Shopping around for car/home insurance-tips?

[tripleshot]

We've been with SF for a few years but our rates keep going up without any claims. Plus the agent annoys me. Anyway, what's the best, least painful way to shop around comparing apples to apples?  We have 2 new, full-coverage cars, a home, fishing boat, and umbrella policy with SF. I'm guessing we'd have to move all the policies at the same time since they're all tied together with discounts and coverage levels (except maybe the boat). 

I need some tips please. 

[holly22]

Contact an insurance broker that can run quotes with various companies. You don't have to move them all but its usually easier and theres a multi-line discount too

[rubytue]

I love the pic. Mostly bc I'm in the same boat. I'm kind of pissed at SF (they jacked our rate for a roadside service call - literally the only "claim" I've had in 25 years of paying them). But two houses, three cars, and umbrella. Ugh.

FWIW, our boat is with BoatUS bc SF didn't offer fuel spill coverage.

[tripleshot]

I'm worried about spending all this effort switching for a better rate, and then after 1 year the new company jacks up the rates a lot and I've got to shop around again. I've heard some companies offer low rates for the first year to get you to sign up, not telling you it's basically an introductory rate.

How's Liberty Mutual? Do they jack up the rates after the first year?

[polarbearfans]

My insurance agent shops all the different companies for me yearly to make sure I am getting the best rate. Nobody can beat my longevity credits with my current insurance company. That is by far the easiest way to shop around. My agent works for an agency that is not loyal to any one insurance company.

eta: it is normal for rates to go up some. It is not just your claims but claims in the area that determine your rate

[AAM2012]

I would go online for quotes but please be careful, last time I did a few quotes I was very specific in what coverages I wanted (apples to apples) but when I hit submit with some companies (ahem esurance, progressive, geico...) it lowered the coverages to give me a lower premium quote.

We just switched from USAA to Amica although USAA was cheaper. Where do you live? Maybe some can give recs?

[tripleshot]

Jul 31, 2015 20:58:40 GMT -5 AAM2012 said:

I would go online for quotes but please be careful, last time I did a few quotes I was very specific in what coverages I wanted (apples to apples) but when I hit submit with some companies (ahem esurance, progressive, geico...) it lowered the coverages to give me a lower premium quote.

We just switched from USAA to Amica although USAA was cheaper. Where do you live? Maybe some can give recs?

I'm in northeast Ohio.  I did google a bit last night for insurance brokers in the area. There are only a couple within 30 minutes. Some of the insurance companies on their sites I've never heard of, so I'm a little nervous to go that route. I definitely need to do more research. I want to make sure the company I go with won't be difficult if we have a claim.

[lurknomore]

Aug 1, 2015 6:31:12 GMT -5 tripleshot said:

Jul 31, 2015 20:58:40 GMT -5 AAM2012 said:

I would go online for quotes but please be careful, last time I did a few quotes I was very specific in what coverages I wanted (apples to apples) but when I hit submit with some companies (ahem esurance, progressive, geico...) it lowered the coverages to give me a lower premium quote.

We just switched from USAA to Amica although USAA was cheaper. Where do you live? Maybe some can give recs?

I'm in northeast Ohio.  I did google a bit last night for insurance brokers in the area. There are only a couple within 30 minutes. Some of the insurance companies on their sites I've never heard of, so I'm a little nervous to go that route. I definitely need to do more research. I want to make sure the company I go with won't be difficult if we have a claim.

tripleshot...I just redid our insurance after Progressive did the same thing to us. I happened to mention it to my grandparents and they have an old neighbor who was also redoing theirs (same guy they've used for decades, as has my aunt). They told him and he contacted me. He's an agent who represents, I think he said, 10 different companies. He ended up tripling my car and home and adding a $1 m umbrella and saved us $300/year. We ended up with a company that gets really good online reviews. It was zero effort on my part, except going to his office (west side) to sign the paperwork. I was really happy with the whole thing. If you want his name lmk and I'll PM you. Way different than all my other insurance experiences. I've been meaning to shop it around for the last few years but it always seemed like too much effort.

[tripleshot]

Aug 1, 2015 7:29:31 GMT -5 lurknomore said:

Aug 1, 2015 6:31:12 GMT -5 tripleshot said:

I'm in northeast Ohio.  I did google a bit last night for insurance brokers in the area. There are only a couple within 30 minutes. Some of the insurance companies on their sites I've never heard of, so I'm a little nervous to go that route. I definitely need to do more research. I want to make sure the company I go with won't be difficult if we have a claim.

tripleshot...I just redid our insurance after Progressive did the same thing to us. I happened to mention it to my grandparents and they have an old neighbor who was also redoing theirs (same guy they've used for decades, as has my aunt). They told him and he contacted me. He's an agent who represents, I think he said, 10 different companies. He ended up tripling my car and home and adding a $1 m umbrella and saved us $300/year. We ended up with a company that gets really good online reviews. It was zero effort on my part, except going to his office (west side) to sign the paperwork. I was really happy with the whole thing. If you want his name lmk and I'll PM you. Way different than all my other insurance experiences. I've been meaning to shop it around for the last few years but it always seemed like too much effort.

We're in the CAK area. It sounds like you may be closer to Cleveland? Please PM me the name. I'm not sure if want to use someone in Cleveland. I found a couple in Massillon/Canton that I will look into. Thanks!

[whiskeyandwine]

Jul 31, 2015 17:42:26 GMT -5 holly22 said:

Contact an insurance broker that can run quotes with various companies. You don't have to move them all but its usually easier and theres a multi-line discount too

This. Contacting an Independent Agent is the best idea here.