Don't be taken in.

[ToadHill]

Well it's time to shop around the car and homeowners insurance. I haven't done it for several years and I keep getting these adds from AARP that The Hartford has special rates for members.

I decided to give them a try. I sent them the information on my vehicles and got back the quote today.

The price they quoted for my wife's 03 Caddy and my 11 year old F150 was over $1200 more per year than I now pay. Their rate would cost me over $500 more per year for car insurance than I now pay for both car and homeowners insurance.

Boy, I'll say their rates are special!!! I don't know how they have any customers.

 

[scott_vt]

Good Afternoon Paul,
I get those flyers all the time also. And normally just throw them out. Like they advertised, they are special rates !

We are insured through AIG, you know the guys that give themselves big expensive parties and get bailed out by Uncle Sam !

But their rates are good so I cant complain too much !

 

[jinman]

My wife and I have four cars and our house insured with The Hartford though our independent agent. Our rates are very good, about $180 per month for all coverage ( $950 per yr auto and $1200 per yr home). I suspect your inflated rate is not related to The Hartford, but can't be sure.

 

[tallyho8]

There is no insurance company that has cheaper rates for everyone, everywhere. All companies use different criteria to figure their rates. One may give large discounts depending on the zip code you are in and another may charge way less if your credit rating is outstanding and another may give the best rates if you have no prior claims. Each company will be able to top the other companies rates under certain conditions.

The only way to tell who is cheapest is to get quotes from all of them.

And all companies don't provide coverage in all areas. Since Katrina, no company will offer new storm insurance in our area.

 

[RockyMnt1]

I have had very good service from USAA (if you are military or ex-military).....Been with them for 30+ years. They recieved good ratings form Consumer Reports in past years.

 

[kthompson]

I have had very good service from USAA (if you are military or ex-military).....Been with them for 30+ years. They recieved good ratings form Consumer Reports in past years.

I am thinking they required a certain rank also. But not sure.

 

[Bird]

I've contacted the AARP/Hartford a couple of times in the past and their premiums were always too high. So after some private messages this past week with another of our members, I called them again. Right now, my auto insurance for complete coverage on two vehicles is costing me $881 a year with AAA. AARP's Hartford wanted $1.034 for the same coverage. Of course, if I also got my homeowners insurance with Hartford, then the auto insurance would only cost $978, so they still can't beat what I have. I didn't ask what the homeowners policy would cost, but I doubt they'd beat the AAA's $1,007 that I'm now paying for the AAA Premium policy (they have 2 levels of cheaper homeowners insurance).

I think tallyho8 said it best; get quotes from all of them.

 

[weldingisfun]

I am thinking they required a certain rank also. But not sure.

It used to be that you had to have been an officer, but not any longer. Now they accept all ranks. When they did that the auto insurance rates went up.

Been with USAA for 30+ years for the car and truck. Changed to Germania five years back for homeowners. USAA couldn't compete and they admitted it.

 

[ToadHill]

jinman: I don't know what the inflated rate would be for, but the wife and I have not had an accident or a ticket for over 20 years. I presently pay $981 per year for both car and truck. Hartford wanted over $2200 for the same vehicles and only one has collision on it.

 

[jinman]

jinman: I don't know what the inflated rate would be for, but the wife and I have not had an accident or a ticket for over 20 years. I presently pay $981 per year for both car and truck. Hartford wanted over $2200 for the same vehicles and only one has collision on it.

Paul, when I first posted, I was confused about the rates we were paying. I first said it was for three vehicles and then edited my post to say it was four vehicles. Truth is, we just did some adjusting to our coverage and I didn't give you completely accurate info. I now have my policy statement in front of me and I can give you good info to make comparisons with.

We have four cars on our policy: '92 Honda, '96 Dodge 3/4 ton, '99 Chevy Venture Van, and '07 Pontiac Vibe. For liability, we carry $500k personal injury ($1 million per accident) and $100k property damage. That is Texas's standard amounts. We also carry PIP and unisured motorist on each car. The '07 Pontiac Vibe is the only car with collision coverage. That adds $330 per year to the policy. The total of all other coverage is $896. So, our total annual premium is $1,226 for all coverages for four cars. That may be a little cheaper than your current provider's rate of $981 for two cars, but it's probably because of your area. In reality, your current rate sounds pretty good.

Why you would be offered such high premiums is a mystery for sure. That quoted rate sounds like a "no prior coverage" or high risk rate. Somebody is not doing their job or hoping you will bite and give them a windfall. "Don't be taken in" is a great title based on that quote. I just want you to know that not all The Hartford rates are similar and your independent agent may be able to get you very attractive rates with the same company.