State Farm vs Geico ??

Ah, auto insurance..... let the flashbacks begin

I worked for GEICO for 4 years, in their claims department, while I was getting my master's degree.... I dealt specifically in "total theft" - when your entire vehicle is stolen, I was the person you talked to.

When you shop for insurance, PLEASE make sure you understand the coverage you're getting. You can find a cheaper rate with some companies, but the coveage isn't the same as your current company.

Regarding rental: ALL insurance co's rental coverage is clearly stated on the policy, and is normally $20 or $30 a day - not a comprable vehicle - and there is usually a total dollar amount limit. When I was at GEICO, the rental coverage for most states was $20/$600 - no more than $20 per day, and when you hit $600 your coverage was cut off. This is clearly stated in your policy, and getting all upset at the claims people when they explain the coverage to you just exposes your willingness to sign a legal document without reading/understanding it

Your insurance co has no control over the shop you choose to repair your vehicle... so if you choose a shop that is behind on its work and your truck sits in their lot for three weeks before they can start fixing it, of they work realllly slow, that's not your insurance co's fault. If the ins co's auto damage adjuster is suddenly hit with 50 cars to write estimates for, and he's the only one in that region with no backup, he'll get to them as soon as he can...but the delay isn't something he can help (AD adjusters take a lot of abuse from policyholders, and its hard to keep them from quitting at inconvienent times).

I dealt with a lot of other insurance co's during my tenure at the gecko, and I found that insurance is like anything else. Find me 5 people who hate Allstate/SF/Farmers/Geico/Progressive/whoever and I'll find you 5 people who would never go with anyone other than Allstate/SF/Farmers/Geico/Progressive/whoever

Just my $0.02

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Miniature Bull Terriers
www.PatronusMiniBulls.com
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I've also had State Farm 20+ years. At one time (1980's), Geico had a reputation of dropping policy holders if they had an accident. Once dropped your rates go up no matter who you go to. With SF, I cannot be dropped for any reason other than non-payment and I have been told by a couple of other companies that they couldn't come close to what I was paying SF.

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I switched to State Farm this year. Used to have Liberty Mutual. State Farm was about half what Liberty was charging. SF was the cheapest (Progressive couldn't match my coverage limit) and I was able to get roadside assistance on vehicles that have only liability coverage. I haven't had to make a claim, I pray I won't have to make one anytime soon, so I don't know how they are about settling.

My parents had State Farm; therefore I've had State Farm for the 39 years I've had my drivers license. They have replaced two totaled autos, about 29 and 25 years ago and have been good w/ multi-car discounts, accident free discounts, 'A' student discounts, etc.

I had an incident about 4 years ago on the NJ turnpike where a vehicle in the right lane, after signalling for over one mile without changing lanes decided to change lanes without so much as a look over her shoulder. I had been waiting and was finally passing when she veered towards me. I squeezed left pushing partway into the fast lane and then back into the center lane. It was during deer season and I had the hitchhaul on the back of the Jimmy and it hit the side of the bumper of the ladies Honda CRV tearing the plastic bumper cover loose on her left side and along the front.

We pulled to the shoulder and I attempted to exchange Info and took a bungie strap off the hitchhaul and secured her bumper cover so it wouldn't drag.

She read my State Farm Insurance card and stated that "they are so expensive; I switched to Geico."

She insisted on calling a LEO and the trooper gave us both tickets for improper passing.

At my court date, I spoke w/ the prosecutor trying to get my ticket reduced [no luck] and questioned how the other party did. He told me how she got the same fine and two points plus he had to hear her griping about how Geico pumped up her insurance rate.

Now I had noted the mile markers and described to State Farm haw long she signaled without making any attempt to turn. My insurance did not go up.

When my oldest daughter bought her own car, I had State Farm take the policy on the car she was driving that I had sold and she was started w/ her own coverage w/ 10 years safe driving based on her having been the driver of that auto. I'm about to do the same w/ daughter #2 just like my parents did w/ me when I bought my first car.

