Anyone have Geico insurance?

[zam70]

OK OK...wev'e heard alot from the agents/dealers.

You want the truth - ask someone who handles things on the back side - Auto body shops (ie: ME). Even the agents aren't aware of how things are handled there...

I judge an insurance company by service provided when the customer ISN't around. How fast do they respond, do they try to force a body shop to do a substandard repair, are they using substandard parts, do they return phone calls, do they actually even pay for the claim, do they force a predetermined rate on the repair shop?

My best advice: READ THE FINE PRINT OF YOUR INSURANCE POLICY. It will tell you exactly how a claim will be handled.

The Cheaper (internet type/discount etc...) insurance companies ALL use aftermarket (cheap crap) parts for your repair (within stipulations and when available). Typically, it is at 12 months/12,000 miles. Some are alot sooner, some a little later. When you sign a policy, your signature means you agree with this usage. Check this out with the agent/company before you sign - there's a reason why they are cheaper - find out why.

Other than the substandard high risk companies (ie: American services, Universal Casualty, Badger, Warrior etc...) My LEAST favorite insurance companys to work with here (Illinois) is:

AllState and Geico.

Ironic that the 2 insurance guys posting on this thread represent these companys (this is NOT a direct stab at either one of you personally, just an observation of the company policy).

To back up my statement:
AllState forces an internally predetermined rate upon the repairing shop. At this time it is $8.00 less per hour labor & materials than the prevailing rate set by ALL other mainstream Ins cos. Their solution: Get the additional money from the person getting the repair done, ie YOU or - you can get the repair done at one of our "direct shops" which is usually one of the crappiest shops in the area who will work for a lower rate because their shop is run down and they haven't updated anything for 20 years. They also force the use of aftermarket parts.

Geico: Not always the quickest to respond, has a lower predetermined rate (only $2.00 though), hacks away at all standard labor procedures and forces the use of aftermarket parts. Suggest some (non lethal) substandard repair.

I would personally never be insured by either one regardless of the rates offered simply because of how they treat the repair.

Don't only shop by price - read the fine print, choose carefully

 

[Shane]

zam70,
Who would you be insured with? I think an opinion such as yours is the most important.

 

[zam70]

I personally insure with Country Companies.
Like all insurance companys, there are bad reviews of them as well...in my area, they are great to deal with.

They also understand the value of a Turbo Regal with out all the red tape. We fixed one last year for $10,500 and they didn't blink an eye.

Check with people in your area since the service can vary.

 

[ross87t]

Originally posted by zam70
They also understand the value of a Turbo Regal with out all the red tape. We fixed one last year for $10,500 and they didn't blink an eye.

I wrecked my first 87 turbo regal back in 1995. My insurance company (State Farm) decided to total it. At the time, the car's bluebook was around $4700. This is what they decided to give me. I told them, "These cars are worth more than that. Here's a few people to call that specialize in these particular Buicks."
I gave them Conley's phone number, as well as a few other vendors numbers.
They called back the next day, and said they had decided to give us $7000.

Ross

 

[DCEPTCN]

You are a bitter little man.....sit alone with your misconceptions.

 

[zam70]

Originally posted by DCEPTCN
You are a bitter little man.....sit alone with your misconceptions.

Who is this directed at?
I hope not I - my observations are fact from direct experience...

 

[DCEPTCN]

Originally posted by zam70
Who is this directed at?
I hope not I - my observations are fact from direct experience...

No sir, certainly not you...it looks like you ARE just relating your personal experience, which is the point of sharing information on this board. I was speaking to Mr. Rogue Leader there, who decided to turn MY comment on personal information and fact into an argument. I both respect and appreciate your input.

 

[zam70]

k -

 

[Rogue Leader]

Originally posted by DCEPTCN
No sir, certainly not you...it looks like you ARE just relating your personal experience, which is the point of sharing information on this board. I was speaking to Mr. Rogue Leader there, who decided to turn MY comment on personal information and fact into an argument. I both respect and appreciate your input.

Because YOUR comment was your OPINION and it was no based on FACT... It is NOT a FACT that GEICO is a sub-standard company, because it isnt. You are assuming I have no idea because I'm some "jack-ass on a phone line". I didnt mean it to be an arguement, thats what you turned it into by name calling and so on... What kind of response is "youre a bitter little man"... Youre WRONG plain and simple and YOU are a bitter little man for not admitting it..

Go back to ripping off honest people who maybe had to take assigned risk for a while because they didnt know any better..

As a side note where did anyone get this idea that GEICO will insure anyone... The commercial says "we could save you 15%" not "we will insure anyone out there and save some people"...