Vehicular Insurance nightmare

[Hawkeye OG]

I dont want to give out their name till it is settled.. just trying to be prudent- but it is a cheapo company. I cringed when I saw their name.

That sucks. I hate people who just pay for the cheapest option. Goes along with the saying "You get what you pay for." I receive quite a few nice discounts from my carrier that really brings my premium down, but I am more then okay with paying a little extra to get superb service.

 

[airtime143]

That sucks. I hate people who just pay for the cheapest option. Goes along with the saying "You get what you pay for." I receive quite a few nice discounts from my carrier that really brings my premium down, but I am more then okay with paying a little extra to get superb service.

What really sucks is that their savings becomes your headache!

 

[airtime143]

But, if you want a good insurance company, go with Nationwide. Best company I've ever worked with. I have my car, home, pet, and some financial accounts with them. They take care of you.

Have you used the pet insurance? If so, for what, and how was it?

 

[Hawkeye OG]

Have you used the pet insurance? If so, for what, and how was it?

Basically, the way it works, you pay a monthly premium. Mines $30 and you have a $250 deductible. Once you hit that deductible, the insurance covers every vet expense after that. Medications, Xrays, tests, etc. I had one vet visit earlier this year and the total was $300-something. I paid it and filed a claim with the receipt. I only had to pay $250 and the rest was covered by insurance and will be for the rest of the year. It's nice if you have a breed that is prone to health issues.

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

State farm is awesome.

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Meh, I have State Farm now and am about to switch. I've dealt with them for car issues and home owners and they ALWAYS nickel and dime you to death.

 

[BaBaBlacksheep]

That sucks. I hate people who just pay for the cheapest option. Goes along with the saying "You get what you pay for." I receive quite a few nice discounts from my carrier that really brings my premium down, but I am more then okay with paying a little extra to get superb service.

A good company is a good company.....regardless of price. I've dealt with many good companies that charge less for things and bust their ass for you. Totally depends on the company.

 

[Novak]

A good company is a good company.....regardless of price. I've dealt with many good companies that charge less for things and bust their ass for you. Totally depends on the company.

It depends moreso on your agent than the company they represent. Find a good agent that you trust, and feel will work for you not against you. Insurance rates between companies fluctuate, but balance out over time. There's very little inherent differences between allstate, state farm, farmers etc

I strongly suggest avoiding insurance companies that work like brokers instead of with individual agents, ie progressive geico etc

 

[Hawkeye OG]

It depends moreso on your agent than the company they represent. Find a good agent that you trust, and feel will work for you not against you. Insurance rates between companies fluctuate, but balance out over time. There's very little inherent differences between allstate, state farm, farmers etc

I strongly suggest avoiding insurance companies that work like brokers instead of with individual agents, ie progressive geico etc

False. You want an Independent agent who has contracts with multiple insurance companies. Independent agents represent insureds, while Exclusive agents represent the insurer because they are an employee of the Insurer and don't actually own their book of business. Geico and Progressive are able to be cheaper because they use a direct distribution model to sell their insurance, thus meaning they don't have to pay commission, which is typically 15% on new business. That's why they say they can save you 15%. If you have multiple different risks that need insured (Auto, Home, Toys, Inland marine, umbrella, etc) you want an independent agent who can act as an advisor and accurately assess your risks. If you're a 20 year old kid who only needs an Auto policy, then sure, go with a direct or exclusive agent.

 

[Novak]

False. You want an Independent agent who has contracts with multiple insurance companies. Independent agents represent insureds, while Exclusive agents represent the insurer because they are an employee of the Insurer and don't actually own their book of business. Geico and Progressive are able to be cheaper because they use a direct distribution model to sell their insurance, thus meaning they don't have to pay commission, which is typically 15% on new business. That's why they say they can save you 15%. If you have multiple different risks that need insured (Auto, Home, Toys, Inland marine, umbrella, etc) you want an independent agent who can act as an advisor and accurately assess your risks. If you're a 20 year old kid who only needs an Auto policy, then sure, go with a direct or exclusive agent.

It doesn't matter how many "toys" you want insured, it is in your best interest to work with someone who knows more about the industry than you do. You just have to make sure that individual is trustworthy, which was my first point.

