Do you shop for the best bargain?

When your cell, TV, internet, car insurance and other renewable plans expire, how likely are you to shop around before renewing?

Not that it will be scientific in the least, but I was wondering how much consumer pressure people actually put on such entities. Consumers can affect pricing by shopping around, but wondering if it is common in these areas. So, taking a poll.

I had progressive auto insurance for over 6 years. Decided to check out Geico randomly and we saved about $1,200 a year combined. It was ridiculous.

It's so easy to check I don't see why anyone doesn't for a purchase over $100 these days. Insurance, like someone else said, has sites where you can check like 12 different places at the same time.

I answered other. I shop insurance rates pretty much annually. And I at least look at cell phone plans when that contract comes up. But I'd never consider satellite TV, so I don't have the ability to shop around there (other than checking plans/packages within the same provider). And keeping the TV in one place means that shopping the internet service is not really wise either since that and TV service are typically best priced together.

I don't price shop that much on things like phones, TV, etc. However, I will always ask to speak with Customer Retention when my current 'special pricing' ends. So far, they have always given me a way better deal than what was supposed to be my regular pricing. Offering to lock in for another year sometimes helps too.

I've had State Farm for 38 years. I have never been able to beat their rates, at least not by any providers that I felt would actually pay off in the event of a claim.

I answered "almost always", because I was raised as a coupon clipper. But my insurance experience has been the same as Raleigh's; I've been with State Farm for everything for 38 years as well (such a coincidence!), except that they dropped me on my latest house (and nearly lost all my business over it; I was VERY offended) because they're not allowing any new homeowner's policies in Florida to be written. I've been with t-mobile since 1998, though I look at least yearly since numbers were allowed to be ported. And I was pretty much a Chrysler customer until I rented a Hyundai in 2004, then started buying their Santa Fe's.

Most other things I have little brand loyalty; but the internet has made comparison shopping a breeze, so that's improved my options.

My insurance agent automatically runs my vehicles and properties through a half dozen or so companies at renewal time to get the best deal. He uses time proven, reliable companies and the rates are ridiculously low with the multiple vehicle and multiple property discounts. I've been with him for years and have never been disappointed.

Quote: beachbumbabs

Most other things I have little brand loyalty; but the internet has made comparison shopping a breeze, so that's improved my options.

I'm the same way. Not much "brand loyalty". Back in the days before concentrated laundry bleach was legal, ALL laundry bleach was a 6.25 percent aqueous solution of sodium hypochloride plus or minus pretty pictures and adjectives. No reason at all to favor any brand name over another for something that by law had to be the same product, so I bought the cheapest.

State Farm.... as good a company as any other perhaps but I know a man who had been with State Farm for years and who worked for state farm. He had a renewal due on the first, he sent the check the second of the month and they would have routinely renewed the policy without question but on the fourth of the month he rear ended a vehicle and they notified him of non-coverage due to policy lapsed. Loyalty?

I know one insurance company lawyer who said a plaintiff had at least a twelve million dollar case, but he badgered the opposition down to an 80,000 dollar settlement. Fair? Just? Don't ever trust ANY insurance company. The insurance companies do things in the courtroom and legislature that would make a casino's back room look like child's play.

Quote: geoff

It's so easy to check I don't see why anyone doesn't for a purchase over $100 these days. Insurance, like someone else said, has sites where you can check like 12 different places at the same time.

I have checked Geico every year when it`s time to renew and they are always $400-$600 a year more than what I pay.I think it depends on your location and demographics.