Community Forums

RVForever · 08-02-2009, 04:58 PM

My insurance agent is always trying to get me to switch insurance company's.
The rates they come up with are tempting, always less than half of what I'm paying now.
What is your experience with switching for a low rate and than next year the rates go up significantly?
I always see the ad's to switch and save, do you do better switching or not?

Lindsay Richards · 08-02-2009, 06:35 PM

I got a quote for the RV from Geico which has my 2 cars and it was about half of my GMAC. I didn't take it, but I am going to really give it some serious consideration in 6 months when it comes up again. I had one claim with Geico on my wife's car and they were great. I didn't need a rental car and they kept trying to give me one.

Ray,IN · 08-03-2009, 08:38 PM

Your independent insurance agent gets a larger commission when you switch to a new insurance company. As the years pass, the commission reduces on a sliding scale, then he finds you a new low-ball price. Quoting you a "low-ball price" gets the agents foot in the door. Now there is nothing wrong with this practice, it's just complicated and secretive to us laymen.
All insurance companies are equally highly regulated as to what services they provide.

RVForever · 08-04-2009, 12:39 AM

So they do this to increase their income, not really looking out for me the customer.
Then do my rates increase the next renewal time, more premium, more commission type of thing?

W4RLR · 08-04-2009, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVForever

So they do this to increase their income, not really looking out for me the customer.
Then do my rates increase the next renewal time, more premium, more commission type of thing?

Yes, yes, and yes.

When you jump from insurer to insurer it doesn't look good and you may find yourself re-rated at renewal time. If your credit rating slips, you'll be non-renewed or renewed at a much higher rate. If your neighborhood is deteriorating due to a large number of foreclosures, your auto rates will go up.

If there's a way to justify raising your rates that will pass muster with the state insurance commissioner, you can bet the farm your rates will go up.

mrschwarz · 08-04-2009, 04:35 AM

My experience is that all insurance companies raise rates over time. Whenever a policy is up for renewal, I always shop it. That being said, no one comes close to my auto policy with Progressive (and I check with 3 or 4 others before renewing).

I have had 3 insurance companies in 3 years for the motor home. I saved hundreds by switching to number 2 and about 10% switching to number 3. Next year, I'll shop again.

lostone65 · 08-05-2009, 01:16 PM

i got quotes from 6 different companies. progressive beat all by 400.00.

melvonnar · 08-05-2009, 01:32 PM

I had Alstate road insurance; first year $74.00 renewel next year $114.00; I called and told them if they could give me the insurance for the $74.00 i'd renew; they said the couldn't; so I went with another company. since then I've had no less than a dozen calls from Alstate quoting me the $74 dollar price. If they couldn't give it to me then I ask them, why now. i don't get an answer.
i got one today from Alstate; trying to get me and was going to give me the first three months for only $1.00. I hung up.
They think once they got you signed up you will stay; the smart money says ---sorry by. dang these people irritate me.

krnlueck · 08-09-2009, 12:54 PM

I would be REAL careful with an agent that switches you from one company to the other. Do you know the rating on each company he switches you to? How would they handle a claim? I would to to an agent/or company that sells only 1 insurance. Like State Farm, USAA, Allstate, Geico. You don't need your agent messing around trying to look out after himself and not you. State Farm is very competitive, surprisingly. Also USAA is you quality.

Remember cheap insurance isn't the only thing important. You want a company that will be there for you in the event of a claim.

JackHammr' · 08-12-2009, 04:48 AM

I have always been leery of an agent who represents many companies like that .. I dont like swapping insurance companies ..

We have been with Farmers since the early 90's , have had a couple small claims of a few thousand dollars , then in May '07 , the house burned to the ground , nothing left .. We had the house money in four business days , and the contents money in a couple weeks .. And when we rebuilt on the same site , they reissued our policy on the new home ..

The MH is with Progressive , and the Harleys are with Dairyland .. Had Dairyland before Farmers and Farmers couldnt touch the Progressive rate on the MH .