Insurance Shopping

[picman]

It's time for me to shop insurance again - both home and auto. I would like to hear about your experiences in the process to see if I've missed anything. Looking at online, independent agent and individual companies.

Edit--
What was the sponsored link that that came up when I first posted this? Insurance. Impressive and scary at the same time.....

[r0xikat]

I've heard wonderful things about USAA's auto insurance. Right now my mom and I are under Allstate and have no real qualms.

no idea about the home insurance though. good luck researching!

[RKDauph]

If you're eligible for USAA - go for it. I have been with them since 1976, in the 35 years I've been with them I have never had a compliant about their service or policies. I have all my insurance and banking with them, except business which they do not provide.

Best rates around. All my kids are with them too.

Ray

Originally Posted by r0xikat

I've heard wonderful things about USAA's auto insurance. Right now my mom and I are under Allstate and have no real qualms.

no idea about the home insurance though. good luck researching!

[morech]

I have ALFA. I can say their customer service, response time, pay outs, everything you would want from an insurance company = AMAZING!
The Cons: tend to be a little more expensive for certain things (still pay less than $90 a month for full coverage on my car)... and what makes me mad is you have to pay $30 a year for membership to the famers association or you lose your insurance.

[MHampton]

I have the Hartford for my house and cars and haven't been able to find anyone who can match their prices, including USAA. Been very happy with the service (have replaced the root 3 times now).

[JustAnotherGinger]

I have Farmers. We pay about $100 mo. for full coverage on both vehicles. I would have to do a breakdown for the house. I know we switched it from State Farm last year, because they wanted to increase it by $600. So we essentially saved $1200 a year, by switching to Farmers.

[ggeen]

I've been with Farmers for more than 20 years. They finally updated so that you can do most of your transactions online these days, farmers.com

I have no complaints. They have a bunch of really nice people.

[ptrd]

It seems for me I keep shopping around almost every year to maintain.

I don't qualify for USAA. I only have auto but it always slowly jumps up until I switch companies and it goes back down.

It's all kind of scam but you have to bite bullet.

[David Whatley]

We quote 20 providers for Auto and Home. call 1-877-855-8111 and the pin to use is SJWX2 and last name is Whatley
And as a disclaimer, if you get insurance with one of the providers I make a few bucks.

[picman]

As a quick update - shopping around saved us about $1,200 a year.
If you haven't done it in a couple of years it might pay to shop around.

Best and easiest way for me to shop was to take copies of my old policies (whited out the prices) and fax them to agents. Quick and easy apples to apples comparison.
Tried internet shopping - it was a PIA in comparison.

[TheFantasticG]

I'm about to start the same search as State Farm has been raising my rates over $60 a month the last 18 months. So, following the thread...

[brewercm]

I too have been with USAA for quite a while since State farm canceled me and have been very happy with them for all my insurance. Learned a good lesson with them. If you call in a wreck (in my case somebody dinged car twice in packing lots) and you still don't have them fix it and do it yourself it still counts against you.

[TheFantasticG]

Originally Posted by picman

What was the sponsored link that that came up when I first posted this? Insurance. Impressive and scary at the same time.....

You can get an IE add-on that stops that... Do Not Track Plus.

[carrbowl]

We absolutely love USAA. You might find someone else a little cheaper, but you won't find anyone that has better service. I think people always forget that when shopping. Maybe Geico is the cheapest, but the fight to get your money isn't worth the discount. So don't shop on price alone.

[TheFantasticG]

Originally Posted by carrbowl

We absolutely love USAA. You might find someone else a little cheaper, but you won't find anyone that has better service.

Not everyone qualifies for USAA either... like those of us not in the military or with immedate family in the service (or vets). My grandfather was in the service for 20+ years, but their FAQ says I don't qualify.