Insurance in Chicago http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r22530373 en Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:27:15 EDT Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:27:15 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22651419 kcazzie : Insurance, I don't care if it's Car, home or medical they all suck... I have had Allstate since 1968,,, Yes, in college and on my Father policy and now had my house, car whatever needed to be insured they did it,,, My fathers friend now his daughter runs it... 1st I drive a 04' Mini my wife just brought a new car due to the deals that are out there... ( Nissan Altima 2.5 coupe with all the goodies, a reallly nice car ... The 4 is so fast I never thought I would buy a car like that with a 4 and now I recommend it... ) We were paying ~2g's a year --- and a great driving record on both of us... My next door neighbor now has 3 BMWs and on the other side 3 cards a Lincoln Continental, A really nice Chevy both within 3 yrs old and an old Saturn to run to the store,,, They both paid 1/2 as much as me... One couple is older the 3 BMWs couple are younger... I got new car insurance with Liberty Mutual for 1/2 of what I was paying every thing the same... My house insurance, I was told by my 40 yr old family friend (Allstate) would stay the same, I guess I'll see,,, Next time I'll tell about my $900 a month co-pay on Enbrel that I will have to pay when my wife retires... It's a long story... I pay 60 bucks a now... Every time I think about it's just seems NUTS... I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and I'm on disability due to it and in Feb. I was able to enroll with Medicare and that's where the cost of Enbrel has gone up so much... Again it belongs in another post... It's nuts and I'm not the only one with this problem, there are sites with whole pages about this problem... You need this inject-able once a week med to walk..!!!..]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22651419 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:29:30 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22651174 gdm : At least it looks like from the article they are raising the discount policy percentages. Allstate didn't do that and it will be interesting to see if you guys get a letter from them stating the increase or just your new policy.

Well I sat down and looked at all the quotes. It came down to Farmers and Country. I ended up going with Country since I never had a problem with them before. The farmers agent I was dealing with was great and if Country doesn't work out I will contact him again.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22651174 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:36:04 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22651140 Warzau : Seriously. They just raised my rates. They better not do it again or we are walkin.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22651140 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:27:18 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22650990 Jon :
said by wolves01 See Profile :

State Farm taking homeowner rates.

»www.chicagotribune.com/business/···02.story
WTF?
Time to start shopping. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22650990 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:54:42 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22650879 wolves01 : State Farm taking homeowner rates.

»www.chicagotribune.com/business/···02.story]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22650879 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:34:35 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22603441 Goober : The thing is, I've talked to my agent once in 18 years and have only made at most two claims.

I'm not sure that taking care of those needs and services warrants the hundreds of dollars I may be paying extra.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22603441 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:14:09 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22603410 wolves01 : I'm an agent who represents one of the companies being discussed. I've been in the business for 15 years now and am amazed at how much it's changed since I started.

When discussing rates, it's no longer 'one size fits all' pricing. I may lose a client to another carrier who saved them hundreds of dollars per year on their premium. Later that day, I write a customer from that very same carrier over to mine and save that client hundreds of dollars.

Insurance carriers use multiple factors for pricing including, claim history, driving records, credit, age of home, type of vehicles, etc. Credit has become very big in insurance underwriting. The carriers are not using it to determine if you will pay your premium, but their actuaries tell them that people with better credit tend to file less claims.

Another thing has has sprung up the last few years is 'introductory discounts'. Many carriers entice you in with front loaded discounts that disappear over a period of time (usually two years). Our industry has become the same as the cable and phone companies in that regard.

My advice it that if you have a good agent that takes care of your needs and provides good service, you might want to check in with them prior to making a switch. As schja01 said, those savings may be short lived.

One other thing to consider if you frequently switch carriers. A person who has been with a carrier for a long period and suddenly has a few claims is much more likely to be renewed than someone with short tenure. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22603410 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:07:27 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22601737 gdm : Thanks! That's what was suggested by a couple of the agents was lower my auto to 100/300 since I would have the umbrella.

