Insurance

I have 5 vehicles one motorcycle to be insured every year, plus my home owners insurance, my tractor business liability work insurance, and insurance where I park my tractors. About all I can change is my auto insurance. AAA gave me a quote about 500.00 cheaper on my vehicles. Anyone have State Farm, and switch to AAA? Anyone see a problem switching, other than saving 500 a year? stan

(quoted from post at 18:10:43 10/04/17) I have 5 vehicles one motorcycle to be insured every year, plus my home owners insurance, my tractor business liability work insurance, and insurance where I park my tractors. About all I can change is my auto insurance. AAA gave me a quote about 500.00 cheaper on my vehicles. Anyone have State Farm, and switch to AAA? Anyone see a problem switching, other than saving 500 a year? stan

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Google em to see of any reported problems like slow claim payoffs and such.

Rick

Just make sure they aren't reducing your dollar amount on the coverage.

I went from Nationwide to USAA about three years ago, increased my coverage and still came in about $600 a year cheaper. So far, the service has been great...

Better check with your agent first, tell him/her what you are thinking about doing. They might match the offer.

But I found out the hard way, when my mom quit driving, I called and canceled her auto policy. Then got a homeowners bill that increased WAY more than the auto policy cost!
I called them, asking what was going on. Said since the auto policy was dropped, the "multi-policy" discount went away. I offered to reinstate the auto policy. No, since it was dropped, it would have to start over as a new policy, and at her age, it would be considerably more.

I argued with them, asked if they thought that was a good way to treat senior citizens. They would not budge.

Sold the house shortly after that, so was able to cancel the entire policy.

Just be careful, they won't volunteer any information without asking!

I currently have State Farm insurance. It is not cheap but it does have good coverage. They promptly paid me for the damage the wind and trees did this spring. My rates did not go up at renewal time this year.

I had AAA insurance 4-5 years ago. Watch out for what they will cover or not. I put a flat bed on my one pickup and AAA would not insure it after that.

(quoted from post at 19:28:04 10/04/17) I put a flat bed on my one pickup and AAA would not insure it after that.

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I bought an older cargo van last year. Planned on taking the box off and putting on a flatbed, or maybe building a rollback. My insurance agent (State Farm) said they would cover it, but would have to re-write the policy, as it would change the type of vehicle, which changes the details they go by for valuating the vehicle.

i HAVE sTATE Farm. About 2 years ago I had a major fire in one of my rental houses. I was so satisfied with their service and coverage and helpfulness that it would take something major for me to ever change. I just cannot say enough good about them.

[b:4a46b4212d]flying belgian[/b:4a46b4212d] -- Me too, usually. A few years back, we had a 1996 GMC 3/4-ton Suburban in unbelievable condition and with new tires. The Burb was fully loaded, leather seats, the works! The adjuster made it out to be some rusted-out pile of junk worth literally nothing. Said it wasn't even worth $1800. We'd just paid a lot more than that, and it was well worth every penny! Mileage when we got it was 72k!! Had the 454 engine in it also. He listed it without leather, without A/C, without.....well, without anything except maybe a steering wheel! THAT is the only bad experience we've had with State Farm in nearly 20 years, and that wasn't the company - it was this one adjuster!

There are more adjusters out there like this one, believe you me!! And sadly, the company will reward these A-holes due to how much money they save the company. These guys wouldn't make it past first base if all folks would stand their ground and fight back - but sadly, most will simply roll over and be taken advantage of.

Don,
I've been with USAA for 54 years. Their service has always been great and their rates too. I don't think you can beat them.

I've been with State Farm for about 30 years. Their service is excellent but they are EXPENSIVE.

I did an online quote from Liberty Mutual a few months ago (auto only) and the rate was MUCH lower.

Pondering things now.

Dean

We dropped State Farm about ten years ago,Shelter saved us $500.00 a year, and more when we moved the house to them.

(quoted from post at 20:28:04 10/04/17) I've been with State Farm for about 30 years. Their service is excellent but they are EXPENSIVE.

I did an online quote from Liberty Mutual a few months ago (auto only) and the rate was MUCH lower.

Pondering things now.

Dean

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When I first got off my folks insurance, when I got married in college, I went to buy State Farm insurance. Their ads had appealed to me as a kid and I was an eager customer.

