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

[ozzie]

an umbrella policy for that price is a good deal......hopefully you will never have to use it but what a great piece of mind having it!!!

[delcecchi]

an umbrella policy for that price is a good deal......hopefully you will never have to use it but what a great piece of mind having it!!!

Also umbrella can pay for itself because you don't have to have huge limits on separate policies, only amount required by umbrella policy.

[Hillbiehle]

Spend the extra money and purchase excess uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if the carrrier offers.

[delcecchi]

Spend the extra money and purchase excess uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if the carrrier offers.

It is sure a good idea to have enough uninsured motorist coverage. An umbrella is also important, especially if you have assets worth protecting.

[Tom7227]

Price should not be your only indicator of who to do business with. Most important is what is covered - or not covered. Just this past week the TV news has talked about whether or not you have coverage for water from ice dams and sewer backups. If you want to compare you need to have someone list what is covered from the various providers you're looking at and then look at the cost and decide what you want not just what they're willing to sell. The quality of claims response is another issue but I suspect that trying to get that answer is a lot like the Ford vs. Chev sort of debates you see all the time.

[Hillbiehle]

Quote: "It is sure a good idea to have enough uninsured motorist coverage. An umbrella is also important, especially if you have assets worth protecting"

What I mean is, when purchasing an umbrella, spend the extra money by adding an additional layer of excess uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on the umbrella. This will be in excess of the primary auto policy's excess UM & UIM.

[delcecchi]

Interesting. I didn't know this was an option. I will have to check it out, thanks.

[Ice_Fishin07]

Does anybody have any experience with Harleysville Insurance? I am getting very good quote from them and thinking about switching from my AM Fam. Any reviews?

[vikingmeatwad]

We have AAA and had Ice Dam damage thats over 10k now with steaming them off, etc.

They have been great and have paid quickly. I did send them good bids though, none of these contractors that take advantage of the ins companies.

[mamohr686]

When I was your son's age my dad was pretty strict regarding insurace. If I got in an accident, or lost a discount, I was required to pay the difference. That was enough motivation for me to be a safer/defensive driver, and keep the grades in check.

[Swimmer]

If you or one of your parents was ever in the military then USAA Insurance can't be beat (as far as I know). I have tried calling around for quotes and as soon as I mention USAA they say sorry, can't touch that.

[eyeguy 54]

I just switched car to AAA and it looks good. Got a home quote and also from Travelors. WOW, travelors is 350 lower than 3 others. Looks like time to switch home to them.

[311Hemi]

If you or one of your parents was ever in the military then USAA Insurance can't be beat (as far as I know). I have tried calling around for quotes and as soon as I mention USAA they say sorry, can't touch that.

If I am 32 and my father was in the military does that count? Or did you mean for younger kids still living with their parents?

[CigarGuy]

Finally had a chance to review my insurance quote. After discussing my needs she checked several companies and decided that EMC worked best for me. My wife said that for the last couple of years it seemed like our insurance kept going up, it wasn't until my son's grades dropped to just under a "B" average and they raised the rate about $1000.00 that forced me to get new quotes. Boy, was I getting screwed!! She also determined that I was under-insured, so I getting better coverage and saving a ton of money. I'm embarrassed to say but here goes....

Before....auto $5438.00 Now....$2474.48

Homeowners $2318.00 Now ...$1316.20

Total $7756.00 Total $3790.68

Savings $4000.00 per year ... HOLY COW!!!

I'm going to wait till the new policy arrives before I cancel my old one. I trust her, but I can't believe the difference. I'm also getting better coverage! EMC looks to have a very good rating.

[ozzie]

glad you found a company that gives you a price you like to hear.....now let's hope you never have to find out what their claims handling process is.....congrats on the savings though!! new boat in your future??

[CigarGuy]

Do you know something about the way they handle claims????? From the reviews I read, they look good????? No, new boat just bought a truck 4 months ago.

[MrBig]

Does anyone know about coverage on broken water pipes?

I switched to Progressive 1 year ago for lower rates. Then last month I've had 2 copper pipes spring leaks in the basement - corroding from the inside of the pipe! I had never heard of this (house is 23 years old), but a friend said this can happen. I talked to Progressive yesterday, concerned that the pipes in the walls may burst some day, leaving extensive damage. Their policy is to cover the repairs of walls, etc, but NOT the pipe repair. I don't get it since that would be the cause and would be a major plumbing bill to replace pipes throughout the house.

So is this a standard policy, or do other companies cover the pipe repair? I can start shoping for insurance again, but wanted some advice before asking each company. I also have a trampoline which causes some companies to shy away from my house.

[FishLocker]

I had a carpet cleaning business and did water damage and dealt with insurance companies all the time. Reputations have changed in that time, but Farmers was the only company that offered a good policy for the business at that time so got home and auto with them too, and never had a problem with claims.

Changed to State Farm with my remodeling business (and home, auto, boat, etc) with no problems with claims.

Most recently (4 years ago) changed to Horace Mann (yup the teachers insurance company) they now cover non-teachers. They have great rates, great service (ask any teacher) and my agent drives from Buffalo to south of the river just to review our overall insurance situation every year...love love love their service and attention. I highly recomend Horace Mann.

Also, good idea if there is a damage claim to get a quote or two from contractors, repair shops etc before the adjuster gets there. I have found when I already had a quote for the repairs on the table for my client in most cases the adjuster just rubber stamped it and went on to the next one. Informed is armed :-)

There are a number of references to umbrella policies...I have a 3 million dollar umbrella and hope to never have to use it. This kicks in if claims are over and above your other coverage. Death of someone elses child or maybe injury that puts someone in the position of never working another day in their lives (lost potential income etc) will be followed with a multi million dollar law suit which the umbrella police is there to pick up (simplified explaination, ask your agent for specifics). Very cheap insurance and very good idea.

As to your plumbing rotting from the inside. Check your house ground. In a house that age the electrician may have grounded your electrical box to the copper water supply line. Very common. If you have since added, say, a water softener or whole house filter, you have broken the ground and the residual charge in the pipes that is not grounded will corrode the pipes. One tell tale sign is that you have a blue tint appearing over time to porcelain toilets, sinks, tubs etc. But not always. I just fixed one that has had the ground interupted for almost 30 years and the toilet and sink started turning light blue over the last 2 years finally. It is now fixed. Check your ground.

[MrBig]

Thanks for the suggestion, but the ground is fine. Back to the drawing board.

[lutherallen]

I just switched to The Hartford and saved significant money by combining home and car insurance with them. The coverages are better and I’ve bought umbrella insurance for $2million too.

[Biggerfish]

I would let them know the situation if she may be there?

Beware of switching companies....let your current company know you found cheaper rates and give them a chance to come close. It is ashame we have to keep them honest but it is what it is.

Laws are written to help insurance companies and leave us common people hanging. Switching puts you in a limpo position. Even if you never had a gap in coverage. I would be writing for days to explain it all here....Just beware of changing companies.