OPINIONS: Allstate or MetLife for Home and Auto?

[SweetErika]

I'm shopping for home and auto insurance and have narrowed it down to Allstate and MetLife.

If you've been involved in a claim with either of these companies, what was your experience like?

Poll to follow. Please vote based on how well/poorly you think the company handled your or a loved one's claim(s), and elaborate in your post.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ma_guy]

I swore off of Allstate Auto insurance when they raised my rates because I hadn't had a claim in 7 years (They said I was overdue for an accident! lol).

I highly recommend State Farm for homeowners or renters insurance though. I got the best rates from them and speedy response on the one claim I did file with them. That was for hail damage to my roof. They had the entire roof replaced within 2 weeks with no questions asked.

 

[Silverlily]

Allstate sucks. I have never in my life dealt with such an incompent company.

We're with Nationwide now. I love them.

 

[SweetErika]

I swore off of Allstate Auto insurance when they raised my rates because I hadn't had a claim in 7 years (They said I was overdue for an accident! lol).

And this is the company advertising accident forgiveness and deductible reductions for no claims? The speed rates rise is something I hadn't thought of, but I'll definitely check into it now. Thanks!

I highly recommend State Farm for homeowners or renters insurance though. I got the best rates from them and speedy response on the one claim I did file with them. That was for hail damage to my roof. They had the entire roof replaced within 2 weeks with no questions asked.

I did get a quote from SF when I saw the excellent customer service ratings, but they were nowhere near competitive for homeowners. Plus, the deductibles are very high, and there's a hefty fee on top of higher premiums for dropping it to even $1000. We just can't quite afford to go on customer service alone.

 

[Daisy May]

AIG auto and home insurance. You want regret it.

 

[SweetErika]

Allstate sucks. I have never in my life dealt with such an incompent company.

We're with Nationwide now. I love them.

Did Allstate fight you on the claim(s) or do a poor job handling repairs? I'm curious about what type(s) of incompentence you encountered because some of the major companies here are being prosecuted for refusing to pay no-fault claims and I had a terrible experience with that last year that I'm not eager to repeat.

I haven't considered Nationwide, but I'll check them out tomorrow.

 

[Guest]

First, I'd move to a state where there are no hurricanes or tornadoes. Then I'd do a Google search for "Insurance company least likely to bend me over"

 

[ReadyMike]

On this board

Miss K's "bend me over" portion is what really belongs.

Insurance is a legalized monopoly (so thick with lawyers it resembles Congress).

Go bare! Live free. (My actual advice is shop often).

 

[SweetErika]

AIG auto and home insurance. You want regret it.

From what I've seen, AIG isn't doing well in the main customer statisfaction categories, but I'll do some more checking. Do you have a specific agent, or deal with the company directly?

First, I'd move to a state where there are no hurricanes or tornadoes. Then I'd do a Google search for "Insurance company least likely to bend me over"

Seattle's pretty low risk weather-wise, thankfully. As for "least likely to bend us over," that's where ratings, complaints, and you guys come in.

 

[sticky_keyboard]

I had bad experineces with Allstate but in honestly, they were still owned by Sears in those days.

I have Met on my antiques and they handle them quite well.

Home and modern cars are with State Farm. Best I've ever dealt with. I don't have my antiques with them because you have to jump through hoops for stated value policies. Stae Farm also has reasonable rates on a million dollar unbrella.

 

[Cathleen]

Erika, I'm happy for you both on the new home.

I can't say anything about Allstate auto they pulled out of Massachusetts some years ago - lost too much.

I did use MetLife for home but switched when a rider to cover some additional items just fell short on coverage. I now use Vermont Mutual - they're ok, but I've not had any claims (thank goodness).

Best wishes to you and Mr.Sweet, please say hi to him too.

 

[Ulaven_Demorte]

I'm shopping for home and auto insurance and have narrowed it down to Allstate and MetLife.

If you've been involved in a claim with either of these companies, what was your experience like?