And your 15% commission rate on new business is a bit high. It's close to 12%, with an 8% commission for every renewal IIRC

If your goal is to save nickels and dimes, don't be caught off guard when you, in turn, get nickel and dimed.

 

[Hawkeye OG]

It doesn't matter how many "toys" you want insured, it is in your best interest to work with someone who knows more about the industry than you do. You just have to make sure that individual is trustworthy, which was my first point.

And your 15% commission rate on new business is a bit high. It's close to 12%, with an 8% commission for every renewal IIRC

Exactly why you would want to work with an Independent agent. They are more reputable and serve as advisors as opposed to someone with a high school diploma. Carrier's will hire anyone willing to sell their insurance exclusively and then not own their own book. Commission structure is going to vary based on the carrier and 15% could be high nowadays. Personal lines insurance is not profitable at all for carriers.

 

[Novak]

Exactly why you would want to work with an Independent agent. They are more reputable and serve as advisors as opposed to someone with a high school diploma. Carrier's will hire anyone willing to sell their insurance exclusively and then not own their own book. Commission structure is going to vary based on the carrier and 15% could be high nowadays. Personal lines insurance is not profitable at all for carriers.

In my experience in the industry, independent agents are generally much more sleazy, and have no other interests besides lining their pockets. I'm not going to make a sweeping statement and say they all suck (like you did with your HS diploma comment), as I'm sure there's great ones out there.

Personal lines aren't at all profitable. I believe almost every high profile company took a loss last year on auto, which is why we've seen such a spike in auto rates this year.

 

[Hawkeye OG]

In my experience in the industry, independent agents are generally much more sleazy, and have no other interests besides lining their pockets. I'm not going to make a sweeping statement and say they all suck (like you did with your HS diploma comment), as I'm sure there's great ones out there.

Personal lines aren't at all profitable. I believe almost every high profile company took a loss last year on auto, which is why we've seen such a spike in auto rates this year.

Not going to make a sweeping statement, but make a sweeping statement about independent agents trustworthiness? This is a really pointless conversation and it doesn't matter lol, just differing opinions. In my personal experience and professional experience as well, I would never use an exclusive agent for several reasons.

1. They represent the Insurer. Insurance is a contract of adhesion. Insureds have no say in said contract, therefore, I want somebody representing me. Not the company.
2. They can only sell one carriers products. (This may be changing in the future for Commercial lines)
3. In my personal experience and professional (don't want to make a sweeping statement) they can't act as insurance advisors as well as an independent agent can. Sure, I'm sure there are some really good exclusive/direct agents out there, but not for me.

 

[Novak]

Not going to make a sweeping statement, but make a sweeping statement about independent agents trustworthiness? This is a really pointless conversation and it doesn't matter lol, just differing opinions. In my personal experience and professional experience as well, I would never use an exclusive agent for several reasons.

1. They represent the Insurer. Insurance is a contract of adhesion. Insureds have no say in said contract, therefore, I want somebody representing me. Not the company.
2. They can only sell one carriers products. (This may be changing in the future for Commercial lines)
3. In my personal experience and professional (don't want to make a sweeping statement) they can't act as insurance advisors as well as an independent agent can. Sure, I'm sure there are some really good exclusive/direct agents out there, but not for me.

As someone who has spent time working as an exclusive agent, I never (repeat: NEVER) felt I was representing the insurer. More so that I was "bridge" between the company and the insured. And I even had more than a HS diploma!

Generally, the downside of working with an independent agent, is that they don't know the ins and outs of any particular company. They don't know how to "work the system" as well, per se.

If your goal is to save 50 bucks a year on your car insurance payment, great, go with the independent agent. If you want the piece of mind that comes with having someone that will fight for you if anything were to arise, find a reputable agent that represents a major player in the industry.

 

[Hawkeye OG]

As someone who has spent time working as an exclusive agent, I never (repeat: NEVER) felt I was representing the insurer. More so that I was "bridge" between the company and the insured. And I even had more than a HS diploma!

Generally, the downside of working with an independent agent, is that they don't know the ins and outs of any particular company. They don't know how to "work the system" as well, per se.

If your goal is to save 50 bucks a year on your car insurance payment, great, go with the independent agent. If you want the piece of mind that comes with having someone that will fight for you if anything were to arise, find a reputable agent that represents a major player in the industry.

