Who is the best company for car insurance?

[Fireweed247]

I know in the big scheme of things this is incredibly unimportant, and I resent the fact that the 'law' forces us to buy insurance from a corporation (is that even Constitutional?) but...

I need to get some new car insurance, and am looking for advice from DUers??

Who do you have for car insurance and what are the rates?

I remember someone starting a thread on this a few months back but I cannot find it now that I need it.

Thanks for any advice!

[grasswire]

1. have you thought about AAA?

I always thought their services were decent. You become a member for what, about 65 bucks? With that you get the emergency road service which no driver ought to be without, and can get discounted insurance.

[jody]

13. Posting error

[mikelgb]

19. AAA is usually the most expensive around here

I'm with geico now

[PeaceNikki]

41. AAA dues fuel pollution and sprawl

Drivers clutching this card as a talisman against automotive calamity should know that, in doing so, they lend support to an agenda-in favor of road building, against pollution control and even auto-safety measures-that helps deepen the automotive calamity afflicting the nation as a whole.

For those not willing to read detailed articles on other sites, here are some of the things AAA has lobbied for and/or still does:


1990 - AAA lobbied against the Clean Air Act

1998 - AAA lobbied against a 7 cent gas tax for land preservation. We all like to get from point A to B, but only if neither is totally paved over when we get there.
Present - AAA still lobbies for ever wider roads, seen as a major cause of congestion rather than a relief of it by many organizations.

Present - AAA is on the record against virtually every proposal for cutting automobile pollution.

1989 - AAA called vapor traps on gas tanks a safety hazard.

1994 - AAA opposed a move by smogbound eastern states to promote low-polluting cars.

1997 - AAA opposed new smog limitations.

AAA opposed the airbag law, not sure what year.

http://www.newdream.org/newsletter/breakdown.php

AAA uses membership dollars to lobby against federal environmental and auto safety laws, as well as public transportation initiatives. If AAA had its way, that bus you need to flag down might never come.

In 1990, AAA fought against strengthening the Clean Air Act. They claim to represent members even though three quarters of Americans supported the measure and the vast majority of club members have little awareness of and virtually no say in AAA's lobbying agenda. The news about AAA's political arm even surprised the nation's most well-known dispensers of auto advice, Tom and Ray Magliozzi - better known as "Click and Clack" of National Public Radio's hugely popular Car Talk. Said Click (or maybe Clack): "We had no idea that part of our AAA dues were being spent on lobbyists who oppose just about everything having to do with public transportation. If AAA thinks that it's a good idea for every single person to get to work in 3000 pounds of iron, we sure don't want to help support such a silly idea."

More info here:
http://www.sierraclub.org/e-files/roadside_assistance.asp
http://misanthropicscott.wordpress.com/2007/10/10/aaa-is-pure-evil

Here's an alternative
http://www.betterworldclub.com/

[Liberal In Texas]

48. Yeah, but they have free maps! n/t

[Kittycat]

2. Do you have homeowners? We're happy with Farmers

[AngryAmish]

8. Farmers is the 7th worst company in America

see link below

[Kittycat]

27. Sorry to hear that, but All State & State Farm were both horrible for us.

State farm refused to cover claims when another State farm person damaged our car. Claiming that they don't pursue state farm v. state farm cases. They wouldn't charge us the deductible, but the claim would raise our rates just for reporting it. They also didn't cover a homeowners issue we had. Then when we moved, we notified our agent that the new house had knob and tube, but that we had a union contractor to replace it all within 30 days. At first she was fine with it. Then a week before closing we were left scrambling to find a new insurance company when she notified us by mail, that she was canceling our policy because of it.

All State... Lightening hit our house, caused around $5K in damage. They increased our rates 80% - from $800 annually, to $1500. We lost our no claims discount (understandable), and then got a huge kick in the ass for apparently teasing god and forcing lightening to hit our house. Next time I'll remember to just drive my car in to it instead. Then at least I'd have someone to blame.

