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.

[s853532c]

My Hartford Premium went from $3,000.00 to $5,000.00.  No claims.  Switched to Erie, and saved $2,000.00 for better coverage.  Thieves.  No reason to renew AARP Membership.

[FrederickB425756]

My Auto Insurance with Hartford increased 72.465% from last year(2023) after a No Fault Accident. So, last year I switch over to Hartford Ins for my auto insurance in Sept 23 with a  Clean driving record and my rate was $1213/year then. In November after Thankgiven I had an 18yo drivers run a stop light and made a left turn in front of me and totaled my truck. I had a dash cam which show the driver was at fault and the accident report stated the same. My claim process with Hartford was slow for Hartford to pay out and settle after the other driver was "Under Insured" with a 25K Limit maxnium on a claim. Hartford had to get involved to settle a payout of my total loss vechicle which happen in the end of January 29th. I loss several good chances to purchase another good used vehicle because of the delay in the claim settlement and had an auto rental bills of $2,553.06 which I have not been reimbursed as of today. I have received a letter from the other insurance compay GEICO to settle for $1872.02 but I havent agree to that amount yet. Thank god there were no injuries to this other than a few heartfelt flutters. Today is Aug, 26th 2024.....

There is no Heart in Hartford - I loss my mother 10 days after this acccident and its been a rough haul for me. 

[GailL1]

@FrederickB425756 

So, you did have coverage for UN-Insured / UNDER-Insured motorist on your auto policy under Hartford and they were just slow to act?

[madelitx]

Sorry you went through that ordeal. I had something similar happen with AAA in 2016. Had to keep calling and emailing until they paid and if you were not at fault the other company has to pay for your rental car costs, so I can't understand the states allow such low liability limits.

[FrederickB425756]

Yes I had Un-Insured/Under-Insured coverage which is the SC State mimium of 25K.

The accident occured on Nov 18th, 2023 and I received a Total Loss Setttlement for my vehicle January 30th 2024.That put me in a rental for 74 days, which they only covered the two weeks(14 days) in the policy and I'm having to fight for 60 days of rental($2,553.06) with GEICO now for that amount. I received a letter from GEICO Claims which they want to low-ball me at $1872.00 for the rental amount. I just got my Hartford Renewal letter last week and my insurance increase from $1213.00 to $2,092.00 for 1yr coverage. Thats a 72.465% increase now after the accident. My driving record was clean before the accident and my Credit Score is 805. So I see Hartford going away.

Fred - SC

https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/insurance-services/the-hartford-auto-insurance/

[GailL1]

I have never had The Hartford coverage but it seems from what you have said that your policy with them (UNDER-insured classification) has paid some of your claims - which they should have up to your limit of coverage - (state minimum) $25K.  Which in todays cost for cars isn’t much -

They should have (and seems they did) represented you in the negotiations with (I guess, Geico - the other person’s insurance company).  They did play a roll and most likely this does have a bearing on your increase in premiums.  Driving record and credit score probably played a part too - albeit a smaller part than before the accident.  Age also plays a part - I think my last rather hefty premium increase was when I crossed the 75 year mark.

I have Un- Under- insured limits set at Liability $ 300K + property $ 200K and then on top of that I have an Umbrella policy that covers up to ONE MILLION.  People have to cover their value at least cause you never know what a lawsuit could do to ones’ finances - Insurance is for those “what if” situations.

 Premiums are also set based on the average cost of autos in your area, the number of cars on the road in your area, accident data, auto crime data, un-under-insured drivers,  repair cost - in many areas all of those are pretty high.  So insurance is more than just about you - it is about the other guy and their cars too.

Like I said, never had The Hartford for any insurance - I shop around periodically for a comparison to what I currently have which, most likely, I am over insured.  

Good Luck - hope you find what you are looking for - 

[GailL1]

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@madelitx wrote:

Sorry you went through that ordeal. I had something similar happen with AAA in 2016. Had to keep calling and emailing until they paid and if you were not at fault the other company has to pay for your rental car costs, so I can't understand the states allow such low liability limits.

