My health insurance carrier, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC. I have had them for a couple of years now and I have to say that overall they are an excellent insurance company to have. They, like many other insurance companies, have many different plans to choose from. I elected them through the Marketplace and they seem to have one of the cheapest plans available for those on a budget like myself. I have stuck with the same plan (name change) for the time that I have been with them. From year to year the prices for my out of pocket stay pretty consistent, actually this year it is less for me. A pro is that the prices for my out of pocket remain consistent from year to year. I really like that they have a portal for me to access all of my benefit and payment information. I know exactly how much I am paying for a specific medication and that is definitely a pro. A really great thing that they offer is a rewards program. If I include my annual exam information I instantly get a gift card of my choosing! That is awesome! They give us access to other companies like gyms and membership plans just for us being a member with them. The only thing that I don't like about the relationships they allow us to have to other companies is that I live in a rural area, outside of the big cities, and they have not yet partnered with some of the smaller guys in these rural areas. I would like for them to branch out a bit more to allow us to share in the benefits as the other members. If I have to list another con, I would say that I wish the benefits were more understandable. This is not a con just for Blue Cross Blue Shield. I have this problem with all insurance companies. I understand that they have to include a lot of information and they have to ensure they have it worded properly but the benefits need to be easier for us to understand.
I switched to National General a few months ago. I have not had to file any claims with them so I cannot speak as to how well they will or will not handle claims. However, they are a bit more expensive than insurance companies of the past that I have been with and with the higher price they offer less coverage benefits for full coverage auto insurance. In a previous insurance company I had the rental coverage when in an accident automatically with the first level of full coverage auto insurance and with this company although I am paying $10 more I would have to upgrade and pay more to have this included. Definitely a con. Another con that I have with this company and I really can't remember if it was the same in previous companies, when my policy came up for renewal, I was not alloted a grace period on the renewal month payment. I would have liked to still have a grace period but I understand that they are making sure you are going to stay with them and wanted the payment upfront. What I do like about National General is that the website is user friendly but recently they did have an update that it makes you take an extra step to get to auto insurance policy review and payment, which I do not like. I am able to make my payments online and review my policy information with ease. Another pro with them is that every time I have had to call them I got to an agent really quickly. I hate long wait times and I have not had this problem with National General.
Pros
Nice website with ease of navigation.
Excellent customer service when you have to call and speak with a representative.
Cons
Price, mainly for full coverage for the benefit offering.
No grace period on renewal month.