Since I first moved to Washington in the early 70's, I've had an insurance agent who was totally fabulous - Greg Lyons from State Farm.

He was a referral from one of Ralph Nader's car guys.  When I heard that he gave a lot of money to The Center for Auto Safety, he became my insurance guy for life.  I referred a ton of clients to him, and he gave me and all of them totally amazing service.  

When I went into real estate, I tried to model a lot of what I do in my own practice on Greg's insurance business.  And now, it looks a lot like his and is mostly repeat and referral clients. 

Then last week, I got a thing in the mail.  This lovely man who saw me through all of my car stuff and all of my burst pipes and bathroom renovations, was retiring.  And his clients were being "assigned" to other State Farm agents on the basis of zip code!  Zip code????

 First of all, Greg, you're too young to retire!  You're not 70 yet!  Second, how could you just let them "reassign" me by zip code?  Finally, you just need to know that after decades of providing unbelievably great service, I feel abandoned! 

All of this got me to thinking that one of these days, I'll hang up my key ring.  I really don't know any agents who've actually retired, and some of them are really, really old.  But when I do, I'm going to do it differently - it's one aspect of Greg's business plan I will alter.

It still seems like it'll be a couple of decades away.  Right now, I've no idea what it will look like.  It'll involve lots of phone calls and a huge party.

 

 

 

 

 

 
Post is included in group: Realtors®

14 Comments on Yikes! My Insurance Guy Just Retired!

MAR
22
2008
1 Featured Post

Patricia,

This happened to me a few years ago.  They reassigned me by first letter of last name.  It took two guys to replace my agent.   As it worked out, I really like my new agent too.

Linda Lipscomb, Homes for Sale in Lexington TN   www.lindalipscomb.com

10:46pm • #1
3 Featured Posts

Pat,

Don't be too hard on Gary.. he probably has no control over how State Farm will handle his customer base.  My State Farm guy called 2 weeks ago to say the corporate side of S. F. decided to cancel all properties within 2 miles of water (any water... bay, canal, gulf, etc) in FL... gee... there's not much around my area that isn't within 2 miles of some kind of water.  He said it may destroy his business here.  Man cannot live by auto policies alone! He's gotten me through a lot, too, like a fire, 2 floods, husband's death, couple of fender benders, etc.  Gee whiz... I feel like you... abandoned!   

11:51pm • #2
MAR
23
2008
256,519 Points 44 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Patricia, this happened to me about 5 years ago.  Same reassignment per zip code.  I didn't want to switch companies and still haven't, but honest to goodness I've never spoken with the new agent.  Only the receptionist/processor.   It certainly isn't the same warm cozy feeling.

 

 

5:50am • #3
363,778 Points 59 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
Patricia, when you decide to retire, please feel free to reassign all of your clients to me.  I'll even be happy to pay you referral fees on all the deals.  You'll just have to warn your clients that their new agent will be younger, but not as good looking.
7:28am • #4
425,176 Points 36 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Patricia,

A couple decades from now, there probably won't be 'phones'...parties?...Yeh, sure! :) Thanks,   Fran

8:09am • #5
484,155 Points 41 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
I'm surprised at the number of successful agents who walk away from their business and don't realize that they have a goldmine that has value.  I met with a woman a few weeks ago who had done that and I was shocked.  Guess that is the difference in the "younger" generation of agents who realize that this is a business and has value.
8:46am • #6
535,806 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Patricia - I understand. Our insurance company just reassigned clients to agents based on the letter of their last name. Fortunately, we kept our agent, but many of our clients were assigned to someone else. How can you do this? Don't relationships count? I totally understand if "new" clients are assigned by letter - no, I really don't even understand that. If I've done business for years with Phyllis and want my clients to be able to do business with Phyllis, why should that be denied just because of their last name????

7:45pm • #7
130,211 Points Outside Blog
Patricia - when someone you have worked with for years retires, it is indeed difficult to adjust to the new person -
8:38pm • #8
MAR
24
2008
9 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Same thing happened to me when my investment advisor retired a few years ago.  They "re-assigned" me to their National Call Center, because we didn't have a big enough account for our own advisor, apparently. Well, exuse me for not being rich (yet)!!!

I have finally found a company I like and am switching everything to them, after four years of searching!

12:45am • #9
126,198 Points 5 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Pat, I've always found shopping for insurance to be a pain!

Hey, did you have a flute gig for Easter??

12:36pm • #10
425,675 Points 81 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
Patricia, I got this same feeling when my dentist retired, but thank goodness - the new one is so much better than the old one!  Same when my physician stopped taking my insurance - again, I like the new one even better.  Maybe you'll be lucky, too!
1:07pm • #11
MAR
25
2008
152,059 Points 19 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
Patricia, I had this happen to me before, but I had to find the person that was the right fit for me.  I use a loan officer, Kasey Martin, her husband is a State Farm agent. I don't use him, but if is anything like Kasey is a loan officer he is probably great.  His name is Steve Martin, hard to forget.  He is Maryland, I don't know about DC?  I wrote a post awhile back about agents retiring and how I watched a couple "sell" their business.  I think it is an interesting subject that we don't talk about enough.
9:23am • #12
117,403 Points 6 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Hey, Pat -- whatever clients don't fit into Brian's zip code in DC and VA, I'll be glad to treat them with love and attention in MD (depending on zip code!).  :-)

Retirement's a way off for me as well and I haven't a clue as to how to pass the baton. Probably won't be by zip code, though.

12:08pm • #13
MAR
26
2008
868,940 Points 68 Featured Posts Outside Blog

It is sad, but I think most agents don't retire! They fade away and just disappear long before they have a chance to retire by choice or they die doing what they love. There are a few in the middle, but not very many. I've never been to a retirement party yet for an agent!

1:14am • #14

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Patricia Kennedy

Washington, DC

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Evers & Company Realtors

Address: 4400 Jenifer Street NW, Washington, DC 20015

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Pat Kennedy -- author of The Irreverent Guide to Real Estate -- gives you a look at life on the streets as a real estate broker in our nation's capital. And her blog is peppered with great advice combined with humor!


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