Very Poor Customer Service.
by Sachin on Dec 11, 2024
1 out of 5 stars
We have had a good experience with Allstate until it came time to make a claim.
This bad experience was not entirely them, also with the police, adjuster and repair shop in Calgary.
Firstly, the police who came to the scene did not file the report, the lady that backed up into us did not have insurance, she showed the cop a fake insurance paper from her phone and that was good enough for him. The adjusters avoid us for months and then came back and said “well she said it wasn’t her fault”. I don’t even know if they are going after her for the bill.
We had the car into the repair shop the invoice said there was a wheel align, ent done, we had to take the vehicle into a repair shop and have them do it. All around just a bad experience, and I guess nowadays you can get away with not having insurance, b/c this lady got away with it.
I like our insurance agent, he always answered our questions right away and did what he could but was limited.
I have a claim with them and every time I deal with them it's painful. They might be cheaper in the first year or whatever but the premiums will rise fast and the stress and HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE is not worth it.
Had a claim for our car. Hit a deer. It took months to settle. A lot of passing the buck and no one answering our calls. The "preferred" body shop was beyond terrible. It took us threatening lawyers and taking legal action for them to finally move our car to a good shop and get it repaired. Stress, headache and terrible customer service.
Have many more examples but there is limited space.
RUN! RUN! RUN away as fast as you can. If you choose Allstate you get what you deserve... which is a terrible experience.
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I have been a customer with Allstate here in Alberta, Canada for over 20 years...no at-fault accidents and insuring multiple rental properties, my primary residence and all of our family vehicles with Allstate. In September 2019, another driver hit me from behind, I sustained injuries and immediately reported the accident. It took forever for anyone to get back to me...to the point where I had to file a complaint. Allstate wasn't even responding to the company who was their "preferred" auto repairer. Finally, after getting really angry and complaining and the car repair place doing the same, I got authorization to have my car fixed. I was assigned an injury adjuster who never returned my calls and finally after about 3 weeks called late at night leaving a message full of personal excuses why she hadn't returned my calls. Then I never heard from her again. I was getting physiotherapy and seeing my doctor and still couldn't contact anyone from Allstate. Finally, after complaining of several occasions to the Allstate person who sold me my insurance, I got assigned to an injury adjuster. Again, I could never get ahold of him, he never called, he never followed up and again after emailing him and saying I was going to file a formal complaint and wanted to speak to his manager, I got a call and an email. I remained at work (heavy-duty mechanic apprentice) and was struggling. The work is very heavy and my injuries were not getting better... I was beginning to have numbness in my neck and arms and reported this to my insurance adjuster, my physio, my doctor and I was told I shouldn't be doing regular job duties because it was delaying my recovery. My Allstate adjuster was completely aware. I was told by my physio to ask my employer for alternate duties during my recovery. I contacted my employer and let them know that my injuries were from an MVA (and not work-related) and explained the problems I was having in performing my pre-accident work duties. They said they would get back to me within hours, I received an emailed letter from my employer, terminating me because "I was not able to do my regular job duties". I contacted Allstate immediately because I didn't qualify for any kind of disability benefits through work and couldn't do my regular job duties. I let them know that I had been terminated when I asked for alternate duties because the injuries weren't allowing me to do my regular, pre-accident work duties. I asked the Allstate adjuster, what I was supposed to do and at the same time, I asked about help shovelling snow, etc. He did not address the weekly disability benefit (my policy premiums covered but I wasn't aware of) but he did say he would pay for help shovelling snow. I kept bringing up the fact that had I not had the accident, I would still be working and it was the injuries from the MVA and not being able to do my job were what caused the job loss. He didn't really address this at all. Meanwhile, I contacted a lawyer to help me get an ongoing payment from the employer because I was a contract worker with a set term contract and I thought that I would be able to get ongoing payment because it was no fault of mine that I was not able to work. My legal pockets (visa) are not deep as I am a single mom so the claim didn't go long. The employer was willing to go on to trial and I didn't have any more money so all I got was wages they had owed me in my last week and had to sign a non-disclosure statement promising not to disclose the details of my termination and the name of the employer. I kept the Allstate adjuster "in the