What's up with Gerber?

shonceman

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I started writing more AIG for GI, anyway, but Gerber still has some value in certain cases. I was trying to help a lady get her Gerber policy reinstated today, and had a question. Unfortunately, I found it impossible to get anyone on the line. The number I have for them used to be for sales support, but now it's just a phone tree with no option for "speak to an actual human".

I couldn't get a satisfactory answer from the automated choices. So, I called the customer service number from the client's statement. Again, no option for a live person, but I could press "0" to get one, which didn't work on the first number. So I breathed a sigh of relief until the voice on the line said "estimated wait time is 42-45 minutes".

The client needed me to help her with this because when she called to get it reinstated herself, she had the same problem getting to a live person.

So, they've raised their rates on the GI policy, now they don't want to talk to anyone. Are they about to go the way of Vantis?
 
I called my IMO about this. They're pretty sure there are no plans to scrap the product. Apparently they made some changes to the phone system and they haven't worked out the bugs. So, hopefully they'll get that fixed shortly!

But it's obvious from the new phone options that they're trying to move people to automated service rather than live. There's a new "e-service" button for the customer on their website, too. But, you know, most of my people aren't going to do that. There's also a secure email button on the agent site. You have to register for access. So, they're apparently trying to move the agents away from live support, too.
 
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On the agent line after hitting zero the first time the options start over I believe hitting zero again get to to a person after a long hold.
Thanks. I'll try that next time. They've always had kind of a long hold, IMO, but like 5-10 minutes. I ain't doin' 45 minutes! If I want to be put on hold for that long, I'll call the IRS!
 
I started writing more AIG for GI, anyway, but Gerber still has some value in certain cases. I was trying to help a lady get her Gerber policy reinstated today, and had a question. Unfortunately, I found it impossible to get anyone on the line. The number I have for them used to be for sales support, but now it's just a phone tree with no option for "speak to an actual human".

I couldn't get a satisfactory answer from the automated choices. So, I called the customer service number from the client's statement. Again, no option for a live person, but I could press "0" to get one, which didn't work on the first number. So I breathed a sigh of relief until the voice on the line said "estimated wait time is 42-45 minutes".

The client needed me to help her with this because when she called to get it reinstated herself, she had the same problem getting to a live person.

So, they've raised their rates on the GI policy, now they don't want to talk to anyone. Are they about to go the way of Vantis?

Have you ever used Great Western?
 
I started using them back in 10/2016 because I was turning to much business away. Up to that point I never used a GI. From my observation (not a full on research) Great Western offers good 1st year comp. but very good trails.

Not the least expensive in the book, but folks that are unhealthy enough to need them usually understand.
 
Note to responsiveness: I work with a company or two that are very responsive so Great Western in my estimation falls in the top 25%. They are good about answering the phone. Training their work force so you need to get the same answer 3 times before you pull the trigger sometimes.

"Trust, but verify."
 
I started using them back in 10/2016 because I was turning to much business away. Up to that point I never used a GI. From my observation (not a full on research) Great Western offers good 1st year comp. but very good trails.

Not the least expensive in the book, but folks that are unhealthy enough to need them usually understand.
I use Gerber instead of AIG if I think there's a pretty good chance their draft will fail in the first year. Gerber will actually send them a monthly bill. I've even set a couple cases up on direct bill from the get-go because that's the only way the client would do it. I don't know whether AIG will monthly bill after a fail. Seems like they'll only direct bill on quarterly or less frequent modes. Does Great Western have a monthly bill option?
 
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