Insurance Suggestions

[thetrailboss]

Who do you have for car and homeowner's/renter's insurance? Like them? Hate them? In my [relatively short] life experience, it seems you can only really count on your carrier for about 5-7 years before you have to switch because the service either gets bad, their rates are no longer competitive, or they just take you for granted.

I had AAA from 2004-2009 and as said, they just got too lazy and service really fell behind. Dumped them and was with an independent agent in Northern Vermont (for those up there, call Craig at Royer Camp) who got us a good policy package and price from Travelers. No problems with them...had them from 2009-2011 or so. We moved, so we had to leave them (regrettably).

My wife and her family are long-time State Farm folks. We just bought a house and our local agent was dropped from State Farm. The new guy they assigned to us is just not great and we're having problems with them getting the homeowner's policy right...going on five months now. I'm getting nervous something is going to happen. We're either going to switch agents or go to another carrier.

 

[Geoff]

If you're not military-affiliated where you can use USAA, Amica has by far the best ratings for home/auto. I've been with them for 20 years. I have no idea if they handle Utah but I doubt it.

 

[thetrailboss]

Thanks Geoff. Most of the major carriers are here. We'll look into it.

 

[ScottySkis]

I USe Mercury Insurance, they were half of what I was paying with Travelers.

 

[ctenidae]

We have Safety right now. I find the best thing is to find an agent you like, and let them handle rate shopping. Our agent here is fine, no where near as good as the guy we had when we lived in Boston (Bob Strong- excellent agent, just limited on the carriers he used, but MA's like that, anyway).

 

[bobbutts]

Always used State Farm, besides the annoying upsell calls and emails they've been good, even making a timely and fair payout after damage from a hurricane. Guess that means I don't have much advice, maybe find another agent, there seem to be a ton.

 

[thetrailboss]

We think finding a new agent is now a must. The first guy entered some of the info wrong into the system regarding our house, so the insured value was a bit lower than we would have expected. I told it to the new guy and he screwed it up even more.

 

[o3jeff]

I use an agent too(used to be my uncle until he retired). I found a company will low ball your auto insurance the first year and then increase it the next. I've been having them shop it every year around renewal and I have no loyalty to who I go with.

 

[ScottySkis]

Agents are awesome when you find a good one. I try to find out if my guy does your area, he owner of his 1 person agency and several of my family members go through him.

 

[Geoff]

I go direct with Amica. Their service is outstanding. I'm trying to imagine why you would ever need an insurance agent?

 

[deadheadskier]

I go direct with Amica. Their service is outstanding. I'm trying to imagine why you would ever need an insurance agent?

Time and convenience.

I have found the pricing to be virtually the same using an agent versus going direct. Also my agent shops pricing across carriers when its time for renewal. A carrier isn't going to be concerned with making sure i get the best price.

As for convenience, when I had a minor fender bender a couple years ago I spent literally five minutes on the phone with my agent and all was taken care of. I didn't have to deal with all the call backs working through the settlement like I did with progressive the last accident I had 15 years ago when I went direct through them.

 

[Nick]

I had USAA before and I liked them, until I had a claim where it didn't work out so well. They way undervalued my loss and it frustrated me to the point where I left them. I even opened a case with the state's insurance comissioner but nothing happened ultimately.

I had a policy through my employer with Liberty Mutual I just cancelled out of. Now, I'm on Geico for auto and a partner of theirs, homesite (I think) for my homeowners policy. I saved over $2k = a year by switching to Geico. My auto insurance went down by $900 a year and my homeowners dropped by $1200 a year.

 

[deadheadskier]

Never ceases to amaze me how much car insurance costs in Mass. What you saved is nearly as much as our total cost for auto insurance on two cars and two drivers in NH. We have the maximum amount of coverage money can buy and our annual bill is $1100. Granted, both cars are paid for and one is a 2004, but the other is only a year old.

 

[Edd]

Never ceases to amaze me how much car insurance costs in Mass. What you saved is nearly as much as our total cost for auto insurance on two cars and two drivers in NH.

You drive to Mass much more than I but whenever I go it's like entering Thunderdome to me. I am talking about Boston, specifically, however.

 

[Geoff]

You drive to Mass much more than I but whenever I go it's like entering Thunderdome to me. I am talking about Boston, specifically, however.

Turn signals are for the weak

 

[ScottySkis]

Turn signals are for the weak

Please use them.

 

[darent]

+1 on Amica, but you should check your insurance carrier from time to time to keep them honest.

 

[darent]

I insure a truck and a car for $800.00, with good coverage(not minimum} in Mass. but I live on a island and drive low miles compared to you commuters. now, we won't discuss my healthcare bill since the advent of Romney Care and I am freaking out about the start of Obama Care. be careful of politicians who promise lowering anything that deals with your wallet!!!!!