Expert: Doctor Settlement - 9/16/2006

Question
Have you ever heard of Public Partners/United Equitab insurance? This is my auto insurance company which I can't find any information on. I don't even know if its a real company or just maid up in someone's mind to make money. Their policy which was mailed to me only contains 2-3 pages looking like it was printed on some cheap home system. Do you know anything about this company, have you heard of them? I feel like they won't be their if I need them! OK thanks Back to you, Steve. OH by the way that's the correct spelling as given to me of the insurance company.

Answer
The fact that I have not heard of a company does not mean that they are no good.  Some companies write in only a geographic area of the country.  But buying auto insurance is an important consumer choice, and I would always suggest that someone deal with an agent, if possible.  Once you buy through an agent, you also have a voice to argue in your behalf should the company claims department ever try to shortchange you on service.

As for checking on your company, I would do two things.  First, I would check with your state's Insurance Commissioner http://www.settlementcentral.com/links.php  She can tell you a lot about the company if she has done any kind of decent job.  Here are three things to ask about:

1) Number of complaints versus your company in comparison to total dollar value underwritten in the state.  This is usually given in comparison to other companies, so you can see where your company stacks up.

2) Assets and reserves of the company, showing its financial strength,

3) Commitment of the company to writing in your state by looking at total underwritten there, versus elsewhere, and versus other companies.

The second thing I would do is to read up on How to Buy Automobile Insurance http://www.settlementcentral.com/page8008.htm  Understand that this is a MOST IMPORTANT decision—one with consequences that can burden or help you in times of need.  

Try to understand the advantages of buying insurance that may cost a bit more, but provides a ton of advantages over the cheap products on the market these days.

Best Wishes,


Doctor Settlement, J.D. (Juris Doctor)
Http://www.SettlementCentral.Com