Auto Insurance

[CalvertNewbie]

We have Geico, after being t-boned by a red light runner last year, they were very good to us. Someone who lives in the county stopped by on their way home with the settlement for the car. I had just gotten out of shock trauma and did not feel like driving to Clinton to pick up the check.

Afterwards, when it came to settlement time, we were lucky that we had an under insured rider on our policy. Please everyone make sure you have this rider. Geico paid 2/3 of the settlement because of that rider.

You might also see if you can max the PIP on your policy, we had only 25,000 per person and I and my wife exceeded that almost immediately. Thank heaven for Blue Cross.

That is really great advice. It's unfortunate that many people don't take the time to really read and understand their insurance policies. We just assume that our agent took care of us. That's not always the case.

Many times, to raise or add coverage is not nearly expensive as you may think. When you file a claim, you'll be glad you're adequately covered. It's worth it to take the time to call your insurer and ask them about your coverages and ask any questions you may have. They should be happy to help you. If not, there are many other companies to choose from.

We currently have State Farm after I was with GEICO for 10 years. We only left GEICO because they don't offer homeowners insurance so there is no multi-line discount through them. Both are great companies, for the most part, imo.

 

[belvak]

We only left GEICO because they don't offer homeowners insurance so there is no multi-line discount through them. Both are great companies, for the most part, imo.

I have my homeowner's through GEICO. It is underwritten by Traveler's, but I do get a discount from having my auto and homeowner's both with them.

 

[HouseCat]

USAA. I have all my checking, savings, car loan, boat loan, insurances and everything through them. They give me the best rates and are always extremely helpful and nice. When I got rearended last year, they bent over backwards to get me into a rental and made sure all the repairs went very smoothly.

 

[CalvertNewbie]

I have my homeowner's through GEICO. It is underwritten by Traveler's, but I do get a discount from having my auto and homeowner's both with them.

Right, GEICO will sell you the homeowner's policy but it's actually a Traveler's policy so they don't (or at least, didn't) give a discount. I worked there for a long time and that was one of the reasons many GEICO insureds left for other companies. That's the only reason I left a year ago, too. Even though I no longer worked there, I respected them as a company and I know how their claims service works.

Are you sure you get a discount on your auto policy? If so, I'll be calling them to see if they changed their procedures. If they did, I'd switch back in a hearbeat. I love having 24 hr service. I can't get a live person on a weekend at State Farm.

 

[bcp]

Right, GEICO will sell you the homeowner's policy but it's actually a Traveler's policy so they don't (or at least, didn't) give a discount. I worked there for a long time and that was one of the reasons many GEICO insureds left for other companies. That's the only reason I left a year ago, too. Even though I no longer worked there, I respected them as a company and I know how their claims service works.

Are you sure you get a discount on your auto policy? If so, I'll be calling them to see if they changed their procedures. If they did, I'd switch back in a hearbeat. I love having 24 hr service. I can't get a live person on a weekend at State Farm.

I can always get a live person with Nationwide

 

[belvak]

Right, GEICO will sell you the homeowner's policy but it's actually a Traveler's policy so they don't (or at least, didn't) give a discount.

Are you sure you get a discount on your auto policy?

Can't swear to anything right here. Would have to look at the paperwork, but I'm pretty sure I remember them saying that I got a break for having my homeowner's and auto together. I'll see if I can dig up the info and get back with you. May take me a few days!! I'm only home in the evening (before bed time) for about 5 hours every evening! Yeah, the hours suck, but I am off ever other Monday and get paid well.

 

[CalvertNewbie]

Can't swear to anything right here. Would have to look at the paperwork, but I'm pretty sure I remember them saying that I got a break for having my homeowner's and auto together. I'll see if I can dig up the info and get back with you. May take me a few days!! I'm only home in the evening (before bed time) for about 5 hours every evening! Yeah, the hours suck, but I am off ever other Monday and get paid well.

No, please don't worry about that. In the next couple of weeks, I'll be calling around to a bunch of companies for quotes. I'll add GEICO to the list and hopefully I'll be told that I'll get a multi-line discount. They're always doing things to try and beat out the competition so maybe they got tired of people leaving because they didn't offer a discount that most insurance companies do. I'd really like to go back to them, although I know State Farm is also a great company. My parents have always had SF, ever since they started driving.

As for your hours, that's great you get a 3 day weekend every other week. Oh, and the good pay is always a plus!

 

[sockgirl77]

Nationwide is on my side.

 

[jazz lady]

Ive had Erie for proably 25 years now cars and home, Ive had no problems, havent ever had a claim, except for windshields.

We hit a Deer last year. I called ERIE and they said I could go anyplace I wanted to have it repaired. However, if I could go to one of their recommended service centers they would make all the arrangements, pickup my smashed ride, etc. Fortunately, a service center was right up the road. Same with a car rental. I went to their recommended rental (Enterprise) and picked up car. The experience (other then hitting the deer) was painless!

Big for Erie here, too.

I've been with Erie for about 2 years now and absolutely LOVE them. My car was vandalized last year and from start to finish, the insurance company was a joy to work with. They worked directly with the auto repair center and arranged everything for me, including a rental car.

 

[CalvertNewbie]

Nationwide is on my side.

Have you ever had to put in a claim? I'm just curious about their claim service. bcp said they're there 24 hrs so that's a plus also. TIA.

 

[sockgirl77]

Have you ever had to put in a claim? I'm just curious about their claim service. bcp said they're there 24 hrs so that's a plus also. TIA.

I have not. But, my ex has had to put in plenty of claims while I was in earshot and they always responded. I know plenty of people that use them and have not heard one complaint.


