quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Is there a reason why you chose to call me out specifically? Or was that simply the straw that broke the grammatical camel's back?

I cannot read every single thing posted in this forum. I came into this thread to answer the question posed. Your post was the last in the thread and I read your response.

If I had a problem with you, you wouldn't have to ask; you would know it.

To answer your question more directly, yes, I am tired of this phrase and have reached a point where I will no longer tolerate it in this forum. I can't do a damn thing about the rest of this fucked-up world, but I can do something about it in this place. FYI, this happens to be the second time in the last month or so I have asked a member to stop using this phrase. You're not being singled out. I'm simply addressing the matter when it arises.

I have an Independent Agent and he has me on SageSure for homeowner's. I asked him about bundling my Progressive auto with homeowner's and he talked me out of it. Though it would be a bit cheaper (not sure how much), he told me Progressive's home coverage wasn't nearly as good (comprehensive) as SageSure, especially if it comes to flooding, as in a pipe breaks.

We've been with Amica since 1990, I guess that says it all. They've got our Homeowners, Auto, Umbrella, Investment Properties and some Life Insurance. First rate, all the way!

Interesting responses from the Florida residents—“self insured”, State Farm—lawsuit, and Kin- internet based, risk assessment by zip code and GPS. Very tough market in Florida - insurance premium doubled this year. Leaning in the direction of self insure via home improvements and higher deductibles.

I guess I’ll be getting in touch with Amica for a quote. Between here and the other looking around I’ve done, I’m reading really good things. Thanks, guysz

Well, Nationwide is on my side! All but a short stint, I’ve been with them for 45 years! My parents used them. Our local agent split away from them and encouraged us to go with Concord. After a couple of windshield claims and two minor fender benders with our young drivers, they canceled us.
I contacted Nationwide, and they took us back! I ran into the Concord agent and thanked him. Getting canceled saved us $1000 per year! 5 vehicles and homeowners.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
We had a big hail storm hit our area, every house had damage, the only two that didn't get approved had State Farm, one for over 20 years.

He had to sue State Farm, they lost, cost them the roof bill $20K and his legal fees $25K and their legal costs.

Shop it, and get a couple of good independent agents to do it, not all agencies are licenses with the same carriers.

Had similar, hail damage to my roof and siding a few years and houses back. State Farm made the obligatory noises about 'only paying for the actual damaged areas' but caved pretty quickly when I told them they couldn't replace only half the roof and paint the siding to cover up the damage. They coughed up a new roof and replacement siding without any more argument.

Been with them, car, house, and boat 25 years and keep our agent when we move house. Had several windshields and deer damage auto claims and one other house claim (trees). All paid without drama.

I have no complaints.


.

Find a broker in your area and also check a couple of the big companies individually.
For the life portion, do an internet search for term life insurance. I used Zander, who Dave Ramsey endorses.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
Stuff like this is why I ask. I can go to a broker and get whatever they tell me the best deal is, but things like this knock State Farm and Allstate off the list for me. We had a hail storm in El Paso in '96 I think it was, the autobody and roofing businesses boomed. Hailstones the size of baseballs came down and covered the yard and the roof. If I go through something like that here, I don't want to be the only guy on the block whose carrier tells him "oh well." I know it's their job to pay you as little as possible, but still.

One thing not mentioned is that all of the big national insurance companies typically set-up a corporation for each state they do business as they're licensed and regulated by each state. How this matters for the consumer is that AllState Texas screwing someone may be from Texas brass not national brass. Same goes for State Farm Florida screwing somebody. In other words, I'm not sure HRK's and my anecdotes translate across state lines.

I actually appreciate USAA. Had the main sewer line crack (thanks 4" tree root) and the plumber had to coordinate with the city to connect a new main. Total $2700 and USAA deposited the money into my checking that afternoon, and the plumber met me halfway on the deductible. The city posited a no-charge fee on my bill but let me know the cost nonetheless.

It is important to consider the adjuster. I have been through several major disasters and a good bit depended upon the adjuster. They are under considerable pressure to settle quickly. Having good social skills with these guys is essential. They have computer printouts of windows and shingles which vary day to day. It is important to realize they can negotiate claims. Settlements through my neighborhood varied by adjuster, not by company.

State Farm for homeowners and auto insurance and it's been that way for 31 years of auto coverage and for the entire time I've owned a house- just shy of twenty years.

They've always treated us fairly and I've had the same agent for the entire time.

Name any insurance company, credit card company, banking institution, etc, and you will find people who declare them to be the worst of their kind.

Hurricane Ike in 2008 passed through the small town I lived in south of Houston. The storm damaged my roof and destroyed my fence which was quite long due to my home being on a semi cul-de-sac and the lot being pie shaped. My damage was minor compared to others. 2 story houses on either side of my single story house took the brunt of the winds.

I had to fight with Farmer’s insurance for months. My neighbors fences were rebuilt within 6 weeks and fully covered by their insurers.

Farmers said my fence was 10 years old and depreciated the value to almost nothing. This despite the fact that I replaced boards as needed over the years and maintained the fence in good order. My poa was strict about appearances.

I fought them over the roof too. I did get some money for the roof. I finally got about 20% of the value of the fence.

For the next two years, houses in my town wore the blue tarps on their roofs awaiting repairs. Some folks called them FEMA tarps. Others called them Farmer’s tarps as due to Farmer’s widespread refusal to pay fairly. “Must be a Farmer’s house” people would remark upon seeing a tarp covered house.

On top of that, about 3 months after the storm, All Farmer’s customers got a letter notifying them that Farmers would no longer provide insurance in our county and that all policies were cancelled. Finding a new ins company after a major storm was a daunting task.

Farmers not only stiffed thousands by their tactics but extended their middle finger to the community by their last gesture.

My neighbors who were covered by other companies had mostly good experiences and most repairs were completed within 3 months. The rest of us waited and waited. Other residents whose fences were covered by other than Farmers were not depreciated in value as were the Farmer’s covered fences.

I rebuilt the fence myself and saved a bundle as I was able to reuse most of the pickets.

I was also out the deductable and part of the roof expense .

Not a Farmer’s fan.

Insurance broker suggested a West Bend Mutual homeowner's policy and Progressive for auto. West Bend Mutual reviews are fucking dismal. Like, if this was for a restaurant, they'd be Taco Bell. Got a quote from Amica, and it's $400-600 higher, depending. For whatever reason, bundling with Progressive was $200 more expensive vs separate. Anyway, reviews for Amica are pretty stellar compared to just about everything else I'm seeing. I'm going to dig a little more, but I think I would rather we pay more and not need it than save a few hundred a year and get stuck with some of the horror stories I'm seeing in these West Bend Mutual reviews.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Name any insurance company, credit card company, banking institution, etc, and you will find people who declare them to be the worst of their kind.

This is true, and most people don't take the time to either give feedback or post a review for "yeah, they've been fine. No real complaints, but I haven't got any reason to say they're amazing, either. Just fine." People do this when someone has gone above and beyond, or when they feel like they got screwed. Yelp reviews are rife with a mix of one and five star reviews. I've done it myself. Yet, if you look at enough of them and read between the lines, it does paint a picture. Word-of-mouth is still how business lives or dies.