28% increase in The Hartford auto insurance premiums

[mt45338869]

Over the past year we have had our auto insurance through AARP and the Hartford, paying $2,497 for two vehicles. It is renewal time and our Agent tells us that The Hartford has decided to increase their rates across the tri-county area in south Florida. Our renewal policy increased $690 annually. This, in spite of our clear driving record.

My agent also tells us that it is a strategy the company has taken to reduce risk. They know that X% will drop them and switch to another company. They also know that Y% will continue with them and pay the higher rate, offsetting the lost revenue. So the insurance company, in the end, is able to maintain revenue with a smaller customer base and thus reduce their exposure to risk. Great plan for the company unless the value of X turns out greater than expected.

Although I think the Hartford is a top notch company I am one of the X's and am switching to another well regarded company with similar coverage, including accident forgiveness, paying slightly less than I did in 2016.

I share this in the interest of increasing awareness and motivating AARP to address this with the company and, if that doesn't happen, possibly making "X" greater than anticipated for companies that do this.

[sktn77a]

All insurance companies have increased their rate by similar amounts this year.  Your only protection is to get competing quotes every year and switch as necessary.  It's a pain, but you gotta do what you gotta do!

[Russell435]

We changed a few years ago to State Farm. Three old cars. Just got renewal. Two went down about $20 each and one old truck up $20. We do use their app and little Bluetooth device in the cars to connect to our cellphones (big brother watches our driving) so it goes. Got good discount this renewal.  Rate may have gone up but our discount beat that down.  Home insurance was renewed last June with them. It went down about $32. Could not believe that one. Nothing reduced on the home insurance as far a coverage but only price down a little rather then up. We live in Georgia, northern suburb of Atlanta.

[WayneF254394]

Just got my renewal notice, 40% rate increase with no claims or changes, no excuse for this bs!

[dn1663]

I've had the Hartford by AARP for several years, and have had great rates others couldn't match all along. Haven't had a ticket or a claim in 15 years and  my rates are increasing by over 75%. I've never heard of such a thing. Four cars full coverage 2023 rate was  $1,969. Renewal for the same cars and same coverage is $3,458. They might be losing X percentage but if they raise everyone's rates like they're raising mine they won't have many customers left. Unless this is some kind of mistake I'll certainly be jumping ship. I'll be calling the MD insurance commission tomorrow as well. In MD if they plan to raise your rates by 50% or more they're supposed to alert you with written notice which I have not received. All I got was an email saying your policy docs are ready. 

[DanielO257149]

I'm paying the same as you for 3 vehicles. No claims ever. My 2012 Kia cost more than my 2017 vehicle. Went from $2450 to $3556 in a year. We are retired and drive few miles. The website is awful. You try 5-6 times to login and finely it works. Roadside assistance sounds like it's dispatched out of the Middle East. Darn app wants to know your location 24/7 even when you are riding with others. I left Geico after 10 years for the better price. It's just bait and switch.

[MichaelB711433]

I find Hartford to be a poorly run company who has no regard for their clientele.  My insurance jumped 43% this year with no claims or accidents in the 3 years I have been with them.  I am going elsewhere.  I should also note when I first joined they had me do their True Lane 90 day monitoring program to get a discount based on safe driving habits.  One weekly highway route passed several cell towers and showed me going 70 mph and then suddenly 90 for a few 5 seconds then back down to 70.  My discount was lessened by these speeding occurrences.  I complained about five times including letters and they agreed this was what happened, but said they could not make any adjustments.  So I got a middle tier safety discount instead of the top tier that my spouse received.  They could care less. 

[yborcity]

Home insurance just jumped 30% which is bad enough but replacement cost jumped 30% as well. Deductible for hail and wind damage is now 1% of replacement cost. I called to tell them they were 100K more than competitors regarding replacement costs (which drives up policy $ and deductible) and they were not concerned at all. I asked what their formula was and they said it’s complicated. They went on to point out that a 1% deductible is the future and that it could go as high as 5% down the road.  AARP is not serving its customers when Hartford can get away with such price gouging without some specifics.  Simply pointing out that IL gets hailstorms and that there are lots of houses in IL is far from helpful insight. When asked why home replacement cost was 30% higher than other companies they said debris cleanup and materials cost. Am I to assume no one else takes that into account? As someone else pointed out there is no other option other than to shop around. 

[MikeL95503]

I got you beat. I have the same AARP thru Hartford but just for auto. I started at $329. every six months. After the first sixe months they raised to $435, And now six months later they have raised it again to $527. In one year that is a 60 percent increase. I am in Illinois. When I asked the agent to justifuy a 60 percent increase in my premium, like a broken record she just kept sayinfg it depends on the region you live in and the car you are insuring. I have no tickets, accidents or claims. I pay my policy six months ata time. 

[katydidTX]

Mine isn't as bad. 32% more than last year. Same car, safe driving, no tickets. Now retired I only drive about once or twice a a week locally. These increases are getting ridiculous. Corporate greed is out of control. Wish I could get a 32% raise in my retirement. Tomorrow I'll start checking other insurers. Sadly, I doubt their rates will be much better.

[m379968k]

I've had pretty good luck finding better rates with The Zebra. Some rates were pleasantly surprising. I think some insurers likely give better rates when it is clear you are shopping around. I'm in the same boat as you, retired, no tickets, safe driving, no wrecks etc. Social Security went up this year but not nearly enough to cover rising costs.
https://www.thezebra.com/

[MarkS922424]

Just received my renewal auto insurance from Hartford . Last year (2022-23) was $873. New rate is $1234, a 41% increase. What a scam.

