Geico auto insurance - anyone have it?

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: RoGuE
When I had my at fault collision, they were very quick and easy. The agent actually met us with the check at Carmax while we were looking at replacement cars.


I mean when Geico is dealing with other insurance companies. For example, if someone with Geico is involved in a collision with someone with state farm, and Geico is supposed to pay out for the claim- sometimes it takes weeks, or months to get the money from them. Geico just doesn't want to pay it. other companies like Allstate are at least punctual.

 

[dja4260]

I've had them for the past 6 months. I saved $40 per month when I made the switch from American Family and have higher limits.

 

[MuzzleFlash40]

I dropped them when they tried to leave me high and dry 85 miles from home at 1 a.m. My car broke down and I called them for a tow since it was part of my policy. Come to find out they only tow to the "nearist" repair facility. I tried to get them to take it to a shop near my home that was less than two miles away from me, and I could walk from there. They wouldnt budge, so I paid for the tow and cancled them the next morning. I have AAA now, they have been great!

 

[oldmaninsc]

Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
I dropped them when they tried to leave me high and dry 85 miles from home at 1 a.m.

You seriously expected them to tow you 80+ miles? AAA in Ca will only tow 7 miles.
http://www.calif.aaa.com/en-ca/become-me...w.calif.aaa.com

 

[Virtuoso]

We switched from Geico to Progressive ten years ago, and found their rates to be about 35% cheaper than Geico at the time (YMMV).

About two months ago, we switched to Allstate who's rates were 32% cheaper than Progressive. Pays to shop around every so often, I suppose.

 

[NHHEMI]

Anytime I have got a quote from them they are ridiculously expensive. I have a 100% clean driving record as well.

 

[boxcartommie22]

nationwide for me.. had geico (lousy company so is hartford(aarp) and progressive and saved about 1200 bucks/year by going to nationwide..amica is a good company too.

 

[MNgopher]

To anyone who switches to Allstate - watch your rates like a hawk. In just a few short years, your rate will become so uncompetitive it isn't funny. I have a perfect driving record (no tickets or accidents) and a top credit rating, and had a decade long relationship with the agent and Allstate, and Allstate could do nothing to retain me, even when faced with the fact that their rates were so out of line compared to every other somewhat reputable outfit. Their reputation on homeowners insurance here is also very, very poor. Our agent left Allstate out of frustration with the inability to keep long term customers like myself competitive.

I switched to Metlife Auto and Home, and have had no complaints. A friend also has them, and had zero issues with a homeowners and an auto claim.

Geico on the Automotive quotes was middle of the pack for me.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher
To anyone who switches to Allstate - watch your rates like a hawk. In just a few short years, your rate will become so uncompetitive it isn't funny. I have a perfect driving record (no tickets or accidents) and a top credit rating, and had a decade long relationship with the agent and Allstate, and Allstate could do nothing to retain me, even when faced with the fact that their rates were so out of line compared to every other somewhat reputable outfit. Their reputation on homeowners insurance here is also very, very poor. Our agent left Allstate out of frustration with the inability to keep long term customers like myself competitive.

I switched to Metlife Auto and Home, and have had no complaints. A friend also has them, and had zero issues with a homeowners and an auto claim.

Geico on the Automotive quotes was middle of the pack for me.



You'll see the same issues with AAA and state farm as well.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Originally Posted By: MNgopher
To anyone who switches to Allstate - watch your rates like a hawk. In just a few short years, your rate will become so uncompetitive it isn't funny. I have a perfect driving record (no tickets or accidents) and a top credit rating, and had a decade long relationship with the agent and Allstate, and Allstate could do nothing to retain me, even when faced with the fact that their rates were so out of line compared to every other somewhat reputable outfit. Their reputation on homeowners insurance here is also very, very poor. Our agent left Allstate out of frustration with the inability to keep long term customers like myself competitive.

I switched to Metlife Auto and Home, and have had no complaints. A friend also has them, and had zero issues with a homeowners and an auto claim.

