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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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Hartford should advertise this as an introductory rate. My recommendation would be to sign up for a couple of cycles with an eye towards an alternative provider knowing your going to have to switch. Doing comparisons, The Hartford has pretty low scores for customer satisfaction, so when they break out the Vasoline, have an alternative in mind. Might not be much cheaper, but for the money you can get better service.

 

Also, don't expect anything beyond some pseudo obsequious reply from AARP here. Any human rep here is just some poor grunt with no actual ability to effect change. The only thing that will get a decision makers attention would be something like a 60 minutes segment on AARP screwing grannies.

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Same issue with the Hartford insurance. 3/14/22 my policy cost $668 for 6 months.  Now ONLY TWO YEARS LATER it is $1479. WHY????? I have not had any accidents or claims. I have not changed anything. I have no citations or warnings on my driving record. I live in a small city that does not have the accidents like Phoenix. So what gives? Cant be high claims here. Price of repair is an excuse. Charge the people with clams double and not those of us without claims.

 

Anyway, it is a disgrace that AARP endorses The Hartford and weasels us into thinking they are a good insurance company for the safe elderly drivers.

 

AARP dump the endorsement for The Hartford. They bait and switch. Don't drag the good name of AARP into that gutter.

 

AARP members, please for your own good, do not purchase auto insurance from The Hartford. They will jack your premiums by a huge amount every premium period regardless of your driving record or no claims status. Go elsewhere.

 

Keith

 

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Yes!!! This happened to me yesterday.  When I called Hartford, the lady was very rude, mocked me and then try to upsell other things to me.  I hung up on her.  I let AARP know that they need to find a different auto insurance company to endorse. They took my auto pay out yesterday.  I looked into other insurance and will be switching.

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Ditto

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(3/20/24) @sb89732652 , AARP will respond to your post asking you to go to some link to let them know about your complaint = ZERO changes. Good luck with your search for OTHER options.  👵

 


[*** @sb89732652 wrote:

Yes!!! This happened to me yesterday.  When I called Hartford, the lady was very rude, mocked me and then try to upsell other things to me.  I hung up on her.  I let AARP know that they need to find a different auto insurance company to endorse. They took my auto pay out yesterday.  I looked into other insurance and will be switching. ***]


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@KeithB867230 We're sorry to hear you’re having trouble with one of our benefit providers. We are listening and would like the chance to help as soon as possible. Please visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp to chat, text, or speak with a representative who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team.  - Janelle M.

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(3/10/24) @KeithB867230 , sad to say but all AARP cares about is the MONEY they get from HARTFORD to endorse them. Hopefully with time, with enough COMPLAINTS, AARP will change.  🙄

 


[*** KEITH @KeithB867230 wrote:

Same issue with the Hartford insurance. 3/14/22 my policy cost $668 for 6 months.  Now ONLY TWO YEARS LATER it is $1479. WHY????? I have not had any accidents or claims. I have not changed anything. I have no citations or warnings on my driving record. I live in a small city that does not have the accidents like Phoenix. So what gives? Cant be high claims here. Price of repair is an excuse. Charge the people with clams double and not those of us without claims.

 

Anyway, it is a disgrace that AARP endorses The Hartford and weasels us into thinking they are a good insurance company for the safe elderly drivers.

 

AARP dump the endorsement for The Hartford. They bait and switch. Don't drag the good name of AARP into that gutter.

 

AARP members, please for your own good, do not purchase auto insurance from The Hartford. They will jack your premiums by a huge amount every premium period regardless of your driving record or no claims status. Go elsewhere.

 

Keith ***]


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I live in Iowa.  The lady told me that my huge rate increase had to do with new auto insurance rates in Iowa. After I hung up, I called around and that was a lie. She actually lied to me.  