I was struck by another State Farm insured in my apartment parking lot, in front of witnesses, my insurance never went up...

Three cars in New Jersey is costing under $1,200.00 in the state with the highest cost auto insurance...I might be able to find it a little cheaper[debateable]; but I will not get the service I am used to having from State Farm.

I have Geico, switched from Progressive about 8 years ago. I personally have had no problems. Both hubby and son were in accidents and neither caused a rate hike which was suprising. And both claims were handled very well. My hubby's was considered his fault which I assumed would raise our rates big time but did not happen. All I can say is I am very pleased with the rates and customer service.

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Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light. Helen Keller

I have USAA. While I'll go with someone else for Homeowner's insurance, possibly, to save money, I have NEVER known anyone who has had a claim with USAA, and with someone else, and found the other company to be better than USAA.

I've had claims with Allstate, State Farm, Progressive and USAA, and by far USAA has both the most responsive customer service, and the best quality of service in general. They're not always the cheapest (usually but not always) but in my experience, the benefits and customer service quality make up for it.

And I DO get huge discounts. Right now they ARE the cheapest on auto insurance, and they just called me the other day to tell me my credit card rate DROPPED.

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"I pursue my faith with a lack of remorse; I stand resolute to embrace the cause." -- Project 86

After six months with Geico they raised my rate over $100 for no particular reason, i.e. no claims, no new cars, nothing. And they did it without any notice or explanation. I dropped them like a hot potato when I found Progessive was going to give me the same coverage for way cheaper and an additional $50 off for signing up online. Geico was snippy about it until they confirmed that I had compared apples to apples, then they politely thanked me for my past business and stated they hoped to do business with me in the future.

shop in person to agency instead of the internet price qoute, I found the internet pricing rather high as compared to calling agencys directly. this is also good advice for alot of other purchases also for some reason it seems a lot of companys are higher online and cheaper in thier brick and morter stores not always but its what I have been finding in my area.

i have progressive for auto motorcycle and homeowners... so far so good.

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The Journey -IS- the Destination

Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, Its about learning to dance in the rain....

I switched from State Farm to All State. Same coverage, less cost.

A few years ago, I had to change from State Farm Houxse insurance. State Farm require a second heat source. My house had a wood fired boiler. It had been in the house for 60 years. Non-pressure, with no pumps needed. Simple and reliable. But they made a requirement for a back up heat supply. The wood cook stove didn't count. I had to choose between screwing electric baseboards into my original oak woodwork, putting in a propane boiler with a propane tank in the yard or changing insurance carriers. I changed insurance.

Another thing Geico did around 1986: a guy I worked with onboard ship had his rates increased because he & his wife had not filed a claim in something like 25 years - Geico claimed they were due for an accident.


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Just did the insurance boogie in June. What a mess. We had been with State Farm since 1985 home and cars. My mom needed ins. on her truck, we went to state farm and signed her up, Then I realized she was paying as much for one truck as we were paying for 3 vehicles. So we went to farm bureau for a quote, she doesnt drive as in no drivers license,they had to put us on the policy, and this is when we found out state farm put a accident that my son was involved in on my husbands name.So we are with farm bureau now. This is getting to long, lets just say we are paying less for 4 vehicles than we were for 3.I dont know how they will be for a claim and I hope we dont have to find out.

I have to agree with USAA, I had a claim three weeks ago, I got hit in the parking lot while inside the building. I had a rental in one hour and got my repaired car back in 14 days. The only problem was the girl that hit me also had USAA, so I was not able to go after her insurance to get my deductable back.

I have USAA for auto x2 and Home owners x 2 They beat GEICO, and State Farm hands down.