loop" the entire time. Allstate even approved years worth of psychology appointments to help me deal with the fact that "As a result of the MVA injuries, I was terminated from my job". Finally, I am paying my auto premiums for 2020/2021 and I notice I'm paying a premium for Weekly Indemnity benefits and when I questioned this (wanting this removed) I was told it was mandatory (basically, there is a government portion of every policy that is required and mandated under a standard government policy). I was angry because I had been suffering financially for a year, by this point and the Allstate agent was barely involved in my claim let alone guide me through getting the benefits I was entitled to. I contacted him immediately and he sends me the "forms". Since my doctor and psychologist have been following me since day 1, the forms were filled out quickly. My doctor was completely aware and in agreement that I was not able to perform my heavy job duties as a heavy-duty mechanic apprentice and filled out the forms accordingly as did my psychologist. I submitted all of the information including a letter from my employer saying that I was terminated because I couldn't do my job; a record of employment showing the termination date; dr's letters; (physio reports which Allstate has on file talking about the termination and what the job duties were doing to my injuries); a timeline letter outlining the sequence of events from the date of injury to present. Within a day, I receive an email (not a letter) denial of my claim simply saying that because of the circumstances I was not considered disabled as per the definition of the policy. The adjuster did not even make one phone call to me or to my medical providers to discuss the claim (which is what claims adjudication does). The email indicated that I was terminated because the employer didn't have modified duties. This response was odd. I have been a disability claims adjudicator for over 20 years and knew how to read insurance policies and legislation so I pulled the Alberta Standard Auto policy and their definition of disability under an Auto Insurance claim indicates that weekly indemnity Section B benefits cannot be claimed unless one is "wholly and continuously" disabled by the injuries from the automobile accident". In accordance with the Alberta Standard Automobile Policy, this definition of disability means that the disability must prevent one from doing "any and all of your job duties". Well, the Allstate adjuster is saying that because I could have done modified duties, I do not qualify (I think this is what he is saying but his email is not clear). Needless to say, not once did my employer contact me to say they couldn't provide modified duties (Allstate is making an assumption based on nothing) and nowhere in the employer's termination letter did it say I was being terminated because they didn't have modified duties (again, Allstate adjuster made an assumption based on his own opinion and nothing else). The fact is that the definition of disability says that "you must not be able to do any and all of the duties of your job". It does not say "you must be unable to perform any work". I have contacted the Allstate Ombudsman and have never received anything more than the generic email in response to my submission for contact. I am disgusted with this provider. Customer service has gone into the toilet and they have people working for them who have NO idea how to do the job let alone make claims decisions based on facts.
Learn from my mistake - AVOID Allstate! In September 2019, I decided to research for an auto insurance provider offering a better rate. After speaking with 6 different providers, I settled with Allstate. However, DO NOT be fooled by their marketing. I got hit by a Dodge Caravan, on June 12th, 2020 after performing a left turn. The driver was driving way past a 30km limit, in a construction zone. Had he respected his speed limit, AND kept his right lane, this accident could have been avoided (I am convinced he passed a red light). My rear driver door was completely smashed in, but all he got was minor bumper damage on his right side. Yet, Allstate, declared me 100% responsible. In my 20+ years of driving, with only no-fault accidents, and having worked as a driving instructor, I am appalled. The driver who hit me was not only responsible but he was rude and he omitted important information on the Joint Accident Report. It's ridiculous that an insurance company won't consider the action of this reckless driver, especially considering a lack of character by not fully completing a document. To make matters worse, my long-term garage was not part of their Authorized Dealers. I found this extremely odd as every other insurance company ALWAYS referred me to them. Due to this, I received a cheque in the mail (minus my deductible) prior to even getting my car back!!! Who mails out a cheque when the work has not been completed? A savings of $5/mth has resulted in unnecessary stress and time working on contesting an accident that was clearly not my fault. Now I am out-of-pocket of a $500 deductible and a premium increase. All the while, Mr. White Dodge, continues to drive recklessly since he omitted his insurance company name and driver's licence on the report. Note to self: if your instinct tells you something is wrong, call the cops! FYI: I will be contesting this Allstate decision.
