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Itcomesdowntothis:eitherIrenewwithDialogo,orIdriveillegallywithoutcarinsurance
while I wait for my appendix to arrive, or I pay through the nose to start over with a new
insurance company.
I realize that I'm trapped like a rat in a blind alley. I decide to accept defeat, and I go back
to Dialogo with my tail between my legs. After the obligatory, purgatorial time spent on
hold, I tell my agent that I had a quote that they were working on for me, and I'd like to
go ahead and consummate our relationship. She starts working on it and, after a moment or
two, tells me that the previous quote was not valid.
“The price you were quoted was based on the assumption that you could apply your current
risk rating to the new vehicle. However, since the vehicle is owned by a company rather
than a private individual, according to the new Bersani law, you will have to start at level
14.”
“Why has no one else in the course of the last dozen conversations ever mentioned this?”
“Apparently some of my colleagues are not as well informed about the law as they could
be. But I've noted it in your record so there should be no further problems.”
“Thank you. Really, thank you so much. You've set me free. Now that I realize there is
absolutely no advantage to staying with your company, I'm going to sign up with Zurich-
Connect. Have a great day!”
Two days later, my new provisional policy is emailed to me with hardcopy to follow. My
new policy will be based on a Level 14 rating just like a fresh-faced, eighteen-year-old,
first-time driver. Just one of the many ways in which Italy helps us to feel young again!
***
Last lap. Insurance in hand, I drive my Volvo to the dealer in Perugia. Sitting in the Volvo I
feel almost guilty, like I'm taking an elderly, sick pet to the vet to be put down. The Volvo
acts as if nothing special is happening, and I play along.
I've called ahead, and I now arrive at the Auto Dealership to pick up my car. My salesman
is out with the flu, there's only one other on duty, and he's got an elderly couple sitting in
his office. I don't know how long they've already been there, but forty minutes later they
are still sitting there. During that time the salesman handles several lengthy phone calls
which clearly take priority over the clients in his office, not to mention the guy who is wait-
ing patiently in the lobby. As he makes photocopies with one hand, holds the phone with
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