In a blind survey of 50 New Jersey auto repair facilities performed by independent research firm
The surveys were conducted via phone and e-mail between December 2008 and January 2009. Out of 1,700 licensed body shops in New Jersey, 170 were selected for this survey based on having sufficient experience with Teachers to render an opinion. Of the 170, 50 completed the surveys. Companies were evaluated on each criterion on a 10-point scale with 10 being excellent and 1 being poor.
The survey asked body shops to rate insurance companies on issues such as how well their practices and policies supported quality of repairs, speed of repairs and overall customer experience.
Teachers outranked Liberty Mutual, and AIG/21st Century; on quality of repairs, scoring more than two times higher than Liberty Mutual, and two-and-one-half times higher than AIG/21st Century. Additionally, Teachers' results surpassed those of GEICO and Progressive by staggering percentages, scoring nearly four times higher than Progressive and six times higher than GEICO, says the report.
Teachers also outperformed Liberty Mutual and AIG/21st Century on speed of repairs, scoring one-and-one-half times higher than the other two carriers.
When asked how the company's policies and practices contributed to a positive overall customer experience, Teachers again outpaced the field of mammoth competitors; scoring over one-and-one-half times higher than Liberty Mutual and rating over two times higher than AIG/21st Century, three times higher than GEICO and over five times higher than Progressive.
"AIG/21st Century, Liberty Mutual and GEICO compete with Teachers in the New Jersey educator market," says Teachers Auto Insurance of N.J. President Marc Buro. “What these results show clearly is that bigger isn't always better. At Teachers Insurance, we know New Jersey. We build our business on having positive partnerships with schools and districts across the state. Our local knowledge and focus on New Jersey enable us to deliver on our promise to provide outstanding value—great rates and top quality."
"It sometimes seems like insurance companies just don't care how your car is repaired, how long it takes, or how difficult the experience is for the customer," says Rick Adam, VP in charge of claims services at Teachers Insurance. "Teachers' Insurance cares about educators in New Jersey."
