Hi,
Long-time browser, first-time asker! I recently responded to an e-mail
for a free auto insurance price quote (I'm in California). I wasn't
really looking to shop around - and wasn't planning to switch
companies to save a buck or two, but I was kinda shocked when the
price quote I got from Unitrin Direct (same coverage limits and
deductibles) was $510 less than I'm paying now. I called and asked
what the catch was and they said they sell direct with no
agents/offices and pass the savings onto the customer (logical, but
obviously scripted answer). They also touted an A.M. Best "Excellent"
rating, but what good is financial stability if they bungle claims
(for example) or have terrible customer service? So I guess I'm
looking for a little confidence - or a big fat warning - before I jump
into anything. Are they reputable? Is there any objective info
available about them? (I'd love any good/bad comments from Unitrin
customers out there too.) I tried using my own amateur Googling
skills, but when you type in the name of an insurance company, the
first few billion results are sites that sell insurance.  I should've
known...  :-)

Thanks for your help, and I look forward to many happy Google Answers in the future.

I'm not posting this as an answer, since I couldn't find very much
online info about Unitrin (other than advertising and pages from
Unitrin's own site). Here are a few items that you may find
interesting:

http://www.complaints.com/directory/2004/february/12/16.htm

http://www.100insurers.com/wwwboard/messages/4287.html

http://www.100insurers.com/wwwboard/messages/11269.html

http://www.itow.org/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=35;t=469;st=0

http://www.stroudsauto.com/press%20releases/press_releaseJul99a.html

http://www.stromlaw.com/FSL5CS/settlements/settlements93.asp

I found another tidbit for you.

Here is a report issued by the State of Connecticut in June 2003. Out
of 66 auto insurance companies ranked in order of complaint ratios,
Unitrin was #64:

http://www.ct.gov/cid/LIB/cid/rept3m02.pdf

Thank you for the info, pinkfreud. I've been visiting GA for a month
or so (before finally signing up last night), but I'm already a big
fan of your work and am convinced you're one of the best researchers
out there. (Or should that read "in here"?) Which means, sadly, that
if you can't fnd it, it probably won't be found.

I did check out Unitrin's profile at the Better Business Bureau
website - they showed 18 complaints in the last 3 years, but all were
resolved, so the BBB considers that a "satisfactory" record. Oh
well...I guess I'll mull it over for a while and re-visit the auto
insurance situation at renewal time.

I'm thinking let's give it a day or two more in case some amazing new
info turns up from someone - but if no luck, please re-post your
comment as an answer, so at least you'll get (a little) something for
your time and effort on this. Take care and thanks again.

Excellent company.  We switched to Unitrin about 4 yrs ago and our
insurance averaged about $70/mo (that's right) less.

We recently had our 2000 F250 SD Ford pick up stolen.  I told my
husband when we called them, well we'll find out just how good they
are.  Most ins cos require a 30-day waiting period for a stolen
vehicle.  Unitrin sent us the paperwork right away.  Our truck was
recovered one week later with about $5,600 worth of damage.  They
never baulked at anything with the adjuster or the dealership that did
the repairs.  They even gave us an additional $1,000 for after market
items (this is allowed in Arizona).  The dealership decided they
wanted to repaint the entire truck, and Unitrin approved that with one
phone call.  Our rates, while I expect they will go up because of this
claim, have not gone up yet.

The individuals who stole our truck were caught (very rate) and
Unitrin is going to file a suit against them in a Civil court for
recovery of what they paid.  I know I'm only one person, and perhaps
there are those out there who weren't happy with Unitrin, however I
wouldn't even consider another company.

Several months ago, prior to our truck being stolen, I decided to call
around  and check other rates.  State Farm and Farmers couldn't touch
Unitrin and they didn't believe that we were getting the same coverage
for such a significantly lower premium.  State Farm even challenged me
on it and asked me to send a copy of our policy to them.  Their rates,
if I remember correctly, were about $150/mo more for the same exact
coverage.

The best compliment I can give to anybody is a recommendation.  I
highly recommend Unitrin to anybody.