Amica Insurance Claims

I have had renters insurance with Amica for over 20 years, and had an auto policy that started before that (which has since been terminated as I no longer have need of a car). My parents have been with Amica for 40 years and I believe my grandparents started with them even longer. Needless to say I thought myself a loyal customer. And for 20 years I was treated well. I had a few minor claims on the renters insurance, but nothing substantial until a few years ago, when I lost a wedding band to a mugging and had a housecleaner clean me out of some jewelry. The items were on a separate, itemized policy and were around $6,000 total (as there were individual pieces that were insured for twice that, we considered ourselves lucky). So in total had only two major claims on my renters policy, the last being over a year ago. This week I got a letter from Amica telling me that they will not be renewing my policy, due to 'the adverse development of my loss record. Specifically we have paid claims due to loss.' So I guess they excel in "providing the highest quality service in the industry" - but only if you don't need them. I am saddened that despite their claims of 'Adhering to the highest ethical, moral, and legal standards in our business" they are, in the end, just another bottom feeding insurance company that cares more about the bottom line than it does about its loyal customers.

I had two property claims in 2003 due to Hurricane Isabell. One claim was about $4000. The other was about $80000. I had another property claim due to a fallen tree in March 2009 for $13000 and another property claim due to storm damage for $35000 in June 2009. I was hit by another driver in March 2009 and my car was a total loss (but I waited for the other driver's insurance company to pay for property damage). Each and every claim was handled with expediency and without any major problems. The $80000 claim in 2003 occured in September and I received payment for repairs within 6 weeks. At the time, there were huge amounts of hurricane claims and catastrophic fires in Southern California; causing the insurance industry to be overwhelmed with claims; causing understandable delays in claims payments. The insurance adjuster attempted to negotiate with the contractor with little progress in agreeing upon a cost for repairs. I finally intervened and was able to solve all problems so that the insurance adjuster could agree to the contractor's cost of repairs. The final bill came in about $13000 higher and the contractor had to file a lien because Amica did not remit payment promptly. Once filed, Amica paid this amount of the lien immediately. But all other claims were processed swiftly with absolutely no snags. Premiums are very competitve too! And even with all these weather/storm claims, none of my policies have been cancelled.

My husband has had Amica auto insurance since the 70s. In all that time, with a number of claims, they have never questioned a claim or had a single paperwork error. Once I had a freeway accident in L.A. and a tow truck driver happened along, towed me off the road, and pulled the fender off the tire. The towing insurance covered the tow, but I paid him another $80 for the repair work and they added it to my claim with no question or documentation needed. The adjustor discovered issues with the vehicle that we hadn't noticed ourselves. We now have life insurance and home-owners with them. Before we bought our house, we had renters insurance. They are insuring a vacation home owned by me and my siblings, which no other insurance company would touch because it is in a remote area and isn't continuously inhabited. We don't even consider any insurance company but Amica for any kind of insurance.

I have been with AMICA since returning from the Army in 1971. My mother was with them and my brother and sister also. I also have my homeowners policy with AMICA (temporarily). In 2007 I received a ticket on an interstate for speeding more than 20 MPH. AMICA raised by policy in December 2008 (over a year later) by $1000 per year (33%). When I called twice to appeal I received nothing but a cold shoulder. I was told basically so sorry, tough luck, it is what it is. Not only have I been a customer for 38 years, but have had no claims in 25 years. This will give you an idea of how you will be treated if you happen to be unlucky enough to get one speeding ticket, regardless of your time with the company or overall record with them. I guarantee, with all of the advertising AMICA is doing now they are making a POOR business decision. So I will fire them and move to another, less expensive company!

My experience is limited to three claims, two for glass and one for when the tree fell on my wife's car. I have no complaints and obviously am quite satisfied with the company otherwise I would change to another.