I went to the local agent and was given the brush off. He didn't have the time, told me to come back later.

I guess later is not here yet, that was 1971.

I've had Farmers for 30 years. I made ONE claim on wind damage to my roof. They paid but they immediately raised my rates for the home AND for the vehicles on the same policy. I dropped them after that lack of loyalty.

Guys, I keep saying........you get what you pay for. You don't have insurance because your mortgage requires it or state laws say to drive you have to have it.........you have it for when your roof blows off or some jerk without insurance rear ends you at a light. It's at the point of the loss when you find out what kind of service you are going to get. May be great service or it may be the type that involves the bull. A few companies have a reputation for great service like State Farm and American Family. There are some other good ones out there too. But then there are some.....who make you fight for every dime. Darned adjuster acts like it's his money. Remember good service with insurance isn't how well the agent treats you, it's how the company treats you when you file a claim.

Rick

...and I'll continue to maintain that if you blindly buy into an insurance policy thinking you will be "made whole" in the event of a loss, THINK AGAIN. READ YOUR POLICY. All it says is you'll get something based on the current market value of similar vehicles.

You pay way too much for a pristine 20 year old truck expecting that you'll get what you paid for it if it gets in a wreck, you're in for a surprise. Most vehicles that old are rusted out heaps or in the junk pile. THAT is what your insurance policy says you'll get, and that's how the adjuster will value it. It's in your policy, in black and white.

If you want to be "made whole" in the event of a loss you need to buy a policy to that effect. ""New car replacement" insurance or "agreed-upon value" insurance is what you want. Many of the larger companies will give you new car replacement insurance, and collector car insurance companies do agreed-upon value. Be aware though, that it is EXPENSIVE.

That said, I've been very happy with GEICO. Had my first claim ever last summer when I hit the flagpole in my front yard and did ~$2000 worth of body damage to my truck. The adjuster found damage I didn't even notice, wrote it all up, and cut me a check.

(quoted from post at 02:58:52 10/05/17) .... Said since the auto policy was dropped, the "multi-policy" discount went away. I offered to reinstate the auto policy. No, since it was dropped, it would have to start over as a new policy, and at her age, it would be considerably more.

I argued with them, asked if they thought that was a good way to treat senior citizens. They would not budge.

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One thing you and everyone needs to understand is that insurance is a highly regulated business where you can't f*rt without the state Department of Insurance approving it. The rules that are filed with the state have to be strictly and evenly applied to all insureds or you are in non-compliance and can be fined or lose your license and authority to operate. No company will risk that for one insured. If you don't like it take it up with your state legislators as that is the law. Discretion is only allowed where there is no rule, law or DOI regulation governing it.

(quoted from post at 12:53:09 10/05/17) ...and I'll continue to maintain that if you blindly buy into an insurance policy thinking you will be "made whole" in the event of a loss, THINK AGAIN. READ YOUR POLICY. All it says is you'll get something based on the current market value of similar vehicles.

You pay way too much for a pristine 20 year old truck expecting that you'll get what you paid for it if it gets in a wreck, you're in for a surprise. Most vehicles that old are rusted out heaps or in the junk pile. THAT is what your insurance policy says you'll get, and that's how the adjuster will value it. It's in your policy, in black and white.

If you want to be "made whole" in the event of a loss you need to buy a policy to that effect. ""New car replacement" insurance or "agreed-upon value" insurance is what you want. Many of the larger companies will give you new car replacement insurance, and collector car insurance companies do agreed-upon value. Be aware though, that it is EXPENSIVE.

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Well said B.E. Glad to see that at least one person here understands how insurance works and not how they would like it to work. The owner of the pristine 'burban should have contacted a company like Hagerty Ins. (also sold through some standard companies) for a specialty policy.

(quoted from post at 04:53:09 10/05/17)
and collector car insurance companies do agreed-upon value. Be aware though, that it is EXPENSIVE.

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You've obviously never bought collector car insurance. When I got my first old car, a 1937 street rod, imagine my surprise that they wanted $200 per [b:6ffe1e8988]year[/b:6ffe1e8988] for full coverage. Limited to 5,000 miles per year, but higher mileage is not that much more. I don't think $200 per year is expensive for liability, comprehensive, and collision for a value higher than what I paid.

But I get tired of companies offering to lower their prices after I leave.