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Because if states set higher limits then many people could not afford auto insurance at all plus if one has NOTHING then why insure against a loss?  Can”t get blood out of a turnip.

So this is why people that have something the want to protect, like life and limb and property in auto insurance, pick up an ample amount of UNINSURED/UNDERINSURED coverage to pay their claims against those who are the ones who are Un- or Under- insured that may hit you.

We have lots of exposure in today’s economy to those who are UN- or UNDER- Insured with the price of the property and liability issues.  

If people don’t have this coverage, then they are risking a big loss - in property and in loss of life and limb.

There is always an Umbrella policy that can even add more protection as long as the defined amount of UN- or UNDER- insured limits are carried on your auto insurance policy and the Umbrella policy can also extend coverage to your home.

[DanielO257149]

 I'm in Florida, was with Geico for about 10 years. One day I get the premium and was over $5000 for two cars and no accidents. I went with The Hartford. I think it's a game to snag you in. Insurance for 3 vehicles for $1200 for six months. Then the renewal price goes up. My last renewal was $3526 and I expect it will be higher in May with the next renewal. 

Credit score over 800, no accidents, no claims. 

  I called Geico back thinking maybe they wanted me back as a customer, the  quote was over $6000.   So if you're  in Florida and found better insurance please share with me. 

[JamesH377174]

 Try Progressive. I have a perfect record and great credit score and no one could touch them. 

[dn1663]

 I had the exact opposite experience with Progressive. Over the years I've had policies with all of the major carrier and some lesser knowns, and I rate Progressive as the absolute worst. They not only look for but they invent ways to raise your premium, and play silly games assuming you're an uninformed consumer. The last time I had a policy with them it was for a single vehicle, and within days of getting the coverage they sent me an email telling me I needed to provide proof of prior insurance or they would raise my rate significantly. Total scam, all of the insurance companies can see your prior insurance. When I first got coverage from the Hartford the agent who gave me the quote said I can see you've had continuous coverage for over twenty years. Progressive sees the same thing, only they play games so they can raise your rates.
 I ignored the requests for proof of prior insurance mainly because I'm not the type to play silly  ;games and they wanted to see copies of my previous policies. They want that so they can see how much you're willing to pay and how much they can get away with charging .They sent me a bill for an increased premium because I wouldn't play along, and I switched to another provider and cancelled. They had to refund almost all of the money  I paid them because I pay my policies in full, and I'd only had it for a couple of weeks. When shopping around now I don't consider Progressives. I consider them to be rip off scammers.

[JamesH377174]

 Thats weird, had them for 3 years and they have asked me for nothing. No other company could match there rates. 

[dgdc11]

I am really glad I came across this thread. I'm in Florida and this state is crazy high when it comes to premiums and the insurance companies get away with it.  Like many of you, we've been with The Hartford for years. I'm a chiropractic physician and have recommended the Hartford to my senior patients because they do have some nice bells and whistles. That was before they increased their premiums. Well, here we are. Our policy is set to renew this month and the premium has increased by almost 40%. I thought for sure, this must be a mistake. Afterall, why would AARP recommend them? As mentioned by many of you, we also have perfect driving records and great credit. AARP needs to stop promoting The Hartford to members. If The Hartford's intention is to streamline and cater to the luxury class, they are out of reach for many AARP members. It truly is a disservice to members, who should be rewarded for great driving records, not penalized with insane premium increases. We recently had to renew our homeowners insurance too. I was hoping to bundle with auto. I found out that The Hartford pulled completely out of Florida. We are stuck with the highest premiums for homeowners insurance in the US - 4 times higher than the national average. Turns out that there are much less frivolous lawsuits then previously counted and used as the excuse for high premiums. 

