“I think ‘loyalty discounts’ are mostly just a sales pitch. Shopping around every few years seems smarter.”
Couldn’t agree more. Here’s what I’ve noticed:
- Loyalty discounts? More like “thanks for not noticing your premium went up again.”
- Claims process doesn’t magically get faster just because you’ve been paying them since dial-up internet was a thing.
- Every time I’ve switched, I’ve found better rates or at least some perk that made it worth the hassle. The “hassle” is usually just a few phone calls and maybe a little paperwork—nothing compared to the hours I’ve spent on hold with my old insurer.
- Smaller companies sometimes feel more personal, but I’ve also had one vanish overnight... so, yeah, pros and cons.
Honestly, shopping around keeps them on their toes. If you’re not comparing every couple years, you’re probably leaving money on the table—or at least funding your agent’s next vacation.
I hear you on the “loyalty discount” thing—mine barely covered the coffee I needed after reading my renewal letter. I just bought my first place and honestly, comparing quotes was less painful than I expected. The online tools helped, but I still called a couple companies to see if they’d beat the best offer. One agent tried to guilt-trip me for leaving... as if my undying devotion to their brand was a given. In the end, switching saved me enough for some actual houseplants, not just the fake ones I had in my apartment.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve had a different experience sticking with my insurer. Here’s my take:
- Loyalty discounts are usually pretty underwhelming, yeah, but sometimes the real value shows up when you actually need to file a claim. I’ve seen friends switch for a cheaper rate, then get the runaround when something went wrong.
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That’s annoying, but I’ve found that if you push back and mention you’re shopping around, they’ll sometimes dig up extra discounts or perks they “forgot” to mention.“One agent tried to guilt-trip me for leaving... as if my undying devotion to their brand was a given.”
- Online quotes are handy, but I’m always skeptical about what’s actually covered. The fine print can be a minefield—one policy looked great until I realized water damage wasn’t included unless I paid extra.
- I do compare every couple years, but I don’t jump ship just for a few bucks. Peace of mind counts for something, especially if you’ve built up a relationship with your agent.
Not saying switching is wrong—just that the grass isn’t always greener. Sometimes it’s just more paperwork.
That “guilt-trip” thing is real—
Had one agent act like I was breaking up with them. But I get your point about claims service. My worry is always: am I paying extra for “peace of mind,” or just funding their office coffee? I do the math every renewal, but sometimes those “hidden” discounts only show up when you threaten to leave... which feels a bit like playing insurance chicken. Anyone else ever get a “loyalty” discount only after mentioning the competition?“as if my undying devotion to their brand was a given.”
I’ve definitely had that “are you breaking up with me?” moment with an agent—awkward doesn’t even cover it. Last year I called to ask why my premium jumped (no claims, nothing new), and suddenly they’re digging up all sorts of “loyalty” discounts that were apparently hiding under a rock until I mentioned shopping around. It’s wild how fast the numbers change once you hint at leaving.
I do get the appeal of sticking with one company, especially if you’ve had a decent claims experience. But I just can’t bring myself to trust that the price is always fair. Every couple of years I’ll get a few quotes, even if it’s a hassle. Sometimes I stick with the old company, sometimes I don’t. That “peace of mind” fee is real, but I’d rather not pay extra for someone’s fancy espresso machine, you know?
Funny thing is, the only time I got a real loyalty discount upfront was when I actually switched. Go figure...