Went through the same thing as your Mom, local agent of 20 years offered to match the new lower (by $1200/year) auto rate, told me the home/farm rates would go up if I switched.

So I asked him if I would get a refund for what I felt I was overcharged the last few years.

Wound up saving $2000/year by changing both.

Fred

Get a quote from Auto-Owners too. I have had them for along time and had a few claims on Autos and they handled them fine.
Every so often I will get a quote from other places and so far no others have done any better on price. I did get a good quote from Farmers ,but they wanted to charge me like $ 25.00 fee per car to do the switch ? well this would of ate up any money I saved so I stayed with the devil I knew.

My Daughter being only 19 at the time, Auto-owners did not want to insure her on her own I think because of her age. She is with another company with her house and car. Her house rate is similar to mine but her car is pretty much double of what her Moms car is and they are the EXACT same cars ! only color is different.

I just got my annual renewal from SF. Discounts:
Home alert $26
Renewal $301
Home/Auto $678...............bingo!

Having to keep my place in Ag. to retain my Ad valorem tax discount which is significant, I have to farm, regardless of other motives. Therefore I need equipment and buildings to support the equipment that is used to maintain the place as such. SF covers it all in my homeowner's policy. The farm buildings are covered under "Dwelling Extensions" and the equipment under "Personal Property". "Loss of use" is actual loss sustained. It's all tied to the insured value of the residence as a percentage, quite abundant if you ask me.

Deduct is 1% of value of dwelling for everything. So you have to keep your stuff locked up when the sticky fingered folks are around as you get to eat the loss up to your 1%. This cost can be mitigated by having the dwelling listed for what it is. My house is not what you see built these days in town.....everybody thinks they need a castle. Policy is not based on what my taxes use (current value) but on replacement cost. As a result my policy states "for common construction" and that is not the extravagance practiced in town. Saves me bucks on the annual cost and reduces the amount of the 1% deduct. in case of a loss.....actually $50 a month on premium and $700 in deduct. on a loss.

Personal liability is a separate line item.

I switched to AARP (The Hartford) 2 years ago. Their price for one year was the same as Farmers was charging me for 6 months apples to apples. Have to be a member to get their insurance

kcm.MN, It IS about the agent. I had Preferred Risk (now Guide one) and a drugged up girl ran a red light causing me to 'broadside' her. Both my 2 year old's daughter's legs were broken. I had plenty of witnesses to it but my agent told me "I'm sorry; you don't have full coverage and I can't recommend any legal remedy". Little girl is now 39 years old and I'm still bothered by this 'christians' attitude. I switched to State Farm and have NEVER had a problem. Again, it's the Agent. Either he wants your business or he doesn't care. I have a Renault Caravelle insured with State Farm and that the Company didn't have any experience with that particular vehicle; my agent said 'no problem-once corporate gets a handle, you'll have a premium. Imagine---State Farm didn't have a risk factor, but my agent was on MY side.

Our agent was literally a lifesaver for us! When that accident happened, my Dad had just passed from cancer (well, sort of), and Mom was in a nursing home with advanced Alzheimer's. The adjuster in the case really tried to screw us. Things got so bad that the wife wanted me to call our agent. I tried to reason that there wasn't much they could do to help, but how wrong I was!! After several months of fighting with them on an issue, we heard our agent call up someone from the head claims office and ream that girl a new bung hole!! The agent finally DEMANDED that they (the claims office) stop bothering us!

We had already had our money long before that time, but there was another flub in the system concerning the title of the now-totaled Burb. State Farm kept overnighting us paperwork for power of attorney concerning the title, but they kept screwing up the paperwork. Our agent spent at least 5 hours that I know of dealing with them. After the agent put their foot down that last time, we never heard anything more from that head claims office. So yes, the agent can play a big roll "after-the-sale"....if they want to! That said, there's only [i:023290b53b]so much[/i:023290b53b] they can do, also.

And as for adjusters, we had a hail storm go through a few years back - damaged the sheet metal on one of the trucks. It was VERY slight, but the wife wanted me to call in. She said what's the use of paying full coverage all the time if we never use it? Well, an adjuster came out and looked at the truck. Said right up front that if I shop around, that the check will likely cover all the damages, including paint. Then he went to the plow truck and wrote an even bigger check for it....even though I didn't even ask about that truck! That time, an amazing adjuster for sure!