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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 2, 2009

Like A Good Neighbor?

So State Farm wants to stop writing homeowner's insurance in Florida. I checked into their automobile insurance some time ago and was told that I could not just buy auto insurance. They wanted it all - homeowner's, auto, life, health. At that point I was surprised it didn't include asking for my first-born child.

I hope every policyholder who has their homeowner's insurance with them will pull all their other policies and leave State Farm high and dry - just like they are leaving their customers.

"Like a good neighbor"? I think not. It looks like that since they couldn't have the rate increase they wanted, they want to take their marbles and go home. I say let them.

Good riddance.

LINDA BROWN

Tampa

'Adios,' State Farm
I've been with State Farm for 40 years and never had a problem. But now I'd like to know what the heck they're thinking. Almost everyone who has a home policy in this state also combined it with their auto coverage to get lower premiums. Well, Jim Thompson, president of State Farm Florida, eliminate my home coverage and I'll pull my auto coverage also. Then what will you have left?

We might as well say goodbye now. Many others are standing by to replace you, and at lower premiums. If you came into this state just to make a huge profit instead of protect your customers, then all I can say is "adios."

TONY SANCHEZ

Tampa

Stand Up, Consumers

If State Farm wishes to drop all its homeowner's policies from the state, they should, in turn, feel the brunt of losing all other business in Florida as well. As a State Farm policyholder for both home and auto for more than 20 years, if I lose my homeowner's insurance then I plan to drop my auto policy as well. If every State Farm policyholder in auto, life, etc., did the same, then perhaps State Farm would reconsider their decision.

State Farm's own Web site claims revenue growth for the fifth straight year. When is enough going to be enough? It is time the American consumer stood up for what is right.

SAMUEL CARR

Riverview

Searching For Quotes

The Florida insurance commissioner needs to inform State Farm that if it will not insure our homes, it will not insure our autos, RVs, boats or provide any type of insurance product, and to leave the state permanently.

Any takers out there? I am a long-term State Farm policyholder, but my search for a new insurer for my home and vehicle starts today.

ED CUNNINGHAM

Lake Placid

End Coverage Now

If everyone thinks like I do, or even a portion of the policyholders who have auto, life and homeowner's policies, I'm not going to wait around and let them drop me; I'm looking for a new insurer today. Why would I continue to give them my money knowing they are going to leave the state? I say let's put them out of business completely. Why let them make any money? I'll take all my business elsewhere. I hope all others follow suit.

GREGORY W. DAVIS

Tampa

Treat TIA The Same

The Hillsborough County Commission should hold the Tampa International Airport parking garage to the same standards as the now-closed Friendship Trail Bridge. The garage has suffered a collapse, and the bridge has yet to even sag. The risk-adverse county commissioners determined the bridge would collapse right when some hapless jogger happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and fall into the depths of Tampa Bay, to be lost forever.

Those same commissioners are not coming to the rescue by allowing the garage parking to continue operating at TIA. How about closing it immediately and getting quotes for demolition like they are doing for the bridge? We see where the danger really is.

JOHN COLMAN

Tampa

Stimulus Guidelines

Gosh, there are so many reasons to be against the so-called economic stimulus bill. They are trying to ram it through. Something this big and important must be deliberated over, and at least there should be time to read and understand it.

So much of it doesn't have anything to do with economic stimulus. It's inconceivable to me why Republicans would even consider approving that "community stabilization" money, which is subsidizing ACORN by another name.

The concept is simple: If the money doesn't get spent relatively soon, take it out. If it doesn't really have anything to do with stimulating the economy, take it out. Remember, recessions historically last at most a couple of years; we are already halfway through. Doing nothing might be a painful but effective solution.

ERNEST LANE

Trinity

Bad Incentives

The $819 billion stimulus package is so frightening. If the government gives away working citizens' tax money to nonworking citizens, why work? Do you really think people are going to keep killing themselves to provide for their families when they are being robbed by the government? Whatever happened to the American work ethic to earn your own bread?

Our country will run out of money, and soon, if the top 5 percent of all taxpayers are already carrying 50 percent of the tax burden and $819 billion more is added to it. Where will the money come from? Please quit destroying our wonderful country.

PAM ROSENTHAL

Palmetto

JOIN DISCUSSION

The Tribune welcomes letters and e-mails from readers. The text should be original and no longer than 150 words. By making a submission, you agree the Tribune may edit the letter for length and clarity, and publish it in any medium.

Please include your name, address and daytime phone number. Mail to: P.O. Box 191, Tampa, FL 33601-0191. Or e-mail without attachments: tribletters@tampatrib.com.

Also, read and participate in the Tribune editorial board's blog, "Thinking Out Loud," at www.tboblogs.com/index.php/thinkoutloud/categories....

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