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BEWARE of Hartford Auto BAIT and SWITCH

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Newbie

BEWARE of Hartford Auto BAIT and SWITCH

I switched to AARP Hartford Auto Insurance last year.  The premium for the first year was very attractive saving us about $200 compared to our previous carrier.

BUT,  when the policy renewed after the first year, Hartford has raised the premiums by 28%.  I have no claims, perfect driving record, and no changes to the policy.  Hartford customer service has no credible explanation for the increase.  This looks like a classic BAIT and SWITCH to me.  I am hugely disappointed in Hartford and will be switching insurance again after getting some new quotes from different companies.  AARP should seriously look at what businesses they endorse. 

SammieS.
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Honored Social Butterfly

I can't give you a specific explanation EXCEPT that insurance is a shared and shared alike type program and many things will affect your premiums outside of yourself and your specific record.

1.  Your age and the age of others in your household who are of driving age.  There are many age point increases just like there are increases and decreases in other age / other characteristics in earlier years in our life.

2.  The cost of [new and used] vehicles - as these cost rise they affect your premiums because if you hit one, your insurance pays.  Repair cost as well as Replacement cost -

3.  The amount of traffic, the number of accidents in your general area - your zip code and the surrounding area.

4.  The number of people that are UN-insured or UNDER-insured or lack drivers licenses in your general area if you have that coverage on your policy.

5.  The number and type of claims in your general area - not just yours - EVERYBODY.

6.  Know what extra coverage is added on - stuff like Accident Forgiveness / Declining Deductible

all add to the cost too.

 

One thing that you didn't mention was under which type of coverage you saw the most increase - Liability, Comprehensive,   UN- or UNDER-Insured coverage - both liability and property coverage.

When shopping coverage, you have to compare a lot of different categories for a reasonable comparison:  See if you qualify for any discounts or could by taking some type of action. 

What about raising your deductible limits?  Did your various limits stay the same when you switched before or were these limits raised?  Did you pick up or drop any accessory coverage like towing / rental car coverage and are these the same as before.

Once you know what you actually have by deciphering the policy, do an analysis of your existing coverage and then compare [the same or as close as you can] with other companies.

 

What special member benefits do you get with them by being an AARP member?  Make sure you read their details and disclaimers.  Are you paying for more things than you might need or don't get in another policy?

https://www.thehartford.com/aarp/car-insurance/aarp-benefits-discounts 

 

It's Always Something . . . . Roseanna Roseannadanna
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Periodic Contributor

When you also add in the loss factors due to climate change that result from natural catastrophes as well as car theft it's not surprising everyone's rates increase. Also if planning on a used car be very careful of cars involved with flood damage. The insurance companies send them to auction houses that dealers pick up and disguises the fact they were flooded. Usually with electrical problems they bandaid but can't be permanently fixed. Once your service agreement ends...your continued out of pocket begins.

Periodic Contributor

When other auto insurance companies are raising their rates in the neighborhood of 8% in 2023 (over 2022 rates) these small factors you mention spread across millions of customers would never justify the huge rate increases we are seeing upon Hartford first renewal. My base rate adjustment would have been 36.48%. No, it's bait and switch and piracy of many older folks who don't, can't or won't make a switch when they're being screwed. And, the agent tried to placate little-OLD-me by saying "everything is going up - have you been to the grocery store?" As THOUGH I am computer illiterate and can't learn that 36.48% is way out of the ballpark from the normal industry standard rate increase of 8%

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Periodic Contributor

I believe i heard Chicago insurance rates went up as high as 50% +. 

Newbie

I totally understand where you are coming from!  I, too, see it time and time again, this ageism - being spoken to as if I was just born yesterday, and Hartford needs to be held accountable for its criminal actions.

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Honored Social Butterfly

So this isn’t correct ?

WalletHub 01/20/2023 The Hartford Insurance Review 2023

 

 

 

It's Always Something . . . . Roseanna Roseannadanna
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Contributor

Wrong. As others have said, many insurance companies offer a great premium the first year so you'll make the switch and then you'll see a big increase at renewal. Others do not do this. Regardless, I have never gotten a competitive offer from the Hartford but that may be a state-specific thing. My auto coverage is with Travelers and it actually went down a couple dollars last time.

