Car Insurance

[hatt]

Who has the best rates in FL? We've had State Farm forever but they have to raise rates every time they renew the policies. It's been a minor annoyance until they raised homeowners $900. We just ditched them for homeowners and saved 40%. Now they boosted up car because we ditched homeowners.

I've gotten online quotes from Geico and 21st. 21st is much cheaper than SF. Anyone have 21st?

 

[mstuhr]

switch

Hi hatt,
I went back and forth between two companies for years. Both agents were named 'Bob". Every year when I would get my rates raised I'd leave and go to the other Bob who would slip me the "Get em signed up" price.
One of them asked why I come and go every other year. I told him if he would quit raising my rates I'd hang around.
That was tens of years ago. Bob has had to raise my rates some but I have been treated fair ever since we worked things out.
Talk to your agent. See what you can work out and don't be afraid to go somewhere else if you can find a better deal your agent wont match.
Good luck
Mike

 

[hatt]

I called them with the homeowner nonsense. They raised it $900 and when I called they were talking about how I could reduce my coverage and save $100. I'm done with State Farm. Two decades is enough. A "good neighbor" doesn't punch you in the mouth every six months to a year lol. I pay them thousands, never file a claim, and they reward me with increases.

The Geico rate was already lower than the old State Farm premium. The 21st was real low.

 

[old bear]

In my limited experience Geico is great until you have a claim..

 

[gunlovingirl]

I can't comment to Fla. rates, but I have Geico for my cars. They were the cheapest I found. I went with Traveller's for my homeowners, through Geico, and since I took it 4 years ago, they have raised my premium every year when it renews. And not by just a couple dollars. I complained, but that got me nowhere. I checked around, hoping I could get a better rate from another company, but they were all close or more than I'm paying now.

 

[writerinmo]

I use USAA for my auto insurance, they beat the heck out of everyone's prices. I was with Progressive until I heard about their anti-gun stance and went calling around. USAA was half the price. Progressive called me, wanted a chance to meet the new quote. I asked them " If you had lower prices, then why wasn't I getting them?" When I told them I was with USAA they just said "Well, we can't meet their prices" so if you're ex-military they'd be the way to go IMHO.

 

[hatt]

The reviews I've been reading on 21st aren't so hot. Of course if you haven't filed a claim in 20 years the first time you get a suspect company you'll have to file and get the run around.

 

[chief38]

When it comes to insurance in ANY State, I can say there is NO real "Best Company". I have had insurance from a particular Company and I have recommended them to friends that live within a half mile of me. They get totally different rates! Why.............. don't know! It seems to be a very individualized thing.

I just recently switched insurance Companies for my Harley. After saving almost 400 bucks a year, I told a bunch of my riding buddies about it and they called as well. About half switched because of significant savings, while others said only a few dollars a year was not worth switching for. We all live close by and we all have similar Bikes. Go Figure! I think Insurance Company's run credit checks, look at your profile, motor vehicle record for tickets and accidents. I think you will just have to shop around for the best deal for YOU.

Chief38

 

[oldman45]

I hate insurance companies, especially those writing car insurance. Paying out $1500 a month in insurance is not fun. Getting the best deal is difficult. Many people are under insured and many more is not insured at all. This raises the rates for the rest of us.

Where you live will effect the insurance rate you pay on car insurance. I can move 5 miles east of here and pay 20% more for insurance since the rates are based on area claim rates as well as other things like credit ratings.

Yet people do not always compare apples to apples when buying insurance. A lot of the surplus line companies only write state minimums and still charge more than mainline companies for larger policies. Louisiana has low minimums and I think they should raise them but insurance here is still high due to the amount of claims in Shreveport and New Orleans.

I will suggest to anyone that their policy include uninsured motorist and medical payments. Also remember when price shopping that you can be responsible for any damages above your liability limits when or if you have an accident in which you are at fault. In 1986, I worked a case where a lady hit a child that ran into the road. He was damaged for life and she had a small policy. I testifed in the court trial where the child's family was suing her for excess damages. The Judge awarded the family 20% of her earnings that likely would be for her life since interest on the damages is pretty much more than what she is paying.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

Two suggestions: First, you can't have enough insurance. The "minimum" required (for automobile) by state law can be a joke. Many of these won't cover the cost of a high priced SUV, let alone extensive medical expenses. Second, consider an "umbrella" policy. That takes over after your regular policy is exhausted. We pay $ 40.00 per month (extra) for 2 million in coverage, and that includes civil law suits, property claims, etc. I would suggest a starting place for car insurance is 500,000.00.
And be sure and research the company you buy from. Having a low rate saves money but if you have a claim and need to fight with them that's not much of a savings. Now that I've said that, one other consideration is your asset base, what have you got to lose? If you're living in a rented apartment on ss with no savings it's unlikely you'll get sued since there's nothing to gain. So the bottom line is simply this. You carry insurance to protect your assets. What you have for assets, and how much you want to spend to protect them, is an individual decision.

 

[jadecraft19]

The Hartford of course!! I’ve been with them for years and they’ve kept my rates low, given me discounts and handled my claims beautifully. I compare car insurance rates every now and then just to make sure I’m not getting gypped, but so far nobody has given me a better deal.