• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Would you switch insurance companies to save $120/yr?

JEDI

JEDI

Lifer
Traveler's insurance gave me a combined quote for $120/yr less than my current insurance company. (home/car/umbrella)

my current insurance company just said they cant match it.

I have a 'personal agent' w/my current vs a 800 # with Traveler's.
I have a feeling that $120 is his commission??

anyway, would you switch to save $120/yr?
 
If the coverage is the same or better, why wouldn't you switch?

Are you on the verge of getting some kind of "loyal customer" discount?
 
If I only consider what I currently have (Renter's Insurance), then yes, I would, as it would basically make it free.

I guess it depends on the insurance, whether I'm happy with the company, and whether the coverage would be comparable.
 
I switch my car insurance every 6 months to save about $200-$250 a year. Geico and Progressive both offer big "switch now and save" discounts that disappear when you go to renew. So I take the 6 month policy to get the new policy savings, then switch to the other after the 6 months is over and the price goes up. Been doing that for about 8 years now and it keeps working.

The $64K question is how much of a hassle is it to switch? If you have to jump through a bunch of hoops to get the new policy don't bother. If it takes 2 minutes and a couple of clicks, go for it. Insurance companies are a necessary evil, but they're all rip-offs. Take the one that will rip you off the least.
 
if coverage is the same, and you like to keep your 120 dollars, go with that. if you don't like that 120 dollars and it gives you a warm and fuzzy having someone's shoulder to cry on, then go with that.
 
Coverage allowances, exclusions, riders, claims service, etc can all be worth an extra $120/year when you need it.

Saving money is great, especially when it's the same limits of liability, but even then the coverage definitions and exclusions can drastically change how you're treated.

Example: Some auto insurers have special "glass only" deductibles under Other-than-collision coverage for broken windshields. A $1000 general deductible is a pisser when you have a crack and other insurers offer a $100 glass only deductible...
 
If it's Amica or USAA, it's never worth switching to save a few bucks.

After all, insurance is about having these motherfuckers pay up when the shit hits the fan with your stuff.

Ask anyone who's lived in New Orleans during Katrina how well Allstate or State Farm or [company name] lived up to their promises. :hmm:
.
.
.
....BTW....Travelers is one of the worst rated insurance companies. Do your research my friend....
 
Last edited:
If lowest premiums were my main goal, I'd merely raise my deductible. But at least one poster realizes that it is important to choose a company which will make good on its promises and not short-pay when the time comes. Simply choosing the lowest premium without any other consideration is a myopic strategy.
 
Phone your current insurance provider and say "company B is offering me this much for the same coverage". Gotta make them compete with each other. Just make sure the other company is a reputable provider.

dr150 said:
If it's Amica or USAA, it's never worth switching to save a few bucks.

After all, insurance is about having these motherfuckers pay up when the shit hits the fan with your stuff.

Ask anyone who's lived in New Orleans during Katrina how well Allstate or State Farm or [company name] lived up to their promises. :hmm:
.
.
.
....BTW....Travelers is one of the worst rated insurance companies. Do your research my friend....
Click to expand...

State Farm are really tight with their money for sure. IIRC, they only authorized up to $35/day for a rental replacement regardless of what you drove. Could have even been less than that. So we had to put people driving Jaguars and Benzes into Chevy Cobalts. They weren't happy. Every other insurance provider pays for a rental of comparable class to your car.
 
dr150 said:
If it's Amica or USAA, it's never worth switching to save a few bucks.

After all, insurance is about having these motherfuckers pay up when the shit hits the fan with your stuff.

Ask anyone who's lived in New Orleans during Katrina how well Allstate or State Farm or [company name] lived up to their promises. :hmm:
.
.
.
....BTW....Travelers is one of the worst rated insurance companies. Do your research my friend....
Click to expand...

