Insurance Company Games

[sigma_1966]

I received my insurance renewal the other day in the mail. When I opened it my rate was up over $120 a year. In a bad mood anyways I called my agent.

She proceeds to tell me that there are general rate increases for every company. I asked her how long I had been with her company she says I am not able to tell on her screen. I said I have been with you for 10+ years and possibly more (I think it's closer to 15 years) she says you have been with us for 10 years at least.

After some explaination of rate increases I tell her I will be looking for a new agent. BOOM her attitude changes an all of a sudden she asks me

1) Do you have an alarm system on the car... I said yes and Onstar
2) She asks me If I have snow tires.. I said yes cost me $1800 in november.

All of sudden she tells me that there are discounts for having these items. So now my increase has been negated (is that the word ?) by the fact I have these items on my car. It pisses me off that none of these discounts were ever mentioned ever before.

I have 26 years driving. One accident ever in my life that was my fault and the charges were dropped (1989) one that wasnt my fault (7 years ago). I have had a couple small speeding tickets last one was 10 over about 6 years ago. I also had 2 comprehensive claims one for a window broken in a break in and another for some A$$ who keyed my car in 1996. $2 Million in Liability.

I'm tired of getting screwed....Anyone know a good insurance agent in the Toronto area?

[djsnoflake]

Move to Saskatchewan?

Plates on my SS are cheaper than on my Pontiac G5

[camaro99]

Originally Posted by sigma_1966

I received my insurance renewal the other day in the mail. When I opened it my rate was up over $120 a year. In a bad mood anyways I called my agent.

She proceeds to tell me that there are general rate increases for every company. I asked her how long I had been with her company she says I am not able to tell on her screen. I said I have been with you for 10+ years and possibly more (I think it's closer to 15 years) she says you have been with us for 10 years at least.

After some explaination of rate increases I tell her I will be looking for a new agent. BOOM her attitude changes an all of a sudden she asks me

1) Do you have an alarm system on the car... I said yes and Onstar
2) She asks me If I have snow tires.. I said yes cost me $1800 in november.

All of sudden she tells me that there are discounts for having these items. So now my increase has been negated (is that the word ?) by the fact I have these items on my car. It pisses me off that none of these discounts were ever mentioned ever before.

I have 26 years driving. One accident ever in my life that was my fault and the charges were dropped (1989) one that wasnt my fault (7 years ago). I have had a couple small speeding tickets last one was 10 over about 6 years ago. I also had 2 comprehensive claims one for a window broken in a break in and another for some A$$ who keyed my car in 1996. $2 Million in Liability.

I'm tired of getting screwed....Anyone know a good insurance agent in the Toronto area?

Talk about games call the insurance company again and tell them you got a better deal

[americo]

Try calling the Personal Insurance company, I saved 40% on my insurance.

[baggers]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but the Insurance Companies ARE taking a minimum of 25% increase across the board - doesn't matter whether you're USA, Mexican, Canadian, etc.

As for you mentioning about all these discounts ... it wouldn't have been your broker who should have picked up on that - the Companies have computers that are to pick up conviction free, years licenced, claims free, etc. I can honestly tell you in the 18 years of being an Insurance Broker, Onstar does NOT provide a discount - I'd like to know which broker you're dealing with - would be interesting to find out who is saying what to keep business!

As I said, here are your discounts on an auto policy:

1. Multiple policy
2. Multi auto discount
3. Conviction free discount
4. Loyalty discount (to be decided by Company computer not broker)
5. Change of class for if driving to work or not driving to work.

I don't want to rain on your parade my friend but you're getting taken for a ride! Another thing too ... I may have spoken out of turn because if you're with a Direct Writer (TD Insurance, CIBC Insurance, etc.) they may have other discounts but that's only to keep them in the same realm as our premiums do - don't fool yourself!

[baggers]

Americo - are you with the Military? If so, that would explain the 40% discount from the rates ... program set up for Military personnel.

Camaro99 - do you think when people call and say they got a better price that we fall over ourselves trying to save you $50 a year? Chances are, when the policy comes it, that $50 will have "miraculously" appeared and the broker will blame the company for a rate increase.

Be careful ... be VERY VERY careful!

[68 RS]

See the post on "What is everyone else paying for insurance" I think you will find some better deals out there.

In addition to the fact that my wife is a former insurance agent, she she said there are no discounts for winter tires or On-Star, I think the agent is pulling your leg on that one.

Shop around and compare before you buy.

[sigma_1966]

PM on the way baggers

Originally Posted by baggers

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but the Insurance Companies ARE taking a minimum of 25% increase across the board - doesn't matter whether you're USA, Mexican, Canadian, etc.

As for you mentioning about all these discounts ... it wouldn't have been your broker who should have picked up on that - the Companies have computers that are to pick up conviction free, years licenced, claims free, etc. I can honestly tell you in the 18 years of being an Insurance Broker, Onstar does NOT provide a discount - I'd like to know which broker you're dealing with - would be interesting to find out who is saying what to keep business!

As I said, here are your discounts on an auto policy:

1. Multiple policy
2. Multi auto discount
3. Conviction free discount
4. Loyalty discount (to be decided by Company computer not broker)
5. Change of class for if driving to work or not driving to work.

I don't want to rain on your parade my friend but you're getting taken for a ride! Another thing too ... I may have spoken out of turn because if you're with a Direct Writer (TD Insurance, CIBC Insurance, etc.) they may have other discounts but that's only to keep them in the same realm as our premiums do - don't fool yourself!

[americo]

I work for the local municipality, my last agent that I had for the last 30+ years quoted me 5500.00 for 3 cars and 4 drivers and the personal was 2200.00 less .

[BLACK67]

The company I was with for 33 years put mine up to the point I had to go else where. I just couldnt understand it. You would think a long time valued customer woul mean some thing.

[baggers]

You're very lucky then! Unfortunately, watch out for next year! It's unbelievable - hard to explain to people!

[Sterling]

What are you guys talking about that Onstar doesn't get you a discount? I even got a form from onstar to bring to my insurance company... are things that different in Canada? I didn't even think about a snow tire discount... I'm going to ask my agent about that one.