Switched insurance companies

Since we moved, it was time to consider switching or looking for a lower insurance rate.  We have been with Progressive since 2007.  The other day, I shopped for a car and renter's insurance rate with Allstate.  If we switched to Allstate, our car insurance payment would be about $20 a month!  Our renter's insurance was about $1 or so lower. 

I made the switch this morning.  We are paying about $20 less a month for car insurance and about the same for renter's insurance!  I am excited we are now Allstate customers.  Our insurance goes into affect at the end of the month. 

Unexpected Savings!

Our car insurance has gone down! I have no idea why but I am not complaining.

When we first purchased car insurance a year ago, it was in another city and when we moved to our current city, our rate went up a bit. When it came time to renew our insurance, our rate went down again! We are very happy with Progressive Insurance. They have top notch customer service!

We also have to renew our car registration in January and Shannon estimated that it was going to cost between $200-$300, plus the smog check. Well, we just got a bill yesterday from DMV and it’s only $28 for registration!!! I even showed the bill to Shannon because he didn’t believe it.

One less

We got a call from our insurance company -- Progressive! They called about our drivers licenses. Let me explain. At the time that I bought our insurance, we still had our Nevada licenses, so I used that information when I signed up. Plus we needed to switch to a new company. They couldn’t find my driver’s license information because mine was expired and they said to fax over a copy of my license. Well, just this week, we got our new licenses for North Carolina.

Today’s phone call was regarding my license. So Shannon gave them both of our new license numbers, now they can pull BOTH our current information. I am just glad I don’t have to fax over my license.

I am very happy with Progressive and how thorough they are for following up with us! I am so thrilled that we have insurance with them. I am just glad I didn’t take my husband’s advice and stick with our former insurance company. I think that company is a joke. We were a customer with them for over 4 years and they kept raising our rates every 6 months. During those 4+ years, we had never been in an accident either. I’ve wanted to switch insurance companies for so long but never did because it was such a hassle and the money wasn’t steady, just like our current situation.

Yesterday it snowed about 4 inches and they closed the schools for that! I believe they closed half the city too! LOL How lame! It’s supposed to snow today too. I am just glad our mail is still being delivered.

My GOOD Deed!

I am very proud of myself! I think I did a good deed for someone who works in customer service! I know from first hand experience how difficult a customer service job can be and how customers can take their anger out on you and blame their problems on you. I do enjoy taking the time to report GREAT experiences to companies.

I recently switched our car insurance to Progressive. I have seen their TV ads, but never switched over to them because it just seemed like so much of a hassle and too much trouble. Plus, we felt a little obligated to stay with our former insurance lady because we had been with them for 4 1/2 years. So when we moved, that was my excuse to switch. My husband actually wanted to stay with them but I refused. I told him that our rate kept going up every 6 months! The last time it went up, it literally shot up $20+ for no reason. I called our insurance lady to ask why, and she said there had been a lot of accidents in our zip code and that was why our insurance went up. Well, I am not in the insurance business but that made absolutely no sense to me. That really upset me that our rate went up without fault on our part.

Anyway, I had to call Progressive this morning. As you can see below, I was very surprised to learn that they were open 24/7 for calls. Whenever I have to call a business, I always figure they don't open until normal business hours and I was so excited that Progressive is always open.

Here is what I sent through Progressive.com's website:

I am a very new customer and I was impressed by the customer service I received today. First, I knew I had to call customer service and noticed that you are available to take calls 24/7! Wow. That is great! LOL My former car insurance company (rhymes with LARMERS) -- I don't think they even had a customer service number! If they did, I believe they had "hours of operation."

I don't remember my policy number but I am sure you can look up my number by my name.

I wanted to personally THANK Peter for his EXTREME friendliness and willingness to help me with what I needed and answer my questions. I don't know if your company recognizes employees but I hope you do! Please let Peter and his supervisors/managers know that he is awesome!!!

I received a response only 19 minutes after I submitted the above. Here is what they said:

Dear Mrs. F----,

We are pleased that you have decided to purchase a policy with us. We appreciate the confidence you have placed in our company.

I received your complimentary note. Thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience with us.

I will be sharing your comments about Peter with his manager.

Thank you again for your kind words and for choosing Progressive.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to reply to this e-mail or contact us at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE (1-800-776-4737). Our licensed Customer Service Representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you.

It is our goal to provide you with prompt, courteous and accurate service. We value your business and the trust you place in us as your insurance carrier.

Sincerely,
Peggy M.
Progressive Internet Service Specialist

Auto Insurance

I emailed our insurance lady yesterday regarding our bill. Two months ago, it shot up $14. It usually goes up $2 or $3 every year but the $14 was a big jump. We have not gotten into any car accidents or anything…so I was confused as to why our bill went up. Anyway, our insurance lady basically said that their company is losing business and there have been a LOT of accidents in our zip code – that is why they had to raise our rate! GRRRRR!

Anyway, we plan on switching auto insurance companies as soon as we can. I don't want to OUT the company that we are with but it does rhyme with LARMERS! What sucks is that we've been with the same insurance lady for over 4 years now… I am just confused as to why our rate keeps going up! LOL In the 4 years we've been her customer, we have NEVER gotten into any accidents…