Geico on the Automotive quotes was middle of the pack for me.



You'll see the same issues with AAA and state farm as well.


That really depends. Do rates go up? Yes. But it isn't you specifically. The regional rates go up small amounts, due to things to do with the state of NY. What I don't get is people who call and [censored] that their bill went up 5 cents every 6 months. Or people who add a male, under 25 onto their policy and are shocked when it's like an additional $200 a month.

 

[MNgopher]

NickR, with all due respect, I understand small cost changes and increases - both due to a need to be profitible and to adjust to ever changing regulation. I have zero issue with this type of increase.

In my case, Allstate proposed to raise my rates by 20+% in one six month period - after continual smaller 5-10% increases for years. This was 1.5 years removed from actually switching policies within Allstate to make their rates "competitive" - which means they still were not the low cost provided, but I could stomach it based on a long term relationship of acceptable service. My homeowners rate also doubled (yes, doubled) over five years.

I'm a 36 year old driver with no accidents (ever), no tickets (ever), the highest credit rating possible, married, and no young drivers on the policy. No claims ever against the homeowners policy. Allstate was trying to get me to bend over, no doubt about it. Neighbors on either side of me also switched at the same time due to similar proposed rate increases.

Long story short, carefully review your policy renewals, and price shopping every now and then to keep them honest is an excellent idea.

 

[oldmaninsc]

It's funny how this works. I've had Geico for about 15 years. I just got a quote from Nationwide - they are over 500.00 more for 6 months. I'm paying 915.00 at Geico vs. Nationwide quotes - 1473.00! Same cars, same drivers, same coverage.
Over the years, everytime I get a quote from some other company they always end being more than Geico - usually substantially more. I've tried just about all of them. As for them paying on claims I haven't had to use them for that so I can't comment.

 

[law3500]

I had the same experience when I shopped around, huge differences between major well known companies for the same drivers. We switched to Geico from State Farm we were able to double our coverage levels for $100 less per 6 months. So far their customer service has been excellent. We have not had to file a claim yet ( thankfully). We had State Farm for years and even though they were always more expensive we always had good luck with claims until the last time we tried to file a claim and they were difficult, un-responsive and combative and that is when I decided to shop around.

 

[JustinH]

I had two not at fault accidents in ten years with geico. My rate did not go up at all, they are HUNDREDS of dollars cheaper than anyone else. They paid my claim very promptly and did what they were obliged to do.

 

[MuzzleFlash40]

Originally Posted By: oldmaninsc
Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
I dropped them when they tried to leave me high and dry 85 miles from home at 1 a.m.

You seriously expected them to tow you 80+ miles? AAA in Ca will only tow 7 miles.
http://www.calif.aaa.com/en-ca/become-me...w.calif.aaa.com


My AAA policy here in ohio is 100 miles up to 3 times a year. So yeah I seriously expected it!

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
Originally Posted By: oldmaninsc
Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
I dropped them when they tried to leave me high and dry 85 miles from home at 1 a.m.

You seriously expected them to tow you 80+ miles? AAA in Ca will only tow 7 miles.
http://www.calif.aaa.com/en-ca/become-me...w.calif.aaa.com


My AAA policy here in ohio is 100 miles up to 3 times a year. So yeah I seriously expected it!


I recommend reading your coverage form before wrongly accusing your insurance carrier.

 

[MuzzleFlash40]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
Originally Posted By: oldmaninsc
Originally Posted By: MuzzleFlash40
I dropped them when they tried to leave me high and dry 85 miles from home at 1 a.m.

You seriously expected them to tow you 80+ miles? AAA in Ca will only tow 7 miles.
http://www.calif.aaa.com/en-ca/become-me...w.calif.aaa.com




My AAA policy here in ohio is 100 miles up to 3 times a year. So yeah I seriously expected it!


I recommend reading your coverage form before wrongly accusing your insurance carrier.


