Hartford insurance

[unlistedmoniker]

 I am more than a little disgusted with the AARP relationship with Hartford Insurance.  I got my annual bill to renew in the mail, and the price increase was ridiculous.  I went on the Hartford site to pare down anything I could from the policy and found a user interface that is only partially useful. I got notice that some of the changes I wanted to make required speaking with an agent, who would contact me within 48 hours.  Nice of them.  I'll hand around waiting for them. I wanted to drop collision on an older vehicle since the premium was nearly what I would receive as compensation for the vehicle even if it were totaled.  No place to do that on the site.  I looked for a phone number, chatbot, email address to no avail.  They clearly want to insure you, but they don't want to have to speak with you. I find it difficult to believe that AARP maintains and thereby recommends doing business with this company. Evidently the days of putting faith or trust in a vendor because of an AARP relationship or endorsement is a thing of the past.

[nm10296299]

Toward the end of 2023, when I renewed my Hartford Auto insurance, I was offered a $37 discount for installing and running TrueLane on my cell phone. It took up so much bandwidth I was unable to easily use my SMS capability or the Phone app. I therefore installed it expecting that the Hartford would send me a bill. Instead, unbeknownst to me, they canceled my auto insurance. I received a letter around May 1, 2024 stating that my insurance would be canceled on May 15th. Because of a previous bad experience with the Hartford I preferred to get insurance with another company. When I did they said I had been without insurance since March 15th and it would be too great a risk to insure me. So I was forced to go back to the Hartford and beg them to let me have insurance. I then paid an additional $1000 for 6 months of insurance on top of what I had paid the previous December of 2023. I think I had been their customer for about 6 years. That history was discarded. I was considered as a brand new customer. They essentially blacklisted me so I would be unable to get insurance with anyone else. My FICO score is at least 800. I really don't deserve this.

[AARPConsumerCare]

nm10296299 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. - Christy C. 

[LoisM653331]

Add me to the list of AARP members who will NOT be renewing our membership due to the OUTRAGEOUS price increases from Hartford. Our auto/home rates have almost doubled in the past two years, from $2000 per year to $4000 per year. WHY is AARP still supporting and promoting an insurance company who is GOUGING their customers??

[AARPConsumerCare]

Hi @LoisM653331, we hope you stay with us. We're sorry to hear that The Hartford increased your premium.  We are listening and would like the chance to help as soon as possible. Please send us a private message or 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.

[LoisM653331]

from the responses from AARP that I am seeing on these message boards, the Member Relations Team is of ZERO help addressing the Hartford rate GOUGING.

[TRL1111]

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@LoisM653331 wrote:

from the responses from AARP that I am seeing on these message boards, the Member Relations Team is of ZERO help addressing the Hartford rate GOUGING.

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How do you know it's gouging?  A lot of insurance companies have been hit with increasing claims for both auto and homeowners insurance, and they are allowed by regulators to increase their premiums to make up for it.  

[GailL1]

@TRL1111 

Glad you have taken up the fight - how right you are - I don’t have Hartford and my auto went up $ 700 a year - the lions- share of this was Liability coverage - same for Umbrella policy.  A few years ago, the average car cost was less than it is now and the repair cost has gone thru the roof.  I guess people don’t understand that they are not only covering their car - they are also covering the damages one might cause to another car.  And that other car could be a $100,000 Mercedes or the like.

I am also adequately insured - meaning I cover what I have to protect in case I need it.  I am also well covered with UN and UNDER Insured Motorist - cause there are a lot of people driving around without any coverage or they are just covering the minimum so they are UN-insured.  They cannot pay for the (all) the damage they cause to your car so one picks up UN and UNDER insured motorist.  I have both personal and property UN and UNDER Insured.

For Homeowners, since I have total replacement cost I have to let the insure know periodically when I do major things like a new roof.  My ole faithful roof is now 26 years old and although no leaks as of yet, my premiums skyrocketed because of the age of the roof. And because the roof is so old - no other insurer will give you the time of day.  

So I am biting the bullet and replacing my roof - BIG BUCKS - which I knew it would be but it will reduce my annual premium by $ 1000. Then I also upped my deductible, saving more.  I would not even file a homeowners claim less than $ 5000 - my current deductible.  I may lower that deductible somewhat when I get the new roof.  

The cost to rebuild based on square footage which also covers any tear down and haul away has increased substantially too.

Now if it will just stop raining for my new roof.  

A person might be able to switch to a new insurer for less but most likely you will be chasing these intro rates for years until . . . . you can not longer find a deal. Just make sure you have the coverage you need and you aren’t just throwing money to the wind.

