RV
Rich Vinhais
Feb 26, 2026
My elderly mother switched to this agency for her homeowners and auto insurance in an effort to save a few dollars. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing from start to finish.
Three examples illustrate the pattern:
1) Zero support during a stressful claim situation.
When a fallen tree damaged a neighbor’s property and legal action was threatened, we reached out to the agency for guidance. The responses were curt, dismissive, and unhelpful — exactly the opposite of what you expect from a broker during a stressful liability situation. Once we were able to speak directly with the insurance carrier, they were professional and supportive. The broker, however, added no value whatsoever.
2) No empathy during a family emergency.
After a sudden death in the family, my parents needed to remain overseas for several months to attend to funeral matters. We contacted the agency to temporarily pause auto coverage. Despite explaining the circumstances — and offering to handle documentation and signatures on my mother’s behalf — we were met with cold, confrontational communication and unnecessary resistance. There was no acknowledgment of the situation, no empathy, and no proactive assistance.
3) Obstructive behavior when we chose not to renew.
We formally submitted a written non-renewal request, which is entirely within a policyholder’s rights. Instead of processing it, the agency insisted on a phone call and implied they could not “help” otherwise — leaving the impression that billing would continue regardless. It felt like an attempt to obstruct a lawful non-renewal. That is not how client relationships should be handled.
From the beginning to the end, the experience lacked professionalism and care. The head of the agency, Pete, is a fast talker but a poor communicator. The sales pitch was smooth; the service was not. At no point should a client feel anxious about contacting their own broker. The role of an insurance advisor is to provide clarity, advocacy, and reassurance — not friction.
We ultimately returned to our longtime broker, and the contrast in service was immediate and clear.
If your priority is saving a few dollars, you may find that here. But if you value trust, responsiveness, and real support when it matters most, our experience suggests looking carefully before making the switch.
I recognize that others may have had positive experiences. Ours, unfortunately, was not one of them.