Someone stole my car and crashed it in June 2023, and as of today, August 3, 2024, nothing has been done to help me sue them. My car is gone (totaled), and they stopped responding to my emails and calls. Their home addresses (adjusters, supervisors) will start getting private mail from me. Let me know if you want their home addresses so I can post them here. Also looking for a good lawyer.
I wish I could have given them no stars because the service I got from them was so bad. Ive been calling them from 2 weeks straight and have never gotten nothing but music. And please dont expect a call back.
I only have one thing to say about First Chicago: it’s shady and dishonest, and we should all protest this company! First Chicago is all about putting you on the back burner with no real solutions. We all have a common theme… waiting for recorded statements, no call backs, and etc. We should stand together!.
This company is terrible. On 12/26/23, they sent me a notice saying that my policy had expired and that I needed to pay the amount due by 2/8/24. I called today, 1/19/24, to pay my policy, and the rep took my payment. When I asked for a renewal card, she said, “Oh wait, your policy canceled and expired, and you would have to pay an extra $430.” FOH that’s not what your letter said. She said they will refund my money back in an hour back to my card. I’m about to file a class action lawsuit against this company for bad service. I wouldn’t suggest this company to anyone.
Dealing with First Chicago due to being hit by their client in an auto accident involving injury. Its been 3 weeks in which i have had to take the initiative to do all the contact. They told me that they won’t do anything about this claim until their client gives a recorded statement. The client has two months to do that. if he doesnt respond they will then do their own investigation. until then, they told me to pay for everything out of my own pocket. The rep was rude when I asked to talk to a manager, and then they put me on hold for 45 minutes. Im still on hold.
First Chicago is the worst insurance company I have ever dealt with. When something is their driver’s fault, they won’t pay out even with proof. They never answer the phone, and when they do, they say nothing has been done because they are working on other claims. It was hard to even get that far with the claim.
The worst company we’ve ever dealt with! Two years ago, my husband hit a deer, damaging the front of his car. To this day, it hasn’t been fixed because no one will answer the phone, give you an answer, or follow up on calling you back. My husband was in an accident in a 2012 Mitsubishi Galante on September 24, 2022. The car is totaled, but they said they would give us $500. .00 for that car because of the damage that had been done to it before!! you mean the damage that you never agreed to pay for two years ago??? To top it all off, we still don’t have the check as of November 16th, and I’ve been on hold many times. I’m writing this while I’m on hold for over an hour. Do yourself a favor and don’t insure your car with this company; you will regret it.
You’re gonna need a lawyer in the unfortunate event you have to deal with them. Good luck. I would give zero stars if I could.
For Chicago is hard to get in contact with any employees. I’ve been trying to get in touch with a manager or supervisor at First Chicago Insurance Company because I had a bad experience with them. The insurance company I signed up with is First Chicago, and I’m very unhappy with them. They’re ripping you off, and I need to talk to a lawyer about filing a lawsuit against them. If anyone else has problems with Chicago, please get in touch with me or find me. I’m filing a complaint against them because they don’t know how to run a business properly. They are not a good insurance company. You have to jump through a lot of hoops to get in touch with someone, and you never get through to the claims department. Anyone who contacts you never gets back to you. This is Jennifer Rollins. Please find me and get in touch with me if you know of a good lawyer in Chicago or anywhere else who can help me.
They are fraudulent and will not answer you. There is no way to get in touch with them, so I don’t know if they even have employees. They will string you along at the beginning and completely ghost you.
If you need insurance to pay your $185 a month, don’t go with this company. They are thieves. 60, on October 12, 2023, and cancelled it on October 13, 2023. I had it for one day, on October 13, 2023, and when I asked them how much they wanted to keep, they said $155. 60, they’re stealing $30 for one day of insurance, that’s not fair, they should have only charged me for one partial day. They also stole my down payment, so they should have given me some of that money back. Dont take anything from them other than thieves, the staff is extremely rude. When I asked them how much it was, they said $30. The person replied, “Oh my God, they weren’t even charging him $100.” But $30 for 1 day, this is abuse. Now they released the version that says they are charging me an extra $10 because my payment is late in September. I had to renew on September 11, which is when my payment was made, so they are thieves.
