Steve Bauer – State Farm Insurance Agent

Why haven’t I reviewed Steve and his staff yet? I don’t know! I just contacted him with a question and I thought about posting a Unilocal review. His practice is superb. I’ve been with him from the beginning, when he took over Dwight Howland’s agency years ago. Steve is the best, and any questions, changes, or problems that arise, I receive an answer quickly. I’m glad that another reviewer mentioned Yolanda, since every transaction I’ve had with her has been handled professionally and in a very pleasant and efficient manner. With the business practices of so many companies deteriorating, it’s great to find someone who practices high standards.

I needed a copy of our car insurance and Yolanda Allen-​Hill sent an email copy within the hour. I was also pleasantly surprised that she still worked here after first speaking to her maybe 6 years ago. With the turnaround these days, it’s nice to know you can get the same great service from good people consistently! Thank you Yolanda!

I’ve been an auto and home-​owner client with Steve ever since he took over the agency, and with his predecessor Dwight Howland before that. I’ve made a number of claims through the years, including one involving a really bad auto accident, and have always found the service to be prompt, helpful, knowledgeable, and fair, on the part of both Steve’s office and State Farm itself. I’m sorry to see that others have had trouble with State Farm, because that certainly hasn’t been my experience. I would recommend Steve Bauer’s agency without reservation.

We have been working with Steve Bauer for almost 20 years, and he has always been prompt, efficient, knowledgeable and helpful. Highly recommended.

WARNING: You might be underinsured. Replacement coverage and constructions costs have gone up!!! Your agent might not be staying on top of this. Be careful.
Steve Bauer has been my agent for many years. I have my car and home coverage with him. He has made sure I am properly covered. He even came to my home!
My home has many custom features, which requires additional coverage. I recently spoke with two top builders in the area who praised Steve on his accuracy. They also said most people do not have the coverage they need to rebuild if they had a complete loss.
I have had one claim on my home coverage and one claim on my car. The claims process was well handled, thorough and quickly resolved.
Steve also saved me money on my car insurance too!!! I get a special discount because my yearly mileage is low.
Steve is always accessible. He NEVER neglects my calls and always answers my questions. This is important to me.

Our parked car was hit by an underinsured driver, and it was a total loss. State Farm nickle and dimed us with sub-​par repairs and after-​market parts to avoid a payout. We are now taking a huge loss, and are being forced to drive a sub-​par version of our new car. This was how we were treated, even though we had all of our policies with State Farm. Though Steve is a decent enough insurance agent, I would not recommend State Farm for anyone who wants an insurance company to be on their side after an accident. It sucks to have to fight your own insurance agent.

I called up to speak with Steve, but a lady that works for him answered and said he was unavailable. My goal was to network with him, so that my company could recommend a good insurance person to our clients. This lady was extremely rude, saying that she wasn’t interested, and refused to answer any questions. Then she said «I don’t need to waste my time with this, I’d rather spend it with my customers.» I very politely said thanks, and that I would follow up, and then asked her name. She laughed at me, and said «Yeah right. Goodbye» and hung up on me.
Steve has awesome reviews, but I guess some of the people he hires have no concept of etiquette, courtesy, or professionalism. I was basically trying to send them free business. If I had been a potential customer myself, I would NEVER had followed up with them after service like that. I have dealt with rude people many times, but this was so severe that it really put me off. It’s too bad that he has put so much time and effort into customer service, only to have his employee destroy his reputation.
I guess I’ll send my clients to someone who appreciates them.

As a professional photographer I need to send out proof of my insurance more often than people would think. Wedding venues, banks, and parks are all places that need to see proof of insurance for me to set up my productions in them. Steve’s office has always been amazingly helpful when I need to send out these forms.

Steve and his staff are a congenial, professional example of local business done the way it is supposed to be. If you long for the personal service and touch that seems to be lost in the corporate, generic trend toward one-​size-​fits all and outsourcing, you’ll be especially pleased. We have renter’s insurance from Steve for 6 years, with computer replacement rider, and they have customized our insurance, send us holiday cards, and generally come off as healthy, happy people. Highly recommended.

Steve Bauer and his staff are fantastic.
As a business owner I have worked with many different insurance people over the years and Steve is by far the very best of the lot. He is always quick to respond, knowledgable, thorough and friendly. I always have a sense that he’s looking out for me. I recommend Steve Bauer without reservation.
David Trachtenberg, AIA

Summary based on many years experience:
–always helpful
–ok cost
I guess I might be able to save money shopping around, but, over the years State Farm+Dwight and now Steve and their employees have done fine by me. Can’t say the same for others.

I have had three State Farm agents in Oakland and Berkeley, and Steve is the best by far. He and his staff are efficient, knowledgeable, and friendly. I have no hesitation at all recommending Steve.