The Hartford Review

Overall 4.23 of 5 view all 65 reviews

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Shaunaru
Fallon, NV

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Helpful auto insurance for those on limited budgets.

on a strict budget

Pros

professional, cordial people, payment plans, AARP membership not required everywhere

Cons

Penalized for bankruptcy w/little explan, Not many know about Hartford

FEB

2008

I have always investigated auto insurance policies thoroughly before making the decision to purchase a new policy. I believe that buying insurance, while absolutely necessary, is like betting against yourself and it's my goal to get the most coverage, that is reasonable to have, for the least money. As my current policy approaches expiration, I open a file where I store all the written advertisements that I receive and I make sure that I request quotes from each company and from those that I've noted from TV or radio ads. It's not fun, but over the years I believe that I've saved enough money that I've paid myself tor the time expended and, perhaps best of all, I've educated myself about the definitions of insurance terms, legal requirements, reasonable requirements, and I've discovered what to REALLY expect from your auto insurance company. Now that I'm taking care of myself and my service dog, Phoebe, on Social Security Disability Insurance alone, it's much more important that I investigate all the possibilities for auto insurance coverage or I might not be able to afford to drive at all.

I had delayed requesting the quote from AARP/The Hartford because I assumed that I would have to renew my membership with AARP and that would increase the cost of the insurance because there was no other reason I'd be interested in renewal. However, when I was down to just 2 companies, I called the 800 number and the very friendly and helpful lady informed me that because I lived in Nevada, I would not have to belong to AARP to take advantage of the auto insurance. This was a nice lady that was very easy to understand, had a pleasant sense of humor, and made me feel that my call was of utmost importance to her. I'm sorry, but I have a difficult time getting information when I find myself talking to operators who are actually in India, Pakistan or similar and I waste time struggling to figure out simple things they are trying to ask me or tell me!

Once she understood my situation - live on less than $650/month, drive an older van with little to no hope of replacing it, have an excellent driving history of no accidents, no citations, if I were to become involved in an accident and find someone was trying to sue me, there is nothing they can sue me for, and I need to make the smallest monthly payments possible - then she worked up several quotes for me to pick from. I was so pleased that there was really no down payment. The initial payment would be less than twice as much as the monthly payments just to cover the start up costs and the monthly payments were absolutely within my strict budget. I was pleased to find that they were going to be able to protect me from my severe "Swiss Cheese memory" by automatically deducting the payments from my checking account each month. She asked a variety of questions looking for any other discounts that I might qualify for and she was even honest with me when she heard that my service dog was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier which is often lumped into the group of dogs commonly known as pit bulls. She warned me that I would not be eligible for a discount by purchasing Renter's Insurance from The Hartford because they would not insure me because of my dog's breed.

I don't remember how long the process took, but it was a completely pleasant process because of the sales woman's personality and desire to help. I have not had any claims so I can't discuss how that might be handled. I did have a question as we were completing the paperwork via mail and there were a couple of 800 numbers available to call. Because the phone calls were brief, I don't remember any details, but I do know that I received the information that I needed on the first call and the people I spoke with were again very pleasant and easy to talk with. There have been no problems with the deductions of the payments.

I'm not completely familiar with all the benefits that I can expect as my association with AARP/The Hartford continues, but I believe one is that, in some states, there are lowered premiums when certain AARP refresher driving courses are completed. Those courses can even be completed online. I also believe that there is some sort of accident/ticket forgiveness, lower premiums after so many years of coverage, multi-car discounts, and other discounts that I can't remember.

My only real complaint about The Hartford is their ridiculous, unfounded prejudice against what is known as the "bully breeds" - American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, and sometimes Mastiffs and Bulldogs. I have owned "pit bulls" for years, both as family pets and as service dogs. Several decades ago they were known as the Great American Family Dog while in England, the Staffie is known as the "Nanny Dog." These dogs are loyal, gentle giants unless criminals abuse, torture and drug them into becoming dangerous animals. Even then, the number of these dogs who are dangerous are very few compared to what the headlines would like to make people believe. Unfortunately, the reporting is sloppy and careless and when it's discovered that the "dangerous dog" of the current story is not a bully breed, the correction is buried at a later date. These stories are real enough and are indeed horrifying, but the other reality is that the media pumps up the statistics, prints ridiculous myths about this breed (locking jaws, they will always turn mean at some time in their lives, they have been bred only to be killers, etc.), and suggests "cures" for this epidemic that will not really help anyone.

My current service dog, Phoebe, is a loving, sweet 2 year old who is tender with cats, adores children, loves other dogs, and horses and is a wonderful partner for me. After I'd had her for about 4 months, my grandsons came to visit and were able to meet her for the first time. My middle grandson can be a bit of a monster and he was 2 years old at the time when he walked up behind her, grabbed her tail, and CHOMP, bit down hard!! I held my breath because I really did not know how Phoebe was going to react to that, but she behaved just as my previous "girls" would have done by looking over her shoulder at him like, "What was that about?" Then she walked away from him and came and cuddled up with my oldest grandson and me! Now, how many of the little, yappy dogs would actually behave that well? Everyone of my pit bulls allows kids, adults, or even cats to reach into their food dishes without any kind of upset. Their share their toys and they are much more interested in playing with others than keeping something to themselves.

So, to be told that I could not buy a Renter's Insurance policy from The Hartford because of the breed of my service dog in spite of the fact that she is very well behaved and well trained was ridiculous. I'd wager that she is much better behaved than the children in many families. She certainly has more friends and larger fan clubs around town than any two-legged kids that I know of!

I certainly suggest that you contact The Hartford for a quote on your auto insurance. If you qualify, go through AARP for the quote. Because I don't know your needs or circumstances, it's impossible to say if they will be the best for you so be sure to get lots of quotes so you can save yourself the most money. Obviously, I do not recommend using The Hartford for homeowner's or renter's insurance.