Their 24-hour claims line is a joke! I had to wait on hold for more than two hours to report a claim. I never get calls from adjusters, and when they do, they hang up and mark that they called. What a joke of an insurance company! They are ripe for a bad faith law suit.
Tried calling this company to get quotes for auto insurance coverage. The first time I called, I waited for 21 minutes then was automatically cut off. I called back and the call was dropped a second time after waiting 16 minutes. Their website says theyve been in business since 1920. A lot of the employees look like they are still the same ones who ran the business in the 1920s. Hello, is anyone at First Chicago home? If I can’t even get quotes on insurance, I don’t want to have to file a claim here!
My parked car was hit in an accident cause by one of their insurers on 11/9/23. On November 13, 2023, I filed a claim with First Chicago. I sent them an email with pictures of the damage, a police report, and video of the accident. An appraiser from SCA Appraisal Co. (another terrible company) came to look at my car on 11/16/23. The estimate information was available and sent to the company 11/17/23. I called them every week for a month to get in touch with the adjuster. On 12/1/23, a claim representative gave me her information, but she didn’t get in touch with me until 12/16/23. She leaves a voicemail saying that she needs to check with my lawyer before talking to me about the details of the claim and the estimate. I have never hired a lawyer before. Never hired one, I’m representing myself. They lie to me so they don’t have to pay for the damage they did to my car. Terrible company, terrible customer service, a scam. Who knows if this will be resolved, but I thought I’d start reviewing this shady company now to make more people aware of it. Tell your state’s attorney general that First Chicago Insurance is a scam company. Also, tell local news outlets about your experience. Help expose their fake business.
The thieves took my bookbag, laptop, music player, and everything else in it. They also damaged my car, which has full coverage. First Chicago Insurance denied my keys because they were in the car and there was no force entry. Please help, I have a police report and everything.
Just liked their attitude. Been with y’all for a year, had some different issues and customer service was always great.
It takes forever to get in touch with an agent, and I just pray to God that he keeps me healthy and out of all car accidents. I think this insurance company will make my life a living hell when it comes to coverage.
Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry you are experiencing trouble with your agent. Please get in touch with them directly, as this complaint is about your experience with the insurance agent you chose, not First Chicago Insurance Company.
If I could give this company no stars I would. This guy at the auction gave me a direct number for this insurance. I was only going to keep them for a month temporarily then get regular named insurance. Someone broke into my car 19 days ago, 10 days after i got my car and policy. Even though I’ve been calling the police every day to speed up the process, I still can’t get the report. Some days I am on hold for 6 to 8 hours with no one to answer. The woman told me to send my bill of sales today to try to speed up the process. When I did, she told me she wouldn’t be in the office for two weeks. Why say you’ll try to help me but won’t be in the office for two weeks? They also sent me a text message and email two weeks after I signed up for their insurance to cancel it. I think they did this to scare me. I am not paying another $290 while they do nothing. The damage to the windows and steering column costs between $800 and $900. I’d rather pay that amount right away and get better insurance than give them $800 to $900 for the deductible and $290 for another month’s insurance and wait weeks and weeks for nothing to happen. I almost broke down then read a review about a ladies husband breaking down.
I hit a deer more than three weeks ago, and my damaged car is still sitting in my driveway! Do not use this company; I will change this review every day until they do their job.
After having an accident I was really distressed about the situation. First Chicago and my representative that assisted me was so professional and yet concerned. I would recommend First Chicago Insurance to anyone for top quality service and support.
Choosing car insurance can be a tedious process You want a reputable provider with quality coverage options and decent rates However, it’s hard to know which companies truly deliver on their promises versus those that look good on the surface but fail policyholders when they need them most. This is where reading candid customer reviews comes in handy.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the customer feedback and reviews for First Chicago Insurance Company. You’ll get the unfiltered scoop directly from their policyholders on the pros, cons, and overall experience dealing with this auto insurance provider.
