Posted: 6/4/2005 3:39:52 AM EDT
| My insurance agent wants to switch my insurance carriers to Safeco or Grange insurance...I'd rather go with Safeco (based on other people's comments and experience). My agent says Grange is a better company than Safeco, which are both better than who I am currently with does anyone have a supporting opinion either way? Thanks. |
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Tough call. I'm a licensed insurance agent and sell Safeco (among others) - they are a pretty good company. Grange has been kinda squirrely lately - really raised their rates a lot on Home Owners to help cover bad losses and claims last year. Depends on your situation. If you have no tickets or claims for the last 3 years, Travelers is going to give you the best rates in IN, at least based on the policies I have written for IN. Plus they'll also discount the renter's and in IN do not ask about dog breed. But you are doing the right thing by saying it is a mutt. Never admit to breed unless you are 100% sure. NOTE - I am only giving advice here. I am NOT encouraging you to call me or IM me for a free quote on your insurance, as that would be wrong to do here. |
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I do have an accident on my record from last Feburary, but we could always see. Thanks for the reply. Edit the other thing that I'm trying to consider also is that I will be moving to TX after I graduate and if possible would like to keep the same company rather than having to switch again in another year or so. |
Good point to consider. Most of our companies are nationwide - don't know about Grange in TX, but Safeco does write there. Depending on where you move to in TX, your rates may change very little or change a LOT. Don't move to Houston! |
Wasn't planning on it.  Incoming PM
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I had Safeco auto and home insurance when I first moved to TX (Houston), switched to them because the insurance company I'd used for many years doesn't write policies in TX. My teenage son had an accident the first year we were here, and Safeco dropped us like a bad habit at renewal time. Once any insurance co drops you, you go into a high risk pool with extremely high rates. I've worked my annual auto coverage premiums down from over $6K to $3K now and that passes for a good deal in Houston with young drivers on the policy. We haven't had another claim in the five years since Safeco pulled the rug out from under us but I paid about 12 grand extra in premiums during that time because of their actions in response to a claim. I wouldn't go back to Safeco again if they wrote a policy for half of what I'm paying now. Don't expect them to stick by you if you need them. |
Not exactly - unless you have a lapse in coverage, most new insurance companies will not consider you high-risk. |
| Shop around... ALL insurance companies go through cycles of high & low prices and loose & tight acceptability standards. The company that is great this year might suck the next. Get a good independant agent that has access to a lot of markets or get out the phonebook do the legwork yourself. Also, you will find that the insurance market in Texas is a lot different than the market in Indiana. |
I hope so Thanks for all the help and the insurance information Greywolf, it was much appreciated. |
Careful what you hope for... it will probably be more expensive! |
Just becuase I am also not encouraging you to call or IM him for insurance like he did mine doesn't mean I am also not doing something wrong here. Or not. 
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Now I'm confused. But I am still NOT asking people to call or IM me. Please, don't do it! |
Well, the question they all asked was "Have any previous carriers refused to renew your policy?" That seemed to be the most important criteria compared to claim history, moving violations, credit history, etc. |