That was my fault, The person that I talked with when I first got Geico told me that it was compairable to AAA. The only reason I switched from AAA is because Geico offered a government employee discount. I should have read the police when it was sent to me, and not just taken his word like I did. But, either way I went back to AAA. They had more benefits than geico for a little extra money. It costs me $6 extra a month to use OEM replacement parts instead of aftermarket.

 

[tommygunn]

GEICO was higher for me too, so I went with Progressive....been with them for 3+ years and have not looked back. I like their "rewards" they offer for staying a member overtime....I think at 3+ years, they have accident forgiveness, and some other bonuses......I guess we'll see how "forgiving" they are next time I get hit lol.



But yes, most "road side assistance" will only cover, max 10 miles AND/OR the nearest auto repair facility.....it's that way here as well.

 

[rjundi]

Go with the least expensive insurance company and have the maximum liability you can afford.

Company is irrelevant.

People dislike Progressive however I have saved $400/yr over any agency insurance since 1999. I though they well great since they had an online site then. That is $4800! I check every year with my own agent and another for better rates, they say stick with Progressive.

The few minor claims I have made went over well. I never go to their preferred shops and find showing up at a high reputation local one Progressive payout check is enough or little more.

My wife had an uninsured hit her. We ended up with $200 over what the shop estimated and did work for. Although my wife charmed the owner like she always does with folks.

 

[NHHEMI]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
Go with the least expensive insurance company and have the maximum liability you can afford.

Company is irrelevant.


I will have to disagree with that. The premium's bottom line is important but so is how the company will treat you and handle your claim if you ever have a problem. There is a big difference in how the various companies handle claims and treat their customers.

I spent may years in the auto field. I routinely dealt with auto body shops and even insurance companies directly while working dealer parts and also as an auto body supply salesman. There definitely were companies the local shops( and me too )hated to deal with as they were so difficult and always tried to cheap out on everything and took a long time to pay. There were other companies that were great to deal with who would authorize reasonable and fair repairs and paid promptly.

Liberty Mutual routinely has the lowest auto rates when I get quotes( I don't get them purposely it is part of the package of quotes I always get )but I wouldn't touch them with a 10' pole based on their reputation around here with guys I know in the auto body business. They would be cheaper for me on the bottom line but their reputation for hassles on claims turns me off. They may offer the best rates but to me I would rather pay a little more and be treated right when I need it. THAT can actually save you money in the end.

Here is another example and one in which I was bent over. I had Travellers insurance for quite a few years. Had my 05 Silverado that was just 3 months old get trashed by a massive hailstorm. Long story short but they treated me extremely poorly and my vehicle was not fixed properly as they would not pay to do it right( paid just under $8K on a $12-$15K repair ). My body guy got so upset with them he told me if it wasn't me he would have refused to work on the vehicle and deal with them. In the end he threw the adjuster out of his shop he was such a butt hole. I called the adjuster to complain and got hung up on. Called The company HQ to complain about the adjuster and got the run around and was treated very rudley. I will NEVER deal with Traveller's again. It isn't worth a cheap premium if you get screwed when you file a claim.

By the same token I have had very good results with a few other companies on claims( Nationwide, Vermont Mutual, Pawtucket Mutual ). Claims were handled in a speedy and satisfactory manner. The agents/companies did their best to make sure I was happy and that my vehicle was repaired properly. Rates were reasonable, falling in the middle to lower range of the quotes I received, but I got great service. Well worth paying a bit more.

I now have MetLife for my auto insurance. Their rates were one of the lowest but have risen some recently( if they go much higher I will start looking again ). I have not had to file a claim with them but in speaking with my auto body connections they are one of the best to deal with if something happens. The agent is excellent and the policy perks are great. The big thing though is how they treat you if something happens. At least based on reputation they are very good.

I saved a few hundred dollars with Traveller's insurance on my Silverado. It cost me THOUSANDS though as they tried to cheap out on the repair when I needed to file a claim. Friends and family who also had their vehicles destroyed by the same hail storm did not get the runaround from their insurance companies like I did. So again I say the company DOES matter.