I don't qualify for usaa. Amica?

http://www.insurance.com/home-and-r...t-and-worst-insurers-for-property-claims.html

hm.. jd powers ranks travelers is slightly below avg, with avg = 840
Travelers -- 830
 
Last edited:
An insurance agent is actually qualified to talk to you about what covers what. For example, if you have oil tank heating, an independent agent can tell you if you need a special pollution liability policy. If you're buying online or over the phone with direct sellers, you might not get so much knowledge.

Also, there is a possibility that an independent agent may have a better deal for you with companies that don't distribute online. I rated myself with all the online companies I could find and then still saved an extra $150 with one of the companies at my agency that doesn't do online.
 
Having an agent with an office right here close to me, who I can actually meet with face to face if I wanted to, and with a company I've been with for over 30 years that treats me accordingly, it's worth it to me to pay 1, or 2 hundred more. Also, you will be given teaser rates to switch, but in a year or two you will be kicking yourself for ever switching. It took almost 2 weeks for my neighbors rep, ( the animated lizard ) to even start her claim. Of coarse, this was probably because it was the small back water town of San Diego Ca.
 
I would switch over $120, no question. Insurance companies these days think they can 'adjust' your premium magically in amounts of $100+ every year. That is RIDICULOUS. Unless you had an accident or are more at risk there is no reason they should be adjusting your costs that much.

Anytime an auto insurance company wants to fuck me over and say "Eh, just raise his rate $100 this year, they will be too lazy to change" I tell them to go fuck themselves and switch. It's a gimmick. It's like anything else (Cable companies, cell-phone companies etc...) The longer you go with them, the more they hope you just pay the bill without even looking if they charge more.
 
By the way, this topic is pretty close to what I actually do. I work in insurance, but on the commercial side (business insurance). Now, when you shop your personal insurance, auto is easy (drivers, vehicles, and that's it), and homeowner's isn't much more involved.

Business insurance, though, is pretty complicated. Do you that own, or manage businesses, how do you feel about the process? Are you comfortable filling out 4-5 page applications?

Apart from the complexity, it can be quite similar. You should shop your insurance at least every couple of years. The problem is that for best results and accuracy you do need to update applications, and yes, that means updating information like how old the electrical, heating, plumbing and roof of your building is. I know that's tedious and annoying to check on, but it really does help.
 
s0me0nesmind1 said:
I would switch over $120, no question. Insurance companies these days think they can 'adjust' your premium magically in amounts of $100+ every year. That is RIDICULOUS. Unless you had an accident or are more at risk there is no reason they should be adjusting your costs that much.

Anytime an auto insurance company wants to fuck me over and say "Eh, just raise his rate $100 this year, they will be too lazy to change" I tell them to go fuck themselves and switch. It's a gimmick. It's like anything else (Cable companies, cell-phone companies etc...) The longer you go with them, the more they hope you just pay the bill without even looking if they charge more.
Click to expand...

Not so with my insurance, I have received reductions, or no increases due to filing no claims, or being a loyal customer.
 
They won't match, but will they meet half way?

Are the extra forms, correspondence, thinking, and trouble worth the $120/yr? I blow $10 a day just on eating out...
 
Drako said:
If the coverage is the same or better, why wouldn't you switch?

Are you on the verge of getting some kind of "loyal customer" discount?
Click to expand...

For me...MAYBE. It really depends on the insurance company and how good they are with handling claims. IMO, there's more to insurance than JUST the price. (although that is a factor)
 
If I was happy with the insurance I had, no. I like dealing with known quantities, and I'd consider the extra $120 hassle "insurance".
 
maniacalpha1-1 said:
An insurance agent is actually qualified to talk to you about what covers what. For example, if you have oil tank heating, an independent agent can tell you if you need a special pollution liability policy. If you're buying online or over the phone with direct sellers, you might not get so much knowledge.

Also, there is a possibility that an independent agent may have a better deal for you with companies that don't distribute online. I rated myself with all the online companies I could find and then still saved an extra $150 with one of the companies at my agency that doesn't do online.
Click to expand...

I switched.

this wasn't an independent agent. he worked for the insurance company.
my former insurance company has local agents (ie: State Farm/Nationwide) as opposed to a 800 #)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top