So now we're with Farmers, and our reps have been great. We did have our car with someone else when we were all state - AIG or something (they were great as well)??? But our rates were better overall with the switch. Now we have our cars and house insured for more - and it still costs around what we were paying before. Farmers was also nice enough to suggest sump pump back-up insurance - something that All State and State farm never recommended, but apparently would have caused us trouble if we flooded from that. Of course, it's not like State Farm ever paid out on a claim for us anyway (despite it not being our fault) - and we see what happens when All State pays out on an act of god.

In close... We switched to Farmers on suggestions of others, including my parents whom have had them for around 18 years now (and I know they've had claims on cars & house). It could be a regional thing, but we're in IL and have no complaints.

[Captain Hilts]

3. USAA if you're eligible. nt

[jody]

16. Agree, USAA hasn't let me down in 50 years. n/t

[Thothmes]

47. Their the best.

[Turbineguy]

What Mookie said

[Captain Hilts]

36. Westinghouse or GE?

[Turbineguy]

40. Steam and Gas

[gilpo]

20. Yep... They're the best!

But you have to be ex military or a family member of a current customer. The year-end rebate check is always a nice surprise.

[evlbstrd]

23. I'm ex-military and NOT eligible.

I work at their former ad agency and wanted to check into their auto insurance. I served too long ago.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

28. Yes, ex-military and over 35 yrs old, ineligible

stupid rule.
USAA's a good company, though. I've had a few claims, and never a hassle.

[evlbstrd]

34. That may be.

But they sucked out loud as a client.

[Captain Hilts]

37. They change the membership rules ALL the time. Enlisted and Guard...

now admitted.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

46. USAA has always been more than fair with me

In the two times my car has been rear-ended in the last 15 years, they've always paid more than what I expected and were very prompt and courteous. I don't know how they compare premium-wise with other companies because they're the only auto insurance company I've ever had. I'm happy with USAA.

[damntexdem]

4. AAA has the answer.

Anytime.

[AngryAmish]

5. Here are the ten worst (according to American Association for Justice)

They are the trial lawyers but they are the experts on bad insurance companies

The Ten Worst
Insurance Companies
1. Allstate
2. Unum
3. AIG
4. State Farm
5. Conseco
6. WellPoint
7. Farmers
8. UnitedHealth
9. Torchmark
10. Liberty Mutual
•


link


BTW, Allstate is the worst. They instituted a program eight to ten years ago to arbitrarily reduce payouts 25% and to never negotiate a claim. Everything is litigated. They are corporate criminals.

[AngryAmish]

9. Get all your insurance through Costco

Seriously. I do.

[undeterred]

17. Allstate told me I had to keep liability insurance

even when I didn't have a car, so I kept paying for it. They told me no one would ever insure me again if I were not "continuously insured". Well, after 3 years I got wise to it and demanded my money back and screamed at the agent for telling me that. I got a full refund and I would never buy from them again.

Edit: I never had trouble getting insurance, even after not owning a car for a few years.

[Sheets of Easter]

18. For years, I've heard nothing but bad things about Allstate.

Makes perfect sense that they'd be #1.

[YOY]

6. Since buying a car is (semi...barely) optional the law is within it's rights here

Now if it were health insurance and someone told me that healthcare is optional I think they need a boot up the tailpipe.

GEICO works fine. So does Progressive.

Never heard too much bad about esurance as well.

[Sheets of Easter]

7. I have Progressive.

Then again, I am biased, because my spouse works for them. The rates may vary, but our coverage is good, and Progressive is an almost totally "blue" company.

[mainegreen]

26. Ditto. I left them to go to AAA,. Went back in six months.

Progressive is one of the most honest, up front insurance companies.
They deal with claims in a fair manner, and frankly are very helpful when you have an accident.

