Ditching MetLife ... Anyone use the AAA for car insurance?

[357magster]

After 24 years with MetLife, I'm giving them the ol' heave-ho after they severed ties with the NRA last week.

I've been an AAA member for years. They're right up the road. Anyone use them for auto insurance? Opinions? I don't mind if they're not the cheapest. I like the idea of having an actual office nearby ... not an 800 number to deal with. ("Push 1 for English ..." Grrrrr .....)

Thanks.

 

[chaparrito]

I'd look into whether the AAA office nearby will serve as actual agents in the even you need one or if they'll just off you to whatever ins. company they're currently contracted with. Last time I checked it was Progressive. I'm pretty sure all you're getting from them is an alleged "member discount" as AAA itself is not an insurance company.
I can see needing an agent after a fender-bender, walking in to my AAA office and having them say "gee that's too bad, here's the 800 number".

 

[hoosierone]

We had State Farm for many years. That included two cars, homeowners, and an umbrella policy. They kept raising the premiums and told me they don't negotiate rates with customers. I went to AAA and for the same coverage I saved $500 a year. Bye bye State Farm.

 

[df06]

It certainly pays to shop around. I had Allstate for many years and rates always were climbing and I had virtually no claims. Went to an agency that handled multiple insurance companies. I ended up with Cincinnati insurance, auto and home. Can’t remember the saving but it as close to $1000 annual.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Yep-I like an independent agent that can issue dif company's. just saved almost 1/3 by asking agent to check the cost of homeowners coverage, when we rec an increase. I like Progressive for auto-went through a serious wreck with them, and they were great.

 

[SupportTheSecond]

Have used AAA since 1975 for my cars and breifly for motorcycle when they offered it. Not the cheapest but when needed they have never let me down. You can reduce the rates too if you bundle other insurance types (home)etc. We still have to do that.

The other benefit for me is that they do quite a few DMV services that you normally would have to go to the main DMV office. Saves hours.

 

[ameridaddy]

I've been happy with State Farm for 45 years less one year when I made an attempt at a smaller premium with Prudential. It was cheap - for one year - then they raised me to a higher rate than State Farm. Prudential was a bait and switch. Back to State Farm, maybe not the cheapest, but I've had outstanding claim service for car and home - quick, no hassle, no haggle, losses made 100% good, and my agent is nearby.

 

[bjrjar]

Had AAA (really CSAA) for over 40 years now. Last year totaled my pickup (flood) had only 23K on truck. They would not take the low mileage into consideration. They just offered what they said it was worth, and told me if I could find another 2008 truck for sale at a higher price we could talk. There were none with anywhere close to the mileage mine had. All had probably 70 or 100K more. The National Association of Auto Dealers Association (NADA) has a values rating guide and it said my truck was worth about 3,000.00 more than AAA would pay, but they said they could not consider that valuation. My daughter was hit while stopped on the freeway in traffic, the driver who hit her from behind was underinsured. Our uninsured /underinsured coverage was in the amount of $100K, and she had to sue to get a total of $40K. The DMV services are helpful, but I can assure you that you will not get the settlement you think is appeopriate or fair, and there’s little recourse readily available. I think most all insurance companies operate on this business model. Good luck.

Bob


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[Gaffer]

Many year ago while still working I attended a week long financial training seminar where the instructors were adamant that you change you auto insurance every 2-3 years. That will get you the cheapest coverage overall for the long haul. They said that those who stay with a company beyond 5 years are getting ripped off. I believe it. Yes it is a hassle to change every 2-3 years but the monetary benefit is worth it.

 

[Targets Guy]

I've used their trip tiks and we have their emergency service but never any insurance with them.

Been with USAA for over 50 years now and never had cause to leave them for car insurance.

