Car Insurance-Any Company I should Avoid?

[My3kiddos]

I just switched from Liberty Mutual to Auto Owners. I never had any problems with claims with Liberty Mutual except for them being slow, but we had a fire almost 2 years ago and our rate has went up 49% each renewal since then. Soooo I switched everything! Liberty Mutual wouldn't insure our motorcycle so it was thru State Farm, but Auto Owner's would. We are now saving over $1000 a year compared to what we would have paid Liberty Mutual (with new rate) and State Farm. Auto Owners also didn't have a problem with us having a claim. Their reasoning was "they have already had their big claim and everything in the house was replaced, so they should be good." I hope they are right!

 

[Lorix2]

That is exactly what I was going to say about Progressive. They gave me a quote and I switched. Then they sent a letter saying they wanted proof of our alarm system. I had the window sticker and paperwork from when we bought the car so I photocopied them and mailed it in. Then they sent me the exact same letter. I called and they said they needed some kind of "official" paperwork. I had nothing else. I offered to drive the car over to one of their offices and let an employee SEE my alarm system.

No ... then they started sending me bills with all these other fees etc. I paid the current month's bill and switched to Geico. A little higher quote but no problems with Geico.

Long story, but it was ridiculous.

We did have Allstate but when our oldest son started driving at 16 our rates skyrocketed well beyond other companies quotes and they would not work with us at all to get it reasonable. It made me really pissy because we were long, long time customers of theirs both house and auto and had never made one single claim. So then we switched and they started a mass campaign of "We Want You Back!!!" I'm still kind of annoyed with them but maybe I should shop them again.

About Progressive, I just noticed that my quote was for $139.00 per month and they have been taking out $159.00!!! GRRR!! I just started with them in January.

I left Allstate for the same reason you did, becaues of my DD19. They told me the good student discount for B average and above would be "hefty". It was $18.26 per 6 months and the premium was much more than most. I left left Allstate to go to Progressive and now this about bait and switch. I don't think you can leave Progressive without penalty unless 6 months have passed though...I'll have to find out.

A guy from Liberty Mutual keeps hounding me, I'll call him back.

 

[DisneyChula]

I just switched from Progressive to Geico. I never had any service issues with Progressive, because I didn't have any claims. I am just getting way better coverage fro way cheaper!

 

[JB2K]

My husband has dealt with safe auto before, that is one company he would avoid like the plague.

Judging by the marketing, Safe Auto seems to cater to those who need proof of insurance (and may have a hard time getting it through other carriers).

We have conflicting views on Erie. He is the fixed operations director for a dealership. From his viewpoint, they are good to deal with and make sure the person is fully happy with their repair. My neighbor's nephew was hit by someone with Erie. He was leaving school, following the lanes properly and was hit by a girl cutting across the lanes. They tried finding him 50% at fault. I don't know whatever became of that though.

My car was totaled in February by a driver insured with Erie (my carrier is USAA).

I can honestly say that the Erie claims representative responded in a professional manner and settled with me, quickly (with a check that was very close to what I considered the vehicle to be worth), which eliminated the need for me to deal with my carrier.

Not sure about Erie's rates, but I have to admit their service was really good!

 

[JB2K]

Do you have to be in the military to be able to join USAA?

Generally, you have to be affilaited with the military in some form to do business with USAA (active/reserve/retired, and most recently, honorably discharged veterans).

Family members of members, to include former spouses, are also eligible.

A complete list of eligibles is right here.

 

[Golf4food]

You will find good and bad experiences with any of the major insurance companies. You just need to shop around and get quotes from 3-5 companies and go with your gut from there (lowest price is not always the best option, btw).

Additionally, I don't think I've seen anyone suggest Amica Mutual. They are very highly rated and often suggested by Clark Howard. We've never had to file a claim with them, but what interaction we have had has been nice and their rates are good.