-Are you with a broker or a captive agent? 

Now I’m just captivated by the slow motion train wreck it has become.

Farmers is a bit unusual in that yes it’s a captive company in that the 1st shot on the policy has to go to Farmers or Foremost, but the agents are free to broker to any company after that at the discretion of the agent.

No apology, no explanation, not even an interesting "story" ("I was abducted by aliens on my way to view the property and held captive while I underwent experimentation until they released me"). 

Full disclosure: I am a captive insurance agent.On top of @Wayne Brooks' comment, there are issues on the insurance end as well.

As a "captive vendor" employee, I wasn't the priority over the independent broker who could take the deal anywhere.Maybe it'll switch again, and I'll jump ship again.

You want to have a single option with rates for captive customers not willing to shop around, then go to a bank. 

Think of all those captive leads sitting at your table every day.  

In fact, I'm comfortable paying a higher rate if it is with one of the brokers that I trust.For smaller rentals, you might be okay just working directly with the insurance company or working with a captive insurance agent.

Think of your fellow students as a captive group to build relationships.