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Home: Video University Forums: Wedding & Event Videography:
equipment and liability insurance - BEWARE OF BUELL!

X-James
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Mar 10, 2002, 10:53 PM

Post #1 of 8 (1569 views)
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equipment and liability insurance - BEWARE OF BUELL!	Can't Post

I purchased equipment and liability insurance over a year ago from Buell Insurance (recommended by WEVA).
I called about 6 weeks ago to update my policy. Turns out the policy was never even issued. (Yes, I was irresponsible for not making sure I was billed and that I received a physical policy in the mail.) However, when I talked to Brad Buell he assured me that, although I hadn't been billed, I still would have been covered.
At the conclusion of our conversation he assured me that once I faxed him my updated equipment list he would contact me a few days later to verify that everything had been updated and that I would be billed accordingly.
A week went by with no response. I called and left a message. Another week went by. I called and left two more messages. Another week went by. I called and left another message that if I didn't hear from him I would be discontinuing my coverage with him and that I would notify WEVA of the situation. Now, 6 weeks later, I still haven't heard back from him.
I talked with Linda at WEVA about a week ago regarding the situation. She said she would look into the matter. I never heard back from her. I posted a message on the WEVA boards asking for advice on where to get insurance, specifically mentioning that i wanted to go through someone other than the people they recommended (Buell). I made sure to omit Buell's name from the post. Apparantly, it was "off-subject" and removed from the boards. I e-mailed WEVA to inquire why it was removed and got no response.
At this point I'm extrememly disgusted not only with Buell Insurance but also with WEVA.
I write this post to let others know of my experience and also to ask if anyone can recommend someone reliable through who I can purchase equipment and liability insurance. If anyone else has had a similar experience, i would be curious to hear about it.
Thanks,
James

X-Al_Kohout
Imported Account

Mar 11, 2002, 12:43 AM

Post #2 of 8 (1569 views)
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Re: equipment and liability insurance - BEWARE OF BUELL!	Can't Post

I have to say..I too expericed bad service from this company...
They dropped the WEVA program and notified everyne ..which is fine..but in several attempts to reduce my rates since last MAY, Brad Buell failed to return my calls,,, and faxes...
as of last week he still ignores this request...and that would have taken about $500 off my poliocy cost..
Be warned,,

X-Scott_Brooks
Imported Account

Mar 11, 2002, 4:14 AM

Post #3 of 8 (1568 views)
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Re: equipment and liability insurance - BEWARE OF BUELL! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey James ... no wonder you're in such a nasty mood with those folks. I had no idea it was you that was having the problems with WEVA and posting here. I may have been one of the few members that actually saw your original post before it got removed.
WEVA provides many good things, but sometimes I have to wonder about their line of communication. At times it's almost impossible to figure out. I think they are looking into another provider, but you just never hear about it.
There is no excuse for un-answered e-mails and phone calls ... period.
Good luck
Scott Brooks
CVP

X-AlanM
Imported Account

Mar 11, 2002, 8:06 AM

Post #4 of 8 (1569 views)
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Re: equipment and liability insurance - BEWARE OF BUELL! [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm having a simular problem with Mr Buell. I've been trying for months to get my policy renewed. The policy premium has gone up dramaticly since last year. My quote is $800.00 and he told me that it could not be lowered. He told me by phone that I am covered but I still haven't received my new policy. Would appreciate any other experiences here with this insurance and if there are any alternatives to having business insurance.
:

X-Judy_Handley
Imported Account

Mar 11, 2002, 9:16 AM

Post #5 of 8 (1568 views)
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Thanks for the tip..... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Have you contacted the Better Business Bureau and reported them? ...maybe in your next message to Mr. Buell you mention that if he doesn't call you back, that's your next step.
: I purchased equipment and liability insurance over a year ago from Buell Insurance (recommended by WEVA).
: I called about 6 weeks ago to update my policy. Turns out the policy was never even issued. (Yes, I was irresponsible for not making sure I was billed and that I received a physical policy in the mail.) However, when I talked to Brad Buell he assured me that, although I hadn't been billed, I still would have been covered.
: At the conclusion of our conversation he assured me that once I faxed him my updated equipment list he would contact me a few days later to verify that everything had been updated and that I would be billed accordingly.
: A week went by with no response. I called and left a message. Another week went by. I called and left two more messages. Another week went by. I called and left another message that if I didn't hear from him I would be discontinuing my coverage with him and that I would notify WEVA of the situation. Now, 6 weeks later, I still haven't heard back from him.
: I talked with Linda at WEVA about a week ago regarding the situation. She said she would look into the matter. I never heard back from her. I posted a message on the WEVA boards asking for advice on where to get insurance, specifically mentioning that i wanted to go through someone other than the people they recommended (Buell). I made sure to omit Buell's name from the post. Apparantly, it was "off-subject" and removed from the boards. I e-mailed WEVA to inquire why it was removed and got no response.
: At this point I'm extrememly disgusted not only with Buell Insurance but also with WEVA.
: I write this post to let others know of my experience and also to ask if anyone can recommend someone reliable through who I can purchase equipment and liability insurance. If anyone else has had a similar experience, i would be curious to hear about it.
: Thanks,
: James

X-Pete_Lombardo
Imported Account

Mar 11, 2002, 9:59 AM

Post #6 of 8 (1568 views)
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Re: equipment and liability insurance - BEWARE OF BUELL! [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm surprised that anyone has problems with Mr. Buell, because I've always found him and his company to be quite accomodating to me and punctual in returning phone calls.
I've also received a letter from them. To the best of my knowledge, Buell Agency is still handling the WEVA account, although the present carrier, Hartford Insurance, will no longer be underwriting policies. They are supposedly still working on who will pick it up for WEVA.
Pete Lombardo
Limelight Video Productions
Medford, NY

X-Rob_Davenport
Imported Account

Mar 11, 2002, 10:07 AM

Post #7 of 8 (1568 views)
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Re: equipment and liability insurance - BEWARE OF BUELL! [In reply to]	Can't Post

Try contacting the insurance commissioner of your state or the state he does business in then he'll start liking you all over again with joy.
Best,
Rob

: I'm surprised that anyone has problems with Mr. Buell, because I've always found him and his company to be quite accomodating to me and punctual in returning phone calls.
: I've also received a letter from them. To the best of my knowledge, Buell Agency is still handling the WEVA account, although the present carrier, Hartford Insurance, will no longer be underwriting policies. They are supposedly still working on who will pick it up for WEVA.
: Pete Lombardo
: Limelight Video Productions
: Medford, NY

X-Lisa_Dancer
Imported Account

Mar 13, 2002, 9:21 PM

Post #8 of 8 (1568 views)
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Re: equipment and liability insurance - BEWARE OF BUELL! [In reply to]	Can't Post

I am sure there are two sides to every story, let me tell you about my experience with Mr Buell. I was insured with another company and was having getting a claim paid and was resigned that it was not covered like the insurance company told me. I was in process of getting a quote with Mr. Buell when I mentioned this to him. He asked if I could send him my policy for him to review. A few days later a man from his office called me ( I think it was a staff attorney) he read policy over and found a clause that in fact would cover my loss. Well a few weeks later my insurance company sent me a check for $5,000. I called Mr. Buell and offered to pay him for his services. He refused to hear anything of the sort.
Lisa Dancer
Dancer Productions