Overview of First Chicago Insurance
First Chicago Insurance Company focuses on auto insurance for drivers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Wisconsin. They market affordable policies and claim to have over 100 years of experience originating back to 1920.
However, based on online reviews, First Chicago seems to come up short meeting customer expectations in many cases. Out of 56 reviews on Trustpilot, they have just a 1.3 out of 5 star overall rating. 50% of reviewers gave them the lowest 1-star rating.
Does this mean you should avoid First Chicago altogether? Not necessarily We’ll analyze the specific positives and negatives mentioned across reviews to help you make an informed decision if they are a good match for your needs
The Good: Benefits of First Chicago Insurance
While the majority of feedback skews very negative, there were a few reviewers who shared positive remarks on First Chicago’s pricing, customer service, and claims handling.
Affordable Rates
For drivers with limited budgets, some said First Chicago offered the most affordable auto insurance quotes they could find. Policy costs were often hundreds less annually versus competitors. Just be sure to compare coverage limits.
“Was the cheapest full coverage policy I could find by over $500 per year.”
Strong Customer Service
A handful of reviewers praised First Chicago’s friendly service and willingness to answer questions. They said staff were courteous, professional, and easy to work with.
“Agent was very patient and helped me understand all the policy details.”
Prompt Claims Settlements
In a few cases, customers reported quick and satisfactory claims resolutions. First Chicago accepted liability, sent adjusters promptly, and issued payments without delays.
“They fully replaced my car after an accident caused by their insured. Overall smooth process.”
So for the right driver, First Chicago may provide affordable rates combined with decent service – as long as you don’t have to file a claim.
The Bad: Common Complaints About First Chicago
However, the vast majority of First Chicago customers reported very negative experiences that should give any prospective policyholder pause. They cited these major pain points:
Extremely Poor Customer Service
By far the most common complaint involved inability to reach a live person from First Chicago when calling their service line. Call wait times exceeding 30 minutes were routine, with calls eventually disconnecting without reaching anyone.
“Every time I call, I wait on hold for over an hour and no one ever answers.”
No Follow-Up From Agents
Reviewers also frequently complained about unreturned voicemails and emails to agents. Some couldn’t even speak to their agent directly at all after signing up. This made policy changes, billing issues, and questions very difficult.
“My agent never returns any of my calls or messages. Impossible to get help.”
Claims Denied or Stalled
While some customers praised First Chicago’s claims process, far more had dreadful experiences. Minor claims were routinely denied even with police reports. Resolution dragged on for months with endless delays.
“6 months after an accident that was clearly their driver’s fault and still no payment from First Chicago.”
Cancellations and Bait-and-Switch Tactics
Some reviewers shared stories of First Chicago unexpectedly cancelling their policy soon after signing up. Others said rates increased significantly upon renewal despite no changes. These shady business practices generated mistrust.
“My rates doubled at renewal for no reason. Total bait and switch!”
Considering these common grievances, First Chicago seems severely lacking in financial stability, transparency, accountability, and overall ethics.
The Ugly: First Chicago Insurance Reviews Scams, Lawsuits & More
Looking deeper into angry customer feedback, there were some very concerning accusations of egregious behavior by First Chicago beyond just poor customer service.
Failure to Pay Claims for at Fault Accidents
Many reviewers said First Chicago refused to accept fault or delay paying damages even when their insured driver clearly caused an accident. Some had to hire lawyers just to recoup repair costs.
“Their insured hit me and they won’t pay anything toward my repairs unless I sue them.”
Quick Cancellations to Avoid Claims Payouts
Some alleged First Chicago systematically cancels policies immediately after accidents where large claims are expected. This leaves victims with no choice but to pay for damages from their own pocket.
“First Chicago cancelled my policy days after I filed a major claim from an accident that wasn’t my fault!”
