After my father's job relocated us back to the Chicagoland area 20 years ago, my father obtained his car and renter's insurance with Mark at State Farm. When I turned 16, I was added to his policy, and my sister as well a few years later when she turned 16 and we both needed car insurance. The various discounts available helped get us a good rate. After many new car changes, removal of my sister when she married, addition of my step sister and step mother when my dad re-married, we still received low rates for great coverage.
At 21, I was foolish and got a DUI and when my father called Mark, he just laughed and said "kids will be kids." My rate didn't increase. Even with other incidents (a not-fault accident I was in, a speeding ticket, etc) my rate never increased.
Fast foward 8 years, and I moved out on my own. I branched off of my dad's policy and obtained my own for car and renter's insurance. The bf had Esurance or some crap, so I made him leave and he joined my policy. Not only did that help again with multiple discounts, but Esurance was charging him 6 times what Mark quoted him for his vehicle. That's huge! Needless to say, the bf was thrilled. Esurance considered the bf a "high risk" driver.... not sure what criteria they used to determine that, but apparently it didn't matter with SF. He was ecstatic that he would no longer pay such a high premium for lousy coverage.
Just last month, a deer ran out straight into the bf's car. The damage didn't seem too terrible (I had my own deer experience ten years ago with far worse damage). State Farm gave us a reputable body shop to repair the car and set us up with a very nice rental car with Enterprise. Thanks to comprehensive, we didn't pay a dime. If we didn't have comprehensive, the bill would have been our responsibility - a grand total of over $5200!
For a mere $103 per month for two vehicles (one with full coverage, the other with full coverage - collision) and renter's insurance... I am more than pleased. Everytime we have a question or need to update something on our policy, Mark has been extrememly helpful. His assistants are equally helpful the few times Mark was not in the office. He is also quick to respond via e-mail if you choose to go that route.
Many months ago, the bf talked about insurance shopping, because he felt that we could get a better rate, despite my longtime relationship with Mark and State Farm. After the deer incident, he has changed his tune and agreed State Farm is the way to go. I couldn't agree more. It would take a LOT to make me change insurance companies. Kudos to Mark Lathrop and State Farm. read more