You are right cheaper isn't always better. I have checked many websites about claim payouts, complaints and strength of the companies on all this. Country & State Farm seem to rank at the top neck and neck with each other.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22601737 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:13:58 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22601674 schja01 : Many moons ago I switched insurance companies to save money. Great price, great promises, done deal. After a year BOOM big price increase. I went back to State Farm and have never looked back.
I have an agent who actually knows me by name when I (rarely) walk into his office.
I also carry LTDI.
One thing to check ...
Since you have an umbrella make sure your auto limits are no higher than they need to be since the umbrella picks up where they leave off. There are minimum coverage requirements on auto with an umbrella.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22601674 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:01:58 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22600017 Goober : Holy crap! That's a huge savings!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22600017 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:29:56 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22599622 David : I just switched to country about 2 months ago.

I dropped my house premium by $100/yr and got better insurance at a better price than... Farmers! I mean they flat out beat Farmers hands down.

So now I have Country Financial/mutual insurance as well.
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If you have a topic in the direct forum please reply to it or a post of mine, I get a notification when you do this.
Koetting Ford, Granite City, illinois... YOU'RE FIRED!!
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22599622 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:13:36 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22599394 gdm : Well I called a Country agent to throw them in the mix. They ranked right behind State Farm for AM best raitings and had same complaint ratio for the state as SF did.

[att=1]

Needless say I am shocked!!
Click for full size
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22599394 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:33:53 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22598079 Goober : You guys have way nicer cars than I do for sure. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22598079 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:53:03 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22598056 Jon :
said by gdm See Profile :

That is for two Auto's, which I should have stated. I am not sure what most people have down for coverage. The Amfam agent suggested lowering the 250/500/100 to 100/300 and have the umbrella kick in after that.
Okay that's about what I pay then for one per year so it's about the same.
To be honest I don't know off the top of my head what my coverage is. There are minimums I have to have b/c of the umbrella. So I know I at least meet that criteria.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22598056 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:50:14 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22597733 gdm : For SF, Farmers and AmFam I did. For Amica I just called the 800 number since they work a bit differently.

SF & AmFam agents was given by a friend. Farmers I just looked on the website and selected one.

I also found that Farmers is buying the AIG Auto from. [edit] 2009 from this wiki »en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farmers_In···ce_Group

April 2009, the Farmers Insurance Group announced that it will acquire the AIG Auto Insurance company, including 21st Century Insurance, for 1.9 billion dollars. This put Farmers in a dead heat for third largest personal lines insurer in the US [17].]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22597733 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:01:18 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22597587 Goober : Did you call up specific agents?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22597587 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:40:56 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22597581 gdm : Deductibles are all the same. Basically that chart is apples to apples for coverage. I gave each them my Allstate policy so they can see exactly what I have.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22597581 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:39:55 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22597580 Goober : Good point. Ours is $500.00.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22597580 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:39:46 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22597566 StepR : Also compare deductibles. We had a $500 deductible on the homeowners, but one year the insurer changed the policy to a $500 deductible but 10% of the value of the house for wind damage. I let it slide. Three months later I suffered a wind storm loss, and had to pay a $3,000 deductible. When I had the chance I took the option for a $1,000 deductible for all perils. A higher deductible is better since the rates are cheaper, and it is not worth goin gon the record and making a claim on a small loss anyway.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22597566 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:37:59 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22597381 Goober : Our SF numbers are close.

We pay $552.00 for two cars (1998 Maxima and 2002 Town and Country) at 250/500/100 and $100 deductible, $1711 Homeowners and $282 Umbrella.

That totals to $2545, which is pretty much in the ballpark it seems.

SF seems to generally be favorably reviewed at or near the top of the heap and for the very few claims we've made, we've been pleased with their service.