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(3/20/24) I believe you @sb89732652 and YEARS of complaints on this site = AARP does zero.  👵

 


[*** @sb89732652 wrote:

I live in Iowa.  The lady told me that my huge rate increase had to do with new auto insurance rates in Iowa. After I hung up, I called around and that was a lie. She actually lied to me.  ***]


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We are fairly new members of AARP and got a good quote from Hartford for Auto Insurance, beating GEICO. After the first year, we got a renewal notice that said it was to renew at 16% more. We shopped it and found a better rate. Hartford has friendly salespeople but the claims department folks are not helpful. They kind of stink. They suck at communication. 

This company also sends out blanket emails with the wrong payment information and the wrong dates for automatic renewal.

I compare rates every year on auto insurance, and because we live in FL where insurance is akin to organized crime, we shop our homeowners policy every year. Buyer beware and all that. It's more work but worth it.

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Ha, another bad deal from The Hartford.  In my case, I simply went through AARP to get a quote for a new vehicle that I'll be leasing soon, a BMW "M" car.  I've been driving such vehicles for many years and have never had a claim or citation in recorded history.  I'm 80 and thankfully in fine shape, both physically and cognitively.  When I spoke with a male Hartford representative, I was given a not-so-pleasant lecture on how I should not be driving BMW M cars, even the new more compact models.  I was firmly told that The Hartford would not provide insurance for such vehicles.   What BS.  I then checked with Liberty Mutual, my current insurer, and was told "no problem" for someone like me, with a clean record.  

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Community Concierge

@AAPP I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had a negative experience with our provider, The Hartford. Please visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp to chat, text, or speak with one of our representatives who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team.  - Janelle M.

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(2/28/24) @AAPP , lol - luv your site "username" and CONGRATS on still driving!!! Gosh I hope I will be at your age. 66 this year. ENJOY your BMW  😎

 


[*** @AAPP wrote:

Ha, another bad deal from The Hartford.  In my case, I simply went through AARP to get a quote for a new vehicle that I'll be leasing soon, a BMW "M" car.  I've been driving such vehicles for many years and have never had a claim or citation in recorded history.  I'm 80 and thankfully in fine shape, both physically and cognitively.  When I spoke with a male Hartford representative, I was given a not-so-pleasant lecture on how I should not be driving BMW M cars, even the new more compact models.  I was firmly told that The Hartford would not provide insurance for such vehicles.   What BS.  I then checked with Liberty Mutual, my current insurer, and was told "no problem" for someone like me, with a clean record.  ***]


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Community Concierge

We're sorry to hear you’re having trouble with The Hartford, @JeanH297954. We are listening and would like the chance to help as soon as possible. Please visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp to chat, text, or speak with a representative who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team. - Diana G.

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(2/28/24) @JeanH297954 , I am doing BOTH Florida and Virginia at age 66 this year. I am SHOCKED how "expensive" Florida is now. I left in 2015, retired in 2020. Anyway, I guess with time Florida Insurance will decrease. Until then, my 2006 Hyundai Elantra is staying in Virginia. As far as HARTFORD, I will NEVER buy them. Had Geico in Florida. Allstate in Virginia. My daughter has Progressive in Florida for car and townhouse.  😎

 


[*** JEAN @JeanH297954 wrote:

We are fairly new members of AARP and got a good quote from Hartford for Auto Insurance, beating GEICO. After the first year, we got a renewal notice that said it was to renew at 16% more. We shopped it and found a better rate. Hartford has friendly salespeople but the claims department folks are not helpful. They kind of stink. They suck at communication. 

This company also sends out blanket emails with the wrong payment information and the wrong dates for automatic renewal.

I compare rates every year on auto insurance, and because we live in FL where insurance is akin to organized crime, we shop our homeowners policy every year. Buyer beware and all that. It's more work but worth it. ***]


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Hartford insured for 3 years. No tickets, no accidents, no claims. My 4/2024 quote is $2,391, last year was $1,642, an increase of 48%. Hartford's underwriting is basing their rate on whatever the market will bear. Not 'What do we need to charge to cover our cost of capital.' And so long as the Hartford continues to pay its franchise fee, frankly AARP doesn't give a **bleep**!

