"Joe:
I am a retired bathtub refinisher and new reader of your Blog (2 months now) and wanted to take a minute to thank you for all the information you put out there. I can't be a phony and say I agree with every point of view taken in the Blog but that is what I understand a Blog to be!! A place where people can debate their different ideas. I must also admit that my opinions have changed on a few topics after reading what others have had to say and I welcome those changes in the future. One thing I want to specifically thank you for is the Blogging about gasoline prices. It is not a secret that in today's world we must all do what we can to stretch our dollars and your discussions have helped my family save, even if it is a nickel at a time, over the past few months. Since I have grown to use your Blog as a barometer on the market place I have saved money on gas, found comfort in my choice of Veterinarian, and gotten a better price on the oil required to heat my home. I have also been made aware of functions in the area that I would have otherwise missed out on. Again THANK YOU for that. I have made a point to tell these business owners where I heard of them when I call. I simply tell them that "Joe sent me". In an effort to give back I want to point out an experience I have recently had which could benefit your readers. While doing everything I can to make ends meet I was recently convinced to shop my insurance. I have been with the same agent for over 20 years and believed I was getting the best deal out there because of my long standing, claimless, relationship with this company. Was I ever rudely awakened!! I won't list the agency because I have also learned it is not the individual agent who controls the pricing so there is no need for me to cast a dark shadow over this easily identifiable person. After calling nearly every company in the phone book and offering all my vehicle, home, and boat information to all that would take it, I found one company that was confidently happy to quote me on my insurance. This company was Celtic Insurance, who writes for a few different companies, and they gave me a quote that was so much less expensive that I wouldn't trust an "over the phone" quote and went to see them at their office in the back of that small center wedged between Break Time and Burger King South, so I could see it on paper and compare the policy with the one I had. I was greeted by two of the nicest young men (young to me that is), Brian and Gavin McGinty, and they were more than happy to show me the differences in the policies. I found that not only was I going to save nearly $1200 yearly but that I would have much better coverage with Erie than I had with my old company. There were no gimmick deductibles in the new policy, the standard coverage was already greater than the "premium" coverage I had been paying to have for years!! I told these young men that I would send them as much business as I could and they were very humble when telling me they would appreciate it and that would be all they would hope to get from all their customers. Again I have to tell the whole story! I have sent numerous people into their office and not all of them qualified for the "Best" rate out there due to accidents or other claims. The majority of my "OLD FOLKS" club has saved much by doing so.
What you do with this is obviously up to you Joe. I appreciate all the information you share with your readers and wanted to share an experience of mine with them as well. With communication like you offer we can all save a buck or two. Regardless of whether you post this or not, Thank you again for all the great information you provide.
Thank You,
Jim Blasko"
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Joe, I hope you verify the story by inviting this person in with the two different policies and prices before you post this. Otherwise, we'll start getting stories like this from every business out there trying to gain our business. I'm sure this very might well be legitimate, but pleaqse let us know you verified this info before you publish. For example, the fuel prices. This is something that is something that we can see with our own eyes.
ReplyDeleteAlso, price is not the only consideration. What are the claims processes like? Do they raise your rates for every accident? Every ticket? Do they try not to pay? I would like to know what the previous company was. Not the agent, just the company.
Thanks for all you do to help us get the best value for our dollar!
Mardela, I don't mean no harm but, the man signed his name to the email. It seems to me the burden of proof would be on him, not Joe. Then again, you could always call Celtic Insurance for a quote and find out for yourself if this is for real or not. Myself, I'm quite happy with my State Farm policies and rates as well as the agent and employees in the office.
ReplyDeleteErie insurance is very competitive for car insurance if you have no at fault accidents or tickets. Same with Peninsula.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a few "marks," look into State Farm or Travelers. Having been in an accident with a Travelers insured, I can say that their claims department is EXTREMELY slow resolving issues and that makes me wonder if they treat their own insureds like that?
