I never quite understood what the Duck was selling, but I know damn well I'd never buy a anything off that slimy Brit lizard. You can tell he's a carny hustler. ;~))
Seriously, if those companies thought they had a really good product, something better than the competition, they would not resort those gimmick ad campaigns. They would not need to.
I used to hear great things about USAA insurance from those who had it. I don't really remember hearing about them anywhere but by word-of-mouth before a few years ago (now they're advertising pretty heavily).
I looked into it quite a while back, but at that time, for some reason, I didn't qualify for it (I think I'd been out of the service too long, or some such), but they've since opened themselves up to a much greater range of people these days.
When I looked again, they were more expensive than my current insurance, so I didn't go with them, but I've still heard so much good about them, I may have to check into it again, as my insurance company can't even seem to get my bills/payments right.
Actually I think the lizzard is an Aussie, not a Brit, LOL