I don't know as much about the credit reports, other than they are most likely soft pulls. Raising rates shouldn't be taken personally when it is out of the blue like in Baileys example. Insurance companies will target a market and lower process to do so. Then when they aren't making money on that market and look to target another market; they'll adjust the rates to what they should be. They don't care if people leave that market because it isn't making money anyway.

Auto insurance is where money is made. Anyone can sell auto insurance and make money. I think a good rule of thumb is that any auto only company will have better auto rates than a company that also sells personal home owners.

Mtnrider, your friend was making commission, and getting bonuses at certain sales levels. MOST agencies don't pull in nearly that much money. I'm not sure there is a business in the world that just stockpiles money year after year like people think insurance companies do.