AARP Consumer Reviews - Page 5

There is no opt out of mail and other marketing materials without speaking to Membership who performs this over the phone. I only wanted the Magazine and Bulletin. I did some research and on the corporate page you'll find a separate company that is for profit and providing our data. If I need to provide information I use a fictitious name, address and an email address I created dedicated for junk mail. I never check it, problem solved there.

TUCSON, ARIZONA -- There are no Benefits to having AARP, I'm 51, and was a member. No discounts till 55, insurance was 40 more a month than what I carry now, which is full coverage, and so if you want to toss your money away for nothing then join AARP. But you would be a fool...

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA -- AARP LIES TO SENIORS TO PROMOTE PARTISAN POLITICS!
Stay out of politics and quit lying to seniors!

Once again I was put on endless hold with AARP while I was trying to locate a provider. I have lost many hours of my time, and they have increased my stress. They are hurting my health, rather than helping. Add to that, that they are expensive and do not cover all expenses.

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA -- My husband and I have a joint policy for supplemental coinsurance, If one can afford this extra policy it is an economical choice. However, this company is not truthful about their costs. They send out letters indicating "a 24% decrease" when in reality, they are actually INCREASING the policy amount!! I do not understand why they are not truthful, and say what they were really doing. "You previously had a "27% decrease" and now "your decrease is 24%." I am quoting the representative. Double-talk if I ever heard it!!

TEXAS -- I have not seen a single aspect of this company that would lead me to believe them to be credulous in any way. It took a full 10 hrs over a 2 day period, just to enroll. I repeatedly experienced misinformation from the 12 reps that were "helping" me. Ask 3 different reps the same question, and see what happens.

I've been placed on very long holds, only to be disconnected. I've been "disconnected" over a half dozen times. Sometimes while on hold, sometimes when the representative was obviously stalling. The automated phone system seems to be designed to promote frustration, in hopes you'll give up. I've had 2 reps supposedly email me a list of local providers. One took 60 seconds to put it together. The 2nd put me on 3 long holds over a 15 minute period. I've received nothing. (Not even in the "spam" folder.)

Beyond the dropped calls, I've been redirected to reps in other departments that don't even handle the issue in question, then disconnected while being transferred back. Trying to find some things on their website is similar to yearning for the Holy Grail. Hartford Insurance quoted me over double what I currently pay. Delta Dental only paid half of what their agreement states. Advertised "benefit" is "15% or greater" discount from Hewlett Packard. Actual discount offered was about 1.5%.

Do not be fooled. This is organized crime. I firmly believe that they intentionally use aspects of old age against their clients. If you have another option, chances are incredibly high that the other is the lesser evil. AARP and the affiliates that I have dealt with have left me with the impression that they are all unscrupulous, unethical vultures.

If you let your family members enroll with these companies, they will most definitely suffer in a variety of ways. But be certain there is another valid option, because if you drop them, you can't re-enroll for 12 months. Their online rating is one star out of five, and I can personally guarantee that this is only because "zero stars" is not an option. I personally experienced all of the above in the first 8 weeks of membership.

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY -- I recently received the enclosed 'Lower Rate Notice' from you. The only 'lower rate' I am interested in was the one I had with you before you cancelled my policy. In January 2011, having almost no income, I did not have the full amount for the payment requested on the statement you sent me that was 3 times what I normally paid (under the guise of being an annual deposit) and I paid only my regular monthly amount. You promptly sent that back to me with a notification that you cancelled my policy.

This happened after I had requested copies of all my many years of policy and payment history because your billing amounts are irregular and I could never get the amounts you wanted to balance with what I paid and what you said I owed. No matter what I thought I had paid in advance I was never paid in advance according to you and frequently accrued late fees because you said I still owed you money.

After being a customer for many years I felt it was unnecessary for you to be charging me an annual deposit like any new client. That shows your loyalty is only to the almighty dollar and not your customers. After cancelling me and while I was searching for new insurance, you were then more than happy to provide me a quote with a 'new rate' that was almost $100 more per month.

You are rip off artists and I want to get the word out. I plan on doing that via the internet by explaining just what you did in order to inflate my premium and then cancel it. And in order to renew it I would be paying 1 ½ times what I had been. THAT is no discount.

I have moved on and gotten insurance elsewhere. You are thieves, do not contact me any further. I think AARP needs to know how you do business as well. That about says it… Don't trust them. It sounds good but they jerk you around and instantaneously cancel your policy when you start asking questions. I have had car insurance for 41 years and have NEVER been cancelled until now.