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Happened to us as well!  $280 dollar increase!  When I called, no explanation except let’s see what benefit we can lower.  Smh so disappointed.

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33% increase!!

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Same thing has happened to me, and I too have clean driving record with excellent credit.  I switched in Oct 2022, next renewal increased 28.5%, then next renewal went up another 31% and now another 30.5% coming for next payment. 

 

Total bait/switch scam of insurance!  AARP should stop promoting their insurance!!!!!

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Agreed

AARP dump The Hartford ASAP!!

Good people are getting scammed and sucked into this bad auto insurance company.

 

Keith

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I paid in full and still received a bill for 125.00 because of Their trash driving app wasn't compatible with my new phone. I've checked other insurance who have driving apps but it's a choice. I am looking to change my insurance carrier before the 6 months price jack. I'm so disappointed but I can afford to buy another policy in full until the hartford refund me and they can stick that app where the sun don't shine. 

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Community Concierge

I'm so sorry to hear you’re having trouble with one of our benefit providers. We are listening and would like the chance to help as soon as possible. Please visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp to chat, text, or speak with a representative who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team.  - Janelle M.

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Exactly what does "WE ARE LISTENING" Even mean. Nothing changes with the Hartford RIDICULOUS Increases. 

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My heart goes out to you. I had dealings with Hartford many years ago, and I was not satisfied.

I hate to note this, but this is not bait and switch. Bait-and-switch is "the action of advertising goods which are an apparent bargain, with the intention of substituting inferior or more expensive goods:" Everyone here, AFAIK, got their $200 special offer. Was there any mention of lifetime price and benefits lock? When the customers went to buy another year's contract, well, no discount. Credit card and cable TV companies call it an "introductory offer." Retail stores call it "first (item) at X% discount." This is the new old way of capturing customers. Maybe some customers will leave after the introductory offer is realized, but most will renew. That is just human nature; caveat emptor, too good to be true, etc. I feel for you, I hate when that happens to me, but that is a legal and time-honored way to do business. Customers gripe, but that is why some businesses have a bad rep, yet they keep going strong.

BTW, please notice that companies that advertise "price lock for N years" never mention that the benefits are not guaranteed, just the price. Benefits, "plans," may and likely will change with time, usually not for the better. Another legal and time-honored way to drum up business.

Caveat emptor.

 

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This just happened to me as well.  My renewal after six months went up over $200.  You cannot tell me this wasn't a total bait-and-switch situation.  Nothing has changed, no accidents, no claims, no tickets, nothing.  I am absolutely furious about this - they know what they are doing, and it is entirely wrong to put members in a financial situation like this.  They would still be about $150 less every six months, and I probably still would have switched, but this feels completely unethical and dishonest.  

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Yes, I enrolled in home and auto insurance because their premiums were below my prior insurance. Since enrolling six month ago, I have had no tickets, no accidents, I have TruLane, I had defensive driving class, I pay in full. Yet, my premium for auto increase $60.00. Now I'm close to my prior premium and if this occurs every six months..... Surely AARP will investigate all these complaints about Hartford since they recommend it. 

marian letellier
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Hello Marian. I am sorry to read about your experience. You can always contact AARP for help if there's an issue with an AARP provider or questions or suggestions for AARP. Please use this link (https://help.aarp.org/s/) to contact us by phone, chat or text.

 

  •            Description of your issue and/or suggestion

 

  •            Mention that you are requesting an escalation

 

We look forward to hearing from you!

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How about the AARP team read all of these complaints and do something about it? You (AARP) are the ones who endorsed them and we trusted AARP!  Why should we do the work for you? 

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@sb89732652  We're sorry to hear you’re having trouble with The Hartford. We are listening and would like the chance to help as soon as possible. Please visit https://help.aarp.org/s/article/contact-aarp to chat, text, or speak with a representative who can get you in touch with our Member Relations team. Jodee R. 

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