The reason for the big smile??????????????????????

Farmwithjunk · Oct 6, 2005

( Your $1,700 "savings" is within a very few bucks of the total I'm paying for two vehicles and a homeowner's policy, all with the same company /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif )

The theft/liability/comp policy for the farm kicked 'er up there a tad.............

Farmwithjunk · Oct 6, 2005

I've had auto or trucks insured through one company for 32 years. They weren't doing me any favors, but rates were low. Homeowners was through the same company that handled my parents home. Farm was through a co-op program.

The "new agent" with my new company has been chasing me around for 25 years with the promise of BIG SAVINGS!!!!!!!!!!!

I shoulda listened a long time ago.

Now with one payment, done as an automatic withdrawl from checking account, life is much less complicated. (in addition to being less expensive)

My wife was even impressed . And THAT takes a lot /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Farmwithjunk · Oct 6, 2005

( Congratulations. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I dislike my insurance agent intensly and the company he represents as well... however, by bundling our cars and homowners together we get a pretty low rate. I make it a point to check every year or so with other companies and ours is still the best for our $$. I wish I was rich. I would spend more for less service just to spite him. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif )

OH........K! Why don't you tell us how you REALLY feel. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Funny thing is, I've heard all sorts of stories about the agent I'm now signed on with. I was expecting terrible treatment. Just the opposite. He acts like he appreciates the business. From this point on, any claims will be with adjusters and not the actual agent, and payments will be made without any contact. so I feel the worst is behind us.

I've got a "good" (not great) retirement program, and plan on sitting down with the same agent in a few weeks to discuss some further improvements to that program.

What seemed like a tremendous retirement program 30 years ago is just barely marginal at best now. And that future I was planning for back then? Well, It's here already.

Time sure does fly by.

Chuck52 · Oct 6, 2005

A few months ago my agent told me I could get a life insurance policy through the company that insures everything for us, and the savings on the whole package would more than pay for the policy. Turned out that was only true if I insured my son, who just turned 21, but we did it anyway. Had to make sure the kid understood we weren't planning to cash in on his sudden demise! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anyway, we save a bit more than the cost of the policy, and it locks in his rate if he wants to continue it when he leaves the homestead. Hes a senior in college, so we probably won't be taking advantage of the savings for much longer.

Chuck

RobS · Oct 6, 2005

I need to do some shopping. Have had one carrier for all forever but the ads from Geico and Progressive sure are tempting. I asked current provider if we could bundle the policies and go with a single, monthly payment. He said "sure, for an extra few bucks a year". I wasn't impressed /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Jagmandave · Oct 10, 2005

I've heard Progressive is prone to raising prices once they get you onboard. The poster said the only thing "progressive" about the company from his point of view was the rate schedule - his premium just kept going up every 6 months............ /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Varmintmist · Oct 11, 2005

To no one in particular.

Insurance and financial planning are 2 separate things.

When you go to the insurance agent for retirement planning I will guess the first thing out of his mouth is "policy" with "whole life" and "paid up" in there. Anuities are ok, thats it. Whole life policys are not a real good retirement plan. Talk, but do not sign until you have a sit down with a real financial planner.

Go to a financial planner for retirement and a insurance agent for insurance.

In the particular, put that 1700/year in a decent stock mutual fund in a IRA. JMHO

Farmwithjunk · Oct 11, 2005

Let me tell you about my financial advisor! He's on "The Apprentice" (Donald Trump's show) They've already finished taping. He will be the eventual winner. He's spending the next year with "THE DONALD". This guy is tough! He's made me a lot more "comfortable" regarding my future.

One of his suggestions is to start "bulking up" on my life insurance.

(He's asked everyone that knows the eventual outcome to NOT mention his name, as the series has just started running.)

(But how many Ky financial advisors are on the show?)

riptides · Oct 11, 2005

I think the best advise anyone can give or get is to not put all your eggs into any one basket. That would apply to insurance, stocks, bonds, cash, real-estate, precious stones and metals, etc. etc.

Finding that balance is the key to happiness in your now and your future.

Good luck to you all!

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

frank_f15 · Oct 11, 2005

I will agree with you about being diversified, which i am but all i seem to be doing lately is breaking even or worse. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif