My experience with Avemco has been quite the opposite... Lots of brochures in the mail, lots of marketing emails promising fast response on a quote, but when I actually filled out the online app, it was more than six (6) weeks before they responded. And the response was that I needed to fill out the online app and submit it. I called, and was told to leave a message for fastest response. Called again a week later. Called again 3 days after the last call. Finally got someone who said "You have to fill out the online app." When I told them I already had done so, he was able to locate it (about 5 minutes of "looking"), and promised to call back with a quote in "a few minutes"... Two days later, I got a quote via email – not from the person I spoke to, but from another person.
Based on the "level of service" they provided to a potential new customer (when they should be on their "best behavior") I was seriously concerned about what I might expect if I ever needed to file a claim... No thanks!
The final straw? The quote I finally received was roughly $1875, versus the $875 quote I received from my broker – for the exact same limits and coverage. That is pretty much the same experience I had with three previous airplanes, as well. When I bought my first airplane (1975 Grumman Traveler), Avemco's quote was well over $2400 per year, versus the $1050 quote I got from my insurance broker. A few years later, when I sold that plane and purchased a 1978 Commander 114, Avemco quoted me $3200 versus $1650 through my broker. Fast forward a few years: I sold the Commander and purchased a 1965 Champion 7ECA (Citabria), which Avemco quoted at $2400 per year, versus $725 through my broker.
I can't argue the difference in rates you listed. AVEMCO is often a bit more expensive for comparable coverage, but a LOT depends on you, your experience, etc. Also, as Bob pointed out, they offer discounts for safety training, additional ratings, etc. Those can be up to 10% in my experience, some have told me they received more discount.
AVEMCO is risk averse. The way they deal with that is quote high rates for more "risky" policies. Makes sense to me....though, like any insurance company, sometimes the "risks" they consider may not make sense to me.
As to their responsiveness, I would respectfully point out they, like the rest of us, are dealing with a COVID tainted world right now. Their folks are all working from home, last I checked, and it's pretty obvious that they haven't got the communications chain sorted out as well as they should. All this virus stuff has a lot of outfits limping.
And, to boot, as others have pointed out, they are really busy right now, writing policies.
Like 17 year olds, pilots tend to demand instant gratification (before you get your undies in a knot, I'm one of those too), and in this COVID crud world we're living in, that isn't always available.
I've been with AVEMCO for fifteen years. Never until this year have I had ANY delays in response from them. And, this year, my policy came up for renewal two months into COVID. It took a bit of juggling to get it done, but it got done.
Give them a chance again, you might be surprised, once this virus runs its course.
MTV
