Auto Insurance. Your Thoughts?

[indolikaa]

Yao!

The Khan family has been with Allstate for a long time. However...


We were just offered a rate quote from 21st Century auto insurance. They mirrored our coverages on all three vehicles and their premium was 44% lower than Allstate for identical coverage! And their cost for maximum coverage on all three vehicles is less than what we're paying now for full coverage on one and liability only on the other two. By about $200 per term.

This almost sounds like a 'too good to be true' scenario, except a few friends in Albuquerque carry 21st Century and are completely happy. One had an accident earlier this year, and has no complaints about the claims process with 21st.

I'm not unhappy with Allstate, but the differences in quotes was astounding. Anybody have positive or negative feedback to offer?

.indo.

[Faustus]

Dont use either, I use Farm Bureau (sp?) but for much the same reason. No complaints with them either, they didn't even raise my rates after my fairly minor wreck. (my old company would have)

If your current company has you going through an agent, make sure he's aware that your entertainting offers because they are much cheaper. He may try to see what he can do for you to keep you.

My family has used the same agent forever for our cars, no parents boat, and now my younger brother uses him. Though he often does not have much direct control its nice to be able to pick up a phone and say "Roger, why has my rate gone up?" and know he'll really look into the problem.

The second he hears my name he knows who I am because thats his job, and he's a nice guy.

[stiltman]

Had Allstate for a long time, then I went to State Farm. Been real happy with them. I have all my insurance through them. They know they'll loose a big client for this local agent if I'm not happy....Actually, I got my whole family on with this agent...I'm not worried about anything for right now, and no one has been able to match the rates I'm getting

[northcat_8]

First I think all insurance is a major rip off.

Something I have found out here recently.
My car insurance has been with the same company for 15 years. Last spring I added my son. My premium went up to $1902 per 6 months...that's pretty expensive. In May they double billed me, so I called and they said I could pay both payments in June...which I was preparing to do when I got a notice saying that my insurance ran out on such and such date. Called my agent who I know personally...he lives 3 miles away. Now I would have thought that if there was a problem he would have called me, stopped by....you know mentioned it in one of the 6 times I saw him in early June...he didn't. So I found myself without car insurance.

So I went shopping and my first stop was Geico (because of the commercial). Their quote was $1857 per half. Then they quoted me:
Nationwide $2000
Progressive $2100
Allstate $1256

Now bear in mind that on our driving records my wife has one accident, she was at fault but no citation was issued. There are no speeding tickets for anyone (including myself). So only one mark and that was in June of 03'.

I asked the guy at Geico why the major difference and he didn't know. So I call up Allstate and asked them.

Turns out that some insurance companies take into account who drives what car. Now I thought that before and my old insurance company always asked who drove which car. My son drives the one with only Liability coverage on it...because he is the most "at risk" driver. Turns out that even though my insurance company asked that, and I told them that, they still put the most at risk driver on the highest coverage vehicle. So my son was being insured to drive my Tahoe at full coverage. Allstate however, asked and put him on the 91' GMC 4x4 truck that he drives, put me on the Tahoe and my wife on her car. We are all still insured to drive any of the vehicles (I asked). That pissed me off because I've paid way too much for car insurance and my agent was a friend (which I'm pretty sure he understands we are not friends now and will never be again).

So with my knew found knowledge I went shopping a little smarter, turns out I found a company who only insures people in the National Education Association and my car insurance is now $1125 per 6 months...which I still think is highway robbery but is a far cry from the $1902 that I was paying.

I don't know if you have any kids driving but that is something to keep in mind. Also different insurance companies have different lengths of time that you can be without coverage. Allstate is 5 days. So if you are planning on changing companies make sure your coverage is solid straight through or they have to put you through on a "non-prefered" listing. Some are 30 days.

[tekkieman]

I was with State Farm for 10 years. Never had a complaint with them on our auto coverage. Also had two houses insured with them. When they started screwing me on homeowners rates, and I complained, I was told "Tough, that's the market, and most companies aren't issuing new policies, so if you leave, you can't come back, and your car insurance will go up as well because you lose the multiline discount".

So, I sold the house, started renting, and also started shopping for new auto insurance. I got in on USAA, and our rates went down by over $60 a month, and we make 5 payments for a 6 month term, so we have one month with no payment. Now I can't say what their claim service is like since I haven't filed an auto insurance claim in over 7 years, but the coverage is actually better than what we had with State Farm.

