I’ve had all my policies with State Farm for 25+ years now and we were price shopping for our new boat. SF wanted 3500 vs Geico 600. I called my SF agent to confirm that quote. She called the adjuster and it was correct. CRAZY!!
So we are now comparing autos and it’s a huge difference as well. 1600 vs 870 for 3 cars/6 mo.
Umbrella policies is 1/2 price too. Unreal! Huge savings but I don’t know much about Geico.
Are they any good? I mean do they deliver when you need them? I know State Farm does. Thanks.
Auto insurance is a commodity. Most auto policies will have similar language within a given state. Umbrella policies vary a lot more between insurance companies in terms of their coverage and exclusions.
We have had auto insurance with Geico for 16 years, and our homeowners is with another carrier that Geico works with. We have had excellent responses for claims for both auto and home. We are very happy.
The big difference with Geico is that it is all by phone or online. You won’t see a human being unless it is the tow-truck driver, or adjuster. With State Farm, you get to work with your own agent. I think that is important for some people.
We switched from Allstate to Geico a few years ago–halved our payments! We haven’t needed to use them, but our S’s new car was hit from behind and he had no problems at all–the repair and a rental were set up for him immediately. Service seemed just fine–that’s what persuaded us to switch. And just to let you know, we are in Jersey, too.
Long time Geico user for my auto insurance (basically had them in NY in the 80s and switched to them in NJ once they started selling in NJ - probably 30 years ago). I have no complaints. We have had a few claims over the years (both comp and collision) and have been able to file the claim on-line, schedule the appraisal and repair with their local provider, and have gotten quick service. I was able to pay nothing for my daughter when she was at college 4 hours away and honestly didn’t feel our premiums were too bad when she was a new driver.
Thanks everyone. We will be switching to Geico. It’s really amazing that State Farm isn’t competitive. They may go out of business if they don’t change.
We used Geico for many years and I had no complaints. I will say that in my area, the in house SF attorneys seem more satisfied with their employment than those at Geico. I know this because I am an in house attorney for another carrier and I know lots of other in house lawyers. SF is generally more expensive and that could be why its attorneys are happier.
I had so much trouble with the State Farm agent’s staff in the office. I add a lot of things on and off of policies and they just couldn’t get it straight, plus I had to try to remember to call during their business hours. Changed to Geico years ago and I’m very happy. I can do everything online at my own convenience. But Geico doesn’t offer home insurance in California, or at least that’s what they said a couple of years ago.
Berkshire Hathaway revolutionized the insurance industry by eliminating the middle man (the agent). I don’t need an agent so I’m very happy.
I’ve had Geico auto insurance for a long time. I have some unique car makes that do not occur in standard pulldowns, and nobody comes close to Geico’s prices on those cars. State Farm was several times higher. My option of them has been satisfactory, not exceptional. Geico covered tows from SD to SF to a specialist twice after a mechanical breakdown, which really impressed me. Now they no longer cover such tows and instead will only offer a $100 credit towards a tow of my choice. When I had a fender bender in a parking lot, the other party’s insurer (Liberty Mutual) determined I was 20% at fault. I believed I should have been near 0% since my only notable error was not honking. Geico gave the impression that they did not want to get involved beyond confirming that the other party was primarily at fault (no change in premiums) and did not assist in negotiating a lower percentage, so I had little recourse, unless I wanted to get a 3rd party attorney involved.
To Data10’s point, State Farm has been excellent at supporting us when the accident wasn’t our fault. We were just notified that we will receive a check for our deductible for a parking lot fender bender back in April. To be honest, we forgot about it, even though we planned to stay on top of it and make reminder calls to our agent.
We have had State Farm for over 40 years. The few times we have had to submit claims, they have been prompt and hassle free. No way we want to give that up.
I believe NJ has a no fault auto insurance law (NY also?)
The one odd accident thing which happened to me many years ago occurred in NYC. We were stopped at a red light and the van behind us decided to go, even though the light hadn’t’ changed (as in go right into my rear bumper). Obviously the other driver’s fault.
We exchanged insurance information (didn’t call police). This was before cell phones - today I would take a photo of the other guy’s insurance card. Somehow there was some error in the account number I wrote down. I called his insurance and explained. She basically said - too bad - tough luck and wouldn’t help me (this was an agent who knew who the driver was, not somebody at an 800 number.) I was flabbergasted to say the least. I called my insurance (GEICO - but back in the day when everything wasn’t done on-line). They followed up and got the information on the driver.
You should all be happy that you don’t need to pay Michigan auto insurance rates. Ouch!! We had SF for years, and the agent was a friend from church - the rates just kept rising, even with no claims, so we had to shop around. We are with a multi-line agent, and we have Citizens insurance (Hartford). Things have been great with them, but they are getting more expensive (could be due to a couple recent claims, including the one from when a deer got in my way). Our D recently got insurance through Progressive & it was reasonable as MI rates go.
We’ve had SF for more than 30 years. Claims handled promptly, negotiated on a totaled car, no bugging us to increase or add coverage, but will make suggestions when/if asked.
If one is in an accident that is the other party’s fault or if there is any hinkiness involved, they are the best.
Our rates aren’t that high considering the number and types of vehicles as well as homeowners (2 homes) and umbrella.
@kelsmom – hah! When I moved back to NJ from MI many years ago the agents (same insurance company) laughed in amazement at how low my MI insurance was compared to what I was going to be paying in NJ. I’d be surprised if it’s gotten comparatively higher since then.