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Renters Insurance

ChrisChris
edited March 2008 in Seattle Real Estate
I'm long overdue to get renters insurance but I can't find an easy way to compare rates and policies among insurers. The only way I've found to do this is through applying on every website which only sets me up for more junk mail and spam. Has anyone done this research already and have any recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

Comments

  • AlanAlan
    It will probably be cheapest through the company that provides your car insurance.
  • uptownuptown
    I went through a full service broker when I last changed my insurance. They did the work of getting the quotes (from all the well known companies) and I saved a ton of money by going with a local company (not that big one, the small one).

    Renters insurance is cheap and you'll usually get a discount if you buy auto insurance from the same company.
  • crucifictioncrucifiction
    Renters insurance is cheap enough that its probably not worth doing too much comparison shopping. I have used a couple companies (I currently have SafeCo) and its always the same $120-150/year.
  • MarkorMarkor
    My opinion on insurance is that you want the company that has reasonable rates but much more importantly, excellent service. Too many companies nowadays try to profit by denying/delaying claims, esp. (it seems) Allstate, Farmers, and State Farm. When I first got car insurance as a teenager I asked for a recommendation from the manager of a large corporation, whose job it was to buy the company insurance. He said Amica was the best. I've been their customer ever since (was home insurance, now renter's insurance, plus car & life & umbrella) and the service is outstanding. The one claim I've made was paid promptly and without hassle. I've seen Amica show up #1 out of 50+ companies in Consumer Reports a few times. They have an office in Bellevue, 800-24-AMICA.
  • Lake Hills RenterLake Hills Renter
    I have both my auto and renters insurance through Allstate. I've been with them for over a decade, and the one claim (auto, $1300 for hail damage) I had was promptly handled and paid out without any hassle.
  • GrubbieGrubbie
    Markor,

    The problem I have with AMICA, is they are Fing expensive. My parents were with them for 20+ years (My mom actually was a underwriter for them). I ended being on their car insurance for 7-8 years since I got my license.

    My insurance was already pretty high, I call to renew it and find out they wanted to jack it up 10% for no reason. I have a perfect record, no tickets, no accidents and they wanted to increase my rate over 200$.

    I ended up calling around, and got insurance for half the price. To me, as great as they are, they aren't work 1k a year.


    Others might have better luck getting a better rate.
  • MarkorMarkor
    Grubbie wrote:
    I ended up calling around, and got insurance for half the price. To me, as great as they are, they aren't work 1k a year.
    They may well be expensive for what you get; I don't know for sure. For car I pay $780/yr for $500K comprehensive. No big rate increases like you experienced.

    If you're running an insurance company and want to maximize short-term profit, you'll pay all the small claims promptly (good advertising) but force customers to take you to court on every large claim. I'm willing to pay a premium to avoid that situation.
  • GrubbieGrubbie
    My rate was about $1950-2000 for I believe 300k coverage. They increased it to $2250 and couldn't explain why. When I called and asked they said it might of been a change to the rating on my car (2006 model year).

    Most places were in the 1300-1500 range, State Farm offered a rate around $1050 as they were willing to combine my Fiancee and I onto the same account (Amica was only going to do it if we were legally married or blood).
  • MarkorMarkor
    Grubbie wrote:
    My rate was about $1950-2000 for I believe 300k coverage. They increased it to $2250 and couldn't explain why.
    Wow. I'd look elsewhere too. I'd sure like to know why they were charging you over twice what I'm paying, for less coverage. Sports car, 0-60 in 5 seconds flat? I have a family car.
  • ChrisChris
    Thanks for all the advice. I'll let you all know who I end up using.

    Chris
  • GrubbieGrubbie
    Markor wrote:
    Grubbie wrote:
    My rate was about $1950-2000 for I believe 300k coverage. They increased it to $2250 and couldn't explain why.
    Wow. I'd look elsewhere too. I'd sure like to know why they were charging you over twice what I'm paying, for less coverage. Sports car, 0-60 in 5 seconds flat? I have a family car.

    Nope, an 06 Mazda3. I wanted to know why I was paying so much too, they couldn't give me a reason. Makes no sense that with that car and a perfect record, they were charging $600-1000 more then everybody else.
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