Auto / Homeowners Insurance

[jccams]

Time to shop new insurance. I've had Citizens for 6 years and it goes up every year even though the house and autos are worth less. Any recommendations for insurance companies or tips to get the best price without compromising quality?

 

[joks79]

I have Frankenmuth for my house and USAA for my auto. I have never made a claim with Frankenmuth. I had Citizens for everything four years ago and Frankenmuth was cheaper for the house.

 

[cuzzinolaf]

I'm using West Bend Mutual and have no complaints. Have a friend in the insurance restoration business and he speaks highly of them too.

 

[booondocker]

Auto-Owners...decent company. Note that they will all cover you...what counts is what happens when you have a claim. Like all insurance companies, they "like" to cover some things and not others, but they have been around along time, and the agent is not a one pony show. They can go to bat for you and the company often times lets the agent take care of simple claims where the one company agents don't do the claims and you get switched to a claim's service which may or maynot be best for you.

Insurance is only good until you put a claim in....that is when you find out if you made the right decision often years ago, in picking out a good company. There is a difference.

I like an agent that has many companies and who can be on your side if you have a claim; cause eventually you WILL have a claim.

 

[mezz]

Time to shop new insurance. I've had Citizens for 6 years and it goes up every year even though the house and autos are worth less. Any recommendations for insurance companies or tips to get the best price without compromising quality?

Citizens use to be a decent Company, however, they have not been competitive in their pricing, as such, I am no longer carrying that Company in my offices. I would strongly recommend Frankenmuth Mutual, whom is one of the companies I represent as well as a number of others. I can speak from experience, worthy of consideration, not only for pricing, claims handling is first rate. Find yourself a good Independent Agent & have he/she shop it for you, compare apples to apples & check out the multi-policy (Home & Auto) rates as well.-Mezz

 

[zimmer1310]

try an independent insurance agent. I have been with the same one in Mankato for over 10 years and have had great luck. Always has options of various companies.

 

[yarls24]

I switched my auto insurance last year after being with ALLSTATE for over 20 years. My 16 yr old son started driving last year, and Geico provided me with the best rates(auto). I still have my sleds and home with ALLSTATE. Geico saved me a ton with having a new driver in the family.

 

[mezz]

I switched my auto insurance last year after being with ALLSTATE for over 20 years. My 16 yr old son started driving last year, and Geico provided me with the best rates(auto). I still have my sleds and home with ALLSTATE. Geico saved me a ton with having a new driver in the family.

And be prepared to call: 1-800-who-givesacrap when you have a claim to handle. Nothing beats having a reputable & trusting agent to assist you to expedite your trouble in short order. Just my .02 -Mezz

 

[jccams]

So far Frankenmuth Mutual is saving me 25% on Auto, but the homeowners is about 25 bucks a year more. I'll take a 100 a month savings. I am having Auto owners quoted now so we'll see how that compares. Thanks for the tip Mezz.

 

[booondocker]

And be prepared to call: 1-800-who-givesacrap when you have a claim to handle. Nothing beats having a reputable & trusting agent to assist you to expedite your trouble in short order. Just my .02 -Mezz

While this is sort of funny....the truth is that all companies will take your money...and a $125 savings is nice until you put a claim in and find out it is you against the company. Attorneys will charge you to represent you if there is a question about coverages or amounts to be paid in a claim.

An independent agent has clout normally, and if the company doesn't provide you with a valid settlement on your claim...who are you going to call? These so called "direct" insurance companies, via the web or phone by-pass the agent entirely and don't have to pay a commission on the insurance to an agent and agency. So they pass those savings on to you which can be good until there is a claim and then you really find out just how good they are. No agent, no representation. You figure out how much a hundred dollar savings is worth..!!!

I won't buy from a direct for this reason...I want someone to be in my corner if there is a claim and I don't want to have to pay a lawyer $80 per hour to do it.

 

[snocrazy]

In the past 5 years I have had 2 friends that had their houses burn down.

1) Allstate - Talk about service. My fiend lost his dog and Father in Law in the fire. The house was a total loss.
Because of how he was treated by allstate, he would pay double for insurance with them than other companies. Day 1 they had a place to live (rented by Allstate) and cash in hand for clothes etc. He swears by them
2) Other friend had Liberty Mutual. This fire was not a total loss but the smoke damage was insane. Liberty wanted them to use a contractor they specified. After meeting with contractor he could tell they were jacking prices and used to getting the fluff work from insurance claims. He had to fight a bit with Liberty but adventually they cut him a check and he ended up GCing the job him self. With the same $ amount which they were going to repair back to same house, he was able to add a second floor and make many improvements to the house.

Those are the 2 I have personally know of first hand.

Car insurance I am a Liberty Mutual customer. I have a total loss 2 years ago. Not having people on the ground in the UP was a bit of a pain but they took care of me. Car vs Tree- no cops....
I also have an at fault accident 3 years ago. Same thing. Never heard a word after reporting. They just covered.

I just quoted auto and home last week. Because of my accidents, Liberty Mutual is the cheapest around for me.

 

[polarisrider1]

I have auto/home owners since 1978. They are there if you need them. I suspect it is the Agency as much as the Insurance Co. Kinda like a great dealer.

 

[sleddinfool]

Try Allstate in Brighton.. Ask for Kristi... A buddy of mine's girl.. I am with allstate currently and save about $800.00 a year over frankenmuth, citizens, michigan millers the last few years.. This is for two cars, and two houses.. I pay once a year that saves me another 10%. Kevin

 

[zltim]

I have Country Insurance. I have had some claims on the home and autos and they paid quickly and very fair settlements. Never a price increase after the claims and their rates have not gone up very much. I have everything except my collector car with them.