Poll to follow. Please vote based on how well/poorly you think the company handled your or a loved one's claim(s), and elaborate in your post.

Thanks in advance!

I have Allstate for my homeowners insurance, filed one claim after Florida was nailed with 4 hurricanes. No muss, no fuss. I had a check in a week, a new roof in two. After they removed the tree that was lying on top of the house.

I use Progressive for my auto insurance and just had to drop off my car for repair this week. Some moronic fuck decided to back up onto the hood of my car at a traffic light then drive away. I called, dropped off the car at thier service center where a rental was waiting for me. They called yesterday with my estimates and said the car will be ready in 4-7 days. No issues, no BS

 

[_Milky_Whites_]

Allstate robbed us. We really got it. I paid my insurance with them for over a year, always dealing with odd and end little hassles. I always knew something wasnt right. My cards and policies just didnt look like standard insurance cards and policies.

We eventually found out that my agent had been taking every payment I made and keeping it. She was making me fake cards. I never had a dime of insurance that whole time and didnt know it. And she got by with it! It took me forever to fix the whole mess. The company came after me, saying I owed them money. But I had kept a reciept for every payment that I gave her. In the end, I never got a dime back or an apology from Allstate.

Try Geico. Have you checked them out? They are a lot cheaper for me. And we did have one accident. They paid it fast, no questions asked.

 

[SweetErika]

I had bad experineces with Allstate but in honestly, they were still owned by Sears in those days.

I have Met on my antiques and they handle them quite well.

<snip>
Stae Farm also has reasonable rates on a million dollar unbrella.

Thanks for the feedback, and I'll definitely check State Farm for the umbrella policy.

In addition to price, the attractive thing about Met is the guaranteed replacement coverage: where the majority of companies have a 125% cap on dwelling payouts, Met pays the actual cost no matter how much building costs have increased. At least that's the theory.

Erika, I'm happy for you both on the new home.

I can't say anything about Allstate auto they pulled out of Massachusetts some years ago - lost too much.

I did use MetLife for home but switched when a rider to cover some additional items just fell short on coverage. I now use Vermont Mutual - they're ok, but I've not had any claims (thank goodness).

Best wishes to you and Mr.Sweet, please say hi to him too.

Thank you, Cate! It's been a whirlwind, but everything's going beautifully so far. I'll certainly pass your hello on to Hubby and send you some pics of the new abode shortly.

It's great to have a reminder about riders. After the umbrella, I think we only need one for firearms but I need to check into the coverage prior to deciding on a company.

I have Allstate for my homeowners insurance, filed one claim after Florida was nailed with 4 hurricanes. No muss, no fuss. I had a check in a week, a new roof in two. After they removed the tree that was lying on top of the house.

I use Progressive for my auto insurance and just had to drop off my car for repair this week. Some moronic fuck decided to back up onto the hood of my car at a traffic light then drive away. I called, dropped off the car at thier service center where a rental was waiting for me. They called yesterday with my estimates and said the car will be ready in 4-7 days. No issues, no BS

I'm wondering how much of the Allstate experience has to do with the agent. How did you go about choosing yours?

I'll keep Progressive in mind for the future, though they have a less-than-stellar reputation and complaint record here in WA. My main concern isn't the vehicle repair part of claims (our current company, PEMCO, has been excellent in that regard), it's the injury side. The last thing I want to do if I'm ever injured again is have to fight MY insurance company -- particularly when I'm not at fault.

Allstate robbed us. We really got it. I paid my insurance with them for over a year, always dealing with odd and end little hassles. I always knew something wasnt right. My cards and policies just didnt look like standard insurance cards and policies.

We eventually found out that my agent had been taking every payment I made and keeping it. She was making me fake cards. I never had a dime of insurance that whole time and didnt know it. And she got by with it! It took me forever to fix the whole mess. The company came after me, saying I owed them money. But I had kept a reciept for every payment that I gave her. In the end, I never got a dime back or an apology from Allstate.

