I am a new home owner and looking to possible switch insurance companys. I know there are a number of factors regarding rates but im really just looking for quality of companies and there support. Any opinions good or bad appreciated. Also if anyone from the Rochester area has names that would be nice.
I HAD good luck with Illinois Farmer's insurance. They offered good discounts, and you usually get an agent that will help you with ANYTHING. Its nice to have a real person to talk to. However, now I'm with Esurance as I know there are local agents with that. Stay away from Progressive as they're horrible to deal with and they rush repairs if they are needed. Body shops HATE Progressive.
I had State Farm for a long time while i was under multi car and multi policy discounts when i lived at home with my mom. They were awesome! But also it varies on who your local agent is too. I recently switch to Farmers when I moved up here and they hooked it up on a great price! and they seem to be really easy to work with.
We go through Mike Busch State Farm here in Rochester. Great rates, good guy. Hes located on 37th Street just west of shopko, next to where Domaille used to be.
If service over price is the goal see if Fireman's Fund offers auto insurance in MN. (I suspect they don't). The Premier option has new OEM parts, massive rental coverage, guaranteed/agreed value (meaning you know what you'll get if it totals out -- they tend to overvalue), and lots of other good ****. They don't dick around with repairs and so on. Actually isn't really any more expensive than other options.
Are you looking for home or car insurance? I have state farm for my home and AAA for my car. State farm wanted more than twice the price per month then AAA for my car even with the house on the policy.
I have American Family for my home, automobile and life, I'm paying hundreds upon hundreds of dollars less then I was with state farm
I've heard horror stories with Progressive and body shops. Apparently you have to deal thru progressive and not the body shop that's getting the work done. Also on top of it the body shop has to send out a person to the progressive place where they do the estimate to bid on the car and lowest bidder gets the work. Worse part of all is all Progressive tells you is it could be at one of these shops and gives you a list of 10-15. At least this is what I've heard... I have one shop that my car will go to and no where else just because I know the owners. Can't wait for the hail to come to get a fresh paint job next year. I won't feel bad for progressive either since my insurance premium is just asinine and I need to change asap, to bad I just don't want to pick that phone up I had my car repaired in CO when I was living out there and they told me to let them know where I wanted my car fixed and they would send a guy out to that shop to look at it. C/N: Stay away from Progressive as they overcharge.
Both, Im 23 and looking to get off on my own so i am looking at getting one company for both plans. Currently I have been looking at American Family, Statefarm, and Farmers. I was amazed to find out how much more AmFam was then statefarm. I have worked with Amfam in the past and had no problems, so i guess im looking to find out if its worth the $$$ to stay with them or move to Statefarm or another.
Sorry if it's a bit off-topic still, but there's been alot of badmouthing of Progressive lately. I've never had issues with them, and they are easily the most affordable insurance I've had. Both major accidents I've had, they've been very easy to deal with. As for the lowest bidder from the body shops, that must only be if you turn the car into one of the Progressive service centers, which isn't required to still get the lifetime limited warranty on the work. They had a number of shops to choose from in the Twin Cities that I could bring my car to and still have the repairs covered for the life of the car. Hamline Auto was one of those, and it was recommended on here by some people. The only thing that upset me some is it took them awhile to get the ball rolling.
