Need new auto/homeowners insurance...any suggestions?

[CigarGuy]

My auto/homeowners insurance keeps going up. Now my son just missed the "B" average discount for auto and the insurance went up almost $1000.00!! Any suggestions on a good insurance company? BTW, were working on getting the grades up, so no need to go there! I tried posting under "consumer reviews" and it never posted nor did anybody get back to me, hopefully this is the correct place to post. Thanks

[Ralph Wiggum]

I used to have Esurance for my auto--I was very happy with their pricing and service on the one claim I had. I'm not sure about their homeowners policies, though. We're currently with USAA and are happy. Gotta be a USAA member, though.

[Dusty]

I just changed Ins. co. last year. I found an independant Ins. guy who writes for a number of differnt companies and he got me the best rates with Western National. I don't have a teen driver tho.

[rundrave]

I just changed Ins. co. last year. I found an independant Ins. guy who writes for a number of differnt companies and he got me the best rates with Western National. I don't have a teen driver tho.

+1 for Western National enrolled with them last year when I bought a new house, and also have 2 auto policies with them.

Unfortanetly I was in an accident a couple week ago that totalled my vehicle and I was very very pleased with how they handled the process. They were very quick to act and follow up on the rental etc. They also gave me more than a fair offer for my vehicle. I basically got a check in the amount for what I paid for the vehicle 3 years ago. Although I think that was more due to the fact that it was a Toyota hehe

[Hillbiehle]

A few companies that are exceptional: USAA, Cincinnati, Chubb, West Bend, and Auto Owners. Sometimes these are not the cheapest carriers, but the coverage is much broader and it's worth it when you have a claim.

[BoxMN]

My two cents - I have American Family and am very happy, even with checking pricing every year or two to make sure prices are good. I do have lots insured with them, maybe that helps. I know credit score being higher helps a LOT (for another discussion, but I am happy it does).

Also, just my three cents... junior should pay his own insurance... I did when I was kid, just part of the price of driving, and he will learn to get grades up. Good luck though finding good prices, shop around a lot, and ask each what other ways there are in getting costs down.

[CigarGuy]

Thanks, I'll check them out.

[Walleye Guy]

Don't settle on one company. Package all your insurance needs together and get multiple bids. Compare the prices AND the qualitative aspects of their service etc. Tell them you are doing a bid. They will be more competitive when they know others are bidding as well.

[Tom7227]

Seems like a lot of people focus only on the price and don't consider the coverage issues at all. Companies that are selective and don't write any fool that can apply on line, companies that actually pay claims without a hassle, companies that don't have 3 pages of exclusions or that have a two page policy. Lots to consider.

IMO an independent agent that you can stop and look in the face is your best bet. He probably will be able to find you a very fair price. He or she will also be very helpful when you find out that junior put a $900 ding in the left fender and you need to find out if it's worth a claim or if they'll just end up jacking your rates $400 a year for the next 3 years.

[CigarGuy]

Ya, I'll take all that into consideration. What do you think about this. I also have a daughter that is up in Fargo at college. On my current policy, they switched her over to something like an "occasional driver" and discounted it accordingly. When shopping for new insurance, do I even mention my daughter? She's not home more than once every 2 months and I think she might be coming home for the summer.

[ozzie]

Yes you should mention your daughter.............they usually will find out anyways when running your infomation......at least my company has the ability to see who you currently are insured with and what vehicles you have insured and who the current drivers are in the household through your drivers lic. information.

[LightningBG]

I have AAA and have been very pleased with the rates and the service/payout on claims.

I also go through an independent broker who shops it with other companies every so often to get the best deals.

[Walleye Guy]

I was with American Family for over twenty years. Primary house, WI lake home, two vehicles, two boats, ATV, Jetski were all insured. Very few claims. I had great services on my account and the claims that I did have. On the advice of my financial planner, I took all my insurance business out to bid. I ended up selecting Auto Owners. All my new policies have the same or superior coverage. The savings was over $800/year. While I liked my AmFam agent, I don't think he was giving me the best deal. Both the insurance companies and the agents are in the business to make money. Generally they will quote you a price that is low enough to get your business. They don't always give you there best price IMO.

