Buying Advice

What is a “good” company? Every company is out for profit, and that remains true even when you are not at fault. Some companies, even expensive ones, are as tough on their own policy holders when they are hurt through no fault of their own as they are across the board. Here are some generalities:

• High-volume discount insurance companies which price their policies for younger or higher-risk drivers are as tough on their own policy holders in paying claims as they are on others.

• Some companies which proclaim to be leading the “fight against fraud” or “crusade for tort reform” also appear to be tough in examining no-fault claims and SUM claims brought by their own policy holders. This probably comes from the "inbred" nature of claims offices. If the company has a "tough-guy" reputation for handling claims brought by the other motorist, that mentality spills over into the handling of first-party claims.

• Your best bet is with companies that offer a variety of insurance products through independent agents. For example, a company that offers competitive pricing for a homeowner’s policy combined with good auto insurance may not want to poison underwriting volumes by haggling over an extra $500 for continued chiropractic visits.

• In short, the old adage, "You get what you pay for" could not be truer.

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