Down With State Farm

[Shadow]

Originally Posted by floridaZ

I would have to disagree on this point. Who is to say where a business can or can not do business? If they don't want to offer plans at the rates we want () then they simply don't offer them. It would be like saying that companies that only offer classic car insurance shouldn't be allowed to do business anymore since they won't insure my house.

Anyway, back when we were having "hurricane issues" we had State Farm. We got dropped, so my father switched the house over to Farm Bureau (I think). Once they started offering policies again, State Farm called my father up and told him that they were doing so, in an effort to get him to come back. He told the agent that since they were not there for him when he needed them, why should he give them any of his hard earned money?

A good choice, apparently.

Actually, the State of Florida has a lot to say about how does insurance business in Florida and how it's done.

You may recall after the big Andrew, the companies wanted to cut bait and run

The DOI told them that they had to stay for I think it was 10 years or drop all the business in Florida and GTFO (IIRC?)

Fast forward 10 years.

As soon as that period expired, several hauled ass outta state and quit writing in Florida.

I happen to agree Andy on this one

All or nothing!!

Insurance is a gamble. An assumed risk that both parties take.

You take the risk you'll need it and they take the risk you won't.

They charge you for for that risk and gamble they'll win.

Sometimes you're the victor and sometimes...you're the desert

All this BS about them losing money is just that. Sure, they may loose 10 billion here, but they profited 40 billion elsewhere! But since they set the companies up separately, the losses vs the gains are not accurately reflected.
It's a huge shell game

If they want to charge a reasonable premium based on actual costs and risk, not the inflated BS they feed us, then fine.

If not, and all they want to do is cherry pick, then GTFO...NOW! And take our actuaries with you!

[thebeepster]

Big Insurance (like Big Oil) is definitely not our friend, but the reality is most of us still have to have it. I've been a State Farm customer for 40+ yrs and now I can offer some agent a nice package. If anyone knows of a good independent agent (in Tampa Bay area) please post or send me a PM

[als2052]

Now that some of us are shopping for insurance, what companies out there do you recommend...

[navy2kcoupe]

Originally Posted by floridaZ

I would have to disagree on this point. Who is to say where a business can or can not do business? If they don't want to offer plans at the rates we want () then they simply don't offer them. It would be like saying that companies that only offer classic car insurance shouldn't be allowed to do business anymore since they won't insure my house.

That's not the point that I was trying to make.....I simply meant that if State Farm was offering homeowners insurance, renters insurance, car insurance, condo insurance, and life insurance, then decided to drop the homeowners part of it (just in Florida) while still offering the others, then prevent them from selling ANY insurance. Your analogy would be better expressed by saying that the classic car insurance company (who only offers THAT insurance and none of the others), all of a sudden stops writing policies for Fords because they break too often and are too costly to repair, and keeps on insuring all of the rest of the makes. I guess what I'm trying to get at is if State Farm or any other outfit offers homeowners insurance in other states along with all the rest of their other types of coverage, then they should have to offer it in Florida as well if they want to continue to do business (all the other coverages) in the state. Just my 2 cents worth, and believe me, I'm NOT trying to piss anyone off, just stating my thoughts.............
Andy

[LS2POWA]

Insurance companies are screwed no matter what part of the country there in. East coast gets hurricanes and blizzards(Northeastern area). Midwest gets pummeled with tornaders, given trailers dont cost as much as homes...they still see more activity. West coast is plagued with constant wildfires and earthquakes.

My parents have been dropped by a couple big name companies cause of pull outs, then when they come back as someone mentioned before they want you back. There should be a penalty for companies who pull out of states cause of natural disasters then want to come back, huuuuuge fee.

[85vette]

I put a link on here about a year or so ago when the big Insurance co.'s were trying to raise rates. Not sure if it still is active but I'll try to locate it.

http://www.flgov.com/shop4insurance

This was the link, but it's no longer active. I do recall that State Farm was consistantly the highest. Allstate was much more resonable of the Major companies.

[thebeepster]

I've heard that Allstate will also kick your a$$ and bail on you...anyone had experience w/ the lizard or Progressive (auto)?

[85vette]

Yeah, I've been waiting for the Dear John letter...my brother had Progressive until they denied a claim. They stated he shared blame with a 14 year old unlicensed driver that made a u-turn into him and totaled his truck. Even though he (my brother)was not charged. They finally settled with him three years later. As for Geico...they couldn't match what I have with Allstate. I'm not promoting Allstate...I think their rates are high...but it's the best I've found for me.

[yn1bennett]

I think that, if you do insurance within any state of the US, you would be required to do insurance in all states or no states at all.

All or nothin!! You don't want to do business in California, then you can't do business in any state. You should not be able to choose. Then the competition would be for the users and not the big companies.

[85vette]

Sadly, my insurance in North Carolina for the same cars, same coverage, is HALF what it is here in Florida....