March/April - West Virginia State Medical Association

Response # 2 – “You’re covered.
Period.” This sounds like a guarantee
to me, which in fact is an extremely
questionable or ethical statement
to make. I seriously doubt that
this carrier would want an agent
making this type of guarantee.
Additionally, financial ratings
do not guarantee coverage.
Reason #3 – Best Defense: “With
the nation’s most proactive defense
and winning percentages Company
[X] has earned a reputation as
the best in the industry.”
Response #3 – I believe this type
of reputation has been promoted
in West Virginia before. Being the
“most proactive defense” oriented
carrier has not always resulted
in success in West Virginia. West
Virginia courts have been known to
be very hard on out-of-state insurers.
Reason # 4 – Proven Track Record:
“For more than a century, Company
[X] has delivered the industry’s best
financial strength, most winning
defense and smartest risk solutions.
Today, more healthcare providers
across the nation get their protection
from one company, Company [X].”
Response #4 – Sounds like a
restatement of Reason #2. Regardless,
the writer has provided no record
or history for this carrier in West
Virginia; therefore, they may have
a track record, but not in West
Virginia. And the statement “Today,
more healthcare providers across
the nation get their protection from
one company” could be interpreted
as meaning more than 50% or more
than last year – I’m not sure, are you
Quite frankly, I am appalled by
some of the comments in this letter by
an out-of-state addressed insurance
agent, who, based on my review of
an on-line listing from the Offices of
the Insurance Commission may not
even be appointed by the carrier.
I believe there is a value in dealing
locally whether it be your agent or
your carrier that was created by
your state’s legislature to act on
your behalf at a time of real need
(where was this other company with
the proven track record in 1998,
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004,
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009)
For more details on these
issues and the real value of the
West Virginia Mutual Insurance
Company for the doctors of West
Virginia, please call Steve Brown,
Agency Manager, West Virginia
Medical Insurance Agency, at
304-925-0342 ext 22 or toll free
1-800-257-4747 ext 22 to set up an
appointment to review the details.
March/April 2011 | Vol. 107 59