Return-Path: Received: from CMU-CS-SPICE.ARPA by CMU-CS-A.ARPA; 15 Aug 85 10:46:24 EDT Date: 15 Aug 1985 10:04-EDT From: Richard.Cohn@CMU-CS-SPICE.ARPA To: bovik@a Subject: auto insurance agents Message-Id: <492962695/rjc@CMU-CS-SPICE> I ended up going with Erie through Jimmy Starrett. I limited the companies I was interested in to Erie, State Farm, and Amica based on recommendations from Bovik and friends. In a poll that Consumers Reports did in Fall 1984, Amica was the highest rated. I gave higher priority to those people who had dealt with making claims, rather than those who had found that their agent was nice about filling out applications. I wanted insurance roughly comparable to what I had before: Personal liability $100K/300K Property damage $100K Un-/under-insured motorists $100K/$300K Basic first party benefits Comprehensive deductible $100 Collision deductible $250 Towing & transportation See the CR article for an explanation of what all this means. This is more than many students would want, and so my rates may be somewhat higher than you might find. Erie and State Farm both wanted around $525, while Amica wanted $1000! (The Amica woman explained that I'd probably get $200 back at the end of the year as a sort of dividend.) My previous insurer, Motorists Mutual, had wanted $760 for the year. I ended up going with Erie because I knew that they were good about handling claims, they were relatively inexpensive, and Jimmy Starrett's offices was nearby (Wilkinsburg). By the way, if you're a procrastinator like me, you'll be interested in knowing that your insurance does not expire on the expiration date. You get a 15 to 30 day grace period in case your payment is late or you switch companies. However, I would check it out with your particular company before depending on the grace period. Below is a summary of the recommendations people gave me, followed by the actual mail messages. Some of the agents were interested in who recommended them, so you might want to jot that down as well. Company Agent Phone Recommended by ------- ----- ----- -------------- Amica deal directly 343-5200 Craig Knoblock with company Erie Kight Ins. 824-7420 Theona Stefanis Andrew Palay John Micelli 828-4111 David Black Jim Starrett 371-7050 Saul Kravitz Ed Smith State Farm Kevin Donahue 362-7067 Jay Schooley Ted Donahue 351-3305 Bob Frederking Ivor Durham Craig Evans 422-1616 Eddie Caplan Mike Jones Doug Reece Grace Robinson 682-7383 Pradeep Khosla avoided by Jay Schooley Mark Weidner 487-5160 Paul Birkel ?? Simon Insurance 266-3320 Ingemar Hulthage ?? Wm. Schofield 227-3930 Jonathan Gifford ---------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 25 Jul 1985 11:27-EDT From: Robert.Frederking@CMU-CS-CAD.ARPA To: cohn@x Subject: Auto agents Tom (Ted?) Donahoe on Greensburg Pike always seemed like a good guy to me (State Farm). Bob Date: 25 Jul 1985 10:42-EST From: Craig.Knoblock@CMU-RI-ML.ARPA Subject: Re: Auto Insurance To: Richard.Cohn@CMU-CS-SPICE One of the advantages of Amica is that you don't have to deal with agents, you deal directly with the company. Date: 25 Jul 1985 10:28:54-EDT From: Pradeep.Khosla@CMU-RI-ARM To: cohn@spice Subject: Insurance Richard: In my opinion State Farm is very good. Amongst allthe three State Farm agents I contacted to get my car insurance, Grace Robinson quoted the lowest rates. Her office is on Craig Street in the Gallery Shops complex. She is also listed in the Yellow pages and you can get her phone number. d ------pradeep Date: Thursday, 25 July 1985 10:16:05 EDT From: Eddie.Caplan@cmu-cs-h.arpa To: richard cohn@cmu-cs-spice.arpa Subject: state farm agent craig evans in squirrel hill is our state farm agent. we've liked that he is friendly and very clearly explains any details of the policy. we've had no claims yet, so i can't say anything about that. eddie Date: Thu, 25 Jul 85 09:08:38 edt From: Saul Kravitz To: Richard.Cohn@x Subject: Insurance Agent Richard, I have ERIE insurance, my agent is very good, but very talkative (read friendly). He is Jim Starrett, 371-7050 (Wilkinsburgh). Good Luck, Saul Date: 25 Jul 1985 09:07-EDT From: Ingemar.Hulthage@CMU-RI-ISL1.ARPA To: Richard.Cohn@CMU-CS-SPICE Subject: Re: Auto Insurance HI, I can recommend Simon Insurance, 313 Merchant street, Ambridge, PA 15003, (412)266-3320. It is far away but I believe they are worth the inconvinience. Ingemar Date: Wed, 24 Jul 85 21:42:11 edt From: Jay Schooley To: Cohn@x Some advice on State Farm -- call Kevin Donohue, agent .. 