I resolved The Hartford insurance rate increase and saved $$$

[VintageDrummer]

Here's how I successfully resolved the interrelated problem with The Hartford raising the insurance premium dramatically for my auto insurance even though I have an excellent driving history, and AARP acting helpless to leverage the matter with its business partner (i.e., The Hartford) ...

1. I recently dropped The Hartford at renewal time in favor of a different carrier (Progressive) and, in the process, save substantial money.

1. I subsequently called AARP and cancelled my membership and will be receiving a prorated refund of my five-year membership payment (more savings for me). If more people took this approach and there was a decrease in membership, perhaps AARP leadership would redirect its energies to be more member centric?

It seems that AARP has lost its way helping members in favor of income from royalties paid by business partnerships. 

[VintageDrummer]

UPDATE: From what I can see, it seems AARP continues to simply sit idly by (learned helplessness, in a sense) while its recommended auto insurance vendor engages in what some people might consider price gouging. As mentioned above, I easily solved the problem by changing to Progressive (got a comparatively great rate) and saving even more money by dropping my long-standing AARP membership.

As a practical matter, AARP should (1) learn how to be much more member-centric; (2) reevaluate who it takes on as a business partner; (3) have two or more endorsed auto insurers to foster competitiveness; and (4) use its several print/online publications to objectively share useful and informative stories about the auto insurance situation, including the role AARP itself plays. Unless and until AARP takes substantial meaningful steps in this direction, I'll remain on the sidelines as to re-upping my multi-year membership. As it currently stands, my trust in the organization is diminished.

[ja75327217]

Just got my quote and it was a dramatic increase. When I first switched to Hartford 6 years ago, they were 1/2 what my coverage was with my previous insurer. I reach out to them for a quote, turns out they are about $300 less then the Hartford. I'll check out Progressive and see what they offer. Thanks for the tip.

[goffprof]

The Hartford and AARP are a disappointment. I found 2 carriers eager to offer similar or better coverage for hundreds less and the insurers are eager to sign former AARP customers. AARP has lost it’s focus and no longer deserves long time member trust or our business. What an embarassment….  

[AARPConsumerCare]

Hello, we are deeply sorry to hear about your experience with the Hartford, and we appreciate your feedback as we are always looking for ways to improve what we offer to our members. I really hope that you reconsider and decide to give us another opportunity. Please send me a DM through here, so I can get you in touch with our Member Relations team. They act as liaison for AARP service providers. Here is an article that will show you how to activate Private messages: https://aarp.info/47hWcl7. I look forward to hearing from you. - Daniela R. 

[VintageDrummer]

Daniela R. - The only thing that would perhaps prompt me to reconsider would be for AARP to offer multiple *competitive* business partners for auto insurance and to engage in a real conversation on this forum instead of, time and again, trying to steer those who complain to take the convo private with the Member Relations team. The issues at hand deserve community forum attention not 1:1's with Member Relations. This lack of transparency with members is part of the problem. For now, I'll stick with Progressive for auto insurance; I don't trust The Hartford as matters stand; I doubt I'm alone on this.

[AARPConsumerCare]

We appreciate you providing us with this feedback, and I'll pass it along to the appropriate team to be reviewed and addressed. If you change your mind, know that we would love the opportunity to assist you. - Daniela R. 

[goffprof]

Daniela-  respectfully,  AARP has disappointed many customers with sudden 30%+ rate increases from The Hartford that are NOT competitive with other insurers’ rate increases.  I talked to several brokers who all said they are getting calls from long time AARP customers who are angry and switching. Many are dropping AARP as the consensus opinion is AARP has lost it’s focus and is no longer an advocate for members.  AAA and other organizations are capitalizing on AARP’s disappointing treatment of long time loyal core members.  No one wants to hear constant apologies and empty promises from AARP customer service as that just aggravates members even more. Do you understand this is a systemic problem that needs to be addressed?  No more apologies and excuses as they are not acceptable.  

[MartynP267354]

bravissimo,

bravissimo,

bravissimo

[rv920]

Did the same thing, also switching to Progressive for a much lower rate. Hartford raised our premiums by 84% over the last 3 years. Same vehicles...no losses...no moving violations. 

[dantheman63]

American Family increased my rates by 50%, even though I have an excellent driving record.  Progressive gave me a rate lower than my former premium.  Maybe insurers think that old people are too reluctant to change.  I did this all online. 

