Recently, I was exploring the possibility of changing my car insurer. I visited the Geico site and completed their online application. Somewhere in the haze of poorly-written, badly designed information was a notice that Geico would check credit bureau ratings while preparing a quote.

Now, my credit rating is bad because of tragedies that have made my life difficult to say the least. Had I read or seen Geico's credit checking policy, I would never have continued to inquire about insurance at their site. I post this to let AR's readers know that Geico follows this practice and other insurers probably do as well. (Although I applied at several other websites and did not encounter this issue.) I think the practice appalling and another example of our diminishing privacy in today's world.

To those of you I count as friends: don't consider Geico as your auto insurer. If Geico is already your insurer, consider changing providers. Further, I am boycotting all products that co-sponsor any entertainment with Geico. (Big deal; I don't watch TV.)

I hope I am not violating an AR policy by posting this. I leave that to Webbie. If I have inadvertently erred, I'm sure he'll remove this post. For now though: down with Geico! Squish a lizard this week!

The following funny statement about insurance could be helpful...

"Insurance is the only product that both the seller and buyer hope is never actually used."

by Uknown