Auto/Home Insurance---NOT EMC

[CycloneErik]

Yes, attribution should always be made, and it was clear given the formatting it was quoted.

You mean that the numbers appearing to be footnotes made it clear, or the sheer length of the post?

[LindenCy]

You mean that the numbers appearing to be footnotes made it clear, or the sheer length of the post?

Well, I mean the numbers, but you should know that.

[CycloneErik]

Well, I mean the numbers, but you should know that.

That's what I thought.

[purify]

I have Safeco through an Independent Agent. Very happy.

what does it mean to have an independant agent. The way insurance works is bizarre to me. I use State Farm for Auto and Renters. But there are several agents here in Ames. Do they all charge the same rates? Do they compete against each other?

My experience with State Farm has been great, haven't had to count on them for anything big, but all my smaller issues have been resolved quickly.

[CyPride]

what does it mean to have an independant agent. The way insurance works is bizarre to me. I use State Farm for Auto and Renters. But there are several agents here in Ames. Do they all charge the same rates? Do they compete against each other?

My experience with State Farm has been great, haven't had to count on them for anything big, but all my smaller issues have been resolved quickly.

it means go thru a broker ala the dana company - they represent a bunch of 'smaller' insurance companies (like West Bend, for example) that have pricing generally better than guys offering 1 company like State Farm, Farmers, Nationwide, etc.

[ChrisMWilliams]

We get all of our insurance from Adam Gray Insurance. A great friend, site sponsor, huge Iowa State supporter and great person. I highly recommend him.

Johnston, Iowa | Insurance Agency | Adam J Gray AGENCY | IA Office | Nationwide.com

[CLONECRAZY]

Been w/ State Farm for over 25 yrs, never had an issue. Have had varied homeowners and auto claims. The key w/ any company is service and loyalty. What I mean by that is, can you trust/count on your agent to have your interest in all they do? Are they using you to just generate policies or do they want to get to know your families needs. On the loyalty side, I have 10 yr accident free discounts on all my vehicles, because I have kept my record clean and these discounts provides me a forgiveable accident whatever the amount. These savings amount to a few hundred dollars a year.

Stay loyal to a company and don't switch every 2-3 yrs and it will benefit you. The more discounts you qualify for, the cheaper your rate. Nice thing about State Farm vs. Independent agents is multi-line discounts. One company can provide greater discounts than having your auto and home w/ different companies.

Claims can be an issue too. I know from dealing w/ State Farm on auto and home claims that they have some of the best trained claims reps in the industry. Don't have claims, no worries, you don't have to deal w/ them.

Don't recommend online insurance as who do you talk to when issues arise? Would rather have a face to face conversation in times like these. State Farm has app for Iphones/Androids that's like having an agent w/ you. Have it on my phone, it's called Pocket Agent.

Good luck, this market is highly competitive.

[iowa_wildcat]

Farm Bureau--try it, you will like it. Good rates and super service.

[GoClone]

Thanks guys. Keep 'em coming.

I am in northern Iowa (Algona) so Adam Gray is probably not an option.

We have a State farm agent across the street from my current agent. There is a Farm Bureau in town too.

To address one post, I have only come to count on EMC for ways to increase my rates and reduce coverage. If I had the talent I would love to do something like "United Hates Guitars" for EMC. If you haven't seen this I highly recommend checking it out on "You Tube."

I hadn't read the paper, but found it ironic that EMC was featured in the "Register" business section the same day I started this thread. The article said that the EMC focuses on underwriting things it knows and understands. It also said that EMC had big losses the first two quarters because of the Japan tsunami. I am impressed that an Iowa company could have this vast knowledge. It also explains why they are so focused on generating revenue i.e. why my rates are going up.

It may be possible that more people see this thread than read the "Register" article.

[scottie33]

call marsh representative and speak
with Larissa at 1-800-557-1407 extention 52022 and ask to speak with her and they don't offer emc so font gave to worry bout that...mention me :) shell know

[scottie33]

call marsh representative and speak
with Larissa at 1-800-557-1407 extention 52022 and ask to speak with her and they don't offer emc so font gave to worry bout that...mention me :) shell know

[BCforISU]

Thanks guys. Keep 'em coming.

I am in northern Iowa (Algona) so Adam Gray is probably not an option.

We have a State farm agent across the street from my current agent. There is a Farm Bureau in town too.

To address one post, I have only come to count on EMC for ways to increase my rates and reduce coverage. If I had the talent I would love to do something like "United Hates Guitars" for EMC. If you haven't seen this I highly recommend checking it out on "You Tube."

I hadn't read the paper, but found it ironic that EMC was featured in the "Register" business section the same day I started this thread. The article said that the EMC focuses on underwriting things it knows and understands. It also said that EMC had big losses the first two quarters because of the Japan tsunami. I am impressed that an Iowa company could have this vast knowledge. It also explains why they are so focused on generating revenue i.e. why my rates are going up.

