I have heard a lot of complaints against insurance companies, so would like to relate my experience recently.

4 years ago, I was involved in a collision with a herd of black cows on a dark night. A substantial amount of damage occurred when the local bull determined that I was harassing his harem, and should be dealt with. He stood in my way, head down and I hit the stupid animal at about 30 mph. The bumper, holding a Warn Winch, was totalled, along with the hood, the fender and the grille. The bull shook his head and wandered off. The replacement part was shiny at first, but soon deteriorated to a rusty heap of embarrassing mess on the front of my truck. This was an eyesore, along with the rest of the repair - which I suffered in silence for 4 years.

Recently, I changed Agents, because of my work location in North Dakota, and in conversation with the agent learned that Start Farm guarantee non OEM replacement parts for as long as you own the vehicle. Without even blinking, State Farm provided me with a brand new Bumper, and brush-guard, as a free replacement. I decided to go with Black, so I could paint the thing if it went rusty, and they did not blink at that either.

So, after 4 years, long after the Warn warranty ran out, the insurance replaced an ugly and rusty winch mount system. That is more than I expected and a fantastic service, considering the bumper is over $1,000. So, I publicly thank State Farm Insurance, and particularly my agent, Scott.

Theo

 

I talked to a body shop guy who says that state farm is about the best when it comes to insurance companies taking care of claims and paying for repairs. He said Progressive was the worst. I had State Farm when I was in high school but they gave me the boot because my driving record became bad very quick. I was pretty ticked for a while but realize it was my own fault. I Did something really stupid and drove around for a few years without insurance. Its required by law to have it in Minnesota so I could have gotten a nice penalty. Probably just a fine, but a fine I could not afford because I could not even afford what my insurance rate would have been. But in these few years I began to respect the rules of the road trying my hardest not to get pulled over. I saved myself a lot of money in the process too. But now we go through the same company for car insurance that we have for home owners insurance, American Family. They have not been too bad so far, especially to a couple under 25. They had a fast turn around rate when we totalled our truck last December. Truck was trashed on December 12, we had a new one by December 31. Maybe a couple of days earlier but we still can't complain. The only problem I have with our Insurance Company is with our agent. He is one of those people who is born without a personality. He shows no emotion and has a flat monotone voice.

 

I have heard lots of BAD things about State Farm. Farmers, too.
I go through Geico...they have always been very good as far as my payments go (I pay late every month and I have done so for 5 years, because my due date falls on the 8th, and I dont get paid til the 15th). They let me pay a month in advance when I first started the policy, so I never get a notice for it...
I have never had to make a claim other than getting a locksmith, but my girlfriend switched to them and promptly had her car broken into and her stereo swiped. They cut her a check no questions asked, and when it wasn't enough, they gave her some more. I was impressed.
I could do without their stupid commercials, though.
BDV

 

State Farm has been fair to me for the past 35 years. i've double checked their prices a few times.

One agent's assistant did something stupid and it got corrected before any damage was done.

 

I work for one of the larger companies and have been a part of the claims department for a dozen years. I can say that it is much easier to pay a claim than fight over it. Every adjuster I have encountered is more interested in paying what is fair, making the customer happy and creating a less stressful job than in "cheating" the customer out of what they are due. Most of the problems occur when the customer has unrealistic expectations of what is fair.

If my insured wrecks your 1992 F150 with 150,000 miles on it I owe you the fair price for a 1992 F150 with 150,000. Not a 2003 F150 with 0 miles on it. Really, I have heard this. If the accident happens in CO, I owe what the market in CO is, not in NY, CA, VT etc.

As the owner of a 1998 F150 I realize that the value on the market is less that its value to me. Unfortunately most people do not realize this and the crummy insurance company is just trying to "cheat" them.

Every adjuster I know is willing to explain anything you do not understand, assist you in the process to make your life easier and even suggest an easier way to complete your claim. If I make your life easier, you will more than likely make my life easier. Not by taking less but by being reasonable so we can conclude your claim faster, something both of us wants. It is easier to deal with an informed claimant than an uninformed one. A helpful hint, threatening to get a lawyer is an empty threat. I will usually know more about the attorney, how his office works, his fee schedule, who the paralegals are, how they operate and his phone number then the claimant. I understand that my insured who wrecked your priceless vehicle is the lowest form of existence on the earth, but really, when I talked to them, they made a bad jugement and felt bad about the accident (or maybe they just felt bad that they got caught?).

If you ask the adjuster about the settlement and how they came up with it, more than likely they will be able to give good documentation about their offer. If they can't then go higher to get the answer. But remember, just because your grandfather gave you the 1992 F150 with 150,000 miles does not make it worth more in the market. If you can make a solid case for more money, the adjuster will more than likely increse their offer. Complete, I repeat COMPETE maintenance records is a plus, "not burning drop of oil at 150,00 miles" is not documentation.