[Hokie]

10. Not State Farm

I just posted this in GDP:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6481394&mesg_id=6481394

[AngryAmish]

12. State Farm is 4th worst

[CountAllVotes]

38. State Farm sucks!!!

some fool ran into my car years ago while it was legally parked and I was at work. He had State Farm Ins. and I had to sue them for damages if you can believe that.

:mad: still even if over 30 years ago!

:dem:

[ellenfl]

11. i have been very happy with 'auto owners'. eom

[RebelOne]

14. Well, if you are 50 or over, you can get

it through at Hartford through AARP. I have my car insurance and my mobile home insurance with them and it is not too very expensive.

[flvegan]

15. I've been happy with Progressive.

*knocks wood*

My last renewal a couple months ago actually saw my rates go down 20%.

[Dr.Phool]

21. I'm stuck with State Farm.

I know GEICO is cheaper for the motorcycle, and I could find cheaper for the cars. But, this is Florida, and State Farm is way cheaper for my homeowners than my only other alternative.

I'm afraid if I cancel the vehicles, they'll cancel the homeowners.

[lpbk2713]

22. I've had Auto-Owners for 35 years.

No complaints.

[starchimes]

24. As much as people hate Allstate, I have had nothing but

good dealings with them. I have used them for about 18 years. Never balked at a payout. I was robbed (renter's insurance) and they paid me the cost to replace my goods, not the actual value. Hail damage, and they paid to fix it no problem on my car. That is pretty much the limit to my claims in the 18 years. But, both were easy.

[Greybnk48]

25. I've had Progressive for years and have been very happy with them.

They also cover your pets for free if they are injured in a car accident. I like the pet friendly thing.

[sinkingfeeling]

29. After having Nationwide for 40+ years, discovered they were ripping me off big time. I went with

AIG and saved about 50% per car per year.

[Missy Vixen]

30. We have Amica

We are VERY happy with them. They cost a bit more, but their customer service is worth every penny.

Someone hit my car two years ago while it was parked. Their claims people had the car towed to the body shop and me in a rental car in less than two hours. They handled everything, including the conversation with the guy who'd hit my car.

We had a one-car accident in a snowstorm December 1st. My car was stuck up against a guard rail, high-centered, on a blind corner, with me in the passenger seat. They got us a tow truck in twenty minutes when every other place we called was quoting two hours.

We will be insured with them as long as they'll have us.
Julie

[flvegan]

31. My mom and grandparents had AMICA.

Mom still does. The company goes back with some of my family for what has to be 80 years.

They wouldn't give me a policy, or I'd be with them.

[KG]

32. not really sure about rates but been with state farm for about 20 years

and they've always done right by me.

[merci_me]

33. We have State Farm but,

and I know a lot of people don't like them. We have them for home and auto and have had wonderful service. However, I'll admit, when we first went with them, it was because we were new to a town and the chair of the county Democratic party was the agent. Several years later, when we were moving down here, he transfered us to a local agent he knew and we've been with him for 24 years and a number of small claims (mostly home) and he's been a gem. He's always been on our side and coaching us through, like when our car was stolen, he advised us to find a new car before we settled, so insurance would have to continue to pay for a rental. He told us, as soon as we settled, we would have to pick up the cost of the rental.

That being said, our car has been smashed by an Allstate driver and it was a miserable experience. Also, a neighbor with AAA backed into our parked car and again, really bad response time. Twice we've had our car hit (while parked at malls) and the owners both times had Progressive and they were really great!! One time, I drove the car home and the Progressive agent was already here. If our agent retires, we would probably be likely to check into Progressive.

[shanti]

35. mercury

or wawanesa - if you're in california.

[CountAllVotes]

39. Wawanesa is good

and cheap too!

Highly recommend them. :)

:kick:

[uppityperson]

42. We have State Farm, like our local office.

I've found our local office works for us, while the national office works for themselves. We've had a couple incidents (accident and once a car burnt itself up) and the national office tries to give as little as possible, but did come around once I did the work and showed them realistic comps. Our rates have changed minimally over the last 20 yrs also.

