Car Insurance Policy questions

[isasir]

OK, so I'm looking to get car insurance ASAP.

Two questions.

1. Should I always go with the lowest quote? What other factors should I consider (company reputation, etc.)?


2. If I sign up for insurance from a company, but then find a better quote elsewhere, how long should I stay with that company before changing to the cheaper rate company? Is constant auto insurance policy jumping not a good idea to begin with? I believe there's cancellation fees, but quickly skimming some websites didn't let me see the amount. Should I stay a member of the policy for at least 6 months?

 

[Zysoclaplem]

With the lowest quote question, It really doesnt matter. It's up to you. All insurance companies are going to try to screw you. I'd go for the lowest quote unless they have a very bad reputation.

For your second question, When you sign up for a policy, you usually sign a contract. You can get a 1 month, 6 month or even a year. 1 month is expensive, 6 month is less, and one year is usually less. So let's say you sign up with a company, find a better quote and leave before your contract is up. Well that won't look good to other insurance companies, makes them think you will do the same to them. I'd say find one you like and stick with it for a while. It's looks better to other companies that way. Besides when you stick with one, your amount will usually go down every contractual period. If you pay on time, they want to keep you, so they will lower your rates.

I'd say ask your friends and family who they like to deal with and why.

But like I said, when it comes down to it, they will all try take as much as they can and give as little back as possible.

 

[bcterps]

Some insurance companies are certainly better than others. A good insurance company will actually try to help you out if you have a claim, a bad insurance company will leave you high and dry.

A good quote depends on your driving record, age, type of car, credit rating, etc. Ask around to see where your friends/family have their insurance. I had Allstate, but I thought they totally sucked, I just switched a few weeks ago to Met Life.

 

[Christoph]

1. Auto insurerers have differing reputations for customer service and claims handling, you need to decide if that's important to you. Do you care if they have 24 hour customer service, accept web payments, have a drive-in claims center, etc? There are various rankings, JD Power is one.

Some people prefer to buy through an agent, others would rather buy directly from the insurance company. Again, up to you. Do you have homeowner's or renter's insurance? You may get enough of a break on both policies to justify a slightly higher initial rate. Or you may not.

2. Generally, you get hosed on a short-rate cancellation if you cancel your policy mid-term. Sometimes, if you need to cancel and are on a payment plan, stopping the payments will give you a true pro-rated premium. Read your policy to be sure. (Read your policy anyway.)

Generally, it only makes sense to shop car insurance when your policy is expiring.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: benchiu
Some insurance companies are certainly better than others. A good insurance company will actually try to help you out if you have a claim, a bad insurance company will leave you high and dry.

A good quote depends on your driving record, age, type of car, credit rating, etc. Ask around to see where your friends/family have their insurance. I had Allstate, but I thought they totally sucked, I just switched a few weeks ago to Met Life.

True
Make sure the insurance company is going to be around if you file a claim. Some "Off Shore" companies disappear when it's time to play. That's why it's a good idea to stay with the bigger guys.

 

[Swanny]

If I were you, I'd go to an Independant Insurance Agent. They represent many different insurance companies and can often get you the best price.

 

[isasir]

Originally posted by: Swanny
If I were you, I'd go to an Independant Insurance Agent. They represent many different insurance companies and can often get you the best price.

What is the typical cost of an independent agent?

 

[Kelemvor]

First off just call around to places in the phone book to get quotes. You will most likely see a huge variance in what they quote you. Just be sure they are quoting you for the same deductibles and coverages.

I use American Family and always have. They insure my house, 3 cars, rental apartment before I bought the house, life insurance, etc. Have never had a problem with them and the agent I deal with is great.

You can always go with the lowest quote. And as far as the companies go, it's more the specific Agent you deal with than the company. My wife had Alstate before we got married and the guy she daelt with was a copmlete moron who didn't know what the hell he was talking about. So we left them and moved everything to Am Fam.

Get the qutoes but then when you go meet the agent (if you sign up in an office), if you don't like him/her, don't sign up.

 

[freebee]

Choose a top rated company. Allstate sucks.

Policy jumping may only get you good rates if you're a good driver. Have a few accidents and you're screwed. In fact, have 1 at-fault accident and you're screwed.

Companies give waivers to long-time ph, depending on situation.

Allstate sucks.

Be very liberal about area of residence. This will affect your rates more than any other factor. I've seen Vipers insured in upstate NY for 1k a year, full comp/coll 100/300/100 bi/pd, etc. Try that in the NYC with a so-so driving record and you are looking at 10k+ a year. Oh, one tidbit about rate-jumping, make sure you are consistant with the addresses if you are reporting a claim.

 

[ajpa123]

Call geico just for kicks and get an over the phone quote.
I did that and the quote was $300 higher than my lowest at my Nationwide agent. Im in Rhode Island too, the most corrupt state.. everything is more expensive here!

 

Try to find the lowest quote, the lowest deductible and highest damage coverage.

These people who say they are all the same, probably don't have their own policy, or even a drivers license.

 

[Spencer278]

1. only matters if you have full coverage. With liabilty on;y coverage it really won't make a difference if the people are dicks because you don't have to deal with them.

 

[isasir]

^

 

[C'DaleRider]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: benchiu
Some insurance companies are certainly better than others. A good insurance company will actually try to help you out if you have a claim, a bad insurance company will leave you high and dry.

A good quote depends on your driving record, age, type of car, credit rating, etc. Ask around to see where your friends/family have their insurance. I had Allstate, but I thought they totally sucked, I just switched a few weeks ago to Met Life.

True
Make sure the insurance company is going to be around if you file a claim. Some "Off Shore" companies disappear when it's time to play. That's why it's a good idea to stay with the bigger guys.

How true. I laugh when I see these "minimum coverage" type auto insurance companies. Sure, they'll take your money and give you a piece of paper that satisfies the state, but will they be there when it really counts? I really think in the end they give new meaning to "minimum coverage".