Exclusivefocus - National Association of Professional Allstate Agents ...

competitor picked it up for $700.The latest rate increase has a new definition,Residential Component Technology.RCT has kicked up the values ofjust about all properties. We are launchingthis as we raise rates and while marketvalues are sinking. Go figure.We call customer service for help withthe explanation and they tell us since thelast renewal this customer has had fourrate increases. We now have a team thatinvites us to send problems from unhappycustomers to them. Basically, they call thecustomer and let them know there is nothingthey can do. Then we get an e-mailfrom them advising us that the customerwill be moving the account to anothercompany. Last week, I had a customer soupset about a $50 per month increase onher homeowners that she stormed out ofthe office leaving the door wide open insub-zero weather. She doesn’t understandwhy Allstate needs another $600 from herfor the same exposure.Is there a surplus issue? Why do wewant to run all these clients off and thenturn around and promote a programwhere the customer is the center of ouruniverse?. . . . . . . . . . . .Don’t throw away: reinvent – The AllstateAgency Guide to the Future! This isyour new employee manual. Tom Wilsonhas spoken and we need to listen.He tells us all about integrity, honesty,accountability and other stuff we apparentlydidn’t know about. While somemay doubt Tom’s veracity in these areas,I’m here to tell you that he really hascome up with some great stuff this time.For example, in the area of integrity, weall can thank Allstate for giving us ourguiding principles in selling the new AllstateOrange Auto. Agents who attendedthe roll-out meetings will remember thatAllstate told us to quote the lowest coverage,highest deductibles, and all of theavailable discounts, regardless of whatthe customer says. That way we can getthem into our offices and “up-sell” themletters to NAPAAlater. Good strategy, Tom. That shouldreally add some integrity to my agency.Then there is the “honesty” thing. Mr.Wilson really knocked this one out of thepark. Without him telling us not to lie to acustomer, I would have really missed thatone. But you know, now that I think aboutit, there was the whole “independent contractor”thing that Ed Liddy promised us.I wonder if Tom can be held accountable ifhe only perpetuates this lie. And I almostforgot about Tom’s promise that the NABwill actually help improve agent/companyrelations. But maybe that’s not much of alie since the company only likes those whokiss-up to management. It’s not the NABmembers’ fault that they don’t actuallyrepresent the rank and file Allstate agent.And then there’s part about accountability.This one really took me for a loopuntil I read it a few times. Accordingto page 24 in the reinvent booklet, thecompany will “actively address those whodo not meet business objectives and notallow them to ‘hide under the radar.’”With threats like these, who needs IDLsor MDLs? In other words, Tom is clearlysaying, “Let’s get rid of the slackers.” Butwait a minute; we’re independent contractors,right? Therefore, we’re not supposedto have quotas. I wonder if Tomtook a few extra valiums after reading the“Misclassified” article in the last issue ofExclusivefocus. I bet he never envisionedsuch an exposé about the company’s misconduct.But now, it looks like the IRSand 13,000 Allstate agents now knowthe truth. What galls me is the doublestandard at Allstate. If the companybreaks the rules, it’s OK, but when anagent does, its “off with his head.”Now, thanks to the “Misclassified”article, agents know they’re simply employeesdressed in independent contractorclothing. To be honest, I’m reallylooking forward to getting my pension,401K, and health benefits back. Becomingan IRS-approved employee againwill do wonders for my bank accountnow that Allstate will be paying all ofmy business expenses, which amount to$7,666 per month. And since Allstatewill be providing me with new company-ownedcomputers, I’ll be able takethose I bought for the ACT conversionhome to my kids. Man, this is going tobe great. Thank goodness I saved thoseold expense report forms.Anyway, I hope all is well with mybrother and sister agents. Now that Allstatepublicly and formally issued ournew employee manual, we can all sitback, relax and enjoy the new “good olddays” as employees.. . . . . . . . . . . .I want to especially thank you for therecent member-to-member referrals thatI've received from NAPAA. Business hasbeen slow and those referrals are certainlyhelpful and greatly appreciated.The magazine keeps getting betterand better. You guys are awesome.The information that you're providingin both the magazine and newsletters isvery enlightening. You're doing a greatjob in keeping us informed. Many, manythanks for all that you do.. . . . . . . . . . . .I have been an agent since taking overfrom a relative in the mid 1990s. Hewas one of the first to convert to the EAcontract in our region. At that time, thecompany required that he stay for fiveyears before I could take over. Unfortunately,he never made it to retirement ashe dropped dead from a massive heartattack. I immediately stepped in and becamean Allstate agent. At that time, Isigned my contract/agreement and tookmy copy and stored it in a safe place.Fast forward to 2005 when I receiveda letter from HR stating they were reviewingagent records and that theydidn't have a copy of my agreement andwould I please sign the one enclosedand send back to them. Well, I’m notstupid nor did I just fall off the turniptruck. I went to my files, and pulled outLetters continued on page 50.12 — Exclusivefocus Spring 2009