Best Auto Insurance Companies
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,730
Likes: 4,073
From: Maryland
If you really feel that you would be happier with Erie, fine, but it often pays to stay with the same company and build up a lot of good time with them, particularly if you don't make a lot of claims or cost them a lot of money. They like regular customers that don't bleed them dry with a lot of accidents or liabilities....and are more likely to give those customers discounts or policy-renewals.
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,460
Likes: 251
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Its about cost, I'm probably paying $1,000 more a year with Allstate than I would be Erie with the same coverage.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 20
Likes: 6
From: California
Erie and Electric were the best insurance companies I ever had. Alas they don't sell in California. Had Liberty Mutual for several years - very low premiums but you get what you pay for. Horrible service on a couple of minor claims so we had to fire them.
Currently have Amica and no complaints so far - premiums were lower than any of the competition.
Currently have Amica and no complaints so far - premiums were lower than any of the competition.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 279
From: Ohio
One complaint I have with most insurance companies (there may be some rare exceptions) is that almost nobody gives an honest one-year policy any more.....they do six-month ones now, and have done so for decades. One of several reasons why I switched to GEICO in the early 1980s is that they were still giving real 12-month policies...but, sure enough, that didn't last very long (if my memory is right, just a couple of years), then they joined everybody else with the six-month crap.
Not that there's anything really wrong per se with the six month policy, but, it just makes for more records, clutter, paperwork, and checks or credit card deductions being paid. And, to my knowledge, most states don't actually require the six-month term (states generally regulate the insurance industry, not the Federal Government). The explanation I got for this is that companies use the six-month policies, instead of the older one-year ones, to drop risky or habitually-negligent drivers ASAP, without having to wait a year....their attitude is the quicker they drop them, the more money they save.
Not that there's anything really wrong per se with the six month policy, but, it just makes for more records, clutter, paperwork, and checks or credit card deductions being paid. And, to my knowledge, most states don't actually require the six-month term (states generally regulate the insurance industry, not the Federal Government). The explanation I got for this is that companies use the six-month policies, instead of the older one-year ones, to drop risky or habitually-negligent drivers ASAP, without having to wait a year....their attitude is the quicker they drop them, the more money they save.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 52
From: FL
I was with Auto Owners then Southern owners for years. Then last year they raised my rate ridiculously high( I had no claims-ever) so I had my agent do a search and I'm now with Progressive. I didn't see Auto Owners evaluated in the posted study any reason why? I suppose it's a regional company like Erie. Erie doesn't do Florida. Of course most of us look at the rate as a deciding factor but this is dependent on where you live.
I've always had a yearly premium and you get a discount if you pay it in full.
I've always had a yearly premium and you get a discount if you pay it in full.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 52
From: FL
I'm a USSA member and tried to get homeowners thru them but they don't do Florida. At the time I was looking for a bundle with Auto coverage so I went elsewhere.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,730
Likes: 4,073
From: Maryland
Are you saying that because you really feel that agents should sell and maintain insurance policies, or simply because you yourself are an agent.....in a different line of buisness, of course, selling homes instead of insurance policies? Sometimes, our views are influenced by what we do for a living....for instance, my views of flying and the airlines were influenced by the fact that I myself worked making charts and navigation-products that pilots, aircrews and air-traffic-controlers used, and that I myself had a license to fly small aircraft.
If I had Geico, or Progressive or some other discount company with no agent I wouldn't have that sounding board or that asset to lean on.
For a difference like that, I agree......I'd consider switching, too, as long as Erie will give you the same, better, or reasonably close coverage for that lesser sum. But also keep in mind that, with a brand-new Pacifica and whatever else you're going to soon have (the S-class, A8, or 7-series), with different vehicles, that also will affect the rates from these two companies, so it's as much apples and oranges as it is apples and apples.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,053
Likes: 102
From: Southeastern PA
USAA can also be obtained by family members of USAA members. My dad was in the army and had USAA, and they've been my insurance company for 25 years, and my kids will be eligible too, even though I wasn't in the military.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,730
Likes: 4,073
From: Maryland
I've found USAA has great rates on car insurance, but terrible rates on homeowners insurance. I have seen many, many people buy homes and insure them with USAA and have been shocked by the premiums. Its hard to get people to shop it too, because they feel like USAA is "so good".
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,476
Likes: 959
From: IL
I've been with State Farm since the mid '80's. I looked into Geico back in the early 2000's. They gave me a quote that seemed reasonable at the time and just slightly above what I was paying. That was until I realized it was a semi-annual quote, not annual. 
State Farm has been very good to me. Although, in reality, all my premiums have just gone in their pocket.
State Farm has been very good to me. Although, in reality, all my premiums have just gone in their pocket.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,008
Likes: 529
From: Maryland
Personally, the girl that hit my back bumper last month had Geico and it was a fight to get them to replace my bumper cover vs repairing it even though my friend suggested replacing the bumper cover. It took us a week to have them agree going back and forth a number of times.