Allstate: Are we truly in "Good Hands"?

After World War II, as the American economy grew, corporations grew in size and the power imbalance between businesses and consumers increased greatly - to the disadvantage of consumers.  The modern-day consumer rights movement is said to have started in March of 1962, when U.S. President John F. Kennedy, in a historic ‘‘ special message ’’ to the Congress expressed his concerns over product safety, affordability, and consumer choice.  He addressed his vision for protection of consumer interests, setting forth four basic consumer rights:  The right to safety,  The right to be informed,  The right to choose, and  The right to be heard. Today, in its “ Code of consumer rights & responsibilities ”, 
Allstate states: Right to be informed You can expect to access clear information about your policy, your coverage, and the claims settlement process. You have the right to an easy-to-understand explanation of how insurance works and how it will meet your needs....

Disclaimer:  What you read here are my recollections and opinions of events that I experienced with Allstate - and should not be considered statements of fact.   What do you know about your insurance score? Do you know that you have an insurance score? Do you know what it is, and how to improve it? Do you know how it is calculated, if it is error free, and how to fix it? Most importantly, do you know how it affects your home insurance premium? For many Canadians, the answer is no. Yet, this elusive number significantly impacts what you pay to protect your home. It’s time to bring this secretive score into the light. Why you should care about your mysterious insurance score? Unlike products such as milk, computers, or cars, where everyone pays the same price, home insurance works differently.  The price of home insurance does not depend solely on the property being insured but on the person insuring it - risk associated to you.  Insurers assign you an insurance score,...

Disclaimer:  What you read here are my recollections and opinions of events that I experienced with Allstate - and should not be considered statements of fact.   In English, we have an idiom that states "You're in good hands”, akin to “You’re in safe hands”, which is a powerfully reassuring phrase that conveys trust, safety, and competence. It means that the person or organization taking care of you or your situation is trustworthy, competent, and capable of handling things well.  This expression is often used to provide comfort and confidence, suggesting that everything will be taken care of properly - you will be safe. Allstate's hands The motto “You're in Good Hands," synonymous with Allstate Insurance, transcends mere catchiness; it embodies a potent declaration of trust and dependability that has resonated with consumers for generations. This discourse delves into the genesis of the motto, its role in shaping Allstate's brand identity, and its efficacy in...

Disclaimer:  What you read here are my recollections and opinions of events that I experienced with Allstate - and should not be considered statements of fact.   Integrity is a word we hear often, especially when discussing the values that underpin trust in society*. Whether it’s among colleagues, politicians, or businesses, integrity is held up as essential—after all, no one wants to be deceived and taken advantage of. Companies like Allstate loudly claim to value and operate with integrity, emphasizing its importance. * Trust builds social capital.  Definitions:  1   2   3   4   5   6 Allstate advertises it values i ntegrity Our Shared Purpose highlights Allstate's values:  Integrity , Inclusive Diversity & Equity and collective success. These values are woven into our business culture, defining who we are and what matters most. As a purpose-driven company, we stay true to our values to help customers, communities and each other. A...

Disclaimer:  What you read here are my recollections and opinions of events that I experienced with Allstate - and should not be considered statements of fact.   Allstate, the insurance company, proudly declares its motto: "You're in Good Hands." These words are meant to inspire trust, suggesting that Allstate is reliable, competent, and fully capable to protect its customers from life's risks. While we all understand that advertising often involves puffery, sometimes the reality behind the slogans can be shocking. This is the story of my 75-year-old mother, Ljubica Zidarić —a visually impaired widow—and her experience with Allstate. We share this to shed light on how she was treated, so others can reflect and decide for themselves just how safe they are in Allstate’s hands.  A Legacy of Loyalty My father, Mijo, purchased his first car in 1969 and, with it, his first car insurance policy from Allstate. Over the next 50 years, his loyalty to Allstate never wavered. ...

Disclaimer:  What you read here are my recollections and opinions of events that I experienced with Allstate - and should not be considered statements of fact.   Feeling certain that there is a mistake in the premium, I decided to find out how much Allstate would charge for property insurance to a customer with the same profile as my mother - an almost 75-year-old female, with our house in our postal code area. Allstate Canada provides online quotes .   To save you time and effort, the following are the questions that Allstate asks to provide an insurance quote. The following is what I found. Page 1:  It is interesting to note that for a generic quote, Allstate does not ask for your legal name.  Only sex (male or female) and your age are of relevance.   I find it odd that though Allstate speaks much about diversity and inclusivity, there is no option for the modern "other". Page 2: For your property, the quote app does not ask for your exact address, only f...

Disclaimer:  What you read here are my recollections and opinions of events that I experienced with Allstate - and should not be considered statements of fact.  All corporations are inherently heartless, psychopathic.   I absolutely hate writing this, but our recent experience with Allstate Canada—specifically their property insurance division—has left us shocked, disheartened, and, frankly, outraged.  During 40 years of adulthood, I’ve dealt with my share of frustrating companies, but this one stands out as a masterclass in corporate psychopathy.  The start of our story can be read here -  Why is our home insurance premium sky-high? The problem It began with what should have been a simple issue—a routine matter for any competent organization to handle — we wanted to know why the home insurance premium for my 75-year-old mother, a loyal customer for 30 years, was skyrocketing over the past few years.  But instead of assistance, we were met with not onl...

Disclaimer:  What you read here are my recollections and opinions of events that I experienced with Allstate - and should not be considered statements of fact.   A Tale of  Obfuscation and  Frustration Note: This account is based on my recollection weeks after the events. While the words may not be verbatim, the core details and sentiments are true to the experience. For brevity, I’ve highlighted only the most relevant parts of this ordeal to convey the essence of what transpired. This isn’t just a story about premiums; it’s about principles. When loyalty is met with exploitation instead of appreciation, and customers are left questioning not just a company’s pricing but its values. Allstate Canada, in its " Code of consumer rights & responsibilities " states that:  "You also have a right to know how   insurers   calculate price based on relevant facts."   The problem Following the death of Mijo, my father, the head o...

Disclaimer:  What you read here are my recollections and opinions of events that I experienced with Allstate - and should not be considered statements of fact.   The life of a woman that Allstate deems to be a high risk.  Everyone claims their mother is the best — but my mother, Ljubica, meaning “little love” or “violet” in English, truly stands apart—a woman of love, sacrifice, and responsibility.  My apologies to all my cousins, I know you all have fantastic mothers also! Ljubica’s story is not one of grand fame or fortune but of profound inner strength and quiet heroism that created a comfortable loving life for her family — a true testament to a life well-lived. Coming to Canada Born in a small Croatian village, Ljubica, sleeping on a meagre bed with a straw mattress, grew up in a world where education beyond eight years of schooling was a rarity. Yet, despite having only a minimal level of formal education, she had innate gifts that schoolbooks cannot teach: goo...

Disclaimer:  What you read here are my recollections and opinions of events that I experienced with Allstate - and should not be considered statements of fact.  In this story of our experience with Allstate, in the interest of honesty and transparency, I include the names and titles of the Allstate employees that I interacted with.  This is not out of any sort of malicious intent but to inform other people who might have a similar experience with those customer facing employees, so that they may know that they are not alone. All links are already public knowledge as people advertise themselves on LinkedIn. A tale of corporate indifference and avoidance Ombudsman The concept of an ombudsman once inspired confidence.  Originally, an ombudsman was an impartial government employee tasked with investigating and resolving complaints of maladministration, especially that of public authorities — to hold powerful institutions accountable while ensuring fairness and transparen...