Policy Pain: Redditors Share Shocking Tales of 'Rude' Singaporean Insurance Agents

A recent post on r/SingaporeRaw has ignited a fiery discussion, with users sharing their exasperating encounters with insurance agents, particularly when it comes to canceling policies or seeking post-sales support. The original poster, Agile-Tea1751, kicked off the conversation by asking if anyone had experienced "rude ass agents who question and scold you when you cancel your policy?" The response was a resounding, albeit frustrating, "yes" from many in the community.

The overwhelming sentiment seems to be that the pleasantries often vanish once a policy is sold. User LickTillYouFaint perfectly encapsulated this transformation, sharing a common complaint:

last week on reddit.. got customer ask agent on claims matter, the agent tell customer that he is not service center and ask the customer ownself settle before buy, treat you like god.. after buy, treat you like shit..

This sentiment of agents abandoning their clients once the deal is done was echoed by many. ProfessorRoko recounted an experience of basic unprofessionalism:

Not rude but unprofessional. Asked my agent on some wealth accumulation plans, and she sent me a link to go read on the bonus myself

The issue extends beyond existing policies. donteatpigla shared a particularly jarring interaction with a telemarketer from a prominent insurance company:

Yes those sonsdaughters of bitches. Had one from pRUDEntial telemarketer trying to link me to their insurance agent. Talking to me in such a condescending manner after telling her I wasn’t interested. Just hang up. Treat them like your average CECA scammers.

And the frustrations aren't just about rudeness, but also a perceived lack of transparency regarding rising costs. happytortellini highlighted a common point of contention:

I asked my agent why my hospital plan keep increasing premiums, he tell me it’s like that. This year increased by $200ish

For some, the frustration boiled over into outright anger, with IcyVillage5895 going as far as to say:

Insurance agents really legalize robbery. I hope the insurance agent get scammed by CECA.

However, not all experiences were negative. User ChanPeiMui, a verified commenter, offered a contrasting perspective, having never been "scolded" or "reprimanded" when surrendering policies:

Never got scolded by insurance agents before. Certainly never got reprimanded for giving up on some of my policies. They only tried to persuade me not to give up because I would lose some money but they understood why I made that decision.

ChanPeiMui later elaborated on their decision to surrender policies due to financial hardship and later, a desire for better coverage and investments, explaining that their agents were understanding, even if they "sighed." This nuanced view suggests that while some agents are indeed unprofessional, others demonstrate empathy and understanding.

The thread also briefly touched on recourse for such behavior, with users advising to "Report to insurance company?" or even "report fidrec" (Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre). This highlights that consumers do have avenues to address egregious behavior.

Ultimately, the Reddit discussion paints a picture of a challenging dynamic between consumers and some insurance agents in Singapore. While many acknowledge the need for insurance, the perceived lack of post-sales support, condescending attitudes, and reluctance to explain rising costs leave a bitter taste for many. The stark contrast between "before buy" and "after buy" treatment remains a significant point of contention, leaving customers to wonder about the true value of their agent beyond the initial sale.