[Mr_250]

Originally Posted by mels

I have had an auto claim with Travelers in the past: another driver totaled my car after they hit the median barrier and started spinning across the highway. Travelers was fair, prompt, and I have nothing bad to say about the experience from an insurance standpoint.

Originally Posted by MrGompers

A coworker of mine had a similar experience with Travelers. I haven't heard a bad thing about Travelers yet.

In addition, I would rate Travelers customer service excellent if you need to make inquires about your policy or just have general questions.

Second. I have homeowners/auto with Travelers. I have not had a claim (knock on wood) I did deal with them on information regarding my policy and they were extremely helpful. I added something to my policy and they made it really easy.

A+ on Customer service.

[Vin100]

Talking about car insurance, my one year insurance with Travelers is going to expire soon and they have sent me bill for next year for 3 cars which is $3300 (300 more than last year even though there was no claim/ rental/ road side assistance used whole year).
I am currently searching for quotations from other companies. So far, Amica has given me a quotation for $2700 fo 1 yr and today Geico gave me a quote of 1530/6 months. Apparently only Geico does 6 monthly insurance while other companies do one year insurance. Doing 6 month insurance is not reassuring as they may jack up rate after 6 months.

These quotations are for coverage for 250000/500,000 with 250 deductible. Just wondering, Is there any benefit of taking coverage for 250,000/ 500,000 when the state minimum is 20,000/40,000?
If we take a separate umbrella policy, then cant we do the state minimum requirements in car insurance as if there is an accident/ claim, any cost upwards of state minimum can be covered by umbrella policy??

[hvexpatinct]

Most, if not all, umbrella policies require you to carry a minimum of 250/500 coverage.

That's a really low deductible. Might want to see what an increase from $250 to $1K does to your rates.

[Vin100]

250 deductible $2787
500 Collision deductible (250 remains for comprehensive) $ 2574
1000 Collision deductible (250 remains for comprehensive) $2444

Not much difference

[Stylo]

I just went through the exercise of checking quotes.

Esurance was cheapest, followed by Geico. Everything else was much more, almost double.

[ctguy87]

Originally Posted by Vin100

250 deductible $2787
500 Collision deductible (250 remains for comprehensive) $ 2574
1000 Collision deductible (250 remains for comprehensive) $2444

Not much difference

Going from 250 to 500 is a savings of $213. If you go a year and change without an accident, it was a good decision. If you are confident in your driving habits, I would make the change.

Regarding your price increase - insurance is a shared pool and increased rates are a response to increased frequency and/or severity of accidents in your area/the state overall. As a safe driver you see less of an increase, but 10% rate increases are common. Rate increases are filed by each company and approved by the state insurance commissioner.

I have an annual policy that renews in March, perfectly timed to pay in full with my tax refund. I receive a sizable discount for doing so.

[lvs2393]

I went through this process a couple of weeks ago.
I have car and apt insurance through Tower Group that is found via local agent.
I've been with the company for 3+ years but for some reason they decided to jack up car insurance by $200 for the renewal.
They were asking for ~$800 per year for 1 car (2012 Honda Crosstour) w 2 drivers and $400 for an apt insurance (that's my choice for an increased coverage)
I've checked solo with other companies. Only Geico was less by about $200 per year which would be negated by splitting auto and home since Geico doesn't cover apartments.
Everyone else were higher with some asking double of the new premium.
So I've stayed with the same company.
Why jump? I have no idea. No car change, no tickets. There is only one change - we had a baby boy this February. But I have no idea how this is suppose to affect my driving for it to increase the car insurance premium.

My only other thought - since bonds/treasuries don't pay much insurance companies this time decided to pass it on to the consumer. Just my theory.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by lvs2393

I went through this process a couple of weeks ago.
I have car and apt insurance through Tower Group that is found via local agent.
I've been with the company for 3+ years but for some reason they decided to jack up car insurance by $200 for the renewal.
They were asking for ~$800 per year for 1 car (2012 Honda Crosstour) w 2 drivers and $400 for an apt insurance (that's my choice for an increased coverage)
I've checked solo with other companies. Only Geico was less by about $200 per year which would be negated by splitting auto and home since Geico doesn't cover apartments.
Everyone else were higher with some asking double of the new premium.
So I've stayed with the same company.
Why jump? I have no idea. No car change, no tickets. There is only one change - we had a baby boy this February. But I have no idea how this is suppose to affect my driving for it to increase the car insurance premium.

My only other thought - since bonds/treasuries don't pay much insurance companies this time decided to pass it on to the consumer. Just my theory.

It is a gimmick. They give you a low quote for the first year and jack your rates up after that to compensate for the lower first year rate. They hope you will not notice or not want to be bothered to look for new insurance. Jay

[Raider111]

Originally Posted by JayCT

It is a gimmick. They give you a low quote for the first year and jack your rates up after that to compensate for the lower first year rate. They hope you will not notice or not want to be bothered to look for new insurance. Jay

Correct, Tower Group is notorious for that.
Geico and Allstate quotes can go down as cars get older, at least they have for us.

[lvs2393]

Originally Posted by JayCT

It is a gimmick. They give you a low quote for the first year and jack your rates up after that to compensate for the lower first year rate. They hope you will not notice or not want to be bothered to look for new insurance. Jay

Yeah, I know they want that.
But I'm asking my agent to check every year and I check myself every other year.
Takes one evening to do it myself and 10 min to call an agent.
Always worth it even if savings comes every 2-3 years.

Learned enough lessons of the various service stickiness that lures in with low price only to wack with the higher number later which it would slip through.