The only claim we've made in the last 5 years was a hail damage one (last year I think). It didn't affect us rate-wise.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22597381 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:10:02 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22597131 gdm : That is for two Auto's, which I should have stated. I am not sure what most people have down for coverage. The Amfam agent suggested lowering the 250/500/100 to 100/300 and have the umbrella kick in after that.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22597131 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:35:13 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22597088 Jon : Geez what are you driving? Is that 2 cars? That's what I pay through SF for a year.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22597088 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:28:50 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22597082 Goober : Nice table. I may also review our insurance policies. I've personally been with SF for 26 years, with homeowner's and umbrella thrown in for the last 12 of those.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22597082 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:28:14 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22596503 gdm : Well further update I got quotes back from everyone for insurance. I created a little comparison on pricing.

[att=1]

As you can see from the above image they are all on par or cheaper then Allstate. Amica can't give me a reason why homeowners is so much more money.

I am not sure how much this affects things. I looked at the AM best rating and Amica is the highest followed by State Farm and farmers. Amfam has an A but outlook is negative and not sure if it's because the insurers basically own Amfam.

For Auto this with a $500 deduct on comprehensive/collision, 250,000/500,000/100,000

I have a few more questions for them and will decide. I can tell you shopping for insurance is a huge PITA!!!
Click for full size
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22596503 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:56:04 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22579881 grcore : try eagle insurance...

or talk to Talro, and tell them roland harper sent ya]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22579881 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:12:51 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22579606 Suchaknight : SF sux. They cancelled my neighbors policy after 15 years of zero claims because lightning hit his chimney. Wouldn't even quote him a higher rate. They screwed me on an auto claim. Some kid threw a snowball at my car and put a nice dent in the hood, and they said it not vandalism, which was covered by the comprehensive, but rather collision, which had a much higher deductible. Crooks IMO.
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What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22579606 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:12:46 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22572834 gdm : Countries was good that's who we had before going back to Allstate. My issue with them was in 2 years I had 4 different agents which didn't sit very well with me.

Never a bad experience with them just the amount of agents in 2 years seemed like a lot!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22572834 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:14:12 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22572827 bshelly : I have heard good things from neighbors, friends and co-workers about Country Companies Insurance. I am planning on switching to them for my home and auto. I also hope they offer a personal articles policy for my camera and other equipment I wish to keep insured separately.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22572827 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:12:40 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22572527 botp : Here's our story, we've been with Allstate over 10 years, went with them because my parents had them for over another 10-20 years or so. No claims for over a decade, yet ever year, the rates creep up. Every time I call, it's the same...look into increasing the deductition. That's their "canned" response to appear to help customers save something over their constant increasing rates.

A couple years ago, my parents had enough and switched to SF, saved a bunch. Their rates with SF have not increased like Allstate. This year I've had it, finally switched our home and two cars over to SF and saved over 25%.

Go to a SF office and talk to them direct, I skipped the online stuff. This is one area where I would pay a bit more than save pennies online. With an agent and a small office, I know who to talk to and he knows what I've called about. I was afraid if I went with online, I would pull my hair out if I had to keep repeating myself to a different person everytime I call about something and if I can't understand the other end because of accent etc. and the other end can't understand what I am saying.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22572527 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:18:02 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22569735 gdm : I did talk to the agent. Since I filed a claim it removed the 15% discount for not having a claim.

$1000 would lower it but not to what I had. I would have to go to $2000 to get back to where I am.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22569735 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:50:15 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22568834 wolves01 :
said by gdm See Profile :

I have discount for having 2 autos and home with them. Once you file a claim they take away the discount for home owners. Talking to other insurance companies that's known about allstate is the discounts but once you file you lose it.
That is not correct. Contact your agent. You should still be getting the home and auto discount. Also, if you don't already have it, a $1000 homeowners deductible should save you a lot of money.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22568834 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:39:55 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22561561 gdm : I have discount for having 2 autos and home with them. Once you file a claim they take away the discount for home owners. Talking to other insurance companies that's known about allstate is the discounts but once you file you lose it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22561561 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:03:52 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22560006 benn19 : I had the same thing happen with Allstate last year. Lost the "no claim" discount when I filed for my roof damage. Though I do get a discount for having Home and Auto. Check with your agent regarding that ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22560006 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:50:56 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22555589 gdm : Update for anyone following the thread.

