Dan Baird bought out my old State Farm auto agent and I stayed with them. Later I switched from my State Farm homeowners' agent - whom I had inherited when I bought my house (and who lived in Taylor). Consolidating the two made sense, and I chose Dan Baird since he was in town. The staff has been great - I've never seen any disorganization - but I'm very disorganized and they've been very helpful and cheerful when I've come to them in a dithering frenzy.

I've felt like I was on my own when I've made claims - I hear there are agents who actually help you negotiate with the company. That had not been my experience with Dan Baird. I had minor home owner claims with my previous State Farm agent (the Taylor one) and those claims were processed more smoothly, but that was 30 years ago and times are different now, so who knows for sure if it was the agency, State Farm, or the industry.

I'm in the middle of a claim now, and depending on how much longer it takes, I might begin looking for a different agent. I live by another State Farm office, and have been tempted to stop and talk to them, but haven't so far.

Late-breaking news - I just heard from the newest inspector after a call to John at the Dan Baird office - they seem to think that they will have this in the works sooner than the Main Office in Dallas would commit to. So.....they just got another star - I was thinking about giving them three, but this makes it a 4.

This location works very well for me because I find myself frequently running to north Austin for errands and business. It is right across the highway from the neighborhood H-E-B and the Domain. I have had a great experience with the staff and Dan. The staff takes great care to make me feel comfortable and go over which options are best for my needs. I have received valuable information and suggestions from Dan and I feel like it is very rare to receive the kind of attention and customer satisfaction given in his office. It is a comfort to me and my family knowing that we are insured with such a great business and agent.

I get the feeling these people do not know entirely what they are doing. When I went in to take out an auto policy, I worked with a middle aged woman who acted as if I was the first auto customer the office ever had. It was disheartening to say the least. She had to keep stopping to get help from the receptionist I believe. Thanks goodness she was there or this could have taken all day.

The saving grace is that State Farm is a great company.