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. 

[goffprof]

VintageDrummer-  exactly the right question to ask.  You won’t get a real response with any info.  AARP has really lost its focus and no longer has any credibility.  Wow….  

[goffprof]

Customer Care- this issue is NOT resolved.  Your responses to all of us are always the same. Referring us to call Member Relations is a waste of time and an attempt to divert attention from the real issue. Member Relations continually apologizes to us for the ridiculous insurance rate increases, asks us to stay with The Hartford and AARP, and provides NO explanation or reason WHY we should stay.  This is an embarrassing situation for AARP as many loyal members have already dropped The  Hartford and secured home and auto insurance from one of several other carriers for hundreds of dollars less.  Many of us are long time AARP members but will not be renewing. Progressive Insurance posted a message on an internet board that several thousand former AARP members have contacted them and are disgusted with AARP for allowing The Hartford to cheat long term, loyal AARP customers. Please stop responding to members suggesting Member Services as it only makes a bad situation even worse. Absolutely disgraceful Customer Service behavior from both The Hartford and AARP. 

[zebrashine]

Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I left Hartford last year because my (Home/Auto) rates literally doubled. Geico gave me the same full coverage at my previous rate. All year long I’ve gotten mailings from Hartford telling me they “miss me” and “get a quote from Hartford.” Probably one mailing every 8 weeks.

So I researched their financial health - which turns out to be outstanding. Their position in the stock market is excellent. Additionally, the CEO earns (“earns”) $19,000,000+.
So … I say, “Bah Humbug!!

[jc1875]

I had two separate calls with Hartford that went nowhere.  Shopped around and went with Allstate that had significantly lower auto and homeowner rates. Problem solved😎.

[davidf72743]

Wish I would have seen this before I made my post.

AARP Are you paying attention?

[pipman317]

My increase was about 90% when I got my renewal documents a couple of days ago...I switched to Progressive as well and may also drop my AARP membership too because The Hartford low rate I was getting was the only tangible on-going benefit from an AARP membership. The buck's got your back? The buck is sticking it to us in the back. A little lower, actually.

November 5 update: Not only has The Hartford raised their rates and AARP has not sufficiently addressed this situation with its members, but I just got an email from AARP that their membership fee is also going up. Bye bye AARP.

[barbaran135913]

Me too. Safe driver, no accidents and my premium doubled. I quickly switched to Progressive. Shame on AARP. I expected you to save us money, not endorse and promote PRICE GOUGING! I will reconsider my AARP membership! ! 

[AARPConsumerCare]

We hope you stay with us, @barbaran135913. I can understand how disappointing that can be. I can get you in touch with our Member Relations team. They act as liaison for AARP service providers. Please send me a private message with your name, membership number and the best phone number or email for our Member Relations team to get back to you. - Diana G.

[goffprof]

@AARPConsumerCare- your repeated responses to customers who are switching carriers due to the 30% rate increases are disrespectful and simply not acceptable.  We all KNOW you don’t want us to leave, but your responses are ridiculous and embarrassing to AARP.  Many of us are long time AARP members and are able to secure far less costly insurance easily and immediately.  Why does AARP continue to aggravate its most loyal customer base? Your responses don’t address the problems and are being reposted all over the internet as more AARP customers drop The Hartford as their insurer and do not renew AARP membership.  Do you understand? 

[SuzanneG701313]

I just saved $500.00 by going with Progressive and not renewing my insurance through AARP with the Hartford. That is just deplorable. AARP is supposed to help us all save and many seniors don't want the hassle of switching or they like to show loyalty and stick with companies. 

[LinS423641]

My husband just called The Hartford .  Our home & car insurance went up $1,364.00 . We have been loyal to The Hartford for years! We are seniors, low milage on driving, no accidents, and AARP members. Yet we were told nationally rates were  up and nothing they could do. We will just have to start searching for better prices and will check Progressive too and other car insurance rates...let see how it goes.

