Signs your car insurer might not be right for you
If you’re like most people, chances are you’ve stuck with the same insurance company you grew up using -- or at least the one that you’ve been with for most of your adult life. While loyalty can be a good thing, sometimes it blinds us to realizing we’re stuck in a less than ideal situation.
Just as it’s important to periodically reflect on other aspects of your life, assessing your car insurance company can help you avoid headaches and stress down the road. Watch for these car insurer red flags that indicate it might be time to shop around:
Rates keep going up, even if you’ve got a clean record
Car insurance premiums are an expense no one really likes. There’s no shortage of methods people use to lower their car insurance costs, so if you find your rates are going up when renewing your policy even if you haven’t made claims or racked up tickets or demerit points, that’s a sign you could probably get a lower rate somewhere else. At the very least negotiate for a lower rate. At some level, you’ll see insurance premium increases over the years. If you’re not a problematic driver, though, you shouldn’t see steep increases.
Difficult claims process
In an ideal world, you’d never have to file an auto insurance claim, when you do, you probably don’t want to jump through a lot of hoops.
Many consumers assume that getting money from insurance companies has to be an uphill battle. After all, aren’t all these insurance companies just greedy scam artists anyway? Believe it or not, this isn’t the case. If your insurer doesn’t make it easy for you to get the money you need, or doesn’t give you the money you need, that’s one of the major insurer red flags. You pay your premiums; they should be there when you need them.
Poor customer service
A lot of businesses may not offer the very best prices, features, or convenience, but can still survive and even excel by providing excellent customer service. When a company treats its customers like crap, people tend to get frustrated and leave.
As a customer, look for friendly, helpful customer service representatives that clearly explain your options when you’re purchasing or changing a policy. Customer services representatives from your insurer should also provide helpful information on car insurance in Canada when you’re making a claim. Good customer service creates a sense of transparency and trust between you and your insurer. If your insurance company feels like an uncaring, unknowable entity, or if it feels like an obstacle standing in your way to getting what you need, consider other options.
Every consumer values various aspects of a company differently. Only you know what matters most to you. There are companies that provide great service and great rates. Take a look at how you feel about your insurance company and shop around if you’re not feeling satisfied. Sometimes the cheapest option doesn’t mean the best option.