Insurance is important but being properly insured is also important - kind of like having a Medigap on your home 🤓

[VintageDrummer]

@GailL1 

And yet many people have found substantially better alternatives to what The Hartford is promulgating, myself included. 

Respectfully, at times in your various posts it feels like you’re talking down to us participants in these discussions about The Hartford, like we don’t understand how insurance policies work, like we are not understanding insurance industry machinations, like we are misunderstanding AARP’s role in this situation. You are, of course, welcome to provide a supportive rationale for The Hartford’s approach. It would be most helpful if AARP would actually directly and meaningfully engage with these forum threads to help us further understand their approach and the relationship between The Hartford and AARP. 

[VintageDrummer]

Basically, at this point, AARP is part of the problem. The organization seems to have lost its way. It comes across as  putting The Hartford ahead of its relationship with Members. I used to have a lot of respect for AARP, but that has dissipated. 

[aw1041]

I just requested a quote from the Hartford for home and auto insurance. Their response was that they needed to speak with me on the telephone to complete my quote. I told them I had difficulty hearing on the telephone and would prefer text or email. They refused saying they had privacy concerns with those methods. This is not a reason to not use these methods as my email and phone are secure. They absolutely refused to complete the quote unless I talked to them on the phone. AARP deals primarily with our aging population. I don't see how AARP can endorse a business that refuses to make accommodations for the elderly. How does The Hartford serve the deaf population? I think it is time for AARP to rethink their association with The Hartford. I know I will never do business with them again.

[AARPConsumerCare]

Hello, @aw1041. Thank you for reaching out and bringing this to our attention. I can understand your disappointment and apologize for any frustrating this experience may have caused you. We would like to share your experience and concerns with our Member Relations team. 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. They act as liaison for AARP service providers. We look forward to hearing from you soon. - Daniela R. 

[VintageDrummer]

@AARPConsumerCare 

Where are the success stories in this forum that arise from AARP members discussing with AARP Member Relations their very serious problems with The Hartford? Where are the success stories about AARP taking The Hartford to task for that company's treatment of AARP members? In what ways has AARP routinely helped members resolve problems with The Hartford? Where's the evidence?

[JanisP975883]

What the **bleep** AARP can’t wait to crap on you   You don’t have the balls to answer

[Christterra]

 Totally agree with this.  Looking around after being with Hartford for 10 to 20 years (don't recall how many, but probably close to 20), and it looks like I'm finally going to switch.

[JanisP975883]

Please do what a scam

[AARPConsumerCare]

@JanisP975883  If you've had trouble with The Hartford, I am sorry to hear it. 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. Thank you.  Jodee R. 

[beartoor]

I switched to Hartford 6 months ago and just renewed as well as taking the AARP driver course and I'm very pleased. Believe me I am the first person to complain when something is not right, (like the rewards program not working properly on a regular basis), but if I'm going to complain when something is right I need to compliment when something is good! So far, both Hartford and AARP have been good with auto insurance and the driver course! 

In addition I would like to commend the last AARP magazine and how they related true stories to help others! This was the first time I actually sat and read the magazine which I enjoyed tremendously! 

Please focus on the positive and keep this up, and you still need some better it people to work on the rewards program! Thank you very much.  Bear Toor

[StephenH288565]

Totally agree. Price went up for no reason. The True Lane app and tracking is a joke. Wife and I got penalized  for speeding, hard braking, and on phone. We were on vacation and taking Uber. But they charge more if you don’t use it. We probably don’t drive 10,000 miles a year. 

[GinaT33603]

Sorry  I have not had time to make a moniker  but I want very much to say a few things about Hartford Insurance. They've had a nice ride here on AARP but it is not deserved and it's tiring we are not getting good customer service or a fair deal. I have the  misfortune of having had flood insurance and have  paid for 23 years for it on my home, which is in a preferred zone, so i only have one previous claim. I am not want to file a claim here and there on insurance but we in Tampa went through hell with Hurricane  Milton and I have flood damage. Hartford and its contractor Pilot are a nightmare to deal with. Their only goal is to avoid paying  anything to low ball and the adjuster lies. I think that saying he  is an independent adjuster while on the pilot payroll is definitely misleading. H e also lied about other things from what he told me and told the people who he lies for, Hartford. I also am disgusted with their bullying and belittling actions and doing what I am sure is  illegal. You can't rfuse to honor a policy that has a replacement value with doing whatever the h3ck they want. I am sure that is not legal. I wonder why AARP is in bed with these thieves. I woujld never buy any home owners insurance or flood or car or anything actually. .not a car, not a vacation, nothing. I don't think AARP offers very much at all, and this weak link hangs on to Hartford as the last thing it has with a name  some  recognize. How about bringing in some competition? How about asking people here and there how the service was?  I have  to get  my own adjuster now, and I have to ask FEMA about the legalities of what they are doing. I am so appalled at what these Hartford flood insurance  people are doing  and I am calling on my senator, FEMA,,the agent, and a lawyer. I wonder if anyone can tell me what kind of service or coverage they got?  Wish me luck. No one should break the law with impunity.

