Ellsworth American., 1912-07-17
TWISTING. MUST CEASE.
Insurance Commissioner A. p. Havey
Warns Certain Insurance Agents.

Insurance Commissioner A. p. Havey
Warns Certain Insurance Agents.
State Insurance Commissioner Andrew
p. Havey, in the June bulletin of the State
insurance department, rebukes, in strong
terms, certain agents OF casualty insurance
companies who seek to gain business by
making false statements and representa-
tions relative to competing companies, and
warns them that the authority of any
company or agent guilty of such practices
is likely to be discontinued by the State
insurance department. OF this so-called
twisting of iey-holders, Commits
sioner Hsvey says:
"Information has reached the depart
ment that certain agents OF casualty COM
panies are practicing the disgusting and
discredited system of twisting. Every
agent in Maine knows what twisting is,
and knows also that 1t is a pernicious
practice. Beyond the fact that the agent
who does it is unreliable, there is the
added fact that it does not speak well OF
his ability to get business. There is
enough legitimate business to be had
without resorting to this method, and in
the long run the agent will be the sufferer,
for misrepresentation and fraud are at the
bottom of twisting and they will out
some time.
"we have congratulated ourselves on
the fact that insurance business as con-
Quoted by Maine agents has been open
and sboveboard, but it seems from un-
mistakaoie evidence that has come to us
recently that we must reeede from our
position and accept the inevitable. There
is only one way to stop twisting and that
is by dealing summarily with those guilty
Of it. We have already been obliged, for
the protection Of the honest agent, to call
one agent on, and unless certain others
cease making false statements and misrep-
| resentations relative to competing COM
panies, theirs shall be the same lot.
"Honest agents and the companies they
| represent are desirous of having their
business placed on a more stable basis;
they are desirous Of getting in closer touch
with the insured; they want him to have
a better understanding of the insurance
business in general, for they realize that
the effective and satisfactory way to elimi-
nate the antagonism and animosity
against insurance companies is by educat-
| ing the insured to the real, existing facts.
Twisting is a step backward. 1t is
detrimental to the best interests of the
insured and the company. 1t destroys
efforts to increase the benefits to the
policy holder. 1t must and will be stopped
| in Maine.
ave hereby inform all interested parties
that the practice of so-called twisting OF
policy -holders-and, in our opinion, efforts
to secure agents or collectors of one COM
pany by another company or its repre-
sentatives is twisting also-will be held
by this department as sufficient cause to
discontinue the authority Of any company
or agent guilty Of such practice.
Further, believing that statements by
agents or officers which reflect on the
financial responsibility of an authorized
| company or the character of its officers,
when not based on absolute knowledge OF
facts, constitute disturbing element in
the same class with the practice Of twist
ing, said agents or officers of any company
guilty of the above will receive the same
treatment.
'This department is ready to investi-
gate any circumstances bearing upon the
financial responsibility OF any authorized
company or its treatment of policy holders
in Maine, and all agents are invited to sub
init any facts bearing upon such matters
relating either to. their own or any COM
peting connpany"F