State Farm Auto - Choose the Right Agent and You Should Be OK.
Written: Feb 23 '01
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Pros: Competitive rates, many Agents, rated A++ with A.M. Best.
Cons: Your Agent's competence and dedication will determine if your experience will be positive or negative.
The Bottom Line: State Farm is definitely one of the better companies out there. If you're looking for a new Insurance Company, be sure to check them out.
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| madtheory's Full Review: State Farm Group - Auto |
I recently wrote an opinion on GEICO Direct Auto Insurance because I had recently been an Insurance Sales Representative in with them. However, the entire time I was with GEICO, I was (and still am) a State Farm policyholder. I felt it would be relevant to write an opinion as to why I gave GEICO such high praise while I stay insured by State Farm.
Your Rate:
State Farm likes preferred drivers, just like GEICO. However, State Farm is not as discriminating as GEICO. GEICO operates on the principle that a driver should get the rate they deserve. This means that a driver with few violations will get a lower rate, while a driver with many violations will get a rate so high that their ears bleed when they hear it (I’ve had to give those many times). State Farm gives it’s preferred drivers slightly higher rates in order to give its standard or non-standard customers more reasonable rates.
This means that younger drivers, old folks, and people with a few violations will have a reasonable rate with State Farm and be less likely to be canceled after future violations. I have very few violations on my record, but my wife (she’ll kill me if she reads this) tends to rack up a few minor ones each year. We’re still preferred drivers, but I like knowing I wont have much to worry about if that changes.
Customer Service:
This is the part that’s harder to review because customer service with State Farm mostly depends on the Agent. With the State Farm Insurance Company, the agent is pretty much in charge of his own office, so your customer service experience will depend on how much emphasis your Agent puts on customer service.
Since Agents tend to have more to worry about than minor customer complaints and concerns, they often delegate those to customer service representatives in their office. These are the people you will be dealing with primarily. In my experience, the CSR’s with State Farm are nowhere near as good as GEICO’s but they do well enough. When I bought my new vehicle early this year, I got my policy information changed quickly and with no hassle.
Claims:
My limited experience (a few glass and comprehensive claims) with the State Farm claims department has been positive for the most part, but I have heard some horror stories, mostly from irate State Farm policyholders calling GEICO hoping to switch carriers. Since I did not experience those firsthand, I’ll leave them alone.
So why am I with State Farm instead of GEICO?
- I just turned 25. GEICO gave me a rate very close to the “bleeding ears” rate when I was 24 AND an employee.
- My policy with State Farm is a “spin-off” policy. A spin-off policy is one in which an existing preferred policyholder’s child or divorced spouse is allowed to break off the primary policy while retaining that primary policy’s rate. As a result, GEICO couldn’t touch my rate anyway.
- Warren Buffet doesn’t need any more money.
- My Agent is a family friend.
- If my wife and I do get a few more violations, I don’t have to worry about seeing a huge increase in the mail.
Bottom Line:
So that’s about it. In case you haven’t noticed, the recurring theme in this review is “it depends on the Agent.” So much falls on the Agent with State Farm that one person’s experience with one Agent may differ radically from another person’ experience with another Agent. Be sure to investigate a potential Agent with your state’s Board of Insurance to check for complaints and other concerns. If everything checks out and your rate looks good, I recommend giving them a try. They have some very useful coverages and do give discounts for carrying your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance with them, so they are definitely worth a look.
For more information about State Farm or any insurance company at all, be sure to visit their website (it’s easy to use and loads quickly) and www.ambest.com. A. M. Best Company rates insurance companies based on financial strength, operating performance and market profile. State Farm Group has an A++ (superior) rating with them.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
madtheory
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Location: Dallas,TX
Reviews written: 485
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DON'T CALL IT A COMEB... wait. I guess you actually can call it a comeback.
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