[AARPConsumerCare]

Hello @GinaT33603, I understand your concerns and frustration. This is certainly not the experience we want you to have. We are listening and would like the chance to help as soon as possible. When you get a moment, please send me a private message, so I can help you escalate this to our Member Relations team. They act as liaison for AARP service providers. Here is an article that will show you how to activate private messages: https://aarp.info/47hWcl7. Thank you. - Daniela R. 

[VintageDrummer]

@AARPConsumerCare 

@Daniela R.

The tactic of trying, time and again, to get people to go private (hidden, off forum) with Members Relations is counterproductive. People are raising issues here on the community forum and the expectation is that AARP would likewise respond here meaningfully. But sadly this doesn’t happen. I’ve seen no evidence that Member Relations is being helpful in resolving our collective issues with The Hartford. Y’all should transparently engage with us here and not be scripted sounding. Being scripted makes matters worse. 

[AARPConsumerCare]

We absolutely do care, @VintageDrummer. We ask that people reach out to us individually in private, so we can gather details about their situation and create a case particular to each situation for our Member Relation liaisons. We want to hear your voice and we appreciate you bringing your concerns to us. Thank you again for bringing these concerns forward. - Diana G.

[VintageDrummer]

Yet no progress seems evident that AARP’s information gathering is producing positive outcomes. The serious problems with The Hartford continue to persist.

[StephenH288565]

You guys need to get a handle on The Hartford. State Farm and Allstate have better rates on auto. Renewed rate Jan 1st with price Hartford sent out. Now sent out another statement with $83 increase. Naturally no one is answering phone or chat. No idea why.  That reflects on you guys and AARP. 

[JeffS109013]

  Hartford is a rip off.  Their TruLane program is rigged to make sure you don't get the full discount. I have "Trend" scores over 95 and yet may "Overall Score"is less than 80 and when I called they said it is because of the "Type of Roads" that I drive on. When I asked about seeing those scores they could not give me an answer. TOTAL RIP OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[StephenH288565]

Totally agree. We didn’t get the full discount because of speeding, phone use and hard breaking. We were on vacation and riding in Uber. Hartford would t listen. 

[GailL1]

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@StephenH288565 wrote:

Totally agree. We didn’t get the full discount because of speeding, phone use and hard breaking. We were on vacation and riding in Uber. Hartford would t listen. 

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Did you have yourself [manually] marked as a “passenger” in the True Lane app on your phone?  This has to be for the all the people in the transport vehicle that are on the same policy.

If you did - let us all know cause it could be a problem for many technically speaking - if not, that is probably your problem - the app doesn’t know when you are a driver or passenger - unless you tell it.  

Seems like a lot of things to do and to keep up with to save a few bucks - plus I hate surveillance of any sort.  

[VintageDrummer]

@unlistedmoniker I share your sentiments about AARP's relationship w/ The Hartford.

From what I can see, it seems AARP simply sits idly by (learned helplessness, in a sense) while its recommended auto insurance vendor engages in what some people might consider price gouging. I easily solved the problem by changing to Progressive (got a comparatively great rate) and saving even more money by dropping my long-standing AARP membership. As a practical matter, AARP should (1) learn how to be much more member-centric; (2) reevaluate who it takes on as a business partner; (3) have two or more endorsed auto insurers to foster competitiveness; and (4) use its several publications to objectively share useful and informative stories about the auto insurance situation, including the role AARP itself plays. Unless and until AARP takes substantial meaningful steps in this direction, I'll remain on the sidelines as to re-upping my multi-year membership. As it currently stands, my trust in the organization is diminished.

[JFStorey]

I also switched to Progressive a few years ago because Allstate raised my rates even though my wife and I have a perfect driving record and made no claims for many years. However although Progressive offered a very competitive rate for 6 months, come renewal time they raised my rates. I stuck with Progressive for another 6 month term. Then when it came time to renew again they once again raised my rates. Now I was paying more than I was with Allstate! Still with a perfect driving recored and no claims. I now know why they have the name Progress, they progressively raise your rates! Many years ago I was with State Farm for 20 years, each month I didn't submit a claim State Farm would LOWER my rate! Now it seems insurance companies entice you with these initial lower rates and then systematically rase your rates hoping that you will not notice or worse, they hope you will stay with them out of loyalty.