[vintageogauge]

As with most of us, my premiums went up on my homeowners policy, mine is through Progressive via The Villages Insurance. I called The Villages Insurance this morning. After being on hold for nearly 10 minutes a young lady answered and I asked to talk to someone who could advise what I might do as far as changes in my policy to reduce my premiums. I was put on hold, and when she came back I was told the next available agent would be able to talk to me next Tuesday that's five days from now, they don't need my business and they will no longer have my business. I am looking for a new agency, any referrals would be appreciated

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

As with most of us, my premiums went up on my homeowners policy, mine is through Progressive via The Villages Insurance. I called The Villages Insurance this morning. After being on hold for nearly 10 minutes a young lady answered and I asked to talk to someone who could advise what I might do as far as changes in my policy to reduce my premiums. I was put on hold, and when she came back I was told the next available agent would be able to talk to me next Tuesday that's five days from now, they don't need my business and they will no longer have my business. I am looking for a new agency, any referrals would be appreciated

The only other agents listed for Progressive in this area are All-in-One Insurance in Lady Lake and Wheeler Insurance in Belleview. I don't know either one.

But, I would also try State Farm and Allstate. Both of those are good companies with local agents.

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The only other agents listed for Progressive in this area are All-in-One Insurance in Lady Lake and Wheeler Insurance in Belleview. I don't know either one.

But, I would also try State Farm and Allstate. Both of those are good companies with local agents.

I have no loyalty to progressive. There are plenty of others I would consider out there, but not through the villages insurance agency.

[Altavia]

I do Progressive via online.

Villages Insurance never added any value in my case back when I used them.

[Babubhat]

I left TV insurance for State Farm. Much better pricing. But who knows next year.

Also check Heritage online

[Velvet]

I like Villages Insurance. It is true that I can’t always get through to my agent easily, but she does call back, explains everything in plain words. But what I like most about her is that she gives me many different options and tells me how much my premium would be if I do this or if I do that. She does whatever she can to make me happy.

The other thing that is important to me is; can and will the insurance company be able to pay for a claim and how cumbersome is the process.

[JMintzer]

Given the sudden rise in insurance rates (post Ian), It's not surprising that agents have been swamped with customer calls...

I'm sure it's frustrating, but I'd give them a little slack right now...

[Kenswing]

I also have Progressive. Rate went from $1,400 to $2,100. Called State Farm for a quote. Their cost was a couple hundred dollars cheaper but the policy was $200k less on the dwelling coverage. Make sure it's an apples to apples comparison.

[tuccillo]

I called for possible other sources of home owner's insurance and it also took them several days to arrange a call with an agent. This was fine and we had a good conversation and they got back to me again after they did some research. They are pretty much swamped with calls. Patience grasshopper ...

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

As with most of us, my premiums went up on my homeowners policy, mine is through Progressive via The Villages Insurance. I called The Villages Insurance this morning. After being on hold for nearly 10 minutes a young lady answered and I asked to talk to someone who could advise what I might do as far as changes in my policy to reduce my premiums. I was put on hold, and when she came back I was told the next available agent would be able to talk to me next Tuesday that's five days from now, they don't need my business and they will no longer have my business. I am looking for a new agency, any referrals would be appreciated

[Nucky]

I would love to get away from The Villages Insurance except when that storm is heading for us and I have my coverage all set up with them there is a sense of relief. You know that even though you may not be first in line that if you do have a claim that it has a high probability of being taken care of.

When we were in the Manufactured Home our homeowners was about $2200 through Foremost. Most of our friends are insured by other companies for about $700 to $800 for the year. I paid the higher price because I had replacement coverage and they didn't.

I really do care about our Villages agent. She offered us a spot to stay in her house during the past two hurricanes. Just an amazing person. I shop each policy every year and can't beat them by a penny. Having all our eggs in one insurance basket just doesn't feel good either. We have Tower Hill on the house now and it does feel better and is less expensive than Foremost.

The Villages has a whole lot of new people working there now because of the volume of business they are doing. Every single newbie has to be brought up to The Villages standards which I imagine takes more than just a few days. Let's see what the future holds for us? I always get a call back by the end of business on the day I call.

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by tuccillo

I called for possible other sources of home owner's insurance and it also took them several days to arrange a call with an agent. This was fine and we had a good conversation and they got back to me again after they did some research. They are pretty much swamped with calls. Patience grasshopper ...

I have been with them for six years and I've never been able to talk to an agent the same day that I called unless of course I was going to make a payment then you can get through. I've really had enough of them and will go elsewhere. You can enjoy your relationship with them this grasshopper is out of patience.

[tuccillo]

I have been with them for 9 years and never had any issues. My recent call with them had no urgency so taking a few days to get back with me was fine. You do realize that you can cancel your policy and get a pro-rated amount back if you decide to go elsewhere? There really is no urgency. By the way, I did speak to some other folks and it took them a couple of days to get back to me with a quote or to arrange an appointment to speak in person.

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

I have been with them for six years and I've never been able to talk to an agent the same day that I called unless of course I was going to make a payment then you can get through. I've really had enough of them and will go elsewhere. You can enjoy your relationship with them this grasshopper is out of patience.

[banjobob]

I. had the same experience with Villages insurance ,the old call back routine when we get time .

[sdeikenberry]

Be careful moving to another company, and you may want to check Progressive to see if they themselves are actually insuring you...or are they putting you in the Florida insurance pool. When we shopped around this past January, two companies we quoted with wanted to insure us through them but in the Florida insurance pool. Sure, the premiums were lower...BUT...you don't want to be in that pool unless you have absolutely no other choice. The main reason is that pool can assess you any difference between what the payouts are and the income. For example, if we have a bad hurricane and 20 million in damages are paid out but the pool only has 10 million in reserves, the pool will bill all insurers for the balance due...in addition to your annual premium. The other reason is the amount of homes being covered and paying into the pool is ONLY in Florida, so the risk of being billed the overage amount is high...and the coverage isn't that great either.

[Bkosloski]

Allstate would not even quote for homeowners.