Shop around. You may surprised at what you find.

[jerkbait]

I have AAA and have been very pleased with the rates and the service/payout on claims.

I also go through an independent broker who shops it with other companies every so often to get the best deals.

I am with AAA also and have been very please with cost and claims service. I went through Tim at Monticello Agency. Very good agent.

[Fredd]

AAA/Progressive for me. I was with a union company for many years and never could find anyone with more reasonable rates. I met with an independent agent who shopped the market and landed me with my coverage. I know that the big companies try a lot of scare tactics but most of them are just that. Minnesota has states guidelines that protect the consumer on many fronts. I know that if I were with one of the big guys, I would be paying a lot more. Don't get me wrong, I know that there is some comfort in dealing with the large companies, but they do not always do right by the consumer. Besides with all the savings that I have had over the past years, I figure that I can buy more toys to buy coverage for. Happy Shopping! BTW, my agent is located in St. Joe and represents many companies.

[ozzie]

Your agent shouldn't be worried about premiums that they are collecting from your rather they should be making sure you are properly insured. If you feel you are paying to much call your current agent and do an insurance review and make sure you are properly covered. If you still feel you are paying to much shop around and make sure they will be providing you with the same coverage and the same service. I do think it is nice to have an agent that will help you personally rather than trying to get someone on the phone that has no relationship with you trying to help you.

[brian964]

In my experience it is cheaper getting quotes online. Some of the bigger companies offer discounts when ordering online, because it is less work for them. But to be safe you could compare quotes online, pick the best offer and try a local agency to see if they can match it or do better.

I recommend this site for online comparing: www.quotes-center.com

[muskielaw]

A few companies that are exceptional: USAA, Cincinnati, Chubb, West Bend, and Auto Owners. Sometimes these are not the cheapest carriers, but the coverage is much broader and it's worth it when you have a claim.

This is a great list of good companies to deal with when you have to actually make a claim. Yes you usually do have to pay a little more but that is because they will be reasonable with you when you have to make a claim whether property damage or personal injury. I would also add General Casualty. First thing that should be said is that you have to get the insurance that you can afford. With that being said you get what you pay for. What you have to remember is there are two sides to these companies 1) the sales side that is selling you their product. Dealing with this side of an insurance company is usually pleasant no matter who you are with and they will make you feel like they are the best and will take care of you in the time of need. The other side or dark side as I like to call it is the claims side of things which is really what sets the insurance companies a part. I will tell you that I deal with all of these companies on a daily bases. There are a few that you would never in a million years catch me owning with the top of the list right now being American Family followed by progressive and state farm. The reason these companies can offer insurance cheaper then everyone else is because when you have to make a claim most of the time they don’t treat you fairly and don’t make you a reasonable offer. This is my personal opinion from dealing with them daily so don’t shot me if you think otherwise or have had good experiences.

Most people don’t understand what is reasonable when they make an insurance claim because they have never been through the process and they accept settlements that are ridiculous just because they don’t know any better or don’t want to deal with it. Thus the insurance company pays less in claims and most rates stay low but the person that gets screwed is the one making the claim. In the case of a personal injury when you have medical bills and can’t work this can be devastating for a family Ask yourself why you are buying insurance? You are buying something that you hope you never have to use but in the unfortunate situation that you do have to make a claim you want to be treated fairly and get what you paid for. Again get what insurance you can afford but understand that if you actually have to use the insurance that you pay all this money for you may not be very happy with the end result with one company v. another. Just my 2 cents.

