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 Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:33 am Post subject: Need Advice on Auto Insurance Company.... |
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Hello Everybody,
I want advice from you guys about Auto Insurance coverage. I want new insurance policy for my car. Can anybody tell me from where i can get good service.
Thanks. |
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Ela
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| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 12:28 pm Post subject: |
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IMO, the best indicator of good service is thru personal (friends/family) recommendations. All carriers will tell you they provide the absolute BEST service. Further, (again IMO) the best service comes from a GOOD agent, rather than direct purchase. Again, personal recommendations.
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Lori
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| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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Good advice... good/great service is in the "eye of the beholder" Can't even guess how many agents/companies "think" their service is great...irregardless of what their clients think! Referrals from satisfied clients is the best "Insurance" against choosing the wrong agent.
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DanWilliams
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| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 4:53 pm Post subject: |
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Why not contact some body shops in your area and inquire of them which Auto insurance company takes the best care of their policyholders and then ask them who are the worst to deal with.
But then again the shops may think they are being tested by their very own insurance partners for loyalty and you may not get an authentic answer there either.
If you are looking for a cheaper or less expensive policy, then you are going to get cheap repairs in my opinion. It's like anything else, you get what you pay for or you at least educate yourself as to what your policy provides for when you purchase it. Don't wait to find out after you have had an accident that full coverage does not include getting a rental. And while that thousand dollar deductible looks like a good idea at the time and lowers your premium, it's even more painful to have to use your policy and pay your 1000.00 deductible when it's not even your fault and the other person has no coverage.
I highly recommend paying for medpay or equivalent in your state and getting more than a 5000 limit. Doesn't cost that much more to get 25,000 in med pay benefits and is some of the least expensive accidental medical benefits available. Makes it a lot easier to wait a few years to settle with the at fault driver on personal injury as well.
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MikeoftheOzarks
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| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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I am in agreement with Lori. Working with an agent, particularly an independent agent, is really the way to go.
An independent agent represents multiple insurance companies. They have the ability to shop multiple companies, make educated coverage comparisons, and offer you the best coverage for the best price.
If an independent agent receives complaints from their customers regarding bad service, slow claims payments, or anything along those lines, they have the ability to stop writing business with that insurance company and place your business where it is appreciated.
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AnMarieB
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| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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Well, how could you not trust a Gecko?
Certainly the head guy from The Unit is a good person to listen to about insurance (is that show still on the air?).
 
I agree 100% with Mike's post. I think asking local body shops is a _great_ idea. Of course the only problem with this is that they may be a direct repair company for certain carriers but in speaking to them you could always ask if they are. For example, the company I work for does not use any aftermarket parts for repairs and very few LQK parts. This might be a big plus in someone's book and certain body shops may remember this. A person buying the policy is not going to know this before they have an accident and an agents is not going to know it either. An agent is also not going to know how quickly a vehicle is inspected after an accident either. An agent does know who they get the largest commission checks from, though. I'm not saying an agents opinion is not important but call a few shops and then sit down with an agent. |
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tcope
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| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:38 pm Post subject: |
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talking to repairers is one thing - they'll give you the low down on approval times etc, but they have avested interest in some cases. for example they may not work with some insurers or may have beneficial arrangements with one over another.
bottom line is that they'll the one that's best for THEM not necessarily you.
for my $ I tend to look at 3 things:
1. claims paying rating. Insurance is worth nothing if you're claim doesn't get paid when it should.
2. price. Yes, I know it's all about the quality and I'll get to that, but come on, at the end of the day, price is a big factor. sure if the difference isn't great you might want to go for the extra bells and whistles, but what you really want is to get the cover you need, from a relaible insurer at the lowest price.
3. Market feedback. Ideally from people you trust (as Lori mentioned) or those in the industry who you believe are impartial. Consumer advocacy groups and online forums are also great places to go - good idea to post here. Finally, the mighty G. Google your short list of insurers. Google their name, the type of insurance and "complaints" and see what you come up with.
There will probably be some complaint's floating around the web for pretty much everyone, but taking a look at what's being said, by who and how often can be a good indicator.
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heidrek
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| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 10:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | for my $ I tend to look at 3 things:
1. claims paying rating. Insurance is worth nothing if you're claim doesn't get paid when it should. |
There in lies the problem... how the public obtain this information? Everyone they speak to is either going to have limited information or a vested interest in the response.
I'd say a body shop is probably the best place to ask. I'd don't see them being a direct repair center as being much of an influence in their opinion. I'd think giving an honest answer would win them over a new customer more so then supporting an one insurance company. |
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tcope
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| Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 11:09 pm Post subject: |
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Many bodyshops keep a list of the top ten insurers they deal with posted in their waiting rooms. One week State farm might be the top dog, and the next week All State. But you can be sure there are some that do not ever climb higher than five and some do not even make the top ten or twenty. Some insurers rate higher in different parts of the country or even state. Some of this may have to do with marketing and some with the quality of the claims staffing.
Customers ask, where's my insurer on the list and your first amendment rights allow you to tell the consumer (just like the steering department in the claims centers are trained to do) Oh we have trouble with that insurer just like when you want to use your preferred shops and they chime in Ohhhh,,, we have problems with that shop or they're not on our preferred list , and we can't guaranty that shop's work. It's perfectly legal on both ends according to recent court decisions. After all, what is the interpretation of trouble?
Sometimes adjusters come in and see how low their company is on the list and have some incentive for at least trying to improve their relationship with the shop and their customers. There is nothing derogatory or defaming when a consumer asks your professional opinion of a company and your experiences with them. However unsolicited nasty comments can land you in trouble and printed phamplet certainly can as well.