 

If you do make a change, be very careful that you are comparing apples to apples and you think about the coverage you need. Always refer to your declaration page when shopping rates because often agents and online applications will default to the statutory minimums which may not be sufficient but of course they're likely to be less expensive. 

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Regular Contributor

No No No.   when another large reputable insurance company will give you the same insurance coverage on the same house FOR HALF THE COST!  you know you were being hosed by the AARP Hartford.      Why would Allstate be less than half as much?    BECAUSE AARP WAS OVERCHARGING, figuring you have retired seniors who will just not question and pay up....scandalous!

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Periodic Contributor

@ BillH614618 - You are absolutely right! I love to see someone who knows how to stand up for their rights. Unfortunately - and they know this - seniors often don't have the ability or knowledge to do this. And that's why piracy of the elderly is completely reprehensible. Time for a class action lawsuit - I betcha Hartford would have a hard time justifying their rate increase percentage on what should be a protected class of insureds. Oh, and you're right - WHERE IS AARP when we need protected???!?

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Newbie

I agree with the class action law suit.

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Contributor

As much as I despise the fact that I received a 52% rate increase, these policies are a 6-month or 1-year contract.  They have the right to increase rates and you have the right to not take the deal.  No class action basis and that is not the solution.

 

Dan OHallaron
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Regular Contributor

Hi @lattitude23 ! The Hartford has implemented a statewide rate revision necessary due to skyrocketing costs associated with accidents and repair. Premiums are also based on each customer’s personal characteristics which we encourage each member to contact The Hartford directly to determine what personal characteristics were associated with your increase and what available options members have to help offset the cost.

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Newbie

This is an utter lie.  The same thing that has been happening to all these people going back a couple of years is a BAIT and SWITCH!    We signed up for a 490 premium and now that we're at renewal time, it's $636 now.  This is so absolutely disgusting and Hartford should be held accountable for these criminal actions.  This was a bait and switch.  We would have just stayed with Progressive.  Do you understand this at all??????????

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Contributor

My auto insurance has gone up 40% over the original price offered by Hartford. Complained to AARP, they waited a couple days and sent me a boiler plate email about rising costs yada yada. Total bait n switch operation. How are they able to continue to offer low rates initially then all of a sudden their costs rise so they have to rapidly ramp up your rate. I'd bet if I was asking them for a quote today as a new customer I'd get a sweet offer. AARP, well I guess now I know this org is just another company wrapping itself in the guise of being an advocate so as to better milk some demographic out of what little money hasn't been siphoned off by the rest of the 'free market'.

 

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Community Concierge

Hi @PaulP178682 , here to help! We certainly understand your concern regarding Hartford We would be glad to work with the Escalation team at Hartford to have this investigated for you. If you are still having difficulties with Hartford, please either give us a call at 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277) to request an Escalation or send me a private message in the AARP Online Community by clicking this link and entering my username, “StephfanW784785” into the “Send to” box https://community.aarp.org/t5/notes/composepage . Please provide the following details in your message:

  • Full name
  • AARP Membership # (or home address)
  • Phone # and email address to contact you
  • Description of your issue

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate you informing us of your concern. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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Contributor

First annual auto renewal, $800 to $1300 (per six months).  No claims or tickets, Age 67, superior credit.  Can't wait to see the Home renewal.  All faith lost in AARP.

 

Dan OHallaron
Periodic Contributor

Hi @do23263009, here to help! We certainly understand your concern regarding The HartfordWe would be glad to work with the Escalation team at The Hartford to have this investigated for you. If you are still having difficulties with The Hartford, please either give us a call at 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277) to request an Escalation or send me a private message in the AARP Online Community by clicking this link and entering my username, “AARPMariamaA” into the “Send to” box https://community.aarp.org/t5/notes/composepage . Please provide the following details in your message:

  • Full name
  • AARP Membership # (or home address)
  • Phone # and email address to contact you
  • Description of your issue

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate you informing us of your concern. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

 

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