[JohnM437089]

   BAIT & SWITCH

[JohnM437089]

What % does AARP get 

[dn1663]

 I've got four cars on one policy and one on another because they have a four car limit per policy. I've had the Hartford for several years, and the rates were unbeatable until last year. The increase for the 4 car policy was the highest I've ever heard of any person with no violations and no claims getting: 75%. Just got my renewal notice for the single car policy, increase is 41.5%. 
Here's the tip. It pays to call around or you can simply do it yourself online and get quotes. I tried State Farm first who would charge me $2,000 a year more than the Hartford's outrageous rate after the astronomical increases.
 Allstate's quote was a little higher than the Hartford's. I then went through the process to get an online quote from GEICO, which I've never bothered with because over the years their quotes have always been highest. Much to my surprise and delight their rate is far less than half what the Hartford thinks I should pay them, and that's before the crazy increases. GEICO'S rate is $511 less than I paid the Hartford last year, and $1,033 less than what it would cost to stay with them. For the exact same coverage. Needless to say I switched to GEICO for the single vehicle that was due to renew. Next up taking my other four cars and my homeowner's business to GEICO. Call me done with the Hartford's    astronomical ridiculous increases. Their increases were tantamount to begging   me to take my business elsewhere. 

[JohnM437089]

same here

[kytourguy]

My Hartford premium went up by 35%!  I've been with them for 8 years, have had no claims, no tickets, and my credit score is over 800.  I'm shopping around and have found coverage from well-known companies for lots less.  Shame on The Hartford for taking advantage of senior citizens!

[DebbieC491966]

I had to change mine from the heartford,aarp. Was 130.went up a additional 100. A month. Perfect driving record. Not happy with them,disappointed because it was a good company, but additional 100,there not that great. I added myself to my husband's,  Dairyland insurance ,no extra cost. Less than I was paying.  

[dn1663]

I called them all after the biggest increase with the Hartford I've ever heard of anyone getting, 78.5% increase. No claims no tickets. Credit score is 840. All the other carriers came in higher than the Hartford's new more than double the premium for last year. Almost an 80 increase and I can't find a better deal.

[Fall2024inVA]

(2/20/24) @dn1663 , I was pleasantly surprised with my renewal with Allstate THIS TIME. I am in Virginia.

Pandemic and post- pandemic use to have my premiums TOO HIGH.

Hopefully things will stabilize more. 2020 to 2023 was AWFUL for me.

When I had asked WHY my premiums were SO HIGH (no issues or claims) I was told EVERYONE gets hit with OTHER FOLKS claims and fraud claims.

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[*** @dn1663 wrote:

I called them all after the biggest increase with the Hartford I've ever heard of anyone getting, 78.5% increase. No claims no tickets. Credit score is 840. All the other carriers came in higher than the Hartford's new more than double the premium for last year. Almost an 80 increase and I can't find a better deal. ***]

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[DebbieU340539]

Wow  wish I would of read the reviews sooner.  Looks like the Hartford has been doing this for a long time.  I have only been with Hartford for 18 months and premiums have increased 400 dollars.  Wish I would of never switched.

[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!

[zebekias]

My rate jumped +75% for 2024.  No accidents/tickets, customer service just said rates went up.  Bye bye The Hartford 🙂

[dn1663]

Good luck and you may be in for a double surprise. I was. My rates went up 78%, despite no claims and no tickets. I've called every major insurance company and they all give me a quote for more than it would cost to renew with the Hartford. They all came in at least $400 higher than my new 78% higher than last year rate with the Hartford. 

[zebekias]

Indeed, I got the double surprise 🙂  I run quotes with Amica, Geico, Progressive, Liberty Mutual, AAA, Erie, Nationwide, Farmers, Njm and they were all more expensive than the Hartford.  Most were waaaay more expensive for worse coverage.  The only one that was better on Auto was NJM, but for home it came out more without even the umbrella policy that I have with the Hartford.

Hmm.  It's as if they have conspired to jack up the rates, +75% is ridiculous. I will stay with the Hartford for now, but I will get it touch with local brokers to see what they can do.

[johnbartles]

Mine also, feel like it's an AARP rip off too.

[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  $1,939. 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.