Shopping Your Auto Insurance

by Car Insurance Guy » Tue Nov 25, 2008 04:21 am

I've been with the same car insurance company for nearly 2 decades. I'm sure I would have looked around a lot sooner if I hadn't worked for the company.

Still, last month I finally did it. I got 7 different quotes from other insurance companies and bought a different policy. Amazingly enough I'm saving $43/month by going with GEICO. (I do not work for GEICO nor am I getting paid to say this.) They weren't the only company that was as cheap, but they got my business because of a good quote experience. I'm hoping it will work out.

Has anyone shopped their auto policy or policies recently?
If so, did you switch and why?

Total Comments: 9

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:00 am Post Subject:

Congratulations buddy :D at this financial scenario every dollar counts and $43 is certainly a great amount to save every month. I'm sure you have compared rates with benefits before signing the plan. Geico surely offer great rates and coverage, but still to be at the safe side you're required to read the policy paper several times before accepting the policy.

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:13 am Post Subject:

Has anyone shopped their auto policy or policies recently?

I've had the same company and agent for over 30 years...I figure if and when she retires (he has) I'll shop then...I'm just sure I can save money, but for now I'm quite loyal to them..(I also worked at this company for ten years, however was insured there PRIOR to working for them)...Now if lifes battles put me in a dire position I'd HAVE to shop and the great thing about it is, this couple would total understand and probably try and help me...they are awsome people, and one of the few agents I know that NEVER got ugly about their clients having claims...in fact they always said, ''That's what they buy ins for..if there were no claims I wouldn't be able to sell ANY policys"....just lovely people...

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 10:42 am Post Subject:

at this financial scenario every dollar counts and $43 is certainly a great amount to save every month.



I'd also like to mention one point over here, two decades before the OP was at greater risk of causing accident, since he was younger. The rate also change with the age, driving record and experience of the driver, i.e. more experienced you become you may get better rates. Some insurance companies also offer discounts to their loyal customers.

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2008 11:36 pm Post Subject: insurance

I have Nationwide for my auto insurance. About 5 ( or so..) years ago, I got my first vehicle. Got the registration, insurance, title, etc. I went to Progressive for car insurance. I was paying $90.00, per month, just for 'liability'. I din't go out and quote anyone else. I probably should have, though. I had progressive for about 1 year...seems like everytime I turned around, their rates were increasing. By the time I changed insurance companies, my payment was $120.00 with Progressive. Well.........needless to say I went to another insurance company. I went to Nationwide..........my 'liability' is $40.00 now. Actually...........the payment went alittle lower in the past year, with Nationwide. Since I din't have insurance with Progressive, they tried to 'turn me in' to the state of PA...stating I din't have car insurance coverage. I was sent a letter, from the state asking for "proof that I carried insurance." Of course I faxed them my policy, with nationwide and ALSO sent them a Certified letter with a copy of the policy. I think Progressive is a very 'crooked' agency. My opionion, of course.

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:04 am Post Subject:

I have Nationwide myself. They aren't too bad but I have found better rates elsewhere. I was like Lori and would not switch do to loyalty but it has to be loyaty on both sides. I may switch just haven't thought a whole lot into it at this point. I have heard of alot of people switching to Geico. I wonder how easy they are to deal with and how propmt they are in the claims department.

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 12:50 pm Post Subject:

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One point I'd like to mention is that most all Insurance Co.'s are *nice* to deal with while you are sending them Dollar$ in exchange for a Paper Promise year after year.

[actually most all businesses are that way, except that many other business's give us something physical like Food, Firewood, Electricity, Natural gas, automobile, toys, etc. for that $1000.oo a year]

One really never knows how they will be treated should they need to actually use that Insurer's Paper Promise until the dreaded accident occurs. Which could be Decades before one discovers if they have had a Good paying insurer or if they have been paying their hard earned Money$ for decades too an outright Poss Pot of a company.

How will your brand of insurance treat you? -- What's their track record? And more importantly... what's their track record *Locally*?

Their is an Huge National source of knowledge throughout this country that has the answer to those questions.

That information is at your local Collision Repair Shops. They see first hand, over and over again how each insurer [and more importantly, how each Company Adjuster] treats their insured's and third party Accident Claims. They know which company is more likely to Pay Up and which will Stall, Delay, and Deny full payment.

The individual Company Adjusters have the ability to set the real day to day claims handling practices that an insurance company will be judged by in the area they work. I communicate with Collision shops around the nation and as unbelievable as it may seem to some... the same insurance company can be number one in one area and two counties away be the worst bottom feeder of a company anyone has ever had to deal with. I know, because I've experienced it many many times over the past 40 years of repairing automobiles.

If you care about your Car, Before you Sign... it might be a good idea to contact a few shops in your area and ask them the above questions.

Also, start out by asking if [and which] insurance companies they have Repair Agreements with [these agreements could create a bias answer to the above questions because they may be afraid their answer may upset their DRP coordinator which could cause them to lose some referrals]

Just my thoughts, based on personal experience.

:)

FK,

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 01:20 pm Post Subject:

One really never knows how they will be treated should they need to actually use that Insurer's Paper Promise until the dreaded accident occurs. Which could be Decades before one discovers if they have had a Good paying insurer or if they have been paying their hard earned Money$ for decades too an outright Poss Pot of a company.

Great point...fred...

And more importantly... what's their track record *Locally*?

and an even better point....i've had shops in one area (as an example) LOVE state farm, 100 miles away they HATE state farm...
and every other company is the same...drive alittle and you'll likely get the obosite opinion.

All good information Fred...maybe it's because I'm an adjuster I don't know but the shops I deal with have no problem (even if they are a drp with a company) in saying 'this or that' company is a giant pain in the butt..another thing I might add to this selection process...Does the company have their OWN local adjuster(s) or do they hire independent adjusters...it's my experience that independents (again in my area)...simply by virtue of their business cause delays in claim settlements typcially they have to have their estimate approved by the 'supervising' rep (actual company adjuster) who then has to issue payment rather than a company adjuster issueing payment on the spot...also (again only my experience in my area) when I worked in the shop it was like pulling teeth to get these guys back out for a supplement and to get paid for it...in my area these independents are not paid for supps so it is a low low priority to them, then they have to again submit it for auth, and would take forever to get paid (as a shop)...so of course, i stopped ALL work of these cars till I had the money honey...again claim delays...just another thought when chosing a carrier..

Also when talking with the shops find out the EXACT reason for thier opinion...just that they have drp's and may be their perceptions that they are being steered against isn't enough reason, because there could be sour grapes...you need to dig just a litte deeper than that.

Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 08:44 pm Post Subject:

Lori and Fireyone touched on one of the reasons why people don't switch. It's the relationship you have with the company. No doubt, that is worth something. To be able to call the same person at the same office is reassuring to customers. But that relationship costs something. In my case, that price was $500/year. I liked my agent, but I didn't like him that much.

All that said, I understand if you work for a company why you would want to keep your policy with them. But once you're untethered, it's worth shopping your policy every once in awhile.

Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:52 pm Post Subject:

I totally agree car, and when the wife team retires (he already has however she's younger than me so i don't know)...i intend to shop i'm relatively sure i could save A LOT but they have been very good to me, i could call them in the middle of the night with a claim and they'd be there as soon as they got dressed...that does matter..

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