cheaper car insurance?
- Thread starter CarLuver
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Personally I use a broker, every few years I go see him to make sure every thing is up to date and I get the best premiums I can. For the last few years it's been Flo (Progressive), before that it was Columbia which I was with for many many years until we had a couple years of bad hail and they stopped covering this area. A broker will have several different companies he can choose from to get you the best deal.
I think it's some what comical when they say they can save you X amount, in most cases they would be paying me if they really could save me what they claim.
I think it's some what comical when they say they can save you X amount, in most cases they would be paying me if they really could save me what they claim.
Check their ratings and I don't mean Google reviews/ratings. There are industry-specific ratings for insurance companies. One is AM Best. I think JD Power does them as well.
I've never heard of Otto but they may be a regional company and that's fine. Bigger isn't always better.
I've never heard of Otto but they may be a regional company and that's fine. Bigger isn't always better.
Yep call a broker service, actually call two and have them both go to work for you.
My broker I have been with for five years has us with Progressive for car and home and they give much more discounts than I could get from going to the website by myself.
Would recommend.
My broker I have been with for five years has us with Progressive for car and home and they give much more discounts than I could get from going to the website by myself.
Would recommend.
Another vote in favor of a "broker" or around here, an "independent agent". Mine represents close to a dozen companies so he can offer insurance to a 19 year old with no credit and some traffic violations (high risk) to a married couple with good credit/driving record as well as kids that drive to someone with classic cars (Hagerty). When I first went to him, he proposed (3) carriers to me, Erie, Progressive, and someone else. I told him "no Progressive" on my own principal and he told me he would have recommended Erie if I'd have asked his opinion. Are they the best choice ? Does he get better commission ?
Typical commission is about 10%. Be careful though, places like Geico don't sell through agents, only direct. So they save 10%. Well maybe not all of it. Haven't had anyone come close to their price, Progressive, Allstate, etc. Only time one company came close was when they had a first time customer discount was worth something like $150 and they were going to be about $50 cheaper for the first year. But after that goes away, I'd have to switch again in a year to get a lower rate. $50 wasn't worth the hassle.
Depends. Not all of the carriers are the same from a servicing and claims handling standpoint. Compensation can always be a component as well (profit-sharing), but most established brokers are smart enough to not use compensation as the sole driving force for their recommendations.
At least in California, there is a state board of insurance that lists what are called "justified complaints" from policy holders, and also, tells you how many complaints out of how many policies, so you can get a rate. I would strongly recommend seeing if you have a state department of insurance website that gives you this info. That way you can weed out the companies that are more likely to give you the shaft.
But I'd definitely look around. I was with Farmers for several years, and then when I had to create a new login/account, I took the time to shop, and found that Mercury sold me house and car insurance for over a hundred less than Farmers was selling me car insurance alone. Car insurance plus a free home policy was too good an offer for me to turn down.
But I'd definitely look around. I was with Farmers for several years, and then when I had to create a new login/account, I took the time to shop, and found that Mercury sold me house and car insurance for over a hundred less than Farmers was selling me car insurance alone. Car insurance plus a free home policy was too good an offer for me to turn down.
Sometimes it definitely pays to shop around for rates. I deal with a local agency who can write policies for several different insurers. Every so often, I'll have him run my info through all of them to make sure I'm getting the best value. Often times, he does it all on his own.
I also run my info for quotes through different companies online. The key here is to do an apples to apples comparison in your coverage. Nearly all the companies you see on TV are substantially higher for me than who I'm using.
Also keep in mind that insurance is never a one size fits all deal. There's a LOT of variables that are used to rate premiums.
I also run my info for quotes through different companies online. The key here is to do an apples to apples comparison in your coverage. Nearly all the companies you see on TV are substantially higher for me than who I'm using.
Also keep in mind that insurance is never a one size fits all deal. There's a LOT of variables that are used to rate premiums.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
Yup, get an independent insurance agent. They can quote most others. That’s what I do and the cheapest for me is Progressive. I’ve tried quoting with others since then, and it’s still by far cheaper.
I used a find cheaper insurance site.
It gave me several companies rates.
I was paying $185 a month with E insurance.
Geico came in at $128 for the same coverage.
I do this every six months.
One tip is NEVER put in your real phone number or every agent in the world will blow up your phone.
It gave me several companies rates.
I was paying $185 a month with E insurance.
Geico came in at $128 for the same coverage.
I do this every six months.
One tip is NEVER put in your real phone number or every agent in the world will blow up your phone.
I shop every year. Nobody has been able to beat Geico for the past few years. Best rate I ever had was through a broker. It was with Safeco.
I feel like you get what you pay for. I stick with quality providers and don't try to seek out the cheapest company I can. When something happens, I get taken care of and there isn't any wheedling over it.
We've had Erie for over 20 yrs and see absolutely no reason to change. Rates are reasonable, what few things we've had happen were easily resolved on their end and ours and they have fantastic customer service. I personally like to stick with something tried/true instead of switching things up often to save a few $. I know people that change insurance companies every few years, switch pharmacies to take advantage of the new customer deals, that sort of thing. Saving a few dollars usually won't offset the time/effort doing things like that IMBHO.
Yes, an agent/broker is a must, espwcially if you have a potential claim. I also use Erie for past 20 years, still cannot beat their rates when I do look around but a long time customer does have advantages, free accident forgiveness, discounts etc. Shopping around does or may save some bucks but there is something to be said for agent and company loyalty.
Costco Connect (formerly Ameriprise) for members. Quote starts on the Costco website.
I have our cars and house covered. By far the best prices, at least in my case.
They even give us a break by stating how many miles driven per car.
I have our cars and house covered. By far the best prices, at least in my case.
They even give us a break by stating how many miles driven per car.
manicrodder
$50 site donor 2022
Geico was miserable in Utah. I dropped it for StateFarm.
They're ok if you don't have any claims. They wouldn't let me go to the dealer when I needed new windshield glass. But that's really the only claim I've had in the last several years where I wasn't happy with them. Otherwise they're a few hundred dollars cheaper every year. My state might be different though. For whatever reason for years, Geico operated in 49 states, except Massachusetts. Then they finally started doing business here a few years ago so maybe that's why their rates seem much cheaper to me than other places.
Can't beat Geico for us.
There are websites/apps now that will "broker" for you - Gabi is one of them. Also couldn't beat Geico for us. Always worth shopping / double checking, though.
There are websites/apps now that will "broker" for you - Gabi is one of them. Also couldn't beat Geico for us. Always worth shopping / double checking, though.
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