Of course, I agree with northcat... major ripoff period!

edit: I did receive rebate checks from State Farm every year. Not much, usually like $30-$40, but since I was overpaying them more than $800 a year .....

[stiltman]

So with my knew found knowledge I went shopping a little smarter, turns out I found a company who only insures people in the National Education Association and my car insurance is now $1125 per 6 months...which I still think is highway robbery but is a far cry from the $1902 that I was paying..

God, I hope you're not talking about California Casualty????? They give great deals to the NEA and other State EAs..but just wait for your first claim....I know...

[northcat_8]

I think their name started with a "P" but I will check it out. I just signed up with them a week or so ago.

Thanks for the heads up...and if it is that company, and I have a claim and they do not fall in line with their responsibility, well I guess they will the "rebate scam" treatment.

[thayne]

I have USAA, I don't think anyone beats them. I live in California, drive a 2003 Sport SUV (2 door V-6) and pay like $900 per year for full coverage $150,000 liability and $500 deductable on collision and $250 on anything else.

I had a claim a few years ago and it was no problem, they even sent the guy to me and paid it right away.

And, I also get a dividen check from them once per year for around $100 so I really only pay $800 a year. I also just called them for a quote on a 2004 Honda Shadow Aero 750 and full coverage would only increase my premium $50 per year.

[DVD_Ripper]

I live outside of Philadelphia and due to my proximity to the city our insurance rates are outrageous.

Two vehicles, one new and one 3 yrs old = $2,500 per year. F__ing nuts.

When I lived in Waco, Tx (Yea, I'll admit it) I had a new BMW 3x and it was only $300.00 a year.

Low lifes from Philly causing over the top rates.... I'm sure some people from NJ will chime in with even higher rates than me.

[flaninacupboard]

i paid £850 ($1,600) for one years third party insurance on a 3 door hatchback. this was the cheapest quote i got, the most being £1,600 ($3,000)

This for a car which cost £600 ($1,100) and it's not even covered if i crash the car, and i'd have to pay out the first £250 of a claim myself.

Being young sucks sometimes

[Capmaster]

I had been using State Farm for years and years and I thought with the good driver discounts I was getting a break. Then a friend at work tipped me off about an agent in town for Farmer's.

This guy found little things to save us money like the fact we didn't need to purchase uninsured motorist coverage for all the cars, only one of them, and all would be covered by that. Also, by carefully assigning each driver to the optimum car for them, the rates drop again, like if you had a Viper and a 16-year-old male driver, you wouldn't assign him that car

Also, that if there are more drivers than cars, all become part-time by definition and the rates really drop, so he suggested adding my sister-in-law, who doesn't even live with us, as a driver of our cars. She agreed, we did, and the rate we pay for the same coverage now is about half of what State Farm had been charging us

[shoozleboy]

Had State Farm for 15 years. Home, Auto, and Life.

Just switched 18 months ago to Erie Insurance... second largest in the state of PA (behind State Farm) and the rates were almost half what I was paying with SF.

I do the monthly pay plan... was paying $60 a month for my wife's 98 Blazer for full coverage and $35 a month for the Jeep for me. When I went to trade in the Jeep on a used 97 Tahoe - SF wanted to jack my rates up to $90 a month for it!!! That and the the nice little letter they sent me regarding the rates of homeowners in PA going up for Home insurance because of 'market conditions'..... never had a claim and my rates went no where but up! Now I pay $85 a month for both vehicles and full coverage....even less than what I paid for the Jeep with half and the Blazer with full..

Well, Erie came through with Home and Auto at a much lower rate than what SF would match and I have been happy ever since. My parents and sisters all had their insurance through the same agent and they all left too for lower rates.. most of them went to All State.... they had some issues with their driving and Erie is pretty particular on who they take on....

[handyguy]

Well I use Farmers. But only pay $160 for 6 months. When I need a 0 deductible like when renting a car, I just ask them to give me that. That costs about $1.25 per day & generates a lot of paperwork for them.

[Burning Zombie]

I have been a State Farm Customer for 4 + Years Now. My rates are not reasonable, but, I don't drive reasonable Transportation either.

