Being held hostage by State Farm

[Will]

Agent was here last Weds to update home insurance, since I built a detached garage. She took pics and made lots of notes as she went in and around the property. I told her I'm getting a trike next week, and wanted a quote on insurance.

Friday, she says to me, I see you have a bike and boat that is not insured here (my bike is with Progressive). You have to insure everything with SF. I asked for quotes for the bike and boat, and they were more than double what I'm paying now, so I said I'll keep them where they are.

She said, your umbrella policy will be going up 50% (to more than $550 for 1 mil), and that is non-negotiable. We've been with SF for more than 40 years, and I am ready to make some changes.

Any suggestions on a stand-alone umbrella from somebody else?

[trikes4ever]

I am ready to make some changes

I would be too.

Can't comment on your specific situation, but I call around EVERY year when my auto comes due. For the last 20 years I've been with the same company, and nobody could beat them. This past year I called around as usual and Geico had better rates, so I switched all vehicles and my boat to them. My old company wouldn't beat them - I tried. I'm loyal to whoever has the best rates. Next year I'll call around again. Businesses are hurting now just like everyone else, and it's a buyers market. Screw State Farm.

[ThirdWheel]

Switch..you owe them nothing...Odds are you will find better rate...You need to shop your insurance every 3 to 5 years regardless of your service..it's a business like anything else.

[Pittsburgh Biker]

I'm curious as to why you didn't just buy an umbrella policy from GEICO.

[Will]

I'm curious as to why you didn't just buy an umbrella policy from GEICO.

Not sure if that question was for me, but I have nothing with Geico .right now. I tried to get an online quote from them, but they do not offer online qoutes for Delaware, and only write insurance via local agents in the other 2 counties,but not in this one (Sussex County).

[Buggie Pilot]

Agent was here last Weds to update home insurance, since I built a detached garage. She took pics and made lots of notes as she went in and around the property. I told her I'm getting a trike next week, and wanted a quote on insurance.

Friday, she says to me, I see you have a bike and boat that is not insured here (my bike is with Progressive). You have to insure everything with SF. I asked for quotes for the bike and boat, and they were more than double what I'm paying now, so I said I'll keep them where they are.

She said, your umbrella policy will be going up 50% (to more than $550 for 1 mil), and that is non-negotiable. We've been with SF for more than 40 years, and I am ready to make some changes.

Any suggestions on a stand-alone umbrella from somebody else?

I would call around and get the best quote on both senarios then call her....then if she didn't get the idea that you were on to her bs I would contact your Delaware State Insurance Comissioner and file a complaint .....actually I might file a complaint anyways ..... TAKE NO PRISONERS . :machinegun:

[Will]

Thanks for the responses. My work is cut out for me, and I will be busy for the next few days.

[Pittsburgh Biker]

Will: I have sf in west pa. My trike is a 2005 roadking. With liability of 100/300/100, 500 deductible with comp and coll, and uninsured, underinsured o 100/300 each, my yearly premium is
310.97. I talked with a sf claim representative prior to insuring my bike to make sure i'd have coverage based on a trike and not a two wheeler. I was assured that i did. Hope this helps you compare pricing.

[trikerjb]

Call a Nationwide agent. If they can't do all of your "underlying" coverages, ask if they can get you an umbrella from III... they'll know what you mean...

[ttriker]

I think my first call would be to the contact information on the internet for the company. Ask them if what your agent is doing and saying is right and part of company policy. Maybe they don't know what she's doing?????

[Saltywheels]

Will: I was told the same by SF some years ago. Unless home +all vehicles are included ...NO liability coverage. Checked with All State & was told the same. So I stayed with SF.

[tfdeputydawg]

Change agents, not insurance companies.
Contact Customer Service, advise them want this agent is trying to pull:

Phone:888-559-1922

How to reach a live person:
Press 2 when recording begins playing

Hours of Operation:
24/7

Email:
info@statefarm.com

[rdking647]

Agent was here last Weds to update home insurance, since I built a detached garage. She took pics and made lots of notes as she went in and around the property. I told her I'm getting a trike next week, and wanted a quote on insurance.

Friday, she says to me, I see you have a bike and boat that is not insured here (my bike is with Progressive). You have to insure everything with SF. I asked for quotes for the bike and boat, and they were more than double what I'm paying now, so I said I'll keep them where they are.

She said, your umbrella policy will be going up 50% (to more than $550 for 1 mil), and that is non-negotiable. We've been with SF for more than 40 years, and I am ready to make some changes.

Any suggestions on a stand-alone umbrella from somebody else?

Most companies will only sell you an umbrella if you have home and vehicle with that company. Thats the only way they can really asses their risks

[Jimsjinx]

Lemme tel ya something about MOST Farmers agents....Crooks. My EX, and emphasis on EX, was an adjuster for them. I was a Paramedic/fireman. We were on different sides of the fence. I saw many people get shafted by them. Nope, don't like em either. I just found out, my life ins. of 18 years, was tapped out by them. The rates went up, and they never made mention of it, and so to make up the difference, (I was unknowingly not paying), they took the balance out of my cash value every month till it was gone, and THEN sent us a letter that we must now make this bigger payment. :machinegun: Needless to say, we are shopping,too.:yes: jimsjinx

[trikerjb]

Your comments, jimsjinx, are no more valid than trying to generalize any other group. Yes, there may be bad Farmers agents, just as there are bad parameds, but as a group, they are dedicated professionals.
AS for your life insurance, my guess is you have a type of policy whose equity is based on interest earnings. If you bought the policy 18 years ago, rates were significantly higher than recent years. I'm sure you received information from the company annually (it's required by law) that described how your policy was performing. Just because you didn't read it doesn't make the company at fault...

[Badon3]

HI i have progressive on my Valkyrie Trike with a 8000 rider to cover the trike kit --i was told by several ins. agents that the trike cant be covered --allstate would not cover my trike--- so i get the replacement cost of the valkyrie + 3000 in chrome and acc.plus 8000 for the trike kit and i pay 500.00 a year in CHICAGO --years ago i had ins.on a trike and thank god nothing happened because the agent had it listed as a 2 wheeler !!

[RottieLuvr]

If you are over 50, check out AARP/Hartford. I saved over a GRAND by switching to them. Bikes insured through AARP/Foremost. Don't know their present policy on trikes but worth checking into.

[frankentrike]

indiana resident.umbrella for house, two cars and bike.lowest rates.changed to a trike. agent said no prob.month later called and cancelled on trike.said"my underwriters dont like the placement of gas tank."went to progressive,agent walked out ,said"whats wrong with how the tank is placed?"no prob got a years coverage for 100.00.second year went to 90.00.i'm happy with it. Attachment 3350

[tfdeputydawg]

indiana resident.umbrella for house, two cars and bike.lowest rates.changed to a trike. agent said no prob.month later called and cancelled on trike.said"my underwriters dont like the placement of gas tank."went to progressive,agent walked out ,said"whats wrong with how the tank is placed?"no prob got a years coverage for 100.00.second year went to 90.00.i'm happy with it. Attachment 3350

Rider of every 1800 Gold Wing is sitting on top of a plastic gas tank. It just happens to be hidden under all the "tupperware", re "out of sight-out of mind.

[Rudy]

Try Progressive. They are doing homeowners packages now.
They will insure your cat if you want them to.