Shopping for auto insurance...

[Beemerguy53]

I've had a very interesting experience with car insurance companies that I'd like to share with y'all...

Back in 2018, I bought a brand-new BMW M2, to be used strictly as a weekend toy and pleasure car. (My daily driver was, and is, my 2013 VW Golf R.)

At that time, I was with Insurance Company P. When I called them to get a quote to add the M2, I was given a price that almost doubled my annual premium...so I decided to check with a few other companies. Well, I got a quote from Insurance Company G that insured both my cars for only $40 or so more per month that I was paying for the Golf alone, so I switched companies.

Over the years, the cost of my policy with Insurance Company G has gone up slightly, a few dollars per month...until I got the latest renewal notice. My new premium was going to be about $30 per month more, with a 6-month policy costing $1065. I called the company and asked for an explanation, since I've had no tickets or claims. I was told that inflation is driving the cost of insurance premiums higher, and there isn't anything they can do about it. Hmmm...

I called the agent who handles my homeowner's policy (with Insurance Company LM). He did a little shopping for me, and got me a six-month policy for both cars with Insurance Company P -- which I had left back in '18 -- for $659...a savings of $406 over the six-month policy with Insurance Company G!

Shop around, friends, and do so regularly...these insurance companies are not your buddies, they are not loyal to you, and they don't really value your business. They think only in terms of the bottom line, and you should too...

 

[soFlaNative]

Replacement part costs, distracted drivers, zip codes etc. are some reasons rates are up but Miz Native and I have switched companies twice in the last five years or so. Seems as if an introductory rate is offered then jacked after a couple years even if no claims are filed.
Currently with a company with a business practice of which I am not a fan. Of all the companies who have dropped homeowner insurance coverage in Florida I feel none should be allowed to sell auto insurance.
Cherry pickers.

 

[cmj8591]

Just remember that sometimes you get what you pay for. They're all the same until you need to make a claim. Then you see why some cost more than others. People I know who have gone with the big commercial companies that you see on your TV all of the time, universally have difficulties when they actually need the insurance. When you research buying insurance remember to look at things other than cost. Cheaper is not always better.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Back in 2018, I bought a brand-new BMW M2, to be used strictly as a weekend toy and pleasure car. (My daily driver was, and is, my 2013 VW Golf R.)

Drifting a bit. Switzerland's license plates are linked to the owner, not the vehicle. Drivers can own a dozen cars, and simply attach their plate to whichever one they use.
Insurance is handled likewise. Drivers with only a single plate pay only the premium for the most expensive vehicle to insure.

Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk

 

[grover99]

Had insurance with same company for 48 years with the same agent for last 30 years. When he retired the service went in the toilet. Caught new agent trying to steal several thousands of dollars from my mother in law who had same insurance company. The agent went to jail and family found new company. If you qualify. Look at USAA. With their safe driver program my car insurance is cheaper than it has been in years.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Drifting a bit. Switzerland's license plates are linked to the owner, not the vehicle. Drivers can own a dozen cars, and simply attach their plate to whichever one they use.
Insurance is handled likewise. Drivers with only a single plate pay only the premium for the most expensive vehicle to insure.

Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk

What does one do with the plate when two vehicles must be driven at the same time . . . ?

 

[glenwolde]

Insurance company G hit me recently with a 40% increase. I shopped around and found the same coverage with insurance company NG that was 53% cheaper than insurance company G after their increase.

I think insurance company G is playing games. Hit you with a small increase 8 or 10 times then go for a big one.

Insurance has to be a tough business. It's got to be hard to differentiate your product.

 

[bigwheelzip]

What does one do with the plate when two vehicles must be driven at the same time . . . ?

I didn't know anyone who had two plates, but there was probably a mechanism to do so. The concept for the typical situation was that one person could only drive one car at a time, thus limiting insurance liability to one car at a time.
Drivers there keep their plates forever, even when they don't currently have a car (insurance agent holds it). When they get a car, they call an insurance agent for coverage and place their permanent tag on the current vehicle.

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[dockmurgw]

Insurance cost here is higher than a chinese balloon. I insure through a local co-op that only insures in VT and NH...said another way, no hurricanes and less densely populated area. For my home, barn, 2 garages, office building, a late model F150 and Dodge Durango, and my new Kubota tractor...$142 a month on autopay...outrageous!

 

[johngalt]

I used to hear horror stories about Geico, back in the day when I lived in MD. Supposedly they were cheap.

Until you filed a claim.

 

[SMSgt]

What does one do with the plate when two vehicles must be driven at the same time . . . ?

