Insurance

[The Stranger]

Everything is done by phone now in the insurance industry. That is nice and convenient for us all isn't it?

Prior to collecting my bike from the shop I phoned NZI for a quote. I got their quote and rang a few others only to find they were cheapest that I could get, supposedly because of existing business with them.

I rang back on the way to the shop to speak with Mary, she was unavailable and would call back. Naturally she didn't, so I called again now we get cut off. I call again from the shop and she is at lunch, so I ask the woman to set up the insurance. It is done and confirmed with payments taken direct from my bank on one of the existing direct debits, so off I ride.

Oh shit put my foot down, roll my ankle and F&%* oh well call the shop, can't be too bad, well actually it can. the stickers alone, all 2 of them are $510.00 total, let alone paint and prep at about $1100.00.

Never mind I am insured.
Uh oh no am not.
what calls?
What insurance?
but but but, hey hang on I dig out the vodafone account, gotcha. So NZI advise they have tapes and will certainly find it, no problem.

Still later they advise they have listened to the recordings and I never accepted the quote. Well hang on I say I will come in and listen with them and we can clear up this mess in a jiff.
Sorry that is not possible, we are a call centre.
So what I ask, I only whnt you to listen, which is what you do all day anyway. No that is not possible, but they will send out the tapes. Fine I say.

So the tape arrives with 3 calls on it, not 4. I ask what happened to the 4th one. They tell me they have been through all recordings of that day and I never made it.
What?
Now either my memory is bad AND vodafone are billing for calls not made or someone may be telling porkies

But still you should never attribute to malice what can reasonably be explained by stupidity, so for now they get the benefit of the doubt.

I suggest coming in again, but no that is not possible as it is a call centre. I am still confused as to why being a call centre means I can't come in and listen so I ask if they maybe have leprosy or something.
They are stonewalling and want me to put it in writing now.
As obviously being a call centre has some unique problems I checked that they could in fact read and was assured that most of them could.

Anyway I am still persuing it, and will make a claim. But just a little wake up for anyone out there getting insurance.

[Smorg]

I spent over 12months waiting for fintel to "find my tapes" in the end i just gave up and paid myself.......................bastards all of them :oi-grr: :oi-grr:

[PhoeniXX]

Sorry to hear about your problems with them.
Just makes me think how lucky i have been with State.
They paid out in good time and and a good price.
Just wish they would come pick the bike up so i dont have to look at every day.


Best of luck sorting it out.

[Phurrball]

Good luck sorting it out! Sounds like you could use some legal advice? You could always pop in to the community law centre in Grey Lynn to figure out some strategies to make the b'stards get a wriggle on sorting their act out!

(NZI used to be a really good company to deal with [My father used to work for them] until they went all call centre based... :oi-grr: )

Have just lined up insurance for our new bike, pretty much stuck to the specialist bike insurers for quotes - I figured they'd know their stuff, since bikes are their 'bread and butter'. Ended up going with Star insurance, who have been very helpful so far (And they have an optional extension to cover your gear :yes:)

[Gixxer 4 ever]

I know some people don't like State but they are very good. We had some problems with a repair on a car and they just sorted the company out and the job was done. Never claimed on the bike but I go in and sit in front of the people in the local branch and get it sorted. They are very good and now they know who I am I can call them and work any claim out with someone I know. Go State :Punk:

[geoffm]

Sounds like a jpb for the Disputes Tribunal to me. Cost you $50 or so, and call the operator in to give testimony, so they have to pay their wages while everyone waits, etc.
I would also suggest going into their office and making aloud nusiance of yourself, especially if there are customers waiting. It is harder for them to palm you off if you are there in person. Take a book and a thermos and be prepared to wait.
Geoff
Geoff