Car Insurance

[VinylxScratches]

What do you guys use?

I am planning on getting a second car and Geico puts me in 60 bucks a month but Progress put me in 1000+ a year... am I doing it wrong?

Also, why does Geico not allow you to do collision and uninsured protection on a car? I have to accept one, and decline the other?

 

[BoomerD]

We've been with these guys for several years:

http://www.ciginsurance.com/

They beat all the "on-line" quotes, beat Geico and Progressive, and haven't been touched yet. Home and auto.
We haven't had to deal with a claim yet, but their reputation is above outstanding.

Rated as A Excellent, they're one of the top insurance companies in the USA.

 

[Rumpltzer]

It's totally a shop-around kind of thing. Really.

I had a motorcycle, and I bought a second bike. Insuring both bikes cost less than insuring just the first motorcycle.

Insuring a Honda Accord and a BMW 5 Series (~$55K car) costs less than insuring a Honda Accord and a Lexus IS250 (~$40K car).

I'm sure there's a reason for all of it, but it's going to be specific to each case.

I've had AAA, Geico, State Farm, Allstate and Wawanesa for auto insurance. I don't find one better than any other... but that might be because I've only needed to use them once (someone hit me). I generally go for lowest price.

 

[BoomerD]

Find a good local Independent Insurance Agent and see what he/she can do for you.

(OMG! Having to deal with a live human...and getting out of the basement!!)

 

[Nebor]

Why do I need insurance if everyone else I could possibly run into has it?

 

[Schadenfreude]

If I remember correctly, uninsured protection is an option that applies only if you're not found to be at fault; if an uninsured driver runs a red light and T-bones you at an intersection, for instance. Collision, on the other hand, is for any* damage to your vehicle due to a -wait for it - collision with another object; e.g. if you lose control of your car on ice and run into a tree.

I believe there's no need for coverage on both because collision is the greater benefit of the two - if there's any instance where an uninsured coverage would be applicable the collision coverage would be too (but not vice versa).

Whether you should get coll/comp coverage depends on the situation - are you just driving a beater to and/from work and that's it? Or are you a rabid fan of luxury performance vehicles and go on long weekend drives every weekend? If it's financially possible I'd always recommend getting the coll/comp as I've seen people get their hands tied because of situations like;

- The other driver is at-fault
- You don't have collision coverage, which means your insurance can't help you
- The other driver has a shady/stay-(barely)legal insurance
- Which means that your U1/uninsured coverage doesn't apply as they are insured
- You have to wait for the other insurance company to fix the damages, usually paying 1/2, 1/4 of what your actual damages are, betting on the fact that most people in this situation can't afford to go to court over situations like this.

I've handled too many instances like this working claims where my hands as a claim adjuster was tied and it's a frustrating exercise for both you and the claim handler.

*There are certain exceptions when comprehensive coverage would actually cover vehicle damage instead of collision, but that's getting to the nitty-gritty.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

USAA. Best car insurance money can buy.

/thread

 

[BoomerD]

If I remember correctly, uninsured protection is an option that applies only if you're not found to be at fault; if another driver runs a red light and T-bones you at an intersection, for instance. Collision, on the other hand, is for any* damage to your vehicle due to a -wait for it - collision with another object; e.g. if you lose control of your car on ice and run into a tree.

I believe there's no need for coverage on both because collision is the greater benefit of the two - if there's any instance where an uninsured coverage would be applicable the collision coverage would be too (but not vice versa).

*There are certain exceptions when comprehensive coverage would actually cover vehicle damage instead of collision, but that's getting to the nitty-gritty.

But, IIRC, uninsured motorist coverage covers you...for accidents with uninsured motorists...(also under-insured motorists)
Collision covers YOUR vehicle in accidents that may be your fault, may be the other person's fault...but often, depending on state law, doesn't cover accidents if the other person is not insured.

http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance/uninsured-motorist-insurance.aspx

Let's say you're in an accident. A texting driver swerves out of his lane and into your car. The good news: everybody's OK, and the other driver's definitely at fault. But the bad news is that your car's not so lucky.

Seems pretty cut and dried: the other driver is on the hook for damage to your car, right? No problem...unless the other guy doesn't have insurance. Or doesn't have enough insurance.

If the other driver doesn't have auto insurance (most likely a crime itself!), your uninsured car accident coverage typically pays for the damages to your car - and also for injuries resulting from a covered loss. (Although in many states, this is covered under an insured's collision coverage).
If the other driver does have insurance, it's possible his coverage limits aren't high enough to cover the damage to your car. Or enough to cover injuries from the accident. That's where underinsured insurance kicks in, picking up the difference.
You probably also noticed that uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage has bodily injury and property damage components. Bodily injury coverage typically pays covered medical expenses for you, your passengers, or family members who might be driving your car. Property damage coverage typically pays for damages to your car. (In many states, this is also included in your collision protection, so you may want to check your policy to confirm it.)

 

[Schadenfreude]

But, IIRC, uninsured motorist coverage covers you...for accidents with uninsured motorists...(also under-insured motorists)
Collision covers YOUR vehicle in accidents that may be your fault, may be the other person's fault...but often, depending on state law, doesn't cover accidents if the other person is not insured.

http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance/uninsured-motorist-insurance.aspx

That's news to me.

Of course, I haven't handled claims in years and in only a few states, so I might be totally wrong - I have to admit some states have the most ass-backwards insurance regulation but for the most part I believe if you're involved in an incident your collision coverage covers your car regardless of fault(outside of gross/intentional negligence).