[VintageDrummer]

I suspect The Hartford may be relying on existing customers to not do as you’ve done - by shopping around and benefiting from doing so!

[AARPConsumerCare]

@DrummerCT1 I'm terribly sorry to hear that the Hartford did not work out for you. I'm disappointed to learn that we've lost your support as well. I hope that you reconsider and decide to give us another try. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything in the future.  - Janelle M.

[goffprof]

Janelle- I’m surprised at your response to DrummerCT and others who are dropping AARP due to the unacceptable auto rate increases of 28-35%.  You wrote “I hope you reconsider and decide to give us another try.”  That ridiculous response indicates you are either providing a canned response or are AI.  Either way, I am also dropping AARP insurance through The Hartford and will also cancel my AARP membership.  AARP’s blatant disregard for long time members is totally unacceptable. 

[VintageDrummer]

@AARPConsumerCare 

Rather than spending energy on expressing regret to me (it rings hollow and pro forma), perhaps redirect your actions and energy toward leveraging AARP’s relationship with The Hartford to unwind its rate increases. And to bring on board other insurance business “partners” who provide better offerings at much more competitive rates. There’s no law prohibiting you having additional companies than The Hartford. I won’t be rejoining AARP unless and until it puts members’ concerns above inflated royalty revenue. 

[GailL1]

@VintageDrummer wrote

“There’s no law prohibiting you having additional companies than The Hartford.”

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Right, there is no law but most likely there is a contract for the agreement.

The Hartford News Release 06/20/2020 - The Hartford And AARP Agree To Extend Auto And Home Insurance... 

from the link ~

HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Hartford announced an extension of its long-standing auto and home insurance program for AARP members until Jan. 1, 2033. The Hartford’s program has been endorsed by AARP for 35 years. It launched in 1984 and since then has developed into a leading affinity program.

[VintageDrummer]

@GailL1  I know what I said and that’s why I stated it the way I did. My hunch is that there’s likely a way AARP can either remove The Hartford as a partner and/or bring on additional insurance product partners. I already knew about the extension The Hartford obtained. If AARP signed away such contractual rights regardless of The Hartford’s actions they should perhaps consider getting better legal representation.

In any event, (1) AARP hasn’t provided info to members about how partner exclusivity (if exists) works nor (2) shared anything else on the matter other than customer service reps piping up to express sorrow and/or to try and convince complaining members to share info privately with them about their insurance experience (as if the reps don’t already know about the exorbitant rate increases). 

[GailL1]

@VintageDrummer 

The AARP profit-making arm of the organization in charge of setting up all the deals is 

AARP Services, Inc.

This tells you all about them - what they do and why [kinda] - it also gives a linked contact for companies that would like to do branded or otherwise business with the over 50 crowd.  

So how do they pick them?  

No, I don’t see the org. having more than one insurer for the same type coverage 

AARP Member Benefits - Insurance classification 

I don’t have any of these [AARP branded] insurance carriers - but I do know that all insurance property coverage has gone up this year.  Mine did too, but I understood why and took some action to lower my premiums by accepting more of the risk.  I also removed coverage that I didn’t need.  

[VintageDrummer]

@GailL1 
My high-level takeaway is that parts of AARP seem to have lost their way in pursuit of profits instead of bolstering solid member benefits.  

One of the things I’m wondering about is if AARP or subsidiary functions bring in revenue based on a flat rate fee to use the AARP branding endorsement imprimatur and/or if they earn more revenue to the effect of royalties being paid are a straight percentage of, e.g., auto insurance premiums or other metrics. In other words, in the latter instance, the more members pay to a partner insurance company the more money that flows into AARP? There’s not sufficient and easily available transparency of what they’re doing for me to want to remain a member.

By the way, I’m not saying there’s no benefits from being an AARP member. I am raising questions about the partner relationship with The Hartford and how that relationship is being managed to maximize value for AARP members. 

[DebLup610]

 I called The Hartford to compare car insurance to what I pay at StateFarm, I am staying where I am. The Hartford was almost double for the same coverage.

[VintageDrummer]

@DebLup610  I’m glad to hear this - that you’re able to get a much better deal from State Farm. 

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@DebLup610 wrote:

 I called The Hartford to compare car insurance to what I pay at StateFarm, I am staying where I am. The Hartford was almost double for the same coverage.

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