[VintageDrummer]

Wow, that’s quite a rate increase. AARP should be ashamed by their endorsement of The Hartford. Wishing you luck finding a better insurance company!

[BarbaraV753349]

I too have been with The Hartford/AARP since 2019.. My premiums drastically increased for this new renewal which I will not be renewing. We are seniors and I only drive maybe once a week 2 miles. I was told by Hartford that my rates increased due to countywide and statewide increases, which is it? Second was told that my mileage changed… actually my mileage is less then when I was working, 3 years retired. Then was told the rate increase due to a rate adjustment that Hartford implemented in my state since my policy was last renewed. I also was told that I am receiving AARP discount but no one can tell me how much or where it states in my policy only that I am getting it…. The rate increase also was because of our age and mileage…last was told by AARP and Hartford that this discount is built into the overall rate and that my policy is benefiting from my membership…. Really. My insurance went from $2100.00 to $3110.00. Who’s BENEFITING… sure is not me. I am shopping around so once I find an insurance company that I can trust I will not be renewing. Thank you for your message about The Hartford/AARP. 

[AARPConsumerCare]

@BarbaraV753349 We're sorry to hear you’re having trouble with The Hartford! We hope you'll reconsider your membership, as we are listening and would like the chance to help as soon as possible. Please visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp?cmp=SNO-LITHIUM---&socialid=15000479287 to chat, text, or speak with a representative who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team. Thanks!  Jodee R. 

[jc1875]

AARP does not care about the astronomical rate increases by Hartford.

[goffprof]

AARP consumer care- many of us are surprised at your response as it doesn’t address our concern about the ridiculous AARP (The Hartford) insurance price increase.  We were ALL able to find comparable insurance at *much* less cost. AARP is alienating long term customers and providing ZERO customer service responses other than to apologize.  The other insurers are eager to get long term loyal AARP customers and are laughing at AARP for letting the Hartford enact 30% rate increases. AARP has lost its’ way as well as the long time customers who were AARP supporters but no longer.  I won’t be renewing my AARP membership.  AARP is very disrespectful to members and that is simply NOT acceptable.  Fix the rates or continue to lose customers. You are driving us away! 

[AARPConsumerCare]

@goffprof I'm terribly sorry to hear about your experience with the Hartford. AARP has offered customer service options to our members who voice complaints regarding our service providers. We have a Member Relations team for handling these specialized interactions, so we must ask our members to contact us on a different channel to get them in touch with our dedicated team. As AARP is not an insurance company, we do not have the ability to adjust the rates offered by the Hartford. I hope that you reconsider and stick with AARP. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything.  - Janelle M.

[VintageDrummer]

@AARPConsumerCare 
Your reply is a condescending non-answer. AARP in effect endorses The Hartford as a business partner, yet AARP continues to duck responsibility for their part in the problem. Very, very non-transparent and disappointing. How about a change where AARP removes The Hartford as a business partner and replaces it with a company that is affordable? Otherwise, just get out of the insurance provider recommending business. Currently, the debacle is trashing your brand in the minds of many who previously trusted your judgment in selecting insurance business partners. 

[MartynP267354]

Perhaps your 'Member Relations Team for Specialized Interactions' would care to make a detailed statement to all members regarding the Hartford debacle.  Surely the outrage and disappointment with AARP is sufficiently widespread?  Or perhaps, better still, Jo Ann Jenkins could make a public statement explaining  exactly what AARP is doing to promote the interests of members with respect to auto insurance and why AARP continues to endorse Hartford in the light of what many have commented what they regard as price gouging. 

[VintageDrummer]

I’m sorry to learn that you, too, have been negatively impacted by The Hartford’s ridiculous rate increase and concomitant lack of transparency. And apparently AARP is doing nothing visible to be helpful, to make insurance cost matters worse. I’m glad I switched to Progressive for auto insurance - I am saving significant money plus their customer service was very helpful when I recently needed my front windshield replaced due to road hazard damage. Wishing you the best in finding a better auto insurance solution!

[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.