Allstate's Credit Rating System (Pt 2): Hiding Their Illogical Deceitful Practices

So, as I mentioned in part one, I demanded that the rep I spoke with have someone from higher up call me. I wasn't expecting any response, so I was surprised when in fact the next day they called. Unfortunately I was heading into a meeting and could not take it, so I asked them to call back. It took two days, but I finally did receive the call back. Unfortunately, just as with the previous reps, it was useless. Allstate has a secret, and they will not, indeed cannot, let it get out. if it does, it could cause an uproar in the insurance industry.

Here is the point - they (as with many insurance companies has started doing) base your rate on various aspects of your credit report. This is not based on your credit rating, it is based on many other aspects. When I examined their report summary showing what they consider optimal scoring pieces, the illogical approach was staggering. It is THAT aspect of the situation that I seek answers to. I spent the time writing a four page letter detailing their view as it pertains to my specific report and their rating of me, asking how they count as negative things that are indeed nothing but positive financial and credit rating moves?

Allstate's Credit Rating System (Pt 1): Trying to Get Answers

So many things we just ignore and take for granted are valid and logical, until they affect us and we stop to look deeper. Most companies count on people not doing this, and so we are therefore duped time and time again just because we're too lazy to stop and question.

I target this post at Allstate because they are my company, and I have been with them for longer than I can recall (at least 15 years), but I am pretty sure the majority of insurance companies pull this quick one over on people too. In all of that time I have always paid on time, usually with their auto pay feature. I have had very few claims (I don't recall ever claiming one on the car, but do recall one when lightning struck near our house). So, I have both car and home insurance through them, never been late on payment, and never had any real claims filed. I qualify for most all discounts they offer, and get all kinds of bonuses they offer. So, imagine my surprise when my recent policy renewal saw a decent jump in my premium.

I called my local agent and asked why, and they tell me they couldn't tell for sure, but that it is most likely related to my credit report, which they look at about every 3-5 years. If something had changed on it in the past 3-5 years, that is probably what caused the increase. I requested to know more, and specifically what on my credit would cause such an increase. My credit score tends to be 720 or better, so I was a little baffled. I was told I had to contact the home office for more details, and they only way to contact them is via mail. Really?!? In this day and age, they are only reachable by snail mail?

Review: All God's Children and Blue Suede Shoes: Christians and Popular Culture

All God's Children and Blue Suede Shoes: Christians and Popular Culture by Kenneth A. Myers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I first heard of this book in early 2000s, buying it not to much later than that. I now wish I had read it back then instead of waiting all these years. Had I done so I suspect my child rearing over these years since may have indeed been drastically different. The early second of the book contain a lot of the history of pop culture, and while quite interesting, it was the latter half of the book that was most captivating to me.