Car/house insurance

[Bird]

I have AAA for both homeowner's and auto insurance. So far have never been able to beat their rates.

 

[Dftodd]

I've been with shelter for years. Got the home, auto's, camper, and trailers through them. Had one rate increase of $100 for the homeowners insurance. And one claim on homeowners insurance. But after the 2nd tornado went through the area in 3 years and leveled the town. Everyone's insurance went up in the area. Talking with the neighbors, there homeowners went up considerably more with other companies. I've had 2 claims on the vehicles, in 7 years without a rate increase on the auto insurance.

Shelter was very easy to deal with on the auto and homeowners claims. Where the neighbors had to jump through hoops for the same claims.

 

[JRobyn]

I have a story of the flip side of State Farm. We got very upset with them while we were building because they abruptly cancelled our homeowner's insurance on the new house after one year because it was not yet finished and occupied - it was "policy". The cancellation meant that almost no one else would cover us. Fought with them for a month, but finally got it reinstated. Then had a tornado strike. Little damage to the house, but lots to fencing and the canvas "tractor barn". Their contracted adjuster (fresh from Katrina duty) pulled out all the stops and bent every rule in our favor to get us a huge settlement. Figured SF would drop us immediately or at least jack rates up hugely. Neither happened. Still with 'em. Guess I'm jinxed now ;-)

 

[ultrarunner]

I have AAA for both homeowner's and auto insurance. So far have never been able to beat their rates.

Mom has been with AAA since the 1950's... her one and only claim was when her Corolla was stolen last year and they were very fair...

AAA also called when the big Angora Tahoe Fire was raging... asking if we needed assistance ranging from moving valuables, emergency tree trimming or private fire fighters... luckily we didn't need any assistance and the worst was a layer of ash blanketing the neighborhood.

Now... I did have one claim with Fireman's Fund for a tenant grease fire which they paid out $3200... ten days later I received a notice of cancellation and they sued my tenant to recover... so I was faced with shopping for being cancelled and a tenant that was about to have wages garnished...

Lucky I had some business with my Farmer's agent who was able to pick me up... as each of my Fireman's Fund policies came up I got letters of non-renewal... as mentioned 25 years claim free history with them except for one tenant grease fire... Never a claim with Farmers going back 30+ years.

I delved into this with the State Insurance Commissioner and was told Fireman's was free to set policy minimums and the new policy minimums basically excluded all older inner city homes based on value...

About 10 years ago suffered storm damage in Olympia... my State Farm agent called to check on things and I told him I did have a lot of downed trees... he said my insurance covers that and I was concerned... he told when a disaster has been declared it is not an individual reflection on individual policy holders... the money offered was enough to have a tree crew come in and clean everything up... which was nice.

My problem is semi-rural home shopping... a few homes I have been interest in were not insurable due to the state of California wild fires... no insurance means no mortgage, etc...

 

[rekees4300]

Been with State Farm for 53 years.....accident free for that time too. BUT 6 months ago did a stupid thing in a car wash and it resulted in a claim to repair the car wash. I had minor black fender trim messed up, and I fixed my self. The claim was about $1000.

As with any insurance...that has a premium impact....but the 53 years with them means...NOTHING. So I've decided I will shop for insurance. Told them that too. They said be sure...any insurance is underwrited so you don't have large increases in later years. Not sure I understand that.

SO....what insurance is everyone using?

I was with State Farm for decades then in 2010 they jacked up my homeowners policy by 18%. Switched to AMFAM then this year they jacked up their premium by 38%. I'm now in the process of switching to USAA. It's top rated by Consumers Reports but you have to be (ex)military to join. Amica is rated equal to USAA so check it out if you aren't (ex)military.

 

[mjarrels]

I bet all insurance companies have a lobby office within walking distance from state capitals!

mark

 

[kenmac]

I use an independent agent. He is able to shop rates from multiple companies. I have been with AAA, Safeco (librerty mutual).. He has me at this time with met life..

From time to time ,my independent agent will check to see if any of the companies he carries is less than the one I have at the time. If they are, he will switch me. I have been changed several times ..

There is no reason to stay with an insurance company for as long as you have. I'm quite sure there is an independent out there that can save you some cash ! Just be aware, not all independents carry the same insurance companies.

I like met life. I only had them for 1 mo when my wife totaled her car. I thought, we are in for it now ! Nope ! They didn't drop me ,and they didn't go up ! I never saw an adjuster. The body shop gave an estimate. The adjuster called & said it's a total loss. They made me an offer that was more than fair for the totaled car. I sent them the title by mail, and they sent me a check ! It was that easy !
Then, about 2 months after that, my son comes in and tells me a rock fell off a truck and cracked his windshield on his tundra ! Another claim within 2-3 months ! I called Met life and they told me to have it replaced.. Again , no rate increase ! I'm impressed to say the least. I also have an umbrella policy with this same independent agent

 

[TheMan419]

Kenmack is exactly correct. Shop the policy every year. Many companies will go low to get your business thinking you will stay for years. An independent agent will do the work for you. They get a portion of the premium as their comission to do so.

 

[jcummins]

Kenmack is exactly correct. Shop the policy every year. Many companies will go low to get your business thinking you will stay for years. An independent agent will do the work for you. They get a portion of the premium as their comission to do so.

What the trick to find a good honest one?

 

[two_bit_score]

I bet all insurance companies have a lobby office within walking distance from state capitals!

mark

Absolutely!

They would be crazy not to. Insurance is a heavily regulated business. The business has to keep control of the regulators.

If you are shopping for insurance one thing you should check is the state department of insurance website for the complaint records of the companies you are considering. Most insurance department websites are not easy to navigate but they are full of information on the insurance carriers. Most of it will confirm your worst suspicions about most insurance companies.


TBS