I finally talked to my Allstate agent. I had a 15% discount for not having a claim on homeowners and since I filed it that removed the discount! :(.

I have quotes from American Family and Amica. For some reason Amica is really high on the home because of it's age. Waiting on Farmers to get back to me.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22555589 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:43:19 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22538002 Suchaknight : Checkout Amica, I think their office is in Oak Brook. Excellent company.
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What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22538002 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:43:02 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22536966 gdm : SF was on par with Allstate for homeowners according to the web.

So far others have been under but I want to verify that with an insurance agent vs the web.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22536966 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:23:11 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22536787 RadioDoc : They're all doing that.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22536787 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:12:53 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22536567 Warzau :
said by gdm See Profile :

Anyone here have Allstate? If you don't have Allstate who do you use for homeowners and auto?

I just got my renewal for homeowners and it went up $270. I am waiting for my agent to contact me. Someone from his office said they had a rate hike in IL for 2008 because of hail damage and because I had a claim last year. They paid out about $1000 the rest was deductible because of the hail damage. Yet on the renewal no mention why the price increase.

This was a reason I left Allstate awhile back on the auto side.

I am looking at State Farm, Farmers and American Family.
GoodLuck with SF they raised our rates as well, said it was "across the board". ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22536567 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:59:42 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22536149 gdm : Well all homeowners rates were raised by 20% regardless of claims status or any of that.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22536149 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:48:18 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22536139 Chaoswar : I am shopping around as well. Allstate raised my rate by $120 and I have never filed a claim. I'm not sure how it all works out as I see myself as low risk.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22536139 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:47:00 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22536004 gdm : I appreciate the feedback from everyone. The claims question is something I am asking all the agents. What happens if I have a claim on home or auto? Allstate did this with the auto years back on auto. Then suddenly a few years after that people left. They came out with accident forgiveness program.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22536004 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:24:45 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22535929 insomniac : Back to your question, though: I use State Farm for auto (2 years) and renters' (7 years). They've been good, but my experience is limited because I haven't had any claims.
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If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22535929 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:14:43 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22535844 gdm : Yeah it was across the board because they don't want to lose money because of the storms. Since the storms were so severe last year they decided to do a 20% hike increase for all of IL.

The ding on my claim was basically a discount for not having a claim. Which when I first came back to Allstate I didn't have that. Since I filed a claim that increased it 15%.

Either way it just pissed me off that the Allstate can't notify it's customers they just do the price increase.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22535844 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:03:47 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22535658 insomniac : I read recently that Allstate was planning to increase rates across the board, so it's certainly not just you:

»www.suntimes.com/business/159318···.article
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If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22535658 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:32:34 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22533221 Jon : We use state farm for our home owners, auto and umbrella policy.
Not sure exactly what we pay but I can find out but we've otherwise been happy with them.

I know a few people who have Farmers and really like them but have no personal experience with them..]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22533221 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:12:33 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22530693 scooby : I found this site interesting when looking for new homeowners and auto insurance.

»insurance.freeadvice.com/reviews/index.htm]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22530693 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:31:44 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22530462 gdm : I didn't raise the deductible but not a bad idea. I did do quotes over the internet and they all come up cheaper except State Farm.

I also checked out AAA but not sure how good they are with home/auto.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22530462 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:52:04 EDT Re: Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22530450 drmorley : Have you considered raising your deductible to $1k and then shopped for new quotes?
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»aiossalaw.com]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22530450 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:49:38 EDT Insurance http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22530373 gdm : Anyone here have Allstate? If you don't have Allstate who do you use for homeowners and auto?

I just got my renewal for homeowners and it went up $270. I am waiting for my agent to contact me. Someone from his office said they had a rate hike in IL for 2008 because of hail damage and because I had a claim last year. They paid out about $1000 the rest was deductible because of the hail damage. Yet on the renewal no mention why the price increase.

This was a reason I left Allstate awhile back on the auto side.

I am looking at State Farm, Farmers and American Family.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22530373 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:31:28 EDT