I have seen many complaints on the site about AARP and their less than pro-elderly tactics. More as acting as a front for other advertisers. Well, this morning I had an experience that reduced their credibility even further. Zero, in my book. There is an ad on TV (endorsed by AARP) for supplemental Medicare health insurance. Next year my wife and I will begin getting Medicare. The logical thing to do get as much information as possible BEFORE you are faced with the commitments. Not the way the people that use the AARP tag to push their products see it.

I called the advertised number (1-800-495-9576) for the UnitedHealthcare Medicare supplement information. The girl asked several innocuous questions. One of which was my date of birth. No big deal. I am sure there are many people born on my birth date. Then asked if I was currently on Medicare. I told "no, not until next year." Here is the killer: "We cannot give you this information unless you are currently on Medicare." This was only supposed to be a request for a booklet of information. But their position was obviously to line you up with spending money by the end of the phone call.

I then called AARP. They claimed no connection with what the ad claimed. That is to supply you with information. Bear in mind the AARP logo is the largest print on the booklet you see on the TV ad. No matter. AARP is concerned only with the kickback. They are totally disinterested on whether these companies provide any service for their members. With that I advised the AARP representative that since they provided no useful assistance, service and/or information when our membership expired it would not be renewed. Not that they care in the least. But I felt better.

PENNSYLVANIA -- Attempting to receive a less expensive Auto Insurance policy, I decided to go with what was advertised as The AARP Auto Insurance program. What arrived was a company called The Hartford? After going through the usual questions and required information over the telephone. I sent in my 6 month advance payment. What arrived next, was a complicated 18 plus page form to fill out and sign. Page after page of statements and complicated legalese, with my signature in more than several places.

After completing what I thought was the required info, I was informed by a phone call, that I had not signed the forms. A second set was sent to me, and I went through the lengthy and complicated process all over again. This time with The Hartford's agent over the telephone. Three weeks passed when I received a notice from the State of Pennsylvania, stating that it had been reported to them that my auto policy had been canceled. New forms and legalese from the state to sign, that I had not driven my vehicles while the policy and been canceled.

The Hartford had notified the state of the cancellation, thus causing my insurance rate to go up. Essentially the Hartford told me that some part of the form had not been signed, and there was nothing I could do about it. They left me scrambling for a new policy, thanks to the Hartford, now at a higher rate too. It cost me 265.00 to find a new auto insurance policy and pronto.

The additional auto insurance forms are going to be real trouble in the state of Pennsylvania and The Hartford is going to screw you if make some understandable mistake on these things. Like miss a signature somewhere on these lengthy and confusing things!

We do not live in a Nazi Police State where insurance companies like the Hartford have the right to report unsigned documents to the authorities and compile a dossier on you, the irrelevant discarded customer. My advice is to refrain from using the AARP and The HARTFORD. Pennsylvania is also going to have a huge quagmire of problems over these silly and what should be unnecessary forms.

KANSAS CITY, KANSAS -- I have had AARP for years and along with it, I have been insured by The Hartford. In 2006 I was insuring the home and (2) two vehicles, a car and a truck. In February 2007 I sold the truck and called Hartford to have it removed from my policy. In 2008 I got my insurance bill and the truck was still included. I call to remind the Hartford about the truck being sold last year and the agreement was to give the credit on this year, 2008, balance of the bill.

Yes I know I could have gotten the money back and put it in the bank and drawn interest but I figured Hartford would do the same and reward me by reducing the principal of truck plus interest. They forgot me! I got this all worked out after spending about 5 hours of my time on the phone. On January of 2008 I got online to get my amount due and I paid the amount for the year. If the amount was right or wrong or low for my rebate, I just paid it to be done with time spent.

I did check other companies for house insurance and the quotes came in by the 10€™s and all were less in price than Hartford with more coverage. I called The Hartford and explained how long I had been with them and AARP, and that I had never had a claim. I suggested that The Hartford lower my house insurance so I could continue my coverage. I called two times to plead with them and even got a letter telling me they were to stay at the price quoted, about $300.00 more or about 35% than others quoted as Allstate, etc.

I last left an e-mail telling The Hartford that it is clear they don'€™t want my business. I never heard another thing from them 'til this week. I got an additional bill wanting me to re-pay for my auto insurance that was paid in full for a year on the 16th of January 2008. I regret leaving the AARP after all these years, but the Hartford is leaving me no choice. Inflated prices, rude service and no consideration for claim free service from loyal customers has driven me away. Please get quotes on your insurance next year before you trust AARP/The Hartford.