family, presenting herself as a nice concerned lady and wanting to know all about me: any mental health problems, what is my disability.
Why am I under VA care? Any history of problems with alcohol or delusional thoughts? Most interesting. I find this sister is now much concerned about her brother and his suspicious or distrustful nature. I don't believe Allstate, or Ann Lewis in particular, is pursuing anything like a professional, responsible, forthright, or appropriate course in this case, and I believe my particular claim is less than $3000. What, pray tell, must they be like when presented with a major claim by some truly vulnerable or demented customer? Be that as it may, I believe they have tried these tactics on the wrong harmless old senior this time, and any constructive thoughts will be welcome.
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