Liberty Mutual commercials...

px_eliezer_

In the pilot episode of “Man Men”, ad executive Don Draper said that Lucky Strike cigarettes are better because they’re “toasted”.

His buddies said, well ALL the brands are toasted.

Draper responded:

“No. Everybody else’s tobacco is poisonous. Lucky Strike’s… is toasted.”

So consider Liberty Mutual.

Their whole ad campaign is based on “Only pay for what you need” because it is “customizable”.

But EVERY car insurance is customizable, as allowed or even required by each state’s insurance regulations.

Nothing special there.

As well of course are the chronically annoying ads with the Emu.

Allstate, Progressive, Farmers have more interesting ads at this point, and don’t make the “customizable” claim.

dave

Well, yes. Pick something that is universally true and claim it as a advantage.

Let me tell you about the gluten-free oranges I have for sale.

takeahike

px_eliezer_

Not sure what everyone else is getting but when I had DirecTV I got nothing but Liberty Mutual and now just running off the Wi-Fi (without a direct service) about all I get is Progressive. It’s difficult to determine which is the most obnoxious. Often when you open a new tab in Firefox they have this ad of the “best” car insurance companies but the problem is that those listed are in fact the very worst, companies like State Farm, Farmers, Allstate, Progressive, with State Farm and Farmers so despicable with virtual denials arising out of the fires from the So. California fires in January 2025, Farmers allocating only $135,000 to this one couple and forcing them to move back into basically a rat-infested house when the contractors have in no uncertain terms advised that the only solution is a total rebuild from the studs costing $1.5 million, and State Farm sending out seven different adjusters to this one insured woman, each with a new and different excuse as to how the house can be saved when it is not possible to do so (these stories and others are on NBC’s series The Cost of Denial with Tom Llamas). I worked in the industry years back–I worked for one of the rare gems in the industry that was very fair with claims, but believe me I know that these stories are not only true but there are many that are even worse. See: State Farm May Lose Its California License.

In the aftermath of Los Angeles’ devastating 2025 wildfire season, California regulators have taken their most aggressive action yet against the insurance industry. This week, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced that California was pursuing legal action against State Farm, including the possible temporary suspension of its license. [keep reading–it gets better]

GeekGirl1

I wear out the battery on my remote because I hit “Mute” for every commercial. Every time. It’s much easier to read all the fine print disclaimers without the distracting audio.

If you think you’ve missed something, don’t worry. It will be repeated over and over again.

dave

takeahike but the problem is that those listed are in fact the very worst

That’s why the listed companies need saturation advertising.

dave

GeekGirl1 It’s much easier to read all the fine print disclaimers without the distracting audio.

The audio promiseth and the fine print taketh away.

Astyanax

px_eliezer_ But EVERY car insurance is customizable, as allowed or even required by each state’s insurance regulations.

Nothing special there.

Their quotes are even “FREE” too! OMG!

You can also get “special rates” if you have mostly nitrogen in your tires I bet!

takeahike

I was once listening to a radio program about the insurance industry when one of the guests said something about the industry’s desire to self regulate like some industries do. One commentator said that the insurance industry regulating itself would be like a bunch of fleas running a pest control convention.

Rock_cake

px_eliezer_ As well of course are the chronically annoying ads with the Emu.

Allstate, Progressive, Farmers have more interesting ads at this point, and don’t make the “customizable” claim.

The question is..which jingle is more of an earworm:
“Liberty, Liberty, Lib-er-ty, LIB-er-ty!”🎵🎵
or
“We. Are. Farmers! Bom, bom-bom, bom, BOM-BOM-BOM!” 🎵🎵

px_eliezer_

Rock_cake

I like the Farmers jingle better…

The NJM insurance folks (started as New Jersey Manufacturers) use the NJM slogan:
No Jingles or Mascots.

takeahike

Rock_cake

They can sing for their supper but it won’t be served to them at my house.

You left out: “Like ~~a good~~ an awful neighbor, State Farm is isn’t there.”

Beachie

I like the Mayhem (Allstate) commercials.

bjf123

The Progressive commercials with Dr. Rick helping people not turning into their parents hit a little too close to home sometimes!

takeahike

If anyone has good commercials it is GEICO. My parents had them for eons–my father worked in the post office and at first as the name implies they covered only government employees. Now they are owned by Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffett & Co.). When I was a teen and had my share of youthful accidents they always provided very good service to my folks in connection with that, and I also about 15 years ago as an adult had them for a while and had an accident, and their service for it was also very good, so unlike other companies I’ve mentioned in this thread they are not on my shit list.

ugly95

takeahike Oh man, anyone remember the Cavemen TV seires they adapted from the commercials? I’m not sure if it even lasted half a season.

px_eliezer_

bjf123
Those Progressive commercials with Dr Rick make fun of neurodivergent people.

JanJ

GeekGirl1
I do same on Roku Channel!

Heat84

Those of you complaining about the ads are still falling right into the trap. They don’t care why you talk about them. They just want you to talk about them. There’s no such thing as bad publicity. [Mod Edit to bring into compliance with Community Guidelines]

There was also the Cracker Barrel ads. But That might’ve been a trial balloon to see how people would like the changes they made to the restaurant. They rescinded the changes to the restaurants pretty quickly.

px_eliezer_

Heat84 Those of you complaining about the ads are still falling right into the trap. They don’t care why you talk about them. They just want you to talk about them. There’s no such thing as bad publicity.

Well there CAN be.

I was just discussing today with my family why I will NEVER go with Liberty Mutual.

There’s a guy who advertises on NYC radio stations how he can help you sell your house. But the commercials are VERY annoying because he makes them sound ON PURPOSE like you’re getting a cellphone call.

Annoying and dangerous, I will NEVER use him although I am sure some people will….

Heat84

What’s the current longest running ad campaign? The Gieco Gecko or the Flo Progressive commercials? Are there any longer than them? Although Flo has kind of been in the process of being phased out over the last few years. It’s mostly been the other people in those commercials doing those commercials.