I'll agree to disagree. I work on the Company side fwiw and work closely with Independent and Exclusive agents everyday.

 

[Novak]

I'll agree to disagree. I work on the Company side fwiw and work closely with Independent and Exclusive agents everyday.

Godspeed buddy. I would never get back involved with the insurance industry again, fwiw. Especially as an agent or provider. The bigger your BOB, the bigger the headaches.

 

[Hawkeye OG]

Godspeed buddy. I would never get back involved with the insurance industry again, fwiw. Especially as an agent or provider. The bigger your BOB, the bigger the headaches.

Time will tell, been very good to me so far.

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

There is a reason State Farm is better and easier to deal with than other companies. Save your pennies......go with Geico, Progressive, and the General......and deal with the shit that follows

Most insurance companies are fine, when it's not your fault.

This may be the the craziest instances of how you can get fucked by the cops/insurance companies below:
[video=youtube;eQezccX40Mk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQezccX40Mk[/video]

 

[Burque]

Meh, I have State Farm now and am about to switch. I've dealt with them for car issues and home owners and they ALWAYS nickel and dime you to death.

Never had a single issue with them, in fact they have always taken the best care of me when it comes to auto home etc. In ABQ you have to carry uninsured/unidentified or you are a complete moron because of the number of people that drive without insurance down here. I have only had two incidents and both time they took great care of me making sure that I was fully reimbursed, even for things I didn't think of, like how much gas was in the vehicle, and how long ago I had an oil change and prorating that all kinds of little stuff.

I would only ever consider switching to usaa, but there would have to be something bad that happened to make me consider it.

Also as a side note State Farm isn't breed racist either, allowing me to have my Pit Bulls without a blink of an eye. They also are happy to insure my firearms.

 

[winos5]

Nothing but good things to say about State Farm and USAA. My auto insurance just took a turn for the better. Both of my sons are no longer on my policy. Nice drop in rates.

 

[Raskolnikov]

I'm just going to throw this out there for anyone that owns a Toyota or is considering one. Don't.

Besides the corruption that has become transparent in recent years by Japanese Automotive companies, consider the way they handle their own dealership service shops.

I mean...if you pay the premium of a warranty, and do your repairs at licensed Toyota Dealership, you would think you are paying for fair treatment and the absolute best care your vehicle could receive. But Toyota does not own their dealership service stations, and does not honor their mistakes.

I had a 2008 Tacoma, with a 5 year warranty. The thing was a lemon first of all, just bad luck. I liked the look and performance of that truck. But I had a bad electrical one by luck of the draw I guess, and the worst thing that would happen is the lights would turn off in high humidity, or rain...and I'm just pointing out that when your lights turn off at night its a big fucking problem. Danger = extreme.

Is anyone surprised that I took the vehicle in 3 TIMES for this issue, to the dealership, and was sent away with a "we can't find anything wrong." I mean...jesus, you would think they would replace a vehicle before putting one back on the street that fucking has lights that turn off at night...because of not just the cost of totalling my car but causing a massive wreck and killing a family or something.

So...the warranty runs out on this thing, and it starts happening again, probably seasonally, and I bring it in just a month after warranty. What do you know? They found $5,000 in repairs, needed a computer chip, needed rewiring, new light housing, etc.

hahahahaha. so...I produced the paperwork that showed I had brought it in with the exact same complaint 3 times under warranty and was told the problem didn't exist. The dealership sent me to corporate, and corporate said they didn't honor dealership mistakes and I could sue the dealership if I wanted to.

Just know that is the company you are dealing with, and if I can get just one person to buy american and look into this issue for themselves, because I found I am not the only one at all that has had this run around by Toyota, its standard company policy, then I appease myself that I am sticking it back to them for being horrible billionaires. The loss of sale of one truck would cover my $5,000 but no...they would rather send that hatred into the world than cover what is obviously a totally irresponsible handling of an extremely dangerous situation that put more lives at risk than my own.

Anyways, I sold my Toyota, will never own one, and will always have a "Toyota sucks" on the back of my commuter car. I encourage anyone not to own one either, just buy American with tax rebates, better value anyway.

P.S. To Toyota. I'll stop telling this true story of your complete irresponsibility that put lives at danger if you pay me the $5,000 that you owe me you miserly fucks.