I have been a client of Allstate Insurance since 2007, holding both an auto and a renter’s policy. I have not had to deal with a claim until Sunday, December 15, 2019, when our car was rear-ended on a Sunday morning. My wife and I were both shaken up but basically not injured. The rear end of the car was damaged, but it could be driven, the seat belts, however, did not function because of the severity of the impact. We got the car to our dealership and I informed Allstate through a message to my agent and I emailed him copies of my police statement, as well as the official police report of the incident. Monday morning at 7:00 I was at the dealership, where they had already been in touch with Allstate, which gave immediate authorization for car rental to an amount of $900.00. A rental was quickly arranged by the body shop staff, and I received a ride to the rental agency. I was mobile by 8:00 am. An adjuster called later that day to make sure we were OK, and to let me know that the other driver’s insurance company was on-side and would assume costs. By mid-week the adjuster had seen the car and approved the repair estimate, which was around $8,500.00. Parts were ordered, but this was Christmas time, and some parts had to be shipped in. The anticipated completion date was December 31st. In the meantime a representative from the claims office in Toronto, I believe – was in touch with us, explaining the process and wanting to make sure things were proceeding, and that we were both OK. We had both seen our doctor to be checked out. I had no ill effects, but my wife was experiencing some pain and discomfort across her shoulders and upper chest, which set in motion calls and questions from an Accident Benefits Advisor, which in turn resulted in authorization a series of chiropractic treatments. The car was finished, and I picked it up on December 30th, and here ends my story, except to say that I could not be more satisfied with the efficiency, thoroughness and follow-up from Allstate and my G.M. dealership.
Allstate is a company I would warn everyone about…. While accidents happen you would like to think that your insurance company will be there to help you through the process. Allstate is not that company. After being in a vehicle accident I did what everyone is supposed to do, call in. I spent a half-hour on hold and then another 45 minutes completing my claim with the agent on the phone. I was told I would get a call within 2-3 days. After a week and still no call, I call in AGAIN. Again on hold for 30minutes only to have the agent pick up and drop my call. So AGAIN I call in and am on hold. Once patched through I speak with the agent to ask why no one has called me? Guess what! The agent couldn’t find my claim ANYWHERE!!! So there we go again, spending another 45 minutes completing my claim, AGAIN! The agent said I would get a call within 2-3 days. Guess what?! Yup, no call after a week and a half. So, looks like I have to do all the work. I reach back out with the person that was supposed to contact me (because I made sure this time to have the claim agent give it to me). The claims person apologized and said that there was a different agent involved who is handling it and would have them reach out to me. More waiting! That person took another 3 days to FINALLY reach out to me and would take another 3 days to be able to schedule our sit down where they take my statement. After I gave them my statement they said they would update me on the status in the next 3-4 days. Did they? Nope. It was 2 and a half weeks before they would call me. When they called me on a Wed and left a voicemail I called back and had to leave them a voicemail. I had to recall them again the next day, still no answer. They didn’t call me back until the following Tuesday!! Really? Almost a week! While this was happening there were continual disappointments with the partners they work with. They suggested there preferred collision repair center. Why? Because they put their customers in a faster queue getting the work done more quickly then if I was to take it in and that all the work is insured. I said great, getting this all taken care of is ideal. Well again ...more issues!!! After I called the agent the second time letting them know that the repair center had not contacted me they told me to call them. So I did. They were able to see me in 2 days. The process was quick and was told that they would submit the report for Allstate to approve and would order the parts and confirm within 7 days when to bring my car in. Well, I emailed the repair shop and left a voicemail (since I couldn’t speak with an agent) after a week and a half after not hearing anything? I didn’t get a call back nor a response to my email. I called back in after a couple more days to speak with someone who said they lost my report and would have to call me back. They didn’t call me back. I waited a day and a half before calling them again. They said they just ordered the parts!!! And they were supposed to be the fastest service???? I doubt it. I was able to bring in my car in 2 days and was told anytime after 9 am. I wasn’t told how long my car would be under repair until I was bringing it in. In short, if you like: continually wasting your time on the phone, calling people that should be calling... That SAID THEY WOULD CALL YOU! And talking to people that can’t give you information, explain the process and what you should expect along the way then I say have at it. Waste your time, money, and most importantly your sanity. Want to know how long this who process took from starting the initial claim till my vehicle being completed and all being taken care of? 58 days. YES!!! TWO MONTHS!!!! That is insane. They told me my car would be fixed within 2 weeks of starting my claim? The people employed from the claim agent to the appraisers and adjusters are poorly trained, lack customer service capabilities and do not know how to make right their errors. Sorry doesn’t cut it. You wasted my time and that is money. I wanted to share this with anyone in hopes that I can save them from the unbelievably poor experience and mental stress from having to deal with them!!! After reading everyone else's experiences it sounds like this is typical for them....no response, dropped calls, not returning calls, incorrect information being given. They need to hire and train people properly!!!
