It would help if you told us why you are not happy. Premiums, billing problems, customer service , etc have each prompted me to switch providers over the years. Above all it seems that rate creep after a few years causes me to switch. Currently have Nationwide for the past 3 yrs after switching from State Farm which saved 50% on homeowners.
Insurance does not reward loyalty. Go to an independent broker and have them shop your insurance every year and move at will. Staying with a carrier long term is like committing harry carry.
+1Insurance does not reward loyalty. Go to an independent broker and have them shop your insurance every year and move at will. Staying with a carrier long term is like committing harry carry.
We have USAA. Auto, home, and umbrella. I’ve never had to file a claim though. We did have a windshield replaced with no charges.
Have two brokers give you quotes. Problem solved. If you bid them out every 10 years you are probably paying too much. Take advantage of those introductory rates you talk about. We switch all the time. My wife had $9000 worth of hail damage within 2 months of switching to Auto Owners. They paid the claim without a hassle. All the reasons to not bid it out is noise created by insurance agents to scare you into staying.1) I'm told those brokers others speak of are sometimes incentivized by their underwriters better for certain lines than others, so they may not actually be looking out for your best interest.
2) I'm told loyalty can pay off if you have a claim. They'll look at how long you've been a client, how well you've paid your bills, how much property you have insured with them, and more in deciding if they'll pay a claim, if they'll drop you as a client, and if they'll raise your rates. This came from an agent who doesn't have my business, so it is not in his best interest to say this.
3) The same agent also told me that, especially on autos, they do do introductory rates to get you in the door. At his company, it takes 5 years to get up to 'full price'. His company quotes 15% under 'full price' for new clients, other carriers may do 30%-35% (meaning more increases over that 5 years).
I've been with Farmers for about 2 years now, and I've been very happy with them. I saved a ton of money when I switched form Allstate who I had been with for 11 years prior. Allstate did have a new policy that was cheaper - but my agent only told me about it once I was shopping. Furthermore... it was still more expensive than Farmers for me at the time.
I typically shop my insurance every 10 years or whenever I buy a new home, whichever comes first. I'm not interested in switching every year... I also like the dissappearing deductible many carriers now offer if you stick with them.
MIMH
Have two brokers give you quotes. Problem solved. If you bid them out every 10 years you are probably paying too much. Take advantage of those introductory rates you talk about. We switch all the time. My wife had $9000 worth of hail damage within 2 months of switching to Auto Owners. They paid the claim without a hassle. All the reasons to not bid it out is noise created by insurance agents to scare you into staying.
I have zero loyalty when it comes to insurance.
I hear you, but I'm not sure hail is a good claim example. There is almost no potential 'fault' in hail damage. Wait until your house fire, or you cause a 10 car pile up, or some other six-seven digit payout by your insurance... then I'm not so sure about the zero loyalty approach. I've heard a fair share of horror stories from others. Just today I heard one where someone got dropped just for having an adjuster out to say there was no damage!
MIMH
How do you find a good broker or two to get quotes?
+1 Had USAA for many years. I had never filed a property claim till last year after some hail damage to a 20 year old roof. They sent a check within about 10 days. The adjuster added in perceived damage to deck and gutters. Gutters had minor dings you wouldn't notice and they paid for clean and stain of the deck. We have 2 homes and 3 cars, pay $2K for homes and about $600 for liability on autos. There is also a rebate each year of about $400-$500.
One question for those on the forum, USAA has the rebates added to a subscriber savings account I think it is called. Then they distribute a portion of the current rebate. If I leave USAA is that gone ?
It is my understanding that the Subscribers Savings Account is your equity in the company. If you leave USAA they will send you a check for the amount.