In a way, I can understand increases because US financial policy has destroyed the value of our dollar and shop rates have gone up by 90% in the last 2 years. They are trying to pay their people, make a little to keep the building up, but they are in the same place we all are in too, their shop liability insurance and health insurance rates keep spiking.
On the other hand....
I have had State Farm since 2001. For multiple cars, and home. Some policies for cars are that old, they let me put one policy transferred to another vehicle when I got a newer one, that sort of thing. Driving record is spotless. I have no claims. I pay 6 months at a time, would do a year but they don't allow. I am never late on payments.
My son gets a policy for his 200C. Like 3 years ago. Lost his job, had a rough go finding another, actually came and lived at home for 2 months. He let his policy lapse for a month because he wasn't driving his car and was broke. Found a job, we got him to work, he got paid, reinstated.
Goes to visit a buddy as he had money for gas 2 days later after reinstated. Hits a deer.
Told to get estimate, turns it in next day.
A week later, he calls. His claim is being investigated.
This started mid-April.
3 weeks ago, investigator guy calls our house. Calls my son, starts asking him for his cell records. Nothing to hide, he sent in his records for the week it happened.
Guy calls back, asks son questions like "what types of games do you like" and " did you go somewhere else the day before the accident" and an assortment of other dubiously related questions.
Then, the guy calls my wife(I am at work)
Asks her about sons personal life, about "type of games he likes" wants a specific time down to the minute the accident happened(she was not in the car) based off these phone records. She replied she doesn't remember exactly because they waited 8 FING WEEKS TO CALL ABOUT IT.
Two days ago he gets approved for repair, but needs a new estimate because only one shop in 50 miles is on their approved list, or, get this, he can send 3 pictures in and they will do estimate remotely themselves. Yeah no. Yesterday he drives to the place, gets quote, same as local place. Asks if local place can do repair.
"No, local place shop rate is $30/hour higher."
But the final estimate is different by 140 bucks.
My favorite part, is they are booked until August 14. That is when they can start.
Son hits deer in April, can begin to have car repair done in the middle of August. He can;t drive his car, the whole header is smashed out he has no headlights. He will never get lucky enough not to be busted and fined in the next 6 weeks if he ventures out. He has paid monthly premium since he got it reinstated and will continue, even though he can not drive his car or use it really between April and August. If he does not pay they will cancel him, and with the claim now he would be facing increased rates or possibly refusal, this straight from the agent.
At this point, they have alienated not only my son, but a customer that has 5 auto policies and home policy and has paid in full n time for 22 years straight. If you are looking for insurance, use a broker, and ask broker about the service. Saving money is great until you car is smashed and you can't get it fixed for 5 months. I called my agent and asked if I would also get such delightful, fast service if I hit a deer with my car. Or if I would see a check for my house if it burned, or if I would have to send them 3 pictures to do a remote estimate.
My premiums are paid for a bit, but I will be looking around. Most of my stuff is old, and because I daily like 4 vehicles I put on paltry mileage per year. I am thinking hagerty might cut me a break considering these things. I have heard the General is a reputable company in the past, but have not heard anything recently. Progressive used to send adjusters to your house in a little white car the day after you called, but I haven't seen one of those cars on the road in 6 years, and the TV commercial companies are, apprently, all in the same boat as my current carrier. So it seems the field is limited, in the end I will buy whoever will not F me over if I get an actual claim. Obviously, this is no longer State Farm.