Think about that for a moment... The owner would have only one tag. Is it attached to the owner? Or attached to the driver, which every driver has a tag. I hope the tags are velcro attached.

 

[martyd]

I complained to my agent this year due to almost a 20% insurance increase.

He told me to check out a website which Arizona's DOT publishes auto information.

2020 2021
Accidents 99,100 121,345 22.45% change
Per Day 272 332
Daily Deaths 2.8 3.2 11.95% change
Daily Injuries 114 141 24.3 % change

Speed limit on the freeways in the Phoenix Valley is 65 mph
ACTUAL average speed is 80 mph

Speed limit on city streets in the Phoenix Valley is 35 - 45 mph
ACTUAL average speed is 60-65 mph

I asked him why don't they use camera/radar and send tickets to the drivers.

He said they did - but - a lawyer took them to court saying the law is quite clear that you have the right to address your accuser there for this method of speed control was illegal - the courts agreed with the lawyer.

I came back stating that today video/computer surveillance is accepted, maybe the insurance companies should lobby the legislature and get the law amended. They tried but could not get it through.

The cause is quite clear! Speed and distraction.

Fix the cause!

Note:
I live in Surprise, AZ. The police here are quite active with motorcycle officers and radar and get a lot of the speeders. But are more active with catching people who run traffic lights with is about 45% of the accidents in Surprise.

 

[meaneyedcatz]

Correct, insurance companies are not your good neighbor. It’s business and only business.

If the OP is referring to Progressive as insurance company P then I suggest you keep searching, IMO.
They have got to the worst in terms of getting you vehicle back to pre accident condition. They constantly walk over dollars trying to save THEIR dime in repairing the vehicle.
If there is questionable damage then 99% of the time they will deny and leave what could be related unrepaired.

 

[Marine Corps Air]

I agree with the previous comments, while rates are important, equally or more important is the insurance company response when you have a claim.

I call my insurance company every six months when my policy is renewed. My wife and I have perfect driving records - no tickets. No accidents.

My insurance company responses include:

1. The state insurance commissioner sets the rates, plus

2. In the Atlanta area, many people do not buy automobile insurance. They are the worst drivers with really bad accident records. This also affects the "Uninsured Motorist" rates;

3. The cost of labor, repairs, parts, etc. has increased;

4. And from my own personal experience, according to the investigating police officer, in my area we have 10-12 accidents per day in which the offender intentionally leaves the scene of the accident. I hope that they all get an incurable STD case!



Cheers,

Bill

 

[bigwheelzip]

Think about that for a moment... The owner would have only one tag. Is it attached to the owner? Or attached to the driver, which every driver has a tag. I hope the tags are velcro attached.

Owners put their tag on whichever of their cars they want on the road at the moment, but any licensed driver can use it.

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[H Richard]

I have been with State Farm for many years. Currently I insure (full coverage and $0 deductible on comprehensive) $500 deductible Collision. on both cars. 2017 Buick Enclave and a 2010 Hyunda Sante Fe for a total of $633.47 for both for 6 months.

 

[Beemerguy53]

...I think insurance company G is playing games. Hit you with a small increase 8 or 10 times then go for a big one...

Apparently that's exactly the strategy they employed in my case. It's funny: If they had increased my rate by only a few dollars, as they had been doing, I would scarcely have noticed it, but hitting me with that big increase prompted me to shop around.

 

[dave1918a2]

While Your car might not be a collector car, I would check with Hagarty collector car insurance. You might have to sign a mileage waiver but it is replacement ins and very reasonable. I have it on My 2001 corvette. $424/year.

 

[LVSteve]

Some of you crack me up by not actually naming the company. There are other members who get all squirmy about naming other makes of guns...in the "Other Firearms" forum, no less. I have no such qualms about naming, praising, or shaming as needed.

 

[LVSteve]

Insurance cost here is higher than a chinese balloon. I insure through a local co-op that only insures in VT and NH...said another way, no hurricanes and less densely populated area. For my home, barn, 2 garages, office building, a late model F150 and Dodge Durango, and my new Kubota tractor...$142 a month on autopay...outrageous!

Did you miss putting a wink at the end of your post? $142/ month is $1704/year. My house insurance in Vegas with less buildings is about $1100/year. Insuring three vehicles is $2900/year, but much of that is down to NV's laws on car insurance and the "uninsured motorist" penalty that is pretty high here.

The uninsured motorist thing has got to the point where I think LE has taken to impounding cars with no insurance. They certainly do when they find a car driven with no valid license, another affliction in this area. Scanner traffic also indicates that they are still finding cars with expired registrations from the middle to second half of 2020. Wonder why that was?