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As I sat down to write this column I received a phone call. My State Farm insurance agent called to let me know that my auto insurance rates had gone down. After picking myself up off the floor I politely thanked her and started to think about pricing of items in general.
I'm typing this on a computer that cost me less than the word processor, a glorified typewriter for all intents and purposes; I bought when I started college back in the late '80s. Even the flat-screen monitor I stare at for hours on end went for $700 when first released two short years ago, yet I picked this one up a month ago for under $200.
I'm looking at a telephone that I just used to call Sweden for business. Sweden is included in my all-in-one long distance plan that sets me back roughly the cost of a couple of movie tickets and a large tub of popcorn.
New State Farm agent carrying on tradition
IRONWOOD -- The new agent heading the State Farm Insurance office in Ironwood isn't really new to the area, and, in fact, is carrying on a family tradition in the business. Pam Kauppila, who has been a State Farm agent in Marquette, will be operating full-time at the company's office in Sunnyside Plaza beginning in early May. Right now, she is working out of both offices before making the permanent move here. Kauppila's father, Ron Johnson, was a State Farm agent in Ironwood for 40 years, and her great-uncle was an agent in Iron Mountain. "A few people have asked why I'm moving here from Marquette," she said. "That's easy -- because I want to. It's a great opportunity." Kauppila says she views her work as "a mission" to provide the company's services and to help customers.
Don't nix antitrust insurance law
In his guest column ("Need for 'reform' in America's insurance industry is obvious," March 12), U.S. Sen. Trent Lott targets the insurance industry's limited antitrust exemption, part of the McCarran-Ferguson Act, as a reason why insurance companies earned profits in 2005. While I admire his commitment to Katrina victims, I respectfully disagree with his remedy. The antitrust exemption didn't cause the problems and repealing it will only exacerbate the state's insurance crisis. First, let me say that I do not represent or speak for State Farm. As president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Mississippi, I speak for small businesses in communities across Mississippi. We know how devastating Katrina was to our state. Going forward, we need to make insurance more affordable and available.
Murrieta State Farm expands hours
Murrieta State Farm Agent Scott Koth announced his office is now able to bind automobile insurance coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Koth said he is responding to the dynamics of the California marketplace and recognizes that most cars are purchased during non-traditional business hours, so it makes sense that the company be available during non-traditional hours.
To learn more call Koth at (951) 461-4979.
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