Foo - insurance

We could switch our home/car insurance from one company to 2 others, lose the home/auto discount, and still come out ahead ~$400/yr (unless the new companies start jacking their rates up 20%/yr). Is there any reason to stay w/ our current company? Is customer satisfaction important? Do customers ever like their insurance companies?

We could switch our home/car insurance from one company to 2 others, lose the home/auto discount, and still come out ahead ~$400/yr (unless the new companies start jacking their rates up 20%/yr). Is there any reason to stay w/ our current company? Is customer satisfaction important? Do customers ever like their insurance companies?

Yes there is a reason to pay higher preminums if the service provided by the carrier is outstanding. Also are you sure it's the exact same coverage if you switch? Cheap is not always better.

Do what you gotta do. We got tired of being handled like a hot potato by agents within the same company. We switched to a different company/agent, and actually saved a little- without having to provide credit scores.

My view is that auto insurance is used pretty frequently so I will pay a bit more to go with a company I know will take care of me in an accident. Home owners is almost never used so I will look at cheaper carriers for this plus the hurricane and flood insurance I have to carry. But I usually deal with a broker who will shop for me and find me the best rate. I was able to drop my hurricane insurance by over $1000/yr.

Have you tried calling the current company, explaining that you can do it cheaper by changing but would like to stick with them if you can, and ask if they can consider looking at your package and reconsider the price. They might drop their price to keep a customer.

We're planning on switching ours so everything (2 cars & house) are all in the same place. My house insurance is too high right now and more importantly, it has horrible coverage for bikes. The rider I'd have to carry to have them covered is astronomical.

As long as you are getting the coverage you want, I say switch.

Have you tried calling the current company, explaining that you can do it cheaper by changing but would like to stick with them if you can, and ask if they can consider looking at your package and reconsider the price. They might drop their price to keep a customer.

I did, they wouldn't. It's probably just as well they can't, I'd be annoyed if they're keeping it up 40% above geico just because I didn't think to ask.

woah! I went to the website of my company and they give me the exact same price as other websites, that 40% discount from where our agent has us.

The Girl and I have separate insurance policies because we get really great discounts for being long-term clients. I've had my auto insurance with Liberty Mutual for 20 years, and even though it's not registered as a recreational vehicle, I get the rates since I drive less than 2500 miles per year. That's the kind of treatment I appreciate with my insurance company, so I don't even look to switch.
The Girl covers her car and our renter's policy and gets a similar discount for being with her company for over 15 years. Through any changes we've had to make, there has only been one issue (very recently) due to a glitch between their billing system and our bank. The Girl talked to a CSR with the insurance company, they called the bank, got the problem resolved and removed any fees/penalties. 1 phone call, no arguing, no yelling.

I've been with my isnurance company for over 20 years now. They're consistently rated as one of the top three (if not the top) in the country. Their rates are competitive - sometimes a little bit higher than I could get elsewhere, but usually lower. And in many cases much lower. I'm willing to pay a bit more for the service I get with them.

When I bough a new car last year, it was partially because they had a deal where I got $4000 off the price. Above and beyond the manufacturers rebates and what I negotiated.

Car, house, valuable stuff rider etc.

I'd recommend them to you, but unless you qualify to be a member, you can't buy insurance through them: USAA.

They're also my bank and have great service at their bank.

I'd recommend them to you, but unless you qualify to be a member, you can't buy insurance through them: USAA.

They're also my bank and have great service at their bank.

Yes USAA is an excellent carrier but as you mentioned, many of us don't qualify as members.

Have you tried calling the current company, explaining that you can do it cheaper by changing but would like to stick with them if you can, and ask if they can consider looking at your package and reconsider the price. They might drop their price to keep a customer.

Take it step further and let them see the new policies. AS others have mentioned the coverages may not be identical. If they are not your current company will be glad to point out the differences, at least the ones where they prodice more. Depend on teh possible new carriers to point out where the current carrier give less.

I'm not sure where to go to find out about how the companies treat you after a claim.

My USAA experiences have been unreservedly pleasant, unlike any other I've ever dealt with. But yeah I can't join.

Take it step further and let them see the new policies. AS others have mentioned the coverages may not be identical. If they are not your current company will be glad to point out the differences, at least the ones where they prodice more. Depend on teh possible new carriers to point out where the current carrier give less.

I'm not sure where to go to find out about how the companies treat you after a claim.

Somebody recommended JD Power. The results there were equivocal. Also my state insurance commissioner has a database of complaints, and that's pretty cool.

We have a saying in the insurance world; if you want a policy that pays claims, its gonna cost you more.

There is a lot of wisdom in this thread. Compare, and always ask about coverage if your bike gets stolen when away from the house. If you have several good bikes, get them listed on a floater schedule.

woah! I went to the website of my company and they give me the exact same price as other websites, that 40% discount from where our agent has us.1. The agent is not your friend. They are out to make money for themselves.

2. Don''t believe everything on the interwebz.

My cars have been rear-ended several times so I've gotten to see how claims are processed with quite a number of different insurance companies, and there can definitely be a big difference between them.