A look at the other side. Yes there are bad adjusters and I will probably hear about them. It is nice to hear about good adjusters once in a while.

I have a family just like you, have a life, a heart and have actual blood going through my veins instead of ice water. I am not trying to save the company money by cheating you. I get paid salary, not a percentage of what is paid or not paid on a claim.

 

I have had nothing but good experience with State Farm over the years and they have paid my claims promptly and fairly. I can call my agent at his home if I have a question and I always receive good service.
Dono

 

yep had ethem for 16 years now still reilable as day 1

 

I've never had to file a claim, so I've never had any problems with State Farm. Until now...........State farm is now getting out of the auto insurance business in New Jersey for some reason. They are dropping so many clients a month. Auto insurance is a real mess here right now!

 

I have had State Farm for 20 years, and have had both good and bad experiences. The worst was when I was riding in a friends Dakota and we were rear ended at a stop light by a guy with State Farm insurance. Said a bee flew in his car and "freaked him out". Whatever. My friend had USAA insurance I think. Anyway, we took his truck to State Farm's inspection place for them to check out the damage caused by their insured. They tried to tell us that there is no way that the bed of a pickup can be pushed up into the cab in a rear end collision. The inspector's statement was "I've been in the auto repair business for over 20 years, and I know there's no way the bed can pushed forward enough to put a dent in the back of the cab." My friends response was bend over and let me kick you in the "you know what", and see if you get pushed forward. They finally did agree to pay up. Needless to say I called my rep and complained about how we were treated, and threatened to go with another company. They've been really nice since then.

 

The thing about dealing with insurance adjusters is, they are human just like you are. And if you are a beligerant monkey and make stupid remarks, they're liable to do the same thing you would do: give you less money and find a good reason to justify it.
Anytime you are trying to get somebody to give you money, the best way to get the money is to be polite and friendly.
Slowsix is right. Your truck is worth hundreds less as soon as you drive it off the lot. And car insurance companies are alot different than health insurance companies, in that they are glad to pay on a claim, and most are fair.
BDV

 

I agree about being polite, to a point. We had just started pointing out all the areas of damage on the vehicle to the inspector. We showed him the damage on the bumper, the wrinkles above the wheel wells, and the dent in the cab directly in front of the front corner of the bed. Because it was my friends truck that was insured by a different company, the inspector wanted to disallow as much damage as he could. He actually called us liars to our faces when we said the damage was not there before the accident. He backed off quite a bit when I told him I had been a State Farm client for almost 20 years and was going to report his attitude to my rep.

I know if it would have been my State Farm insured vehicle, there would have been no question about the damage. My daughter has been in 2 wrecks now and both times they have signed off on all the damage without question. They even kept calling and asking her how much money she wanted for "pain and suffering" after we told them we didn't want any.

 

Hey, I like them, they keep my g/f employed...

Years ago, when I first started driving, I got into a minor fender bender. Minor meaning, I was driving a 2 1/2 ton Olds, girl I hit was driving a Civic. Her insurance company, State Farm, treated me better than my own did. They couldn't believe there was no damage to my car, and offered to pay to have it looked at, to ensure there was no damage. Then when I told him it did crack a turn signal lens, but I had already replaced it with a spare I had, he asked if I wished to be re-paid the value of the lens. I was impressed.
Ive luckily never had a make a claim myself, and hope I never do.

 

There are 163 reviews about State Farm here: http://www.epinions.com/finc-Insuran...m_Group_-_Auto
Register with epinions.com and write your own, if you like.

 

I have had State Farm Insurance (auto, life, home and back then health) for almost 30 years and have had very good service! All claims were paid quickly and any unseen damage paid without any trouble! Many years ago I looked to change companies because I did not make much money and had a very sick child. I spoke with several insurance agents with different companies. About half said they could beat the price, but ALL said they could NOT beat the quality/service and would not sell me insurance. About 9 years ago my wife decided to look into saving money and found the same information! We are still with State Farm!

 

I'm another happy State Farm Customer! My wife had an accident last year with our '98 Windstar.....they took great care of us, then went after the other guy....turns out it was 85% his fault...so we got 85% of our deductible refunded! Been with them for 20 years...after finding out that a so called friend was raking me over the coals to ensure my motorcycle. When I talked to a co-worker and found out he was paying less to insure a new Harley through State Farm than I was paying with a risk pool company to insure a Suzuki 450, well, I beat a path to his agents' door, and been with him ever since!!!!