To save extra money, wrap as many coverages together with the same company. ie, Auto, Home, Umbrella, Boat, etc. Doing this means that there is no finger pointing as to who is responsible for paying for a loss. And by stacking the multi policy discounts, you can essentially net the umbrella policy for free which gets you $1 million limits to protect you from liability.
Celtic does have very competitive rates and the McGinty brothers are very honest, hardworking local guys.
ReplyDeleteJoe thanks for all the great posts that can help us save a little $$ during tight times.
Keep up the GREAT work.
Mardela,
ReplyDeleteI personally can attest to the guys at Celtic for Erie Insurance. Their service and response time is great. They personally saved me half on auto and 1/3 on home insurance. I was with Nationwide prior for 27 years, great driving record and no claims on home, but everything kept being raised. Erie won't underwrite everyone, record must be squeaky clean. Like most people, once you have insurance you just don't want to take the time to change everything over, but with Erie and Celtic the change was painless, and theres a few extra coins in my pocket to put in the gas tank. Thanks, Erie.
I think the man ended the post by telling Joe "Regardless of whether you post this or not, Thank you again for all the great information you provide." I think the post was more of a Thank you to Joe than a "fake". I thought it was nice to see someone take that much time to give praise to what Joe has worked so hard to do. I am going to call Celtic today and tell them "Joe sent me"
ReplyDeleteHey I'm looking for someone who specializes in painting over existing Cast Iron Tubs. Let me know if anyone has any leads.
ReplyDeleteI didn't say this gentleman was a fake. I just urged caution without evidence. Like I said in my post, and any post I write, I'm a huge supporter of Joe and SBYNEWS. Sometimes when the info comes in so fast, things can sometimes get overlooked. I'm not saying this is what happened. I appreciate when anyone helps us save a few bucks. I myself have all my insurances bundled with state farm and have been with them for 20 years. I have had to use the claims service before when I've been hit, my wife hit a deer, and once I slid on ice with my truck. My rates were never raised. The customer service I have received has been excellent. Relationships like that aren't to be taken lightly. I would not switch to save $200 a year because I could have an accident today, and I know what the claims response will be. The cost isn't the only thing to look for in your business relationships.
ReplyDeleteI wish this company the best. I hope and pray they are as good as is stated.
Erie and the McGinty guys are awesome. They cut our vehicle insurance in HALF and our homeowner's by $800.
ReplyDeleteYou are a fool for staying with State Farm unless you have to.
I called Celtic a little while ago after reading the post this morning. Obviously I havent been the only one. When I told him (Gavin) that Joe sent me, he chuckled and asked who Joe was because I was the 3rd person to tell him that! When I explained everything to him he was greatful to everyone, especially Mr. Blasko who he said was a very nice man. As it turned out they were unable to save me anything at this time because of an unfortunate accident I had earlier in the year. If not for that I would have saved $400 on my car insurance alone. My girlfriend is switching her home and car insurance this afternoon with a total savings of $800 over Nationwide. Thanks to Mr Blasko and thank you Joe.
ReplyDeleteI found State Farm to have one of the highest rates, along with Allstate. Maybe Mardela should call Celtic and get a quote. Insurance companies don't raise your rates unless you are at fault. Their customer service is highly ranked and if you have all these things insured your savings may be much greater than most. I totally agree that customer service is very important but if youre paying dearly for something you can get elsewhere for MUCH less???????
ReplyDeleteI have an Executive Auto policy at Peninsula Insurance thru Avery Hall. I have an immaculate driving record with no tickets or claims for......ever. The price is so low that when I talk to other insurance companies to shop the rate they all tell me there is no way they can compete. J.R. Lloyd told me that I would be best off to stay with Peninsula.....and he was a Nationwide broker.
ReplyDeletehats off to JR! It is always comforting when the competition tells you to stay with another company! Not many people that honest anymore.
ReplyDelete