BEWARE of Hartford Auto BAIT and SWITCH

[SammieS99563]

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. 

[BillH614618]

YES!  AARPHartford is a huge scam....they raised my home insurance 105%...more than double in one year, raised car insurance 25%.    No reason, my credit rating excellent, no claims, they just figured it was time to stick it to a complacent old coger who will just pay it, believing the LIE that he has the best rate that AARP got for old folks.   AARP is just a business, they sell their name and get paid to endorse an insurance co who bids for the endorsement and then  rips their members off.    AARP should be getting us members the best, the cheapest rates, negotiating great deals for us ......but noooooo nooononono....AARP sells it name to an insurance co that charges you DOUBLE!!!...I called Allstate, the same insurance coverage/same house that Hartford AARP charged $2085.  is only $1050.  my car insurance  reduced from almost $1200 , down to $950  with Allstate.   AARP should be ashamed....selling out its trusting members to be cheated and over charged

[lattitude23]

YES - Definitely bait and switch! They did the same to me and, when asked, said the medical care and car repair costs have gone up. They wanted to raise my rates (perfect driving history, no claims) by 38.65%. But luckily for me - so they say - since I obtained the 23% discount for participating in the HORRID 6-month tracking program (that's another story!), my insurance will only increase slightly this year upon renewal. AARP should drop their sponsorship of this fraudulent insurance. Looking online, insurance rates are ACTUALLY only up 8% in 2023 from 2022 - NOT 36%+. The agent said "everything's going up - have you been to the grocery store lately?" - as though I'm dumb and needed placated to believe this nonsense. I may be older, but I'm definitely wiser. BAD COMPANY

[BillH614618]

thanks for all the kudos  lattitude,  if youwant to have some fun/frustration, call upsome exec's in the AARP org.....ask them to reveal how much Hartford is paying them for it's "endorsement"and "branding rights"  (multimillions I bet)    they won't reveal it, try to chnge the subject, try to act all concerned, say they'll look intoit...in the end...members are thrown under the Hartford bus, so AARP exec's can ride that bus wth profits and high salaries...NOT WORKING FOR MEMBERS BENIFIT.

Know a good lawyer?  i will provide them incontrovertable documented evidence of nearly double the cost of house and car insurrance  for same identical coverage.

[nekaj01]

AARPHartford did the same thing to me, increased my auto insurance, almost double, for no apparent reason. When I called to ask, why this is happening they didn't provide me with a valid answer. They only said "Sorry I don't have an answer". AARP should look into their relationship with THE HARTFORD.

AARP re-focus it should be about the membership. 

[BillH614618]

Nekaj.  so go to allstate and you will get the same insurance you had at very close to the old price you were paying. much much less that Hartford....I just got AARP magazine, and Hartford purchases full page adds touting their insurance:  "Saves new customers an average of $550 less when they switch to us from Allstate" LIES!  a blatant lie.....its Hartford that charges double! and AARP sells their endorsement to this price gouging corporate crook.   HOW MUCH IS HARTFORD PAYING YOU MANGERS OF AARP?  (they won't answer),  AARP keeps the millions from Hartford payola that is more important to them then doing their job for the membership of AARP that pay dues to employ them...they sell us out to the highest corporate bidder, who then price gouges seniors 

[LakeishaT901230]

Hi there! AARP Member Benefits Team here to help. We certainly understand your concern regarding the rate increase of your Hartford Auto insurance policy. We’d be happy to forward your concern to the Escalation team we work with at The Hartford for their thorough review and investigation if you’d like, as there are a multitude of factors that impact your rate. To do this, we will need more information. Please send me a private message in the AARP Online Community by clicking this link and entering my username, “LakeishaT901230” into the “Send to” box https://community.aarp.org/t5/notes/composepage

Please provide the following details in your message:
- AARP membership number (or home address)
- Best contact phone number
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate you informing us of your concern. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

[Anonymous]

Hi @BillH614618 you are right about <Allstate>. Luv them 😎

[BillH614618]

thanks...glad I found allstate, saving me $1250 annually.....the big question I'd like to know is how many $million$ does Hartford give to the AARP org for their endorsement.?    I wish my AARP org worked  for me, getting me the best rates  as a group--instead, they apparently, just sold us out to the highest corporate bidder  

[Anonymous]

You are welcome @BillH614618 😎 Thanks for sharing your story with us. 

[lm24656748]

We recently had a similar increase as well, approx. 30%.  We also switched to Hartford because they gave us a really good rate to start with.  Very frustrating.. I wouldn't expect it to be because of our ages!

Laurie

[AARPAngelaC]

@SammieS99563  Hi there! AARP Member Benefits Team here to help. We certainly understand your concern regarding the rate increase of your Hartford Auto insurance policy. We’d be happy to forward your concern to the Escalation team we work with at The Hartford for their thorough review and investigation if you’d like, as there are a multitude of factors that impact your rate. To do this, we will need more information. Please send me a private message in the AARP Online Community by clicking this link and entering my username, “AARPAngelaC” into the “Send to” box https://community.aarp.org/t5/notes/composepage

Please provide the following details in your message:
- AARP membership number (or home address)
- Best contact phone number
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate you informing us of your concern. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

[BillH614618]

AngelaC....I couldn't navigate to you directly, but please call me directly at [EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED FROM PUBLIC VIEW FOR YOUR ONLINE SAFETY] if you want documentation.   I am outraged that my trust in AARP as an org that should represent MY interests, to whom I pay a membership, will endorse and license their name to an insurance company that then CHARGES DOUBLE!!!!    this ruins my trust in AARP completely....seems just another marketing scam out for yourselves, taking corporate payola to screw your own members.  Please change my mind!  fire Hartford and give the AARP endorsement to another more deserving ins company (or do they pay you too much and you just can't turn them down)

[Anonymous]

Hi @BillH614618 

1. Click on @AARPAngelaC .
2. This will take you to her AARP Profile.
3. Scroll down to bottom and click on <Send Private Message.> This will open up a blank message already going to her. Fill in meesage. Click send.
4. Three <screenshots below>.
5.  

[maylecaa7]

I agree with Sammie. My house insurance with Hartford has gone up tremendously. In 2014 it was $1360/year, and for 2021 it is $4,020/year! This is a huge increase for someone who is 78. The house has not changed in size. I did update the kitchen. And now I need a new roof and they are being so difficult. This is my first claim with them. Being an AARP member does not seem to help. 

[BillH614618]

don't just pay the increased rates....that outrageous....get on the net and get cheaper insurance.  This is a competitive market economy, get the best deal, save those thousands in ins. savings to buy good food to cook in your new kitchen.     AARP has just sold you out....call Allstate, got my insurance reduced more that half.

[GailL1]

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 

[lattitude23]

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%

[GailL1]

So this isn’t correct ?

WalletHub 01/20/2023 The Hartford Insurance Review 2023

[LindasinFL]

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. 

[BillH614618]

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!

[lattitude23]

@ 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???!?

[AARPThelmaG]

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.