Unitrin Direct Auto Insurance (Any good?)?
Asked by: hyphenga-ga
I recently responded to an e-mail for a free auto insurance price quote (I'm in California). I wasn't really looking to shop around - and wasn't planning to switch companies to save a buck or two, but I was kinda shocked when the price quote I got from Unitrin Direct (same coverage limits and deductibles) was $510 less than I'm paying now. I called and asked what the catch was and they said they sell direct with no
agents/offices and pass the savings onto the customer (logical, but obviously scripted answer). They also touted an A.M. Best "Excellent" rating, but what good is financial stability if they bungle claims (for example) or have terrible customer service? So I guess I'm looking for a little confidence - or a big fat warning - before I jump into anything. Are they reputable? Is there any objective info available about them? (I'd love any good/bad comments from Unitrin customers out there too.)
OK, well, they're A rated, not A+, so they're good.
Your REAL problem comes when you have questions or claims. See, you're acting as your OWN AGENT. You have to pick your own coverages, and give yourself your own professional advice. Risky, if you don't know what you're doing.
That is NOT going to save you as much money as you think. I strongly suspect that if you called a few insurance companies in your area, you'd find out that there are companies WITH AGENTS that would work for you, with premiums around what Unitrin is quoting you.
Even I, an insurance agent with GOBS of experience, have my personal insurance through ANOTHER agent (that I don't work with).
Filed under auto insurance price quote by on Jun 16th, 2010. Comment. 
Can anyone explain the basics of what a few of these auto insurance words mean?
Bodily Injury Limits mean what? and :
Property Damage Limit
Medical Payments Limit
Uninsured/Under insured Motorist Bodily Injury
Liability Coverage means what?
Uninsured Motorist Property Damage would be what ?
Comprehensive Coverage & Deductibles are?
Collision Coverage & Deductibles
Emergency Road Service Limits ?
Rental Car Limits ? (Does this mean they give you a rental car ?)
Customized Parts and Equipment Coverage Limits means what?
Loan/Lease Gap Coverage is what kind of thing?
Actually, YOUR AGENT is the person to go to, for definitions. You're asking for a TON of questions, and each answer will generate MORE questions.
If you're trying to buy your insurance without an agent, online, that's the main drawback.
Some policies will define these things slightly differently, and in some states, they will also have different definitions.
Kudos to anyone who actually defines all of these accurately - it would take pages and pages. So, if someone DOES attempt to define these, keep in mind, it's not a FULL definition, and you need to either read your policy, or talk to your agent, for a full definition.
Filed under auto insurance price quote by on May 22nd, 2010. Comment.