But in practice having a medical coverage + collision is so much more useful than just getting an uninsured driver coverage (if you can afford it and/or have a car that's worth it) - I'd say while working claims I'd work at least 98~99 collision claims before running into a single uninsured driver claim.

 

[BoomerD]

That's news to me.

Of course, I haven't handled claims in years and in only a few states, so I might be totally wrong - I have to admit some states have the most ass-backwards insurance regulation but for the most part I believe if you're involved in an incident your collision coverage covers your car regardless of fault(outside of gross/intentional negligence).

But in practice having a medical coverage + collision is so much more useful than just getting an uninsured driver coverage (if you can afford it and/or have a car that's worth it) - I'd say while working claims I'd work at least 98~99 collision claims before running into a single uninsured driver claim.

You didn't work California claims?

They estimate that AT LEAST 1 driver in 3 here is uninsured. (or at least under-insured to the point where your car may not get repaired if it's seriously damaged.)

 

[cubby1223]

It's totally a shop-around kind of thing. Really.

I had a motorcycle, and I bought a second bike. Insuring both bikes cost less than insuring just the first motorcycle.

Insuring a Honda Accord and a BMW 5 Series (~$55K car) costs less than insuring a Honda Accord and a Lexus IS250 (~$40K car).

I'm sure there's a reason for all of it, but it's going to be specific to each case.

Motorcycle example, the more expensive one to insure was probably either set to a less risky primary driver, or perhaps reduced to a vehicle you drive less often.

In the car situation, the insurance company looks more at the statistics of how much they have to pay out in claims on a given vehicle, rather than the purchase price.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

We've been with these guys for several years:

http://www.ciginsurance.com/

They beat all the "on-line" quotes, beat Geico and Progressive, and haven't been touched yet. Home and auto.
We haven't had to deal with a claim yet, but their reputation is above outstanding.

Rated as A Excellent, they're one of the top insurance companies in the USA.

Reputation means little in the face of a bad personal experience. Until you have to file a claim, then you will never personally know.

 

[alent1234]

Find a good local Independent Insurance Agent and see what he/she can do for you.

(OMG! Having to deal with a live human...and getting out of the basement!!)

they are usually 30% more and aren't going to get you any deals since the parent company is doing the underwriting and sets the rates

i've had geico in NYC for years except a 6 month progressive stint. cheap intro rate and then they tried to bump it up pretty high. i get a new car every few years and a lot of times the new car rate is cheaper than the previous car

 

[rh71]

^yes Geico was good for a while in NY then one year they had to abide by some rule/law and it hiked majorly. That's how Allstate got my business... they told me it was incoming, then they couldn't compete with Allstate's proposal and I switched. But like heating oil, you have to switch around once in a while to get the best price. The qualities I look for... big name + won't raise rates every single year.

 

[VinylxScratches]

So is Geico decent then?

 

[Jeff7]

You didn't work California claims?

They estimate that AT LEAST 1 driver in 3 here is uninsured. (or at least under-insured to the point where your car may not get repaired if it's seriously damaged.)

 

[roguerower]

I have USAA for my car and State Farm for my bike.

MY first bike (GS500) was insured with USAA/Progressive and was about $800/yr. When I sold that bike and bought the St3R they wanted $3600/yr vs. State Farm's $1200/yr.

 

[GT1999]

I use a local broker after State Farm dropped me (see texting and driving thread ) when I totalled my car. They basically told me to FOAD and I'd have to wait 3 years to get back on a policy with them. Now my rates have gone down probably 30% and I have close to the same coverage, haven't had an accident since.

So anyway I recommend using a local broker. They'll find you the cheapest insurance through a lot of the smaller companies. There's laws they have to abide by.

 

[BoomerD]

Reputation means little in the face of a bad personal experience. Until you have to file a claim, then you will never personally know.

I agree...and I hope to never find out.

they are usually 30% more and aren't going to get you any deals since the parent company is doing the underwriting and sets the rates

i've had geico in NYC for years except a 6 month progressive stint. cheap intro rate and then they tried to bump it up pretty high. i get a new car every few years and a lot of times the new car rate is cheaper than the previous car

My Independent Agent beat Geico's price by more than $200/6 months. I haven't shopped around much recently, but DID compare with AAA last year. They actually got fairly close...within $200/year on auto, but were also about $200/year higher for the house fire insurance.
My wife and I are both 55+, have excellent driving records, and our 2 vehicles aren't on any of the "most stolen car" lists, or the lists of "most expensive to repair."

 

[ViviTheMage]

I use a local broker after State Farm dropped me (see texting and driving thread ) when I totalled my car. They basically told me to FOAD and I'd have to wait 3 years to get back on a policy with them. Now my rates have gone down probably 30% and I have close to the same coverage, haven't had an accident since.

So anyway I recommend using a local broker. They'll find you the cheapest insurance through a lot of the smaller companies. There's laws they have to abide by.

How does one find a local broker?

 

[BoomerD]

How does one find a local broker?

Look in the yellow pages?

 

[ViviTheMage]

Look in the yellow pages?

What's that?

 

[GT1999]

How does one find a local broker?

Here's who I use: http://www.northwestinsurance.com/

Call and ask for a referral for a company like them in your area perhaps?

 

[ViviTheMage]

I shall look, thanks!

 

[rcpratt]

I use AAA now. Used to go thru USAA when I was Indiana, but whoever they work through in Michigan sucks, way too expensive.