Progressive car insurance, found a way to lower rates

Food Scientist said:
I've been with Progressive for 11 years and like everyone else they went up on their rates, but way up. I used to pay (in Michigan) less than $600 per 6 months when paid in full. Last renewal notice was $820! So I searched quote on their website, requoted the vehicle, removed the stuff I didn't need, and with some very minor changes I started a new policy and paid $527 for a 6 month renewal.

I was reading apparently car insurance companies use an algorithm to determine how likely you are to switch and if you are not likely then they increase the rates more on you compared to other people.
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Our rates went up 1.x% for the coming 6 mos. I hardly think it’s anything out of the ordinary. We haven’t switched in years and I didn’t know, I do now because I read the policy. The good driver discount increases with break points. Ie it’s bigger at 6 years than at 5, etc. it’s all mumbo jumbo I get it. But we still want to be accurate.
 
thastinger said:
Been with Geico for more than 20 years, I need to shop around because they are killing me. 5 vehicles with no points on anyone's license, don't carry full coverage on any of them as they are all paid for.
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I'm good at being wrong but I have this belief that no matter whether you are a good customer or a bad customer they stick it to you either way.
 
Unfortunately the nature of the beast! I had been with State Farm for 2 years but rates kept creeping up on us. Recently purchased a vehicle and they partner with an insurance broker. I wasn't too confident that it would be fruitful, but we switched and ended up saving us $109/month! I have no qualms changing insurance companies.
 
JeffKeryk said:
It jumped to $900 for 6 months; $515 is Collison. That's what jumped.
When I bought the 2024 Model 3 Performance and switched from the 2018 Model 3 Mid Range RWD, my insurance actually went down. I think I was paying like $450; not sure. Boy was I surprised by the jump.

What's a poor boy to do?
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Self insure. Auto insurance is the biggest racket and theft out there.

I’m only partially joking.
 
JHZR2 said:
Self insure. Auto insurance is the biggest racket and theft out there.

I’m only partially joking.
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At first I was surprised how low my insurance premiums were. But just this year they jumped; I wondered what happened...
My guess is the cost to repair plus insurance prices increases across the board was a double whammy... Ouch!
All in, my cost of living is pretty low, so I try and be thankful. It could be far worse.
 
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walterjay said:
What changes did you make to reduce the premium?
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When I requoted the vehicle that itself reduced the premium by $100 but when I looked at what they recommended I saw they added a bunch of stuff like insurance for if I need a rental car or a tow truck. Removed those and changed the coverages back to what it was (250/250/500) and made some minor tweaks to deductibles for collision, liability etc, that weren't drastically different for each item but did add up.
 
Food Scientist said:
When I requoted the vehicle that itself reduced the premium by $100 but when I looked at what they recommended I saw they added a bunch of stuff like insurance for if I need a rental car or a tow truck. Removed those and changed the coverages back to what it was (250/250/500) and made some minor tweaks to deductibles for collision, liability etc, that weren't drastically different for each item but did add up.
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Already have done all that

Progressive is our lowest bidder and a complete ripoff
 
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JeffKeryk said:
It jumped to $900 for 6 months; $515 is Collison. That's what jumped.
When I bought the 2024 Model 3 Performance and switched from the 2018 Model 3 Mid Range RWD, my insurance actually went down. I think I was paying like $450; not sure. Boy was I surprised by the jump.

What's a poor boy to do?
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It wouldn't hurt to get some other quotes. Just to see if there in line. Its easy to do online these days.
 
A friend of mine was with Statefarm for about 5 years, with very minor increases, and then suddenly jumped by ~40%. When he called to ask why, they said it had been 10 years since his last claim thus he's statistically due for a claim which makes him higher risk. He dropped them the next day.

The algorithms they use should be criminal.

I hate the whole concept of insurance in its present form. You pay a lot of money for something you hope to never have to use, to a company that will go to great lengths to deny payout in the event you do need it. It's legalized extortion.
 
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RDY4WAR said:
A friend of mine was with Statefarm for about 5 years, with very minor increases, and then suddenly jumped by ~40%. When he called to ask why, they said it had been 10 years since his last claim thus he's statistically due for a claim which makes him higher risk. He dropped them the next day.

The algorithms they use should be criminal.
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Yeah that’s not even statistically valid

I must be really due. Never once had a homeowner claim
 
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SC Maintenance said:
It wouldn't hurt to get some other quotes. Just to see if there in line. Its easy to do online these days.
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I used to do that, but with the house and all the cars bundled, Costco Connect was untouchable. But yeah, can't hurt to check.
Kinda funny, we really don't drive that many miles especially for California, I'm 72, wifey is 10 years younger and no accidents at all.

I think it was almost a year ago that companies left CA, due to the fires up north. New homeowner policies were much harder to get.
 
Blagoje said:
I'm good at being wrong but I have this belief that no matter whether you are a good customer or a bad customer they stick it to you either way.
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Exactly, chances are if you had the same insurance for 3 or more years you are paying to much.
… and those so called “discounts” that people think they get is mostly hogwash.

I wonder how many people are loyal to the gas station where they get gas or do they switch when they find a better price for gas?
 
Pew said:
Yep every 2-3 years I switch. This year, progressive decided to lower their rates more than GEICO so I ended up staying with them; amazing how rates magically lower when you're about to switch companies.
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Same here, most times I end up switching and I have found over the years. I honestly believe my rates get raised less now because I’m a customer most likely in my insurance profile who switches at any cost increase.

Everyone has an insurance report just like a credit report
Insurance companies check both
 
JeffKeryk said:
I used to do that, but with the house and all the cars bundled, Costco Connect was untouchable. But yeah, can't hurt to check.
Kinda funny, we really don't drive that many miles especially for California, I'm 72, wifey is 10 years younger and no accidents at all.

I think it was almost a year ago that companies left CA, due to the fires up north. New homeowner policies were much harder to get.
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The age actually might be part of the reason for the increase actually. Sorry to tell you. There is an age in insurance where it reverts back to hurting you again.

I also have everything with Connect currently - but the bundle isn't really a huge deal. I think I get 5% on my auto for having homeowners or something like that.
 
Pablo said:
Not Costco. They run low? I mentioned/asked the wife last week and she didn’t know
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I am now on Costco - what they call "connect" which is really American Family, at least here. Maybe its different by state. It was my cheapest option for Auto.

The homeowners is also through Connect / American family but the paperwork is listed as American Family / "Homesite". Homesite doesn't get great reviews actually so hopefully I don't need them, but they did have a decent credit rating. I got a quote from I believe Geico that was also Homesite - so I don't know how all that works. Geico and Progressive were both a little cheaper but so far the American Family has been good about not raising the auto rates much so figured I would try it.

Things are changing though because years ago I couldn't even get a homeowners quote from Geico or Progressive since were considered "coastal"
 
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