I will say that years ago I used Harry Stone's office for Erie and State Farm. Loved my policies but his office was the most unorganized office I had ever been in. The constantly lost my paperwork.

 

[CalvertNewbie]

I have not. But, my ex has had to put in plenty of claims while I was in earshot and they always responded. I know plenty of people that use them and have not heard one complaint.


I will say that years ago I used Harry Stone's office for Erie and State Farm. Loved my policies but his office was the most unorganized office I had ever been in. The constantly lost my paperwork.

Great, thanks for the info.

 

[butterfly08]

Who do you have? Why do you like them?

Do you use an online servicer or do you have an agent here that you like.
I am in Calvert.

TIA.

I have USAA for my car insurance, and my car loan. I have never had a complaint, and they have good rates.

 

[rwethereyet]

Erie

Have had Erie Insurance for 16 years. No problems. I use Simms Insurance in LP City and they are great. Very organized and know what they are doing/talking about.

 

[Eunibaby88]

I have State Farm in LaPlata the agents name is Tom Gorillo and I love them no matter how many times I call with dumb questions they never seem to mind

 

[AiryT]

Ive had Erie for proably 25 years now cars and home, Ive had no problems, havent ever had a claim, except for windshields.

I've had Erie for years for auto insurance. Recently, I decided to check around just to make sure I was getting a good rate and Erie still was the best. I added my home owner's insurance which was previously with Nationwide and got more coverage for almost half the price. I just couldn't believe it. Now having two policies with Erie, made my auto insurance which was already at a good rate go down an additional $200. Erie has great customer service (Simms Insurance is my agent). Erie and Simms rock

 

[workin hard]

I have Erie through Dan Burris in Leonardtown. We have full coverage on both vehicles, full coverage on a crotch rocket, and homeowner's thru them.

The only claim we have had to turn in is a homeowners one and they were good to work with.

 

[johnjrval424]

I'm sure by now you've already gotten your quotes but I'll still share:

In Maryland, an insurance company is allowed to check your credit report when they are asked to provide you with insurance. Therefore, when you do your "shopping" for insurance quotes, keep in mind that they are going to be hitting your credit report each time, which could affect your score.

Secondly, since this has just happened to me, I encourage everyone - EVERYONE - to carefully read their policy documents. Insurance companies are only allowed to check your credit report when they FIRST offer you insurance. Otherwise, it is off limits. However, it has been brought to my attention that my insurance company for my husband's motorcycle (Progressive) continued to check our credit report each year when the policy was up for renewal. I have filed a complaint with the Maryland Insurance Administration and they have requested documentation from Progressive as to why this occurred.

This applies to homeowners insurance as well. I have homeowners with Allstate. Since I live near the Bay (2.5 miles from it, but nonetheless according to Allstate) and Calvert County is supposed to be a "tropical cyclone" area, my deductible for my "tropical cyclone" coverage (translation=hurricane) is now 5% of my replacement value. For me, that amounts to almost $14,000. When I called other insurance companies, they told me that they aren't accepting new customers in my area. The only reason Allstate is still insuring us is because they already had us - but they aren't writing any new policies in this area and neither is anyone else. The other trick they pulled is they arbitrarily increased my coverage on my house which thereby increases the 5% deductible which thereby decreases their liability in the event of a disastrous claim. I have also filed a complaint with the MD Insurance Administration on Allstate, although the MIA told me that Allstate is doing this all over the State of Maryland and with little consequence. Apparently, they found the loophole in Maryland law that permits them to do this type of business.

So, be careful with your insurance coverages. Insurance companies are notorious for slipping in little details to reduce their liability and don't always put the customer first. I'm not saying that every insurance company does this but better safe than sorry.

 

[GWguy]

I'm sure by now you've already gotten your quotes but I'll still share:

In Maryland, an insurance company is allowed to check your credit report when they are asked to provide you with insurance. Therefore, when you do your "shopping" for insurance quotes, keep in mind that they are going to be hitting your credit report each time, which could affect your score.

Secondly, since this has just happened to me, I encourage everyone - EVERYONE - to carefully read their policy documents. Insurance companies are only allowed to check your credit report when they FIRST offer you insurance. Otherwise, it is off limits. However, it has been brought to my attention that my insurance company for my husband's motorcycle (Progressive) continued to check our credit report each year when the policy was up for renewal. I have filed a complaint with the Maryland Insurance Administration and they have requested documentation from Progressive as to why this occurred.

This applies to homeowners insurance as well. I have homeowners with Allstate. Since I live near the Bay (2.5 miles from it, but nonetheless according to Allstate) and Calvert County is supposed to be a "tropical cyclone" area, my deductible for my "tropical cyclone" coverage (translation=hurricane) is now 5% of my replacement value. For me, that amounts to almost $14,000. When I called other insurance companies, they told me that they aren't accepting new customers in my area. The only reason Allstate is still insuring us is because they already had us - but they aren't writing any new policies in this area and neither is anyone else. The other trick they pulled is they arbitrarily increased my coverage on my house which thereby increases the 5% deductible which thereby decreases their liability in the event of a disastrous claim. I have also filed a complaint with the MD Insurance Administration on Allstate, although the MIA told me that Allstate is doing this all over the State of Maryland and with little consequence. Apparently, they found the loophole in Maryland law that permits them to do this type of business.

So, be careful with your insurance coverages. Insurance companies are notorious for slipping in little details to reduce their liability and don't always put the customer first. I'm not saying that every insurance company does this but better safe than sorry.

PLEASE let me know how this turns out. They did the same to me and raised my rates because I didn't have a car loan on file.

 

[johnjrval424]

PLEASE let me know how this turns out. They did the same to me and raised my rates because I didn't have a car loan on file.

Do you still have insurance with them?