Terrible service and no 3 year safe driving discount offered…read more I have lived in Portugal for over 3 years - I moved here from the US. I am not a golden visa expat, but a retired man who moved here to live in peace in a peaceful country. My first major purchase was an almost new auto 3 + years ago and the dealer advised I use Allianz for insurance - I purchased the best complete coverage. Each year Allianz raised my premium even as I had no incidents or claims. This year Allianz raised my premium an amount that seemed exorbitant to me given my exemplary driving record and no claims experience - and when asking them about this in email and receiving no bonus discount for my clean driving record Allianz basically said we need to be profitable and if you don't like it we don't care. As part of discovery about auto insurance in Portugal I learned that there is a Portuguese car insurances system of No-Claims Bonus (Prémio Bonus Malus) for good drivers who haven't had an accident for three years from the beginning of the time when they start their policy. Allianz never offered this to me and my only rational way to explain this is it seems Allianz understood it needed to reward my 3 years safe and no claims driving experience with a significantly lower premium but instead spiked my annual premium which I now believe was intentional to drive me to look for an alternative. I have asked Allianz and their ombudsman service about this in email but have no reply to date. In the only way I understand to be helpful in suggesting ways Allianz could improve based on my 3 year experience I offer the alternative I found that is such a different experience than Allianz. The terrible customer service was a blessing in disguise because I was led to Abbeygate Insurance. I now have the same complete insurance package and at a price way better - let me say that again - way better than Allianz. Price is always important but so is "Customer Service" and what a difference in the service I am receiving from Abbeygate. Emails are returned right away - phone calls are returned right away - WhatsApp replies are received right away. This is much different than my former business experience that took days to get replies to emails - phone calls were never returned. And in English - as much as I am working to learn Portuguese I do "need" English especially for documents, which Abbeygate provides in such detail. I am so impressed and pleased with Abbeygate. I see from reviews of the larger Allianz corporate offices in other countries that customers seem better satisfied and offer more positive reviews than I can based on my direct experience. So my experience to be clear is only with Allianz auto insurance in Portugal.

Was a victim of theft in Toledo Spain - my billfold had one credit card, driver's licenses and…read moresome cash plus the passport I've had since about 8 or ten years. I needed to obtain an emergency passport to fly back to the USA! The process was both straightforward and stressful! Our group was moving from Spain to Portugal so I contacted the consulate by email to get an emergency appointment and application. Their response time was really quick but when you are waiting and have spotty internet connection it's super frustrating. The great thing about hotels is the free WiFi offered so that's how I did most of the emails for documents. I did miss one day of the trip's excursion and by the way that is NOT A covered situation for travel insurance through your credit card. Travel tip : bring a photocopy of your identifications like passports and driver's license or in my case have it on your phone. Security is very strict, and they keep all electronic devices before allowing only the individual needling help entry to the offices. There is an uphill climb of many stairs but I got offered the ramp ( I use a cane to help with balance), with a security escort no less! Once inside it's really the usual blue barely cushioned one step above plastic chairs in the room and a lot of waiting. I had my forms printed but missed one form which they gave to fill out, there was a Photo Booth for taking passport photos -this cost another €5, in addition to the €158 fees. So glad I had cash on hand and a photo of the stolen passport on my phone - I was handed a scrap piece of paper with my name and the passport number on it as my only ID by the security agent. (Since my phone was held in security till the end). I had a 1000 appointment but was not actually called to the agent's cubicle till closer to 1145, when I was told to return at 2 pm to pick up the passport. All my paperwork including a police report of the theft were returned. The passport itself is only valid for 90 days and all fees paid will be used to obtain a regular passport if filed within the year. There were several other people whose passports were also stolen - some on the streets, others in the train or airport itself, that's a huge bummer if you're away from home or on a cruise or studying abroad. It's a bummer but the embassy is there to help. All things considered, other than the time needed to go through the process, I was simply relieved to NOT be stranded! I hope you never have to experience this anywhere.