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MikeoftheOzarks
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| Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 12:19 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | Referrals from satisfied clients is the best "Insurance" against choosing the wrong agent. |
I couldn't agree more...but in ALL things, ins, agents, body shops, crap, even shampoo for that matter..
I disagree though that an independent agent would necessarily be a better choice than a captive. I've worked for a captive agent company and an independent agent company, and I can tell you from a claims stand point that independent agent has zero pull with claims. However, the captive agent, can get some things done, especially if he/she is a high producing agent.
I agree it wouldn't hurt to contact some shops, but you have to be very careful about this. Chances are very good that the shop will tell you the carriers that just open up the check book. Well, that might be ok, until that adjuster retires or moves on. The shop likewise may bad mouth a perfectly good carrier, with great service because he/she had one disagreement. I'm sorry Mike, but I think it can be way too subjective. If all shops were run like yours Mike the world would be a better place, and I'd say ask him..but sadly all shops are not like yours no more than do all adjuster provide exeptional service, like Tcope, Das, and I 
I agree on the medpay in our state anyway (they allow double-dippin' up here in the Mighty MO ) | Quote: | | Some insurers rate higher in different parts of the country or even state. Some of this may have to do with marketing and some with the quality of the claims staffing. |
I'm glad you pointed that out Mike, you can go from city to city and talk to body shops, Mike may say "State Farm in the bomb dig-ity" 50 miles away, they may tell you, "I won't let them in my shop-damn crooks!" It can be as simple as the adjuster that handles the area. I've been told before that I'm the only adjuster working for the carrier I work for, 'that knows anything at all, and is human" so there ya' go...Another reason, (imo) discuss within your area, with people you know and trust...
And the same can go for body shops too Mike...If a customer would ask one adjuster, 'would you have your car fixed at Mike's shop?" I'm certain the majority would say, 'sure, Mike's great to work with", but I'm sure there are a few (for whatever reason, but I'm sure it's not your workmanship), that would say, "I wouldn't let him fix my kids bike!" So see, it could be clouded with personal reasons...
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Last edited by Lori on Thu Dec 03, 2009 11:35 am |
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Lori
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| Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 2:31 am Post subject: |
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Regardless of what's been posted on who to talk to about what, and what to believe or not, your answer lies in reading the contract you get from whichever insurer you do business with. Until you know what they do and don't do, cover and don't cover ACCORDING TO THE CONTRACT, you may not be able to trust anyone. Agent or otherwise.
And that goes for any form of insurance.
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MaxHerr
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| Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 4:06 am Post subject: |
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So you suggesting signing up for the insurance so that they issue a policy/contract and _then_ reading it to see if you should commit? The point being, who obtains a policy _before_ they pay for it? Also, what does the contract say about the claims service? I've read many polices and none of them have ever stated how a claim will be handled or how good the service will be.
Policies are pretty standard... they tell a person _nothing_ about the service. The service is far more important in a claim then the wording of a policy. |
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tcope
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| Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:00 am Post subject: |
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No,, I'm not suggesting obtaining the insurance just to read the contract, but advising to read the contract anyway. Not sure if Mercury Insurance in in Utah, but here in CA, their policies have interesting language, such as if you let anyone other than a named insured drive your vehicle, the liability limits are automatically reduced to state minimums (15/30/5). Doesn't do me much good to carry 250/500 if I'm placed at risk like that.
And you're right . . . all the hype over how good "our service" is in the event of a claim depends on which commercial one watches on TV. Nevertheless, as many positives as you get about one company, you're just as likely to get an equal number of negatives if you talk to enough people. Generally speaking, if the company a person is considering has instant name recognition, it will probably take care of their claim in an orderly fashion.
Since I can't remember the last time I had an auto claim, I guess I have to hope that reptile of mine is reliable.
Auto insurance fraud is the #1 type here in California, with as many as 50% of all claims suspected as being fraudulent. And we have a big problem with agent theft of premium and bogus policy issues. That's the impetus behind my words of caution to verify one's coverage if they've obtained "insurance" from an unknown agent.
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MaxHerr
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| Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 6:08 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | However, the captive agent, can get some things done, especially if he/she is a high producing agent. |
So, you have to know what exactly you're dealing with. There's no doubt that the captive agent has detailed knowledge of how the carrier works. That's probably one reason why he has a better pull with the claims. |
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steven
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| Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2009 7:05 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | Not sure if Mercury Insurance in in Utah, but here in CA, their policies have interesting language, such as if you let anyone other than a named insured drive your vehicle, the liability limits are automatically reduced to state minimums (15/30/5). Doesn't do me much good to carry 250/500 if I'm placed at risk like that. |
Same state laws for UT, allow policy limits to be lowered to state minimum.... but at least in UT, the owner cannot be held liable if someone else is driving. If I loan my car to someone else and they cause an accident they are only going to get the state minimum from my policy.... but should I be responsible for what they do? Also, if they have insurance, it's excess over mine to protect them.
| Quote: | | Since I can't remember the last time I had an auto claim, I guess I have to hope that reptile of mine is reliable. |
But as mentioned, a body shop should know first hand how good a carrier handles auto claims, no? At least as far as repairs to a vehicle which is what people are probably most concerned about.
| Quote: | | Auto insurance fraud is the #1 type here in California, with as many as 50% of all claims suspected as being fraudulent. |
Look no further then the state laws against insurance companies and the litigation that goes on in that state partially do to the laws. Many carriers won't even right in CA for these reasons. |
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tcope
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