Auto Insurance (insurance companies, phone, pay, companies)

[dspguy]

I moved from NJ (had Geico) to SC (All State). I was in a pinch and had to switch my insurance earlier than I wanted to (long story, not worth it). I wound up paying more for All State than I was with Geico, even though I had one less car. And the coverage itself was far less. I was not pleased.

A year later I piggybacked my car and home insurance together with Farm Bureau. My car insurance dropped by 600/yr for the identical coverage. No complaints yet.

[tcrackly]

I would be wary of those low cost, constantly advertised insurers. they may leave you with more money in your pocket monthly but stiff you when it comes to a hefty claim. I had a middle of the road auto insurance years ago that just narrowly defended me against a suing plaintiff in a low speed fender bender that happened nearly 7 years ago. If I remember correctly back then, my insurance wanted to make my car repairs with cheap fiberglass instead of the oem parts.

[sarahkate_m]

Originally Posted by little elmer

I've been happy with Geico since they blew All State out of the water a few years ago, but I'd be remiss if I didn't shop around. What is the almighty Frugal Community paying for that piece of paper, and to whom?

I have a company like what M3Mitch describes...

I don't know if it's a "good" deal but I pay monthly now at a rate of ~$65/mo for full coverage on a Sport Explorer. I don't have any other plan combined with it nor are there any other drivers on the plan.

My agent put my policy through Sublimity in Sublimity, Oregon.

Kate

[tet tea]

We just saved over $200 on our motorcycle coverage with Progressive. Got the bill, called them up and asked questions. It's amazing what you find out if you just ask. Because we can't ride for almost five to six months of the year due to the weather, we reduced the coverage.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by little elmer

A few of the guys here say the same when their company claimed against Geico. So, it's better to be with them than against them?

Not. When they play games and try to avoid paying fair and legitimate claims, it forces the aggrieved to file suit. Lawsuits= More $$$$$ paid out on the claim. Guess who will be paying for it? You. Even if you left Geico and obtained a policy from someone else, you'll still be paying based upon the final amount that was paid on the claim. It's better to be insured by a reputable company that will do the right thing if you're unfortunate enough to have an at-fault accident. You'll save $$$$ in the end, IMHO.

[Charley]

I've been with GEICO for almost 40 years. I have maximum coverage and pay less than $500 for two cars (in New York, which is quite good!). My wife was recently in an accident. GEICO determined that she was not at fault and went after the other driver's insurance company to pay for the repairs, including my deductible - which was returned to me with a few short weeks of the accident. I can't imagine ever switching as the coverage, the price and the service have always been A+ for me.

[plaidmom]

What is the almighty Frugal Community paying for that piece of paper, and to whom?

Zero dollars. Car-free is the way to go if you can swing it.

In the interest of disclosure, I should mention that we do have one vehicle in the household that I can use on occasion (such as taking the cat to the vet this afternoon... ).

Even before I sold my car, I was mainly a bicycle commuter. I insured my car "for pleasure, not for work or school" and saved a bundle. If you only use an automobile occasionally and drive less than 10K miles per year, you might want to look into that.

[eggalegga]

Originally Posted by plaidmom

Zero dollars. Car-free is the way to go if you can swing it.

In the interest of disclosure, I should mention that we do have one vehicle in the household that I can use on occasion (such as taking the cat to the vet this afternoon... ).

Even before I sold my car, I was mainly a bicycle commuter. I insured my car "for pleasure, not for work or school" and saved a bundle. If you only use an automobile occasionally and drive less than 10K miles per year, you might want to look into that.

I drive less than 10k per year. But I drive to/from work. Bicycle is not an option during the cold, snowy utah winters.

I've always been a car dependent person. Good for you to be so healthy with your bicycle and gentle on the environment.

[nnyl]

Is there such a thing?

Wondering what some of you frugalers would do?

I know that insurance rates are based on credit ratings, among other many important factors. I will openly admit the credit is dinged all to hades and beyond in this economy. The rest of it however, no tickets, no accidents, no sports cars, steady employment, owned and lived in the same home forever.

I am currently with a big national name brand for insurance (auto).

I have a teen daughter. The very best they will offer for her auto ins. (95 toyota) is $127/mo. That's bare bone coverage (which I hate and makes me bite my nails everytime she gets behind the wheel). That's the very minimum allowed by law, as far as coverages.

I have priced it elsewhere, and the very best I could do otherwise, was some knock off brand, that I'd never heard of, at a whopping $116/month.

Now, in the best of all worlds, one would tell the teen daughter to park it. Mom and dad can't afford the ins. Which is the truth (thus above, credit seriously dinged, this economy has hit us hard, in the income earning capacity).

But I "do" consider driving to be one of those important "life skills" that teens need to learn. So parking it, is not really an option that I want to persue.

As to the teen trying to get a job. Read the stats and I'm here to tell you they are true. She tried all summer long, to get a job. Stats say that the age group of 16-24 yo's, ........... the highest in unemployment, ever. It's the truth. She tried movie theaters, restaurants, grocery stores, retails, you name it. Nothing. Continues to try, nothing so far.

The rule always before, for her older siblings, no job to pay for insurance, no ticket to ride. But that was "before", this "new economy".

Thus far, no jobs to be had, for her to help fund her own insurance.

What would some of you frugalers do? Would you park it?

[JetJockey]

Originally Posted by nnyl

Is there such a thing?

Wondering what some of you frugalers would do?

I know that insurance rates are based on credit ratings, among other many important factors. I will openly admit the credit is dinged all to hades and beyond in this economy. The rest of it however, no tickets, no accidents, no sports cars, steady employment, owned and lived in the same home forever.

I am currently with a big national name brand for insurance (auto).

I have a teen daughter. The very best they will offer for her auto ins. (95 toyota) is $127/mo. That's bare bone coverage (which I hate and makes me bite my nails everytime she gets behind the wheel). That's the very minimum allowed by law, as far as coverages.

I have priced it elsewhere, and the very best I could do otherwise, was some knock off brand, that I'd never heard of, at a whopping $116/month.

Now, in the best of all worlds, one would tell the teen daughter to park it. Mom and dad can't afford the ins. Which is the truth (thus above, credit seriously dinged, this economy has hit us hard, in the income earning capacity).

But I "do" consider driving to be one of those important "life skills" that teens need to learn. So parking it, is not really an option that I want to persue.

As to the teen trying to get a job. Read the stats and I'm here to tell you they are true. She tried all summer long, to get a job. Stats say that the age group of 16-24 yo's, ........... the highest in unemployment, ever. It's the truth. She tried movie theaters, restaurants, grocery stores, retails, you name it. Nothing. Continues to try, nothing so far.

The rule always before, for her older siblings, no job to pay for insurance, no ticket to ride. But that was "before", this "new economy".

Thus far, no jobs to be had, for her to help fund her own insurance.

What would some of you frugalers do? Would you park it?

My 17 year old brother couldn't find a job, but needs the vehicle to get to school and sports. My parents worked out a pretty intense 'chore list' so he could work off the insurance bill (plus other little things he requested her and there). He 'works' at least 20 hours a week at my parents (and grandparents on occasion) place to earn his keep. Maybe you could try something like that with your daughter?