[mwooldri]

56. It's our State Farm agent that does it for me.

He's just fantastic :)

We were with Progressive but after a major accident that wasn't my fault they jacked up the rates. We appealed but got nowhere. Stuck with the high rates for a couple of years and then shopped around. Asked him for a quote, and he noticed I had the accident on file and he asked a few questions about it. Decided it wasn't my fault and that it wouldn't count in his quote. He quoted the best rate, we switched to him. Favourable payment terms too.

We've been through three more vehicles since then and added renters insurance and now mobile homeowners insurance. They've been ultra-responsive to everything and just great. Whenever we needed a claim we saw the agent. I don't even know if State Farm has a 24/7 national call centre nor do I care.

Mark.

[MH1]

43. I'm VERY happy with Progressive.

Their owner is a deep shade of blue - Peter Lewis:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Lewis

But not only that, when I switched to them from my old company, I did get a much better rate.

The icing on the cake is that Progressive's online services are some of the easiest to use that I've seen. The site is fast and simple. I can pay my bill and be done in a flash.

Yep, I'm very happy with them. Never had to file a claim though, so can't speak to that.

[NNN0LHI]

44. I have had State Farm car insurance, renters insurance, and/or homeowners since I was 16

I am 53 now and can't say anything bad about how they have dealt with me. Always on the up and up. The agency owner is a bit on the shady side but thats another story.

I always get these things in the mail that say Let us lower your insurance by 47% guaranteed! Just call! from other insurance companies and I call some of them and none of them can ever beat the rates I already have for the same coverage from State Farm.

This is not meant to be a State Farm commercial. I have a pretty low regard for most insurance companies.

Don

[lynettebro440]

45. Progressive isn't bad

there reasonable, my daughter had her car stolen, we found the vehicle but it was totaled. They had a check to me within a week. They were actually really great. I would recommend them :)

[Fireweed247]

49. Thanks everyone!

:hi:

[haele]

50. We have E-surance, it's actually pretty decent -

Husband totaled the old Mercury Villager a couple years ago, on a friday, right before 5pm which meant by the time we got all the claim info in, the claims assessor's office was closed for the weekend. The 24 hr. customer service people were very helpful with the claim, getting us a rental car immediately and sending the agent out as soon as we found out where SDPD towed the vehicle, and were prompt with paying everything that our policy covered, including the trip to urgent care to check hubby and the kidlet out after the accident, the towing, and the rental car. We got a $4500 check (value of the ten year old van and recent transmission work minus the $1K deductible) three days after the assessor looked at the van, as she had to go back up to her office in Sacramento and file the paperwork to free up the money. Never even saw a bill for either the towing or the two weeks of rental car while we were getting our replacement vehicle, and neither we nor Aetna (our employer's medical insurance) never saw a bill from the clinic for the xrays and minor cut and bruise treatments.
We weren't penalized at all (since it was his only accident) - we didn't get our premium raised on us.

It helps that the guy with the fairly new looking truck he rear-ended apparently never filed a claim. Which was very odd, as he said it looked like the truck bed was tweeked pretty badly when our van hit it. Methinks he hit someone who did not carry any insurance...

A co-worker has Progressive, and had her claim paid within a week of her accident, also no problems.

Haele

[otohara]

51. Kemper is Good

good luck - getting insurance is a pain in the ass

[dsc]

52. actually the law doesn't force you to buy insurance from a corporation

you can buy a bond, or show assets of a certain value. That said, I have Horace Mann but they give discounts to teachers.

[Maureen1322]

53. Encompass

I've only had them for a year. But my rate dropped 50% compared to Progressive.

[Digit]

54. Erie insurance is good, and inexpensive if you qualify

You MUST have a decent driving record to qualify.

If you combine your homeowners or renter's with auto, you will often get a break on price, too.

[begin_within]

55. USAA is a good company, but not necessarily the cheapest you can get.