Bob Anderson – State Farm Insurance Agent

I’ve been with Bob Anderson and State Farm for more than 25 years, with policies for cars, condos, houses, personal liability, earthquake — you name it. What I like about Bob and his team is the great service they provide. When I’ve contacted them by phone, I’ve either immediately connected and received assistance or I’ve very quickly gotten a call back. Recently I purchased a new car. I sent an email on a Sunday and first thing Monday morning got a reply from Brittmari (one of Bob’s long-​time team members) to confirm that my new vehicle was covered and that they’d be able to keep coverage on my old car (which I intended to sell) for 30 days at no extra cost. I informed Brittmari that in a couple days I was leaving on an extended trip and was concerned that I might miss the bill for the increase in coverage cost for the new car. Brittmari quickly found out what I was going to be charged and when I could expect the bill to arrive. Since I was going to be away at that time, I just gave her a call and paid over the phone. That’s typical experience for me, including times when I’ve been involved in an accident. It’s about all that I expect from an insurance agency, competitive policy pricing and fast, friendly service.

I gave 2 stars because my parents liked this guy and his team. Me, nuh uh. I couldn’t communicate with these people. I got rear ended. It was the first time that I got in an accident that wasn’t my fault and I needed help with the steps. I called and spoke with Lori, super nice lady, always helpful when I was paying, told me information that maybe just wasn’t explained well but what I got from the conversation was that I could either have State Farm help me and lose my deductible or go it alone. Through talking with other people I realized that wasn’t possibly right and called back to speak directly to Bob. He apologized and said there must have been a misunderstanding because Lori meant that that I would get that money back after State Farm got it from the other insurance company. okay… so misunderstanding, fine. I was upset having just been hit, maybe something got lost in translation. So Bob walked me through the steps of filing a claim with State Farm. I figured I would keep the route of going straight to the other insurance agency so I didn’t have to pay my deductible. He apparently told me about and sent this form I had to fill out for the DMV to prove I had insurance, whether or not I was at fault. Well I thought he was sending me a form I had to fill out if I was filing with State Farm. I found out that was wrong when I got a letter from the DMV telling me I needed to send in that form or else lose my license in 30 days or something. That almost stopped my heart. Guess I had another «misunderstanding» with Bob… I decided to cut my loses and find a new agent who could help me because obviously I was having difficulty communicating with Bob and his office. I found someone new and closer to where I live. I had the new office call to have Bob transfer my account. He called me to confirm and asked why I’m transferring and when I went through the story and told him how angry and upset I was that this is happening and that I obviously can’t work with his office he went off on me telling me «how sorry he is that I couldn’t fill out a form he sent me» (really sarcastically) and basically «apologizing» while explaining all the ways this was all my fault. He was still lecturing me and I couldn’t get him to stop so I just said «please just transfer my account» and hung up. I can’t believe he would speak to me that way. I don’t pay money to be lectured about doing things wrong. I need someone to help me and work with me, not yell at me.
Oh and quick note about Lori. I called at like 4:45pm one day (they close at 5pm) and left a message saying I would like to pay my bill. She called me back in like 5 min and told me she had been on the phone and then had 2 messages. One from someone who wanted to pay their bill (me) and one from someone who needed help with a claim and she actually said laughing «Guess who got the first call?» hmmmmmm… that’s who you are getting when you go with this team…

We have been with Bob and his team for over 20 years. They understand us, what we need and make sure we get it. In this era of mass servicing and computers, we have never felt like a number, we have always felt like a valued client. They are responsive, professional, friendly. Insurance issues often are complicated and it gives us great piece of mind that when I dial their number we know we will be talking with someone who can answer our question. They are as good as it gets.

I didn’t imagine I’d ever write a review of my insurance agent, but Bob Anderson rules. We’ve been with him for 12 years, and we stayed with him when we moved from Palo Alto to Oakland. In an age of faceless service providers — I assume most people today have no idea who their insurance agent is – Bob and his staff provide incredible customer service. When my wife’s car was broken into and purse stolen they responded like a close friend. When I had my third bike stolen in two years he counseled me as to how to avoid having our homeowners policy dropped. And he sends a birthday card every year!
I probably pay a bit more for Bob than for something I could find on the web. Maybe. But I don’t care; the service and peace of mind — knowing I’m being watched after — is totally worth it.