Which Insurance Co. is the Best? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jbaj007 · #16 01-02-2005, 01:23 AM

I've been happy with USAA for many years. When's the last time your insurance company sent you a check for not getting into an accident?

USAA has. Of course, their "clint base" is a generally reliable group.

leathermang · #17 01-09-2005, 06:55 AM

Ran across this...

"April 18 -- Update: trial lawyers' war on Allstate. Plaintiff's attorneys score some advances in campaign against big insurer known for lawyer-averse claims practices (see "How To Hammer Allstate", Dec. 22). A New Haven, Ct. federal judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit claiming that that company committed fraud by discouraging third parties involved in accidents with its insureds from retaining lawyers. A Seattle judge agreed with trial lawyer arguments that for Allstate to urge such third-party claimants not to hire lawyers amounts to the unauthorized practice of law and is thus illegal. And a Nassau County, N.Y. judge has levied sanctions against the company for insisting on its policyholder's day in court against a claim where it should in the judge's view have conceded liability. (Mark Ballard, "Allstate Tactics Under Fire," National Law Journal, Jan. 31; Thomas Scheffey, "Allstate Suit Gets Nod From Connecticut Court", Connecticut Law Tribune, Feb. 14; Michael A. Riccardi, "Appeal Battle Over Allstate Sanction Case May Help Tort Plaintiffs", New York Law Journal, Mar. 22). Update Apr. 25, 2004: insurer prevails in Connecticut federal case. "

from:
http://overlawyered.com/archives/00apr2.html

Also this from same site:

December 22 -- Popular continuing-legal-education course: "How to Hammer Allstate". Seminars with that title have been playing to overflow crowds of trial lawyers around the country. The big insurance company has angered plaintiff's attorneys by taking a hard line in defending claims filed against its auto policyholders, especially where vehicle damage is minimal and the claim is of soft-tissue injury. "There's a sense of righteous indignation," says Robert I. Reardon Jr., who organized one such seminar for the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association which drew 320 lawyers. Allstate lawyer William Vainisi agrees that the company has been mounting a tough defense effort but says it is directed against "inflated demands and built-up medicals". (Mark Ballard, "Hot CLE Class: Hammering Allstate", National Law Journal, Dec. 10). The company has also infuriated attorneys in recent years by contacting persons who have been involved in crashes with its policyholders and urging them to consider settling the claim without a lawyer, a step that its opponents charge violates rules against the unauthorized practice of law. (Danielle Rodier, "Allstate Sheds UPL Claim, Still Faces Consumer Protection Suit", Legal Intelligencer, April 14; ArkTLA; W.V. bar (link now dead); Phila. Trial Lawyers Assn.; NYSTLA; Conn.; Insure.com). More: Apr. 18, 2000.

Mark DiSilvestro · #18 01-09-2005, 11:21 AM

Some other cautions on obtaining classic-car insurance. They all require that the classic car be garaged and many additionally require that your other 'daily-driver' be below a certain age - some allow no more than ten years old!

Happy Motoring, Mark

Zeitgeist · #19 01-09-2005, 12:41 PM

Very happy with our 10+ years of USAA coverage. Our Passat tdi was hit twice (parked) and USAA aggressively pursued the other parties on our behalf. The second incident was a hit n' run by an uninsured woman, which could've cost us our $300 deductible, but they tracked her down and demanded payment. I like the annual dividend checks.

dlssmith · #20 01-10-2005, 11:01 AM

I have been an insurance underwriter for a number of years. Including personal auto underwriting for a small company. And even with a lot of inside knowledge, I always have felt that I should keep State Farm as my insuring company. I just like the service from my local agent, and the promptness of claims handling. Both on Homeowners and Auto.

Recently my 88 Honda Accord was hit by a deer (the deer was uninsured) and sustained enough damage to total it. Though the car was in near perfect condition, with 288,000 miles or so, I thought it might be worth $500. SF paid $1850. I didn't complain. I had paid the comprehensive coverage over the years without a claim, and even when I thought about dropping that coverage and just keeping the liability only, my agent said, keep it, you might hit a deer...! Was she right, or what???!!!

DS
87 300D
Northern Iowa - Fresh air and snow

Pete Burton · #21 01-10-2005, 01:06 PM

If you are lucky enough to be elgible for USAA, I think it's a no-brainer. We are well insured for a good price and we have our credit card/banking with them too. The few times anyone has tried to screw me with the credit card they have stood with us and stopped payment to the undeserving merchant.

Eric Eliel · #22 01-10-2005, 06:44 PM

My experience with USAA was "on the other side". The person that hit me had USAA and I had to sue her in small claims to render a fault. USAA paid the judgement, they just didn't want to get involved in determining fault. They did take the full 30 days to pay.

NOTE: When a traffic light is out (weather related or otherwise) you are required to treat that light as if it was a stop sign. (Especially when its raining!!!!)

dieseldiehard · #23 01-10-2005, 07:37 PM

FWIW, news out today on AP re:State Farm Insurance
Monday January 10, 6:31 pm ET
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Thousands of automobile owners nationwide will share in a $40 million settlement with State Farm Mutual Insurance Co. over the company's handling of titles to vehicles totaled in accidents.
About 30,000 consumers nationwide may be eligible for payments ranging from $400 to $10,000, depending on the value of their vehicle. Most payments will be between $800 and $1,850, officials said.
The settlement includes 49 states and the District of Columbia. Only Indiana opted out of the settlement because State Farm had an agreement there more than a year ago, said company spokesman Fraser Engerman.
The case began after State Farm approached the states and indicated that, after an internal review, it couldn't confirm that it had properly titled vehicles it had assumed after damage or theft, said Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller.
In most states, insurance companies taking ownership of vehicles in such situations must declare on the title whether the car was "damaged" or is "salvage." That means future purchasers of the vehicle if rebuilt would know it was listed as a total loss in an accident, a fact that can affect its value, said Christine Pritchard, a spokeswoman for New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.

State Farm's records showed that it had properly titled about 2.4 million vehicles in recent years, but that a smaller number were not properly titled. Iowa law, for example, requires a full disclosure statement of prior salvage history.
"Most of those vehicles are no longer on the road," Engerman said.

Pequod · #24 01-10-2005, 09:38 PM

I have done all of my insurance business with Amica and have never had a problem with claims etc.

TX76513 · #25 01-13-2005, 11:35 AM

As many members in this forum we should start our own Overseas Captive.

conroe4 · #26 01-13-2005, 02:33 PM

I have the Benz, homeowners, the boats, and an umbrella policy all under State Farm. I let USAA bid the package and they came in 300.00 higher per year. But SF doesn't "do" motorcycles, so the Harley is under Progressive.