Always something

[daytime dave]

I contacted my home and auto insurance agency because I couldn't get on their internet do it yourself site. They informed me that they are going out of business and I need to get different insurance in a few months.

My gut says go local, but I'm not sure if there is anything else I should look at.

Anyone good with insurance?

[Mags]

We use an independent agent. Each year he gets us quotes for the best rates. We don't pay him. He is paid a commission by the companies.
Currently we have Hartford for home and National General for auto. Sometimes we can get a bundle with both from the same company that is less expensive than separate policies. This year worked out different.

[Headhog]

Great advice from Mags. We did that a few years ago and saved a bundle on home and auto.

Paul

[CT_Shooter]

After decades as a customer, my previous insurance company notified me last year that I'd have to get another provider. Fortunately, the agent actually improved my coverage for less money with a bundled Home/Auto policy from National General.

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

Seems like the Insurance Industry sure is changing. After 31 years with the same outfit, I recently had to find another.

[RetiredSeabee]

We used to play insurance hopscotch with independent agents. Finally signed up with USAA and have been with them for the past 15 years. If you or any member of your family has ever been in military you are eligible.

[Sir Henry]

We used to play insurance hopscotch with independent agents. Finally signed up with USAA and have been with them for the past 15 years. If you or any member of your family has ever been in military you are eligible.

I am looking for new insurance and may give them a call.

[Hatchdog]

We’re currently shopping for insurance and looking hard at Hartford thru AARP and also a local Deer Park agent is shopping for us looking at Safeco (current policy holders) and others. It’s been a week since we met the the local folks and we’re still waiting for a response.

[dave77]

I've been with Farmers since I started driving, first agent retired, his son retired so I'm on my third agent. I get several discounts, multiple cars, accident free, over 55 so my premiums seem reasonable. I've checked with others a few times and did not see any big savings.

I don't know about other states but WA only requires $25,000 medical liability coverage. That's crazy, a couple days in the hospital and some minor surgery would easily cost that much or more. I carry $250,000 un/under insured motorist so I'm better covered by my own insurance.

What's really crazy is $25k is same minimum that was required in 1983 when I had my motorcycle accident, my medical bills were around $60k but luckily I was able to accept a pain and suffering settlement (she was carrying $60k) from her insurance before the majority of my medical costs and then my own medical insurance took over.

I'd bet the same accident today would be a million dollars in medical costs. I had several surgeries, one that was around 10 hours long and over 3 separate stays spent at least 30 days in a hospital. I had a minor surgery with one overnight stay a few years ago and Medicare was billed around $50k, of course they had to accept around $15k as full payment.

[Mags]

... and looking hard at Hartford thru AARP ... It’s been a week since we met the the local folks and we’re still waiting for a response.

That's how we did our home insurance this time. Time wise I think it was that or a few days more before our agent gets back to us.

[Hatchdog]

Heard back from both the AARP Hartford folks and the local agent. The local agent quoted Grange insurance. Both quotes came in about the same in cost and are about $250.00 per month lower than our current policy with Safeco. My son is an adjuster with Farmers and when I asked him he told me that he has never heard any negative comments for the Grange insurance. Looks like there are two Grange insurances, one back east out of Ohio I think and the other here in the west limited to five state. The east Grange is around 13 states as I recall.

[fortyshooter]

I have been with Allstate since I was 18 and most likely cost a bit more than others but they always take care of repairing our cars hit by others over the years and took care of our sun room some years ago when a heavy snow caused the roof to cave.

[Hatchdog]

I have been with Allstate since I was 18 and most likely cost a bit more than others but they always take care of repairing our cars hit by others over the years and took care of our sun room some years ago when a heavy snow caused the roof to cave.

We’re in the same boat with Safeco. When my wife and I met over 30 years ago we both had Safeco and have continued with it since. That’s a lot of years with the same company and that seems to be a positive. The few claims we have had over the years were paid promptly and fairly. We had a great local agent that was always only a phone call away and easily contacted. Unfortunately around five years ago he retired and sold the agency. Now we can’t get ahold of anybody here locally without having to wait a few days for somebody to call us back (probably from their home). I think we may be able to stomach the rate increases if we could get some decent customer service but no, it now sucks.

[Mags]

... Now we can’t get ahold of anybody here locally without having to wait a few days for somebody to call us back (probably from their home). I think we may be able to stomach the rate increases if we could get some decent customer service but no, it now sucks.

I wouldn't judge customer service solely based on a few days before a callback comes. We've been with the same independent agent since the mid-nighties. It's always taken a few days. I'm assuming he's doing his homework and research during that time, because when we do get the callback, the info and professionalism he provides has been very satisfying. Hopefully that will be what you experience too.

[BigAl52]

I have an independent agent who I have know for 40 years. He was one of Farmers Ins big wheels for many years. For the last 10 years or so Ive been back and forth between Safeco and Travelers. It seems as though after a 3 year ride with each one they increase their rates thinking you arent watching. Just got a quote from both and now back to Travelers as Im saving about 2k a year with the switch.

[DsGrouse]

interesting. I might need to find us a broker once our son is done with college.

[daytime dave]

I tried the local independent agent. It seems they can save me some money and get better coverage. I'll probably go with them.

[GFK]

As we are all probably aware, all insurance is not equal. I had a water line to a toilet in master bedroom's bathroom break. Luckly, my neighbor, who was a plumber, seen water coming from my house and turn off the water main. I contacted the insurance company some days later, just to make them aware; I was not thinking about filing a claim. I was going to let things dry out: I had just got back from a two-week trip. The agent encouraged me to file a claim; he stated that mold may develop one day. So, I did. The issue was corrected within a couple of weeks.

My neighbor had a similar thing happen to him, water line to the toilet breaking. He told me that it took two weeks for the agent to show up (In my case, the process was managed via e-mail and phone. The rep. stated that the company does not seen agents out for claims less than $10K). My neighbor did not get enough to restore his bathroom and bedroom: toilet in master bedroom was also the issue. I got enough to replace the master bathroom and hall bathroom with tile flooring, carpet flooring and solid wood headboard/footboard in bedroom, the kitchen and hall flooring with bamboo and a upstairs’ bathroom flooring, with a few dollars left over.

I don't know if the insurance is the best price available. But, it does paid when required. He had State Farm, and I have USAA. Yet, there are some restrictions with getting insurance through USAA. If you can, it may be worth a look. I ended up receiving two checks. The first one was just under $10K. As the work was being done, I asked for something else to be replace: I think that it was for my headboard and footboard, and I receive a check just under $2K. I have not noticed a major increase in the rates. In addition, I get a premium refund each year ($100-$200). The refund is more than that. But, it is keep in an account that is paid out, when the insurance is cancelled. It has a few thousand in it now. My wife also had insurance with USAA. When we moved the auto insurance from under her name and combined it with the house insurance under my name, we received a check for $4K. So, I guess the cost of insurance may balance out, in the long run?

[Hatchdog]

Today we’re meeting with the local agent and signing up with the Grange Association insurance. We’ll be getting the same coverage for about $200.00 less per month. Hate to leave the company we have been with for decades but enough is enough!

Dave, sure hope you find a company that serves you well.

[cooperhawk]

A neighbor a couple of doors up the road called Saturday and asked us if our insurance had gone up. Hers had doubled and she was upset.
So far we haven't heard from our insurance company but I wouldn't be surprised.
I think what they're trying to do is stay solvent after losing billions in the NC and California disasters. I wouldn't be surprised if some of them
are facing bankruptcy.