Try Geico. Have you checked them out? They are a lot cheaper for me. And we did have one accident. They paid it fast, no questions asked.

That's not good at all. I could probably dismiss it as a crooked agent, but they let her get away with fraud and didn't apologize!?! Did you file complaints with your state's Insurance Commissioner?

I haven't looked into Geico because I assumed they only did auto insurance. Apparently they have home as well, so I'll add them to my list of prospects today. Thanks!

 

[plasticman33]

Had my auto rates raised by Allstate, switched to Progressive years ago, excellent rates and good claim service.

Home owners is with State Farm, again excellent service.

 

[SweetErika]

I checked with nearly every company mentioned here, but MetLife was more competitive cost- and coverage-wise, so we decided to go with them for both home and auto.

I would have loved to try State Farm, though their prices were hundreds over the highest quote I got; we just couldn't justify paying that much more. The agent said they may be a better deal in time, so I will check back in the future.

Nationwide and Geico were very reasonable, and I'll definitely turn to them if we're dissatisfied with MetLife in the future.

I'm not sure how good Ameriprise is, but their Costco member rates were rock-bottom if anyone's looking to save on car insurance. I was quoted $618 for 6 months for a newer Civic and 2000 Ranger with fairly high coverage -- and we've had a no-fault and comprehensive claim in the past year.

Thanks for sharing your opinions, and I'll keep everything in mind when we shop in the future!

 

[Ishmael]

Neither if you qualify for USAA.

Ishmael

 

[SweetErika]

Neither if you qualify for USAA.

Ishmael

Yes, I saw USAA's superior ratings, but we don't qualify.

 

[bptalt]

I'm shopping for home and auto insurance and have narrowed it down to Allstate and MetLife.

If you've been involved in a claim with either of these companies, what was your experience like?

Poll to follow. Please vote based on how well/poorly you think the company handled your or a loved one's claim(s), and elaborate in your post.

Thanks in advance!

I am in the biz, and they both suck for home owners. I don't know about auto.

 

[bptalt]

http://www.badfaithinsurance.org/indexdetaillist.html

Allstate third worse.
Met life tenth worse.

Stay away from both.

 

[KRCummings]

MetLife has Snoopy.
Snoopy will never do you wrong.

 

[bptalt]

Neither if you qualify for USAA.

Ishmael

USAA sucks too currently 14th worse

 

[bptalt]

AIG auto and home insurance. You want regret it.

AIG 11th worse

 

[bptalt]

I had bad experineces with Allstate but in honestly, they were still owned by Sears in those days.

I have Met on my antiques and they handle them quite well.

Home and modern cars are with State Farm. Best I've ever dealt with. I don't have my antiques with them because you have to jump through hoops for stated value policies. Stae Farm also has reasonable rates on a million dollar unbrella.

Look at the site I posted, All those companies suck. GO with Chubb and pay the rates.

 

[Ishmael]

USAA sucks too currently 14th worse

Do you see what you're doing? You're just in here dumping on everything. Don't you have any constructive information to pass on?

Re. USAA. My experience has been great. But I have no recent claims.

There are a few things you might want to consider. Most of the top 10 'Worst' companies were huge underwriters in the areas that were the most heavily damaged by the hurricanes of the past two years. I would imagine that many people found out about the standard 'water damage' clause and are bitching about it. I can't blame them, but then again, they should have read the policy. Don't you think?

I do know that USAA uses independent appraisers. They don't have company employed 'low ballers' doing their appraisals for damages. You stand a much better chance of getting an equitable appraisal from and independent as opposed to a company man.

Re. Allstate. I've never heard very many people sing their praises. I know that the company has been sued several times in my state for questionable practices. Like dropping anyone who has home insurance with them after the 3rd claim. Or dropping auto inurers on the ninth accident free year. (Based on the statistical probability that you will have an accident once every 10 years.)

Quite frankly, I'd check with your states insurance commisioner.

Ishmael