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I have had SF for 15 years. I have switched agents when I moved out of state. But both my agents have been wonderful. When I was young I did some really stupid things (jumping RR tracks) and SF covered the damage no questions asked! One thing that I have learned is that you can file 3 claims a year anything after that will raise your rate, so stay within that and your fine. My DH got in an accident TY (it was his fault) and his went up by only $15 not bad concidering his bad driving record. Ive never price compared but Ive also never had to worry I know my SF will be there to back me up and take care of things.

Mine was a service issue and their service sucked.

The rental agreement changed after I moved to another state. The old bait and switch. After specifically telling the sales person I wanted the same coverage and that it would be "no problem". I had a laugh comparing the 2 contracts after the accident. They didn't even cover the smallest car you could rent at their "preferred" rental agent.

The adjuster showed up to look at the vehicle 7pm the 30th day after the accident (so much for the "most claims handled in 24 hours"). Think if they spent a few less dollars on caveman/gecko commercials they could hire another adjuster? Lack of people to do the job correctly means more ----ed off customers and the deserved bashing they received by me.

Worst part was the company that insured the teenage girl that caused the accident called me more than Geico did. I made a separate claim to them for out of pocket expenses and they paid 2 days after I gave them the total.

Again I will say they are useless when you actually need them and AVOID Geico at all costs.

Can anyone suggest a good insurance company that does NOT offer "financial services"?

I am with State Farm, but seems to me the big Insurance companies are morphing into legalized extortioners called "banks"!

I want a insurance company that deals with insurance, not with my 401k! I hate banks, banks should DIE.

Any suggestions? I've noticed that other insurance companies are morphing into dictorial financial instutions.

I had SF for many years - 31 years. I just switched to German Mutual (Erie Insurance Co.) due to a $155 a year rate increase on my homeowners insurance. I didn't have any claims and the explanation was that because of Hurricane Ike, I was going to have to pay more. I was like "I refuse to pay it" so I checked out other insurers - Grange, Erie, Allstate - Erie came in less than them all and I got the homeowners for LESS than I was currenty paying with SF before they boosted my rates. I switched ALL my insurance over - auto, home, personal liability, trailer - and paid less for MORE coverage. I got a big discount giving them all the business!

Those of you with SF, look out. The homeowners is going sky high due to last years' losses. Its not just the hurricanes, its the fires and earthquakes, too.

Erie does not dabble in the banking at all. I don't know if they insure in your area, so you might want to check them out.

I use USAA. Customer service is par excellence. You do have to meet certain military service requirements.

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We will meet in the golden city, called the New Jerusalem,
All our pain and all our tears will be no more.....

I worked at the place, and I didn't insure my cars thru them...that should tell you something right there!

You usually have two choices with rental coverage thru your insurance co: do you want it or not LOL! BUT every state has its own insurance regs concerning minimum limits, and they are different. So if you move from a state with 25/750 coverage to a state with 20/600 coverage, your insurance company has to change the coverage TO COMPLY WITH THAT STATE'S INSURANCE LAWS. This is not "bait and switch", it is following the laws for insurance from state to state.

Every time you get new insurance, or move even locally, have your insurance company send you a new "dec page" (short for declarations page) ASAP - this shows you exactly what your coverages are - comp/collision deductibles, rental coverage, max liability payouts, etc. ALWAYS read this and make sure you understand it - its a legally binding document that tells you what coverage you have paid for!

We used to have the biggest trouble with people who would insure their car, then when it was stolen they would tell us that they had added a $5,000 stereo system/tv system/rims/etc. Well, if your insurance co doesn't know about it, then you aren't paying for coverage on it - and that means its NOT covered. One guy had over $15,000 in after-market accessories on his Honda Civic and he was a regular on the show-car circuit.... he knew it would have more than doubled his insurance payment if he had declared it, so he didn't mention these upgrades when he bought his policy. He got paid based upon the value of a regular old run-of-the mill Honda Accord, and he wasn't happy. But hey, you get what you pay for!

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Miniature Bull Terriers
www.PatronusMiniBulls.com
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I called that hareford That aarp pushes And cut my insurance nill in half I hope it is good.