Intentionally Unreachable Customer Service
Angry reviewers accused First Chicago of willfully ignoring calls and avoiding contact with policyholders as a strategic ploy to delay or deny claims. Some felt this amounted to clear fraud.
“It’s literally impossible to reach them – all part of their scam to avoid paying claims I’m sure.”
Harassment and Intimidation
Some reviewers described adjusters bullying them, making false accusations, and overall trying to intimidate them into accepting lowball claim settlements. This caused immense stress on top of accident trauma.
“Their adjuster harassed me continually and acted like I was some sort of criminal.”
While these are just allegations from anonymous reviewers, the volume of similar stories indicates cause for serious concern over First Chicago’s ethics and legality.
How to Move Forward After Reading First Chicago Insurance Reviews
So where does this leave you if contemplating First Chicago for your own auto insurance? Here are a few recommendations:
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Compare Quotes Carefully – While First Chicago may offer cheaper rates upfront, make sure you understand exactly what’s covered under their policies versus other insurers. Look at both premiums and out-of-pocket costs like deductibles.
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Research the Company Further – Check complaint data from organizations like the Better Business Bureau and verifies First Chicago’s financial strength ratings from firms like AM Best.
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Speak to Multiple Agents – Don’t just rely on one agent’s word. Talk to several independent agents who can quote First Chicago policies alongside other insurers for comparison.
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Trust Your Gut – If an insurer just “feels sketchy” based on reviews or lack of transparency, it’s perfectly fine to keep looking for alternatives that instill confidence.
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Prioritize Quality Service – Consider paying a little more in premiums for an insurer that ranks high in customer satisfaction and responsive claims handling. It’s worth it for peace of mind.
While First Chicago Insurance may work for some drivers, the overwhelming negative feedback indicates this is an insurer that merits extra caution. Weigh all pros and cons carefully before signing any policy.
The Takeaway: First Chicago Insurance Reviews Show Major Red Flags
Our deep dive into First Chicago Insurance reviews reveals a company that looks great on paper with discount rates but consistently fails policyholders in reality.
From impossible-to-reach customer service to systematic denials of claims, First Chicago seems to embody some of the worst practices possible in the insurance industry based on feedback from their own customers.
We recommend reading reviews of any insurance provider under consideration to identify potential pitfalls ahead of time. Don’t learn the hard way by personally experiencing a company’s shortfalls in your greatest time of need. While cheaper premiums may be tempting, poor service or denied claims can ultimately cost you far more in additional expenses down the road.
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First Chicago Insurance review, pros and cons, legit, quote (update 2024)
FAQ
What is the credit rating of First Chicago Insurance Company AM best?
What states does First Chicago insurance cover?
Who is the most trusted insurance company?
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Best car insurance category
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Company winner
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Best insurance company overall
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Best insurance company for affordability
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American Family
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Best insurance company for accident forgiveness
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Geico
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Best insurance company for having few customer complaints
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NJM
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How do I contact the first Chicago insurance company?
Is first Chicago insurance company a good car insurance company?
First Chicago Insurance Company is a below average car insurance company, given the combination of its poor customer service and the fact that its only available in 13 states, including: Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Who is first Chicago insurance company?
First Chicago Insurance Company has been providing auto insurance products throughout multiple states since 1920. It has been working hard to service its customers since it opened its doors. Currently Insured? The WalletHub rating is comprised of reviews from both WalletHub users and ratings on other reputable websites.
How much does first Chicago insurance cost?
Here’s what you need to know about First Chicago Insurance Company’s reviews, average costs, and coverage options. The average cost of a First Chicago auto policy is $136 a month for full coverage and $83 a month for liability only. First Chicago offers car insurance in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Does first Chicago insurances have a Naic rating?
First Chicago Insurances NAIC rating is 10.18, which means it has a lot more customer complaints than the average competitor, adjusted for size. Tried calling this company to get quotes for auto insurance coverage. The first time I called, I waited for 21 minutes then was automatically cut off.