 

[LVSteve]

Had AAA (really CSAA) for over 40 years now. Last year totaled my pickup (flood) had only 23K on truck. They would not take the low mileage into consideration. They just offered what they said it was worth, and told me if I could find another 2008 truck for sale at a higher price we could talk. There were none with anywhere close to the mileage mine had. All had probably 70 or 100K more. The National Association of Auto Dealers Association (NADA) has a values rating guide and it said my truck was worth about 3,000.00 more than AAA would pay, but they said they could not consider that valuation. My daughter was hit while stopped on the freeway in traffic, the driver who hit her from behind was underinsured. Our uninsured /underinsured coverage was in the amount of $100K, and she had to sue to get a total of $40K. The DMV services are helpful, but I can assure you that you will not get the settlement you think is appeopriate or fair, and there’s little recourse readily available. I think most all insurance companies operate on this business model. Good luck.

Bob


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The insurance business is a price fixing cartel. Let's get that fact up front.

Vehicles with ultra low mileage for their age are rarely treated well by insurance companies or the motor trade.

I have AAA and they have been pretty good. The one wreck I was in they dealt with quickly and the repairs to the car were first class.

 

[johnt671]

I had Allstate for years and got tires of the price goind 100 plus dollars a year with no accidents or tickets. I looked around and went for insurance through AARP. It was almost half of Allstate for three cars. I've been with them for five years. It goes up a few bucks a year but that's it.

 

[soFlaNative]

Bundled homeowner's and auto insurance for savings for many years with Prudential then Liberty.
Averaged a minor claim for either once every four years.
Auto rates climbed and home was unceremoniously dropped after '05.
Checked with AAA and was directed to Met Life. No claims but Met got out of auto the last year or two.


Currently with AAA, reasonable rates but no claims as of yet.
Insurance companies that cherry pick their coverages in So Fla can quite frankly bite me.

 

[meaneyedcatz]

I deal with insurance companies everyday concerning body damage. I don't talk in depth about coverage, prices, etc with them. This is my two cents worth.

AAA, no issues, seems like a good company

Auto Owners, can't go wrong with them. Might be more expensive but they take care of their customers.

State Farm, used to be good, now they are just your typical insurance comp

Lib Mutual/Safeco, would not have them if YOU were paying my policy.

USAA, heard nothing but good.

Country Comp. no issues.

Progressive, Geico, they are more interested in making good commercials and selling policies then insuring you.

Allstate, Metlife, nope.

 

[hoc9sw]

I was with State Farm for multiple coverages until my agent passed away. The new one didn't like the fact that I was stationed overseas on and off, and cancelled me.

I went with USAA and have been there almost 30 years.

 

[Steve912]

I like Progressive for auto-went through a serious wreck with them, and they were great.

Clark Howard recapped a recent study on auto insurors raising
rates for the not-at-fault driver after an accident,
and Progressive was the national leader. One might say
Progressive likes to "spread the blame around", so to speak.

Their founder/director also holds/expresses relatively strong
political sentiments, for a corporate figure.

 

[Targets Guy]

I was with State Farm for multiple coverages until my agent passed away. The new one didn't like the fact that I was stationed overseas on and off, and cancelled me.

I went with USAA and have been there almost 30 years.

Wait till you start getting your "over 40 year" bonus. You will like them even more.

 

[BC38]

....One might say
Progressive likes to "spread the blame around", so to speak.

Their founder/director also holds/expresses relatively strong
political sentiments, for a corporate figure.

Yes, and those sentiments are very Progressive.

Which coincidentally (or maybe NOT so coincidentally) also fits with their operating philosophy of "spread the blame around" (a.k.a. punish everyone for the misdeeds of a few).

I'd say that all adds up....

BTW, we used to have them as our insurance company until a) I learned a lot more about them and b) they progressively raised our rates two or three years in a row.

 

[LVSteve]

Clark Howard recapped a recent study on auto insurors raising
rates for the not-at-fault driver after an accident,
and Progressive was the national leader. One might say
Progressive likes to "spread the blame around", so to speak.

This has become SOP because as I've already stated, the whole industry is a cartel. What makes more money, turning loose expensive attorneys from different companies on each other or agreeing to charge the customers more. Simple math, I think.

 

[yaktamer]

If you are eligible to join USAA, they cannot be beat for price or service. Whenever I've had someone try to sell me insurance they first ask who I am with now. When I tell them it's USAA, they say thanks and that they won't waste my time.