It may be possible that more people see this thread than read the "Register" article.

My wife and I have worked for Allied Insurance (owned by Nationwide) for over 8 years. We have pretty good rates, the best rates are for families with multiple lines, auto, home, etc. If your son has over a 3.0 gpa he will get a really nice discount. You can get a quote from an independant agent that has a contract with Allied. Allied sponsors ISU,and basically anything major in Iowa, our home office is located in Des Moines and employs a ton of people in the state of Iowa.

You can have bad experiences with every company, I will tell you though, we are preached to do what is right for the customer, especially when you need it most (catastrophic losses). I am from Parkersburg, I was there the morning after the tornado, we had claims people there withing 30 minutes of the storm. There were 2 companies that still had good names after all of that devistation in the town, Farm Bureau and Allied.

My parents moved to Allied as soon as they started hearing the horror stories from people that had lost everything. I volunteered in the Allied agent's office shortly after the storm answering phone calls for them because they couldn't keep up with amount of people wanting to write business with them.

In my opinion, claims reputation is worth much more than the amount you pay. Allied has a very strong reputation for claims service, especially in Iowa due to the fact that our home office is there.

Here is a list of agents in your area, you can always go to www.alliedinsurance.com if you want to read up on the company, etc. Good luck to you. Let me know if you have any questions, etc. PM me in case I don't look back on this thread.

BOYKEN INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.
173 MAIN STREET NORTH
TITONKA, IA 50480 (Map it)
Telephone: (515)928-2085
Fax: (515)928-2042

Email: Sue.Heyer@boykenins.com
CENTRAL FINANCIAL GROUP
111 E CALL ST
ALGONA, IA 50511 (Map it)
Telephone: (515)295-7711
Fax: (515)295-3917

Email: SBILYEU@CFGALGONA.COM
CENTRAL FINANCIAL GROUP LC
2119 MAIN ST
EMMETSBURG, IA 50536 (Map it)
Telephone: (515)295-7711
Fax: (515)295-3917

Email: mhlins@ncn.net
CENT STATES AGCY/NWCONSULTANTS
125 NORTH MAIN
BANCROFT, IA 50517 (Map it)
Telephone: (641)562-2353
Fax: (641)562-2018

Email: ldroessler@ftsbbancroft.com
FARM & HOME INSURANCE AGENCY
220 E STATE ST
ALGONA, IA 50511 (Map it)
Telephone: (515)295-2401
Fax: (515)295-5402

Email: jlichter@farmhomeservices.com
FARM & HOME INSURANCE AGENCY
PO BOX 307
WHITTEMORE, IA 50598-0307 (Map it)
Telephone: (515)884-2401
Fax: (515)884-2295

Email: fhins@ncn.net
HELMERS INSURANCE AGENCY INC
420 E CALL ST
ALGONA, IA 50511 (Map it)
Telephone: (515)295-6969
Fax: (515)295-5146

Email: ruinsured@helmersins.com
KLEIN INSURANCE AGENCY
201 W. MAIN ST.
WESLEY, IA 50483 (Map it)
Telephone: (515)679-4221
Fax: (515)679-4222

Email: kleininsurance@qwestoffice.net
NCAA
712 MAPLE ST
FENTON, IA 50539 (Map it)
Telephone: (712)859-3841

NW CONSULTANTS/SECURITY INS
PO BOX 241
WEST BEND, IA 50597-0241 (Map it)
Telephone: (515)887-3771
Fax: (515)887-3459

Email: landbers@ncn.net
PHARMACISTS INSURANCE AGENCY
219 E STATE ST
ALGONA, IA 50511 (Map it)
Telephone: (515)295-9433
Fax: (515)295-4373

Email: Kathy.Struecker@phmic.com
800-247-5930
PRO ADVANTAGE SERVICES INC
219 E STATE ST
ALGONA, IA 50511 (Map it)
Telephone: (515)295-9433
Fax: (515)295-4373

Email: beth.olson@phmic.com
Web Site: ProAdvantage Services - Home

[AnkenyClone]

Farm Bureau--try it, you will like it. Good rates and super service.

Farm Bureau auto insurance is insanely high unless you're registering your vehicles as farm use. My had them until I bought my new car and the quote was well over double of most competitors. I have relatives that work there and they even say they're auto policies aren't very competitive right now.

[SvrWxCy]

I, like terryk, go through an independent insurance broker here in Kansas City. Essentially they go through multiple companies and will find you the best quote based upon what you want to insure, etc... I've been very happy with it based upon the price alone compared to some of the other larger companies, I go through SafeCo with him.

I've never had to make a claim so I can't comment on that process and not sure how prices are affecting by speeding tickets, although I'll be finding out next year seeing as I picked up my first one earlier this month.

[GOPCyclone]

What do people think of FLO???

Hottie.