Also to the question about informing the insurance company about your daughter ABSOLUTLY 100% you need to tell them. Even if your daughter does not driver very much you have to understand if she is injured in a MV as a passenger and that car or the other involved vehicle either does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance you want to make sure your insurance policy will protect her. Talk to your agent about your Under-insurance and Uninsured coverage and make sure everyone in your family is protected. Your UM/UIM coverage is more important than your liabiity coverage because it is the only way to truly protect you and your family. Most agents don’t even talk to you about it because it is relatively cheap compared to liability coverage and they don’t make much on it but you definitely need to talk to them about it and again get as much as you can afford because you never no who is going to hit you in your car. Could be a drunk with NO insurance. How will your family be if that is the situation?

Muskie

[Hillbiehle]

Couldn’t agree more with Muskielaw and couldn't disagree more with a few other comments. Experience has provided me so many examples. I don't understand the concept of buying insurance online, but to each their own. If you're smart enough to understand what coverage’s you should have then go for it. Just don't complain when you have an uncovered claim.

Also, telling your agent that you are getting bids with the expectations that you will get the insurance cheaper is, to a point, inaccurate. Unlike commercial insurance, personal insurance is traditionally the "price is the price" until you start reducing coverage. If you have a captive agent, State Farm, AmFam etc.. I would be very cautious of an agent that worked extra hard to save you money. An agent with any ethics and brains will provide you the right coverage and would rather watch business walk out the door than sell inappropriate coverage just to retain the business.

Many people would be better off in the long run by buying insurance from a reputable agent and focusing on coverage from a quality carrier instead of saving $10 a month etc.. When a claim falls within a gray area, a reputable company will find a way to pay the claim, thus saving money in the long run. Many of the carriers that I see listed in this thread will find a way to get out of the claim until proven otherwise.

[NoWiser]

Muskielaw has some very good advice.

Being a contractor, I have worked with many homeowners over the last few years on storm damage claims. There are companies that are consistently great to work with and ones that, when I hear their names, I cringe.

In my experience, on the claims side of things, the one that is consistently the worst to deal with is State Farm. It amazes me some some of the things I've seen with them. From underestimating quantities by 20 or 30%, to being short on material costs, to missing entire sides of houses pounded by hail. Obviously this varies by adjuster, but it has been too much of a pattern for me to ignore. American Family is a close second, with many of the same concerns.

Some of the companies that have been very generous when it comes to claims have been Auto Owners, Farmers, and Western National.

My house is insured with Auto Owners.

[CigarGuy]

Thanks everyone for the great info. I googled "Auto Owners" and one of the agents happens to be a past parent of my sons hockey team. Her agency has a few other companies that came highly recommended, so I just emailed her to get started. Thanks for your help!

[delcecchi]

Can't say anything about the car insurance, but State farm has done right by me so far on homeowners. I do have the "replacement cost" thing. The 98 blowdown at the cabin and hail on the roof in rochester were all covered well.

[dustin85]

As far as claims, we have easily collected fair amounts from Auto Owners and Farmers. I gave up on State Farm all together several years ago when our agent was never available or had the time to deal with anyone. I know this was situational because I have had great service in the past from other State Farm agents. I have dealt with an independant broker in the past with bad luck. As soon as I signed my homeowners policy, the rate skyrocketed. I am currently (for the past 8-ish years) with Farmers. My wife has made one claim in the past 5 years. They were more than fair (Generous) with what they paid her (for her at-fault accident). There was NO hassle, negotiations, bickering, etc. They still offer rates that beat most others that I have received quotes from.

Dustin

[CigarGuy]

My son's car was backed into and totaled this fall and the party that hit him had Farmers. They were great to deal with and actually gave us a few hundred more than I payed for the car in the spring of last year. We did get a good deal on the car to begin with, but it sure was nice to get the added money for a replacement.

[echotrail]

About 1 year ago we shopped for a new auto/homeowners policy. We went to an independant agent and they price compared for several companies. Auto Owners came back with the best price by far and the agent told us they are very highly rated by consumers on handling claims. We added a 1 million dollar umbrulla policy for $100 per year. No claims yet, so I'm happy with them.

[CigarGuy]

That must be a pretty fancy umbrella you have!!!!!

Hopefully in a day of two, I will have a new quote from them to take a look at.