5906 Bryant (Highland Park Area) 362-7067 He was recommended to me and has done a good job. Stay away from Grace Robinson 303 South Craig 2nd Floor of the Gallery Shops Even though she is close by, I have heard several bad reports about the quality of service she provides. In addition to finding a low price, check on the accident surcharge policy of the company. State Farm had the lowest surcharge policy that I found. I believe the company also reduces rates if you are not involved in an accident for 3 years. A State Farm policy can also be transferred nationwide. Date: 24 Jul 85 19:14:26 EDT From: David.Black@CMU-CS-A Subject: Re: Auto Insurance To: Richard.Cohn@CMU-CS-SPICE For ERIE I deal with the John Miceli Agency in Oakmont. 828-4111 --Dave Date: 24 Jul 1985 18:56-EDT From: Ivor.Durham@CMU-CS-G.ARPA To: Cohn@spice Subject: I and a considerable collection from CMU people deal with Tom Donohue of State Farm. 351-3305. Ivor Date: 24 Jul 1985 18:29-EDT From: Michael.Jones@CMU-CS-SPICE.ARPA To: Richard.Cohn@CMU-CS-SPICE Subject: Re: Auto Insurance Craig Evans with State Farm in Squirrel Hill is helpful, informative, has saved me money, and believe it or not, is honest. I highly recommend him. -- Mike Date: 24 Jul 1985 18:26-EDT From: Jonathan.Gifford@CMU-CS-G.ARPA To: Richard.Cohn@CMU-CS-SPICE Subject: Re: Auto Insurance I have an independent insurance whom I like quite a bit. He's located downtown, and he seems quite knowledgeable, if a bit talkative. You may tell him I recommended him. (I found him over the bboard myself.) He is William J. Schofield III, 320 Investment Buildling, 239 Fourth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, Tel: 227-3930. Date: Wednesday, 24 July 1985 18:08:49 EDT From: ets@cmu-cs-spice.arpa To: rjc Subject: Erie agent My Erie agent is Jimmy Starrett in Wilkinsburg - he's actually quite a character - can talk your ear off. I always deal with Jimmy Sr, though his son works in the office too. Number is: 371-7050. Ed. Date: 25 Jul 1985 12:31-EST From: Douglas.Reece@CMU-CS-G.ARPA Subject: Re: Auto Insurance To: Richard.Cohn@CMU-CS-SPICE I've been very happy with Craig Evans, the State Farm agent in Squirrel Hill. Incidently, I had a major claim (vandalism) when I first moved here, and everything turned out very well. There were no hitches with appraising the damage, getting quality work for the estimated price, etc. Doug Date: 26 Jul 85 09:21:52 EDT From: Paul.Birkel@CMU-CS-A Subject: Re: Auto Insurance To: Richard.Cohn@CMU-CS-SPICE Rich; I've been using State Fram for the past four years, and had a vehicle stolen. My agent is Mark Weidner (487-5160). He, and his assistant, have ALWAYS been very helpful and curteous. When the local car insurance laws changed, he was willing to explain to me ALL of the differences, and even pointed out (when I asked what he had done) that a portion of the recommended "new standard form" was probably not worthwhile to me. Frankly, I had found him to be honest, professional, and very willing to discuss alternatives. Of all of the "professionals" I have dealt with, he stands head-and-shoulders above the rest. Obviously, I recommend him highly. BTW, where-as State Farm may be slightly more expensive than others, they are the "standard" against which others are judged. I found them responsive when submitting my vehicle claim, and contents claim. The adjuster was reasonable, and I recouped my vehicle costs (but nothing for my time). The contents were also covered on my apt. policy without trouble. Obviously, I'm satisfied; and I don't like salesmen at all. paul Date: Thu, 25 Jul 85 11:34 EDT From: Theona.Stefanis@CMU-CS-A.ARPA To: Richard.Cohn Subject: car insurance . . . I have Erie Insurance for my car and use agent Barbara Kight who is in Penn Center Mall in Monroeville. She is very nice and her phone number is 824-7240.