Insurance for a 2003 Mustang GT costs me $1255 a year

Thats with a $500 Deductible Comp and Coll.
Towing and Rental
100,00/300,000 Liability Full Tort
25,000 Medical
10,000 Death
50,000 Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist

I also have a Renter's Policy with them, $257 a year for $100,000 in Coverage.

I called GEICO, Gotta love the gecko.

Same Coverage (Car Only) $7,946 a year.....

"15 mins will cost you 500% or more on car Insiurance"

What a crock of Shit! I have no Tickets, No Accidents, yet I pay a High Premium... I have been driving for close to 17 years... I know alot of it is the Car, and where I live (Baltimore, MD) but I mean come on, Thats just a bit ludacris!

[Capmaster]

Big factors: Are you single? Are you under 25? Are you male? Are you under 18?

[Burning Zombie]

Divorced & 33yrsold

[gitreel]

Indo,

I have some good news.

I am taking you out of the game.
You are leaving Jessica, and
You can save a bunch of money by switching to Geico.

[VideoTechMan]

I also think insurance is a major ripoff.....whats worse, most states force you to have it or else you cant renew your license or car registration. Currently im with Geico, but ive been told that they charge too much....I pay like $528 every 6 months but since I live in Michigan, the state also requires us to have "no fault' insurance, which raises the cost a bit.

Nationwide.....they are nothing but crooks....my mom was with them several years ago, and when she had a minor accident, the company went there and forged her name on a document saying that she didnt have the PIP protection which she would have received for that accident. My mom eventually found out about it and sued them. She won with a nice settlement afterward.

The thing about young drivers (those under 25), they will always pay through the nose for insurance since they are highest risk, especially for males until they reach 25, provided they have no accidents or tickets. And in some states, once your child finally get their first driver's license, the insurance companies tend to find out and therefore make the parent add them to the insurance.

However, I have learned that in some cases, insurance companies also check your credit too in order to give you a quote...and if your credit is bad...either you will get a high rate or they wont insure you at all.

My 14-year old brother was telling me about when he gets to drive....of course I reminded him that I dont believe that mom would be willing to pay the extra cost insurance-wise for him to drive

I am glad I am over 25....im over pretty much all of the age barriers from the different companies out there

VTM

[tweedledee]

Here in Melbourne I pay $410 US dollars per year for a new $30,000 car, not bad when I look at your rates.

[indolikaa]

Indo,

I have some good news.

I am taking you out of the game.
You are leaving Jessica, and
You can save a bunch of money by switching to Geico.

Bad.


For the record, we switched to 21st Century Insurance. When I called someone on the phone, I only had to wait on hold for about fifteen seconds, and he lowered my quote even more by making some subtle changes.

We'll see how well this works...

[Greg12]

Insurance needs to be taken to court because i'm 18 (almost 19) white male and I drive a POS 1984 Crown Victoria. I dont have car damange coverage just injury.

They raise my rates every time although i've never hit anyone, got hit by anyone, got a ticket or filled a claim.

[VideoTechMan]

i'm 18 (almost 19) white male

Thats why you have the high rates, my friend. Every male until they reach the age of 25 has to suffer with high insurance premiums because of the high risk drivers in that age-group, whether you have an accident or not. To be honest, Insurance companies dont consider you "mature" until age 25, and thats if you have no accidents. It really sucks but unfortunately thats how they run.

VTM

[thayne]

I have been a State Farm Customer for 4 + Years Now. My rates are not reasonable, but, I don't drive reasonable Transportation either.

Insurance for a 2003 Mustang GT costs me $1255 a year

Thats with a $500 Deductible Comp and Coll.
Towing and Rental
100,00/300,000 Liability Full Tort
25,000 Medical
10,000 Death
50,000 Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist

I also have a Renter's Policy with them, $257 a year for $100,000 in Coverage.

I called GEICO, Gotta love the gecko.

Same Coverage (Car Only) $7,946 a year.....

"15 mins will cost you 500% or more on car Insiurance"

What a crock of Shit! I have no Tickets, No Accidents, yet I pay a High Premium... I have been driving for close to 17 years... I know alot of it is the Car, and where I live (Baltimore, MD) but I mean come on, Thats just a bit ludacris!

Call USAA, I'm serious you'll get a better price. The car price you have isn't that bad for the car, but you're getting ripped on renters ins. I think I paid $60 a year when I had it, my home owners is quite a bit higher, but renters insurance should be cheap....