Allstate or Liberty Mutual to insure my 4 policies?

September 21, 2009 7:15 PM

Allstate or Liberty Mutual to insure my 4 policies? I tend to be loyal to companies whenever possible so making a change can be hard for me. I was with Amica insurance for about 5 years before changing to Farmers after buying another investment property and getting priced out. I have been with Farmers now for 3 years.

My agent is the sister of a business associate, and I took her on my associates word, but, she has been very inattentive and unhelpful. I have not had claims, so I don't know that side of it, but, my rates have gone up exponentially every year for no reason. Also, because I have the investment property, I have begged for her to find a policy for my rental (it is so hard to insure rentals) so I would not have to keep paying 2 companies (no benefit to have a separate policy in terms of discounts). At any rate, I renew next month and I have been seriously shopping. It is very frustrating tho because there are few insurance companies out there where anyone is saying GOOD things...it is all complaints. Also, all rates have been very high, especially for the rental. Most wont even do those policies. So, the quotes from State Farm, Amica, AAA, and another smaller company were too high.

Interestingly, the company that holds my rental is offering me a great deal to bring the other policies over...however, the company is Allstate, and I have heard nothing but bad about them. I have my rental with them, but they were one of the few companies that would insure it as a stand-alone, so I did not have a choice, and again, there have been no claims so all is ok. Yet, to put all 4 of my policies under them is going to be a little more risky.

Their quote would save me about 700 per year cumulatively over Farmers and all would be under one company. I also got a good quote from Liberty Mutual, who offers discounts to ppl in my Alumni Association...and it would be the same savings as the Allstate policies and the policies have the exact coverage.

That brings me to the dilemma...Allstate or Liberty Mutual??? Anyone have experiences or advice? Or, perhaps another one to try?

posted by mdn31 to work & money (6 comments total)

4 policies = 4 separate properties? Or are you rolling in auto and life policies?
Not sure exactly what kind of policies you are shopping for.
posted by SLC Mom at 7:26 PM on September 21

Home, Rental Property, Auto and Umbrella
posted by mdn31 at 7:27 PM on September 21

i have had both my house and my car insured with allstate for over 5 years now (there is a discount for multiple policies) and feel no reason to change. i would recommend my agent to anyone i know. the people in his office are always attentive, always return my calls, always provide me with the information i need, often over and above it. every year when it is time to renew, they offer me information on alternative policies that might provide me with more coverage and/or save me money. his office also has me come in officially once a year to review my policies, go over any questions, and just generally have some face time.
posted by violetk at 7:32 PM on September 21

Find an agent not captive to a single insurance company, but a broker who is established (20+ years) and is appointed by dozens of carriers. This way he can shop around to all the P&C carriers for you.
posted by yoyoceramic at 8:26 PM on September 21

Personally, I've observed that Allstate is pretty decent on claims. They tend to be expensive for a lot of people, but the people I know who have used them feel like they're paying for a "premium service". YMMV.
posted by Citrus at 8:26 AM on September 22

i also forgot to add that when my car got broken into and i had to file a claim, it was absolutely smooth and easy.
posted by violetk at 10:21 AM on September 22