Allstate was fine, and much cheaper than alternatives, up until somebody backed into me while I was stopped in a parking lot. I'd have been better off with no insurance. Key points: - Very unresponsive. Do not call when they say they will. Do not respond to emails. Do not respond to voicemails. - Disconnected on half of phone calls while on hold. - They suggest I will not be found at fault, but then settle otherwise at 50/50. Between half the deductible and the absurd premium increase I'm now facing upon renewal, it's exceeded the actual repair cost. - Resist paying rental car fees, even though well under my coverage limit. Timeline: Sun. June 30 3pm: Collision occurs. Sun. June 30 4pm: Reported to Allstate, indicate they don't think I'd be at fault, say an adjuster will follow up by July 2 end of day. Does not happen. Fri. July 5: Call Allstate to find out why I have not been contacted. Told I will be contacted by an adjuster by Mon. July 8 end of day. Does not happen. Tues. July 9: Call Allstate to find out why again I have still not been contacted. They can't find my claim and hang up on me when transferring me to a different department. Tues. July 9: Call Allstate again. Get through and have to repeat everything previously stated June 30. Person I talk to takes over the file and provides me their contact info and a claim number. Again indicates they don't believe I'd be found at fault based on my description. Thur. July 18: Receive call from Allstate adjuster stating 50/50 fault finding. I question it. Get authorization for repair work. Sat. July 20: I send diagram and request clarification regarding fault finding via email. Tues, July 30: Drop off vehicle for repairs. Thur Aug 1: I follow up with request for a response/acknowledgement of my email. Fri. Aug 2: Receive email response indicating I was found partially at fault because I said I was stopped rather than moving forward. Fri. Aug 2: Told repairs complete, but find not everything repaired when I go to pick it up. They keep it to fix those items. Tues. Aug 6: Vehicle is now fully repaired and ready to pick up. Rental vehicle is returned. Fri. Aug 9: Enterprise informs me Allstate refusing charges after Aug 2. Fri. Aug 9 - Thur. Aug 15: Email, leave voicemails, and try calling Allstate adjuster 5+ times. Receive no responses from Rhea Perez. Thur. Aug 15: Call general line. Disconnected while on hold after 20 minutes the first time. Get through to somebody a second time after 10 minutes, who then disconnects me when placed on hold to make a call to the body shop. She calls back and gets the rental car coverage extended to the 6th.
Was t-boned on a rainy day by a nice enough lady, but the kicker is it was 7 weeks ago... yes 7 weeks. Oh and today is the first time I was called by the company claims advisor. I was waiting to hear from the adjuster but I guess this advisor will do. Damage to my car 3700 and change. They told me they will pay me 2500 cash settlement or we can go the insurance route to fix the car. Why did it take 7 weeks? Why then pay for half the labour on the car (well because you have the choice to fix it or not). I’m sorry did you cause 3700 in damage.... then pay the 3700 regardless if I choose to fix it or not. Don’t know if that’s an industry standard but I think it’s garbage. So I’m going to make them pay more now out of spite. And I hope I leave this review to hurt their business and to draw clients away. 7 weeks and you wanna pay me less, add insult to fiscal injury... umm NOPE
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I had been with Allstate for a couple of years and had no issues until my accident. I got in an accident in December and the guy didn’t have valid registration, and all his brake lights were out. I was being behind him, I was “at fault” regardless of my report. After filing a claim and not hearing back for a few months I called my insurance company. They had told me my the other party was filing an injury claim . I asked if this would affect my rates and she refused to answer. Then a few weeks later, got an email that he was dropping the injury claim and just wanted to fix his vehicle. Another two months of not hearing anything and after sending a quote for damages on my vehicle I called back again. They had closed my claim, assuming I wasn’t fixing my vehicle. Found out they paid for a week of rental for the other party AND PAID AN INJURY CLAIM PAY OUT. All of this was done behind my back and no communication! It took until JUNE to get my vehicle fixed. THEY DO NOT COMMUNICATE AND WILL DO THINGS UNPROFESSIONAL. No point on having “full coverage” if they never call back or deal with issues properly.
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I had an accident 2 weeks ago. No one reached out to me for the first 6 days. After they reached me, estimates and appraiser is missing. Car is lying at workshop where no one cares, in spite of multiple calls and reminders. No response yet. This is the worst customer experience you can imagine.