Cooperators Home Insurance Reviews

This branch of Co-operators is horrible. They do not return phone calls - even when urgent (despite the fact that their answering machines say they will get back to you by the end of the business day) - they do not communicate effectively. In fact, they did not answer when they were expecting my call until I blocked my number! When I did call, they said my agent was not in that day and yet I could hear his voice in the background!!! They cancel policies without warning (they claim to have sent a registered letter but when I asked them to show that it had been delivered they could not). Just to put this review into perspective, I decided to go with Co-operators because my sister-in-law's father was the president of the company at the time, so I was a loyal customer for over 20 years. I was absolutely shocked at the way I was treated/ignored. I am a professional in an advanced area that understands customer service. The lack of compassion and empathy displayed by everyone at this office was disgusting!

Had a break-in up north in the early spring. We had theft coverage but it took three phone calls for someone to actually discover that. When they finally did admit we had theft insurance their excuse for not checking with the other calls was that most clients don't have on cottage property and the customer service agent I spoke to was new. We have never made a claim in 40 plus years but when we tried we were discouraged from making the claim. The reasoning: do we know what it will do to our premiums and how much they will increase and for how long?... We ended up NOT making a claim. After the cottage was sold I wanted to cancel the coverage on it and our home as I did not like the way I was treated. Even that was a problem, cancelling the cottage insurance was easy as we were selling but cancelling the house insurance... I told them the date I wanted it cancelled and the sales rep was trying to convince me to keep it until I had set up the new insurance. When I assured her I would not be without house insurance between her policy and the new one starting she still tried to keep me. It was like she did not trust me with my own insurance needs.

As if we haven't been through enough cooperators is putting Fort McMurrians through round two by being unfair to their clients to save money. Yes I know, hose the client and you save money. Thats how insurers do it.

One good thing that has come out of the natural disaster is we get to see what insurance companies shine when it comes to claims. Unfortunately my "premium" home insurance with cooperators doesn't even come close to what other insurers are doing for their clients with basic coverage.

First off, don't call us we'll call you. Terrible service. You can leave voice mail after voice mail and get no response. For 3 weeks. I know their busy but thats not my problem. They make me pay my premiums on time so they should be there for you.

When they did get back to me I was nickle and dimed so bad I feelt used and taken advantage of.

Loss of Use: I did not have $150 a night to front for a hotel so I had milk off of family and sleep on a sofa for 8 weeks. My policy will pay up to $78,000 for loss of use but since I could not afford to pay for the hotel out of my pocket I'm getting reimbursed $7 a night....yes thats right $7 a night since I stayed with family. I cant even buy them dinner as a thankyou
Smoke damage to contents: Upon returning home my house has severe smoke damage. They offered me 3,900% less than TD's standard no negotiating rate. I feel used, abused and taken advantage of.

Long story short, with 50,000 people making a claim at the same time for the same loss people talk and the truth come out about who is the best and who treats their clients like scum comes out.

TD: comes out on top. They have been more than fair with their customers. If you don't want their cleaners they will pay $82.50/hr which is the going rate for a cleaner. They were also pre-paying for hotel rooms for their clients. Emergency evacuation cheques of $3000-6000 depending on family size were handed out ASAP or as direct deposit. Smoke damaged clothing and bedding is paid out at the drycleaners rate of $400 per bag

AMA: middle of the pack. From what I hear their payouts for loss has been a bit of a struggle but if you put up a few stern fights you will get an ok settlement and have to accept some loss to damaged goods. They wont see my business from what I've heard.

Cooperators: After fighting for 5 weeks they are willing to pay you $15/hr to clean your home (I wish I had TD right about now). Emergency Evacuation cheques were $5000 for a family and it took 7 weeks and a lot of phone calls to get us the money. Apparently they dont have the technology to wire you the money like other insurers. Little late now, I could have used a place to sleep and maybe some food... Smoke damaged clothing and plush toys being paid out at $10 a bag to get drycleaned....good luck with that one. (I wish I had TD)

AVIVA: Well...... If I had aviva I would be crying myself to sleep at night. I thought Cooperators was bad....Yikes. The company is telling people to save receipts and they will decide if they will pay. There is no point in paying for insurance if when you go to make a claim the company has no money to pay. Where did their clients yearly premiums go?

A message to cooperators: I have been a client for 40 years. I pay you $8000 a year in premiums. In the 40 years I have never once made a claim. Now when I need you the most after being evacuated for 5 weeks with the clothes on my back, no shoes, no wallet, no ID, no food, $8 dollars in my pocket and this is how you treat me? Thank you..... really... thank you.

I have 6 home policies, 2 automotive an 2 life insurance pilicies and have been deali g with Co operators for over 15 years
My house burnt down over a month ago and still no decision made on my claim, my calls of inquiry to the adjuster go directly to an answering machine and my calls are never returned. Co operators St Johns Newfoundland.
Great at taking your money but Poor at settling your claim

Very bad experience. Been a loyal customer for more than 10 years. Without getting correct information they just increase the rates on assumptions about additional drivers. It always depends whom you reach over the phone, some brokers are extremely good and some nasty and very rude. I cancelled my policy with them and went with a one with better service and understanding. They don't have a system to make complaints.

Legitimate claim denied right away, rude customer service, didn't pick up a phone after claim denied. Rates are higher than average. In general - awful, stay away!