[tamarat329995]

received my renewal notice today and I was stunned. My premium went from $780/yr to $1200.  I first joined the Hartford in 2021 after my premium at progressive increased to $1600/yr(was with them for 6 yrs and it steadily increased yr after yr even though no tickets or accidents ever). In 2021 I switched to Hartford at $879/yr(with driver course and true car discount) and I jumped on it. Last year my premium dropped to $780. The increase for renewal this year is more then when I first joined the Hartford. I contacted them and they gave me no good reason for the increase and didn’t seemed concerned why I was upset with the increase. I’m disappointed in AARP for not standing up for their members or find another company that would respect retirees. We’ve been driving a long time and if we’ve had no tickets or accidents and completed the AARP safe driving course (income revenue to AARP) and the true car safe driving program there is no reason for this company to increase premiums this much other then corporate greed. Guess we can add Hartford executives to the list of gas, food/goods, and utility CEO gouging seniors for their huge profits. I’m extremely disappointed with AARP and Hartford not having more respect for us. Too bad they don’t care if they lose policy holders over profits. I will be changing companies even if their are no savings because it’s the priciple. Need to have respect of dedicated policy holders. 

[BethS637084]

We’ve had a safe and unblemished driving record for years and yet just got hit with a 50% Hartford Auto Insurance cost increase for 2023…We are stunned and disappointed with this callousness in the way they look out for Seniors… We’ll be looking elsewhere for coverage!

[ss29592609]

Possibly AARP might have some influence with their preferred vendor Hartford.  In past 18 months my AARP Hartford auto insurance premium increased by approximately 78% of which 35% on most recent billing.  Request to Hartford agent and their supervisor to review premium increase for errors was denied.  They were respectful, but were firm to not have Hartford review for errors.  A 78% increase in 18 months is outrageous.  Their excuse was inflation and related costs.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Over the 12 months ended June 2022, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 9.1 percent. The 9.1-percent increase in the all items index was the largest 12-month increase since the 12-month period ending November 1981.”

[lc53791295]

The agent didn't want to have a review because they get a larger commission with rate increases.

[Tempest332]

If any of us remember we received "Rebates" during pandemic as many were "working safely from home"  (I wasn't & still had report in daily onsite), never the less these amounted to about a couple dollars month, which was probably hardly worth the paperwork effort on their part.... think my rebate came to around $18 for the remaining 8 months.

Can't wait to see my renewals nest year! 🙄    

[GordonH973725]

I had AARP car insurance for many years. I moved my two homes over to Hartford and saved some money but they turned around and increased my car insurance by 249$ a year which was just about what I had saved on homeowners policy. Since then I have had several issues with them to include not being able to access all my policies on line. 

[ss29592609]

Today, paid the AARP Hartford insurance premium more than a month early - even with the approximate 35% price increase.  Not sure if the premium increase is high, low or about average compared to other auto insurance company recent premium price decisions.  Guess and hope since this affects seniors it's somewhere in the middle.  As a senior citizen guess this is part of the aging program.

[mytmoss]

Shop around, their prices are an obscenity. Even after you paid it now, shop. You will get your money back if you cancel.  Do not accept this is what happens to seniors as an excuse.

[mytmoss]

Clearly the relationship between AARP and Hartford is financial. AARP has shown they have no interest in their membership in this relationship. Dump Hartford. I did so years ago and saved thousands of dollars.

[w637400w]

And who did you go with for savings!

[ss29592609]

p.s.  I live in a senior community about a dozen miles from the nearest retail.  Most resident drive golf-carts within the senior community.  Very low vehicle traffic - most seem to be delivery and home services vehicles.  Clean driving record and only drive about 1500 - 2000 miles per years.  Insurance cost per mile seems to be multiple times the even current high price for gas.

[JeffreyF840923]

I received my renewal from Hartford, 40% increase, no accidents or tickets. I just got a quote from Geico, around the same price I was paying last year. Good bye Hartford!!!

[woodlandelf11]

Same exact thing with me! Thanks for the tip regarding Geico. Can't believe that my premium is $600 more a year. I have no accidents or tickets. They've become greedy!

[CynthiaH441247]

I just got a quote from the Hartford in the mail for $4500/year for a 2019 Ford Fiesta. I'm currently paying $1900/year. What's going on with them? Absolutely outragious!

[dm69185236]

They kick back a large percentage to the AARP.

[Patilla]

Yikes! I'm keeping my old car. I just switched both home and car insurance to another company and saved quite a bit. It's not fair to be increased because of other drivers on the road. In NY, the state now allows undocumented aliens to get a license! This could be one reason costs soar.

[GailL1]

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@Patilla wrote:

. . . . .  It's not fair to be increased because of other drivers on the road. In NY, the state now allows undocumented aliens to get a license! This could be one reason costs soar.

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It isn't just "other drivers" - the cost of new cars today is upwards of $ 40,000 - with all the tech stuff added, even more.  What if your older car hits one of them - your insurance pays/

To insure what you may have against a liability claim, cost a lot.  Many people are underinsured; others maybe uninsured.  If they hit you and don't have money to pay (Uninsured) or don't have enough to pay your claim (Under-insured) - then your coverage pays under Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist.

Wonder how much our rates will go up when and if driverless cars are added to our highways en masse - wonder what their insurance will be like?

It does pay to shop around every few years but make sure the comparison is apples to apples.

I read the other day on some insurer website that just like the young are hit with higher rates because of their age, there seems to be another escalation in premiums at 75 years of age.

[Patilla]

Good thoughts, but it's still hard for seniors to keep up with increases on everything. Pretty soon we won't be able to drive, have extra health care or medigap, keep our internet, phones, and TV. Not good.