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Started By
Message
re: Do you have an insurance agent?
Posted on 3/6/26 at 4:21 pm to VandyBoysWhistler
Posted on 3/6/26 at 4:21 pm to VandyBoysWhistler
quote:
We are currently insured with State Farm through a local State Farm agent. Wife says we pay more in insurance because of it.
It depends...
The agent is not setting the rate for your premium and the agents aren't even actually State Farm employees. The State Farm agents don't have unilateral control increase or decrease your rates. They are paid a percentage of your premium directly from State Farm based on the rate State Farm underwriters set.
Now if she thinks it's more expensive because State Farm the company charges more so that they can pay the agents, then maybe...
...but insurance rates are highly regulated so in practicality not really.
Some carriers that don’t use agents might pass a some of the savings on to you since they aren’t paying agent commissions, but since the insurance rates are heavily regulated, the difference is usually pretty small.
1
Posted on 3/6/26 at 4:31 pm to LemmyLives
quote:
You can have a non captive agent do it for you, but I don't know how they get paid,
How do you think they get paid mate?
By selling insurance.
Commissions are between 10-15%.
And, you'll always walk alone.
Nil Satis Nili Optimium
Up the Toffees!
Posted on 3/6/26 at 5:27 pm to LemmyLives
quote:
One of them gets everyone in his office staff, and I mean everyone, a new Escalade every two years.
Not a chance that your buddy is dropping almost $100K on a vehicle every 2 years for everyone in his office. The cost of a new Escalade is on par with what an average insurance CSR / office staffer would make in salary for 2 years
quote:Your agent can absolutely go to bat for you if they think your claim isn’t being handled properly. You won’t get past talking to your adjuster or their direct supervisor. Your agent can usually push the issue higher up the food chain than that.
Claims aren't handled by the agent anyway, they're done nationally. Your agent can't "twist their arm" any more than you can, that's what lawyers are for.
Posted on 3/6/26 at 5:39 pm to BigBinBR
quote:The carrier isnt saving much because if they don’t have agents, then they have to hire a bunch of call center reps. And since those call center reps will be discussing coverages with policy holders, they’ll need to have insurance licenses, which are issued by state. So now you need to have a call center with enough reps licensed in each state the company writes in. Obviously some companies are ok with going that route, but they’re not saving some huge cost vs just paying an agency commission.
Some carriers that don’t use agents might pass a some of the savings on to you since they aren’t paying agent commissions, but since the insurance rates are heavily regulated, the difference is usually pretty small.
Posted on 3/6/26 at 6:03 pm to VandyBoysWhistler
Yeah, but they really don't do much.
I was notified by state farm that they would not be renewing my auto insurance due to too many claims (hail damage and wife hit a deer).
The local agent called me to talk about renewing. They did not even know that i had been cancelled.
Had to switch to progressive.
I was notified by state farm that they would not be renewing my auto insurance due to too many claims (hail damage and wife hit a deer).
The local agent called me to talk about renewing. They did not even know that i had been cancelled.
Had to switch to progressive.
Posted on 3/6/26 at 7:36 pm to CastleBravo
quote:
Yeah, but they really don't do much. I was notified by state farm that they would not be renewing my auto insurance due to too many claims (hail damage and wife hit a deer). The local agent called me to talk about renewing. They did not even know that i had been cancelled.
Not all agents are created equal.
Posted on 3/6/26 at 9:06 pm to VandyBoysWhistler
I have an independent agent. I do a lot of business with him. No complaints at all.
Posted on 3/6/26 at 9:25 pm to VandyBoysWhistler
I wrecked and dragged State Farm agents rep until recently.
I switched to Sam Bowers and this cat is phenomenal. He came recommended and has not disappointed. Actually reviews policies and makes recommendations.
Caught a gap in my homeowners nobody else had in 5 years.
I switched to Sam Bowers and this cat is phenomenal. He came recommended and has not disappointed. Actually reviews policies and makes recommendations.
Caught a gap in my homeowners nobody else had in 5 years.
Posted on 3/7/26 at 5:36 am to VandyBoysWhistler
quote:
We are currently insured with State Farm through a local State Farm agent. N
Same situation, the local State Farm agent didn't do shite, I signed up online but put her name in case I needed help down the road.
We currently have a 19 yr old male on our car insurance so it's killing me.
quote:
Wife says we pay more in insurance because of it
Mine makes this off cuff comment all the time too (exact), "we could get it cheaper", well I don't feel like fricking with it and don't trust her to do it right.
Posted on 3/7/26 at 6:50 am to The Torch
If y'all have State Farm auto and are 55 or over,
"State Farm offers a senior defensive driving discount (often called the Mature Driver Improvement Discount) for drivers aged 55 or older who complete an approved, state-certified defensive driving course. This discount typically lasts for three years, requires submission of a certificate of completion to a State Farm agent, and can lead to lower insurance premiums."
The online course costs about $20 (with a discount code from the agent) and takes about an hour. Get 10% off (last time I checked) for three years, then renew and do it again.
"State Farm offers a senior defensive driving discount (often called the Mature Driver Improvement Discount) for drivers aged 55 or older who complete an approved, state-certified defensive driving course. This discount typically lasts for three years, requires submission of a certificate of completion to a State Farm agent, and can lead to lower insurance premiums."
The online course costs about $20 (with a discount code from the agent) and takes about an hour. Get 10% off (last time I checked) for three years, then renew and do it again.
Posted on 3/7/26 at 3:05 pm to Tiger Prawn
quote:
Not a chance that your buddy is dropping almost $100K on a vehicle every 2 years for everyone in his office.
Yes, he does. I've seen them. Could be leased, but either way, it's a shite ton of disposable cash that comes directly from premiums/incentives.
quote:
Your agent can usually push the issue higher up the food chain
The agent friend (the month long European trip one) sure couldn't do shite for a guy in our friend group that lives 100 yards away who was his customer. Took over two years for State Farm to approve roofing repairs.
Posted on 3/7/26 at 6:46 pm to VandyBoysWhistler
Every 5 years or so I go to an independent agent and have him ship my bundle of home camp and car . I’ve been told the same thing every time. We can’t get close to ur current SF policy . So I rock on.
Posted on 3/7/26 at 9:36 pm to redfish99
quote:
We can’t get close to ur current SF policy
Can't get close to the car insurance?
Can't get close to the home insurance?
Or are both over 20% lower than market rates?
Posted on 3/7/26 at 11:05 pm to VandyBoysWhistler
I had one and miss him. I prefer to have someone who can shop rates for me and someone I know personally. Now I have State Farm because they had the best rates and I moved states.
Buzzy Haydel was the best agent I’ve ever had. Had him do my closing for my house also.
Buzzy Haydel was the best agent I’ve ever had. Had him do my closing for my house also.
This post was edited on 3/7/26 at 11:10 pm
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