Progressive car insurance, found a way to lower rates

[alarmguy]

Not Costco. They run low? I mentioned/asked the wife last week and she didn’t know

As @SC Maintenance posted.
https://www.costco.com/auto-home-insurance-services.html

I had them for exactly one year, after the first year, they raised me roughly 10 to 15% so I dumped them. Took on progressive at the same price before the increase from Costco.

For the last 20 years, I don’t accept insurance increases. I just switch companies whenever possible and I don’t care who it is.

Between my new home, two automobiles, motorcycle and boat my insurance costs are around 2700 a year total. I know no one in my community pays what I do for homeowners insurance by a longshot. Never heard of the company and I don’t care they are licensed is all that matters.

Through the year, sometimes my insurance products are all completely different companies other times not because I bundled, but I would find a better rate and by chance end up with the same company for two different items.

Just for the record I carry maximum liability products on everything.

I can see another member in here post #8 is proof besides myself and others not to sit back and accept rate increases.

 

[ATex7239]

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.

Not shocking. Big soulless corporations like to punish loyalty. Just like with phone and internet providers, they’ll give new customers better deals and perks than existing customers.

Reminds of the how managers make a huge deal about recruiting some new guy who likes to job swap every three years. Meanwhile management will completely ignore and take for granted the person who has reliably done their job for the last ten years.

 

[demarpaint]

Ditto for me in Florida

IIRC last year while looking for houses in Florida as part of doing my homework I checked insurance rates, insane is putting it nicely. I was told that about 40% of the people on the road in Florida are either under insured or have no insurance. I didn't fact check it but it made sense to me. Guess who pays for that?????????

 

[demarpaint]

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.

We have a guy crying here on our community news page about quotes he's getting from insurance companies that will insure his new Model Y. He claims to be in his 30's good driving record, etc. $1,000/ month and only a few companies will take him. His #1 MISTAKE, only a fool buys are car and then worries about insuring it after the fact. He was told the rates are high because of the vandalism to them. Funny thing is I haven't seen or heard anything about people vandalizing a Tesla near me.

 

[Pablo]

As @SC Maintenance posted.
https://www.costco.com/auto-home-insurance-services.html

I had them for exactly one year, after the first year, they raised me roughly 10 to 15% so I dumped them. Took on progressive at the same price before the increase from Costco.

For the last 20 years, I don’t accept insurance increases. I just switch companies whenever possible and I don’t care who it is.

Between my new home, two automobiles, motorcycle and boat my insurance costs are around 2700 a year total. I know no one in my community pays what I do for homeowners insurance by a longshot. Never heard of the company and I don’t care they are licensed is all that matters.

Through the year, sometimes my insurance products are all completely different companies other times not because I bundled, but I would find a better rate and by chance end up with the same company for two different items.

Just for the record I carry maximum liability products on everything.

I can see another member in here post #8 is proof besides myself and others not to sit back and accept rate increases.

Yep nope Costco +$300 for home alone

 

[alarmguy]

We have a guy crying here on our community news page about quotes he's getting from insurance companies that will insure his new Model Y. He claims to be in his 30's good driving record, etc. $1,000/ month and only a few companies will take him. His #1 MISTAKE, only a fool buys are car and then worries about insuring it after the fact. He was told the rates are high because of the vandalism to them. Funny thing is I haven't seen or heard anything about people vandalizing a Tesla near me.

EVs are more expensive to insure and will be for quite some time if not forever, who knows. It's not about vandalism, this was factual before the whole anti Musk movement. The cost is significantly higher. Of course results will vary state to state to state right down to city and town.
It's just common sense really.
Here is what I think a good story on why. Think about it. even a ding to that battery pack, never mind the insane amount of sensors built into the vehicle.
https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/electric-car-insurance/

Call me crazy but my wife's loaded fossil fuel 2025 GM Equinox cost $343 every 6 months = $686 per year for robust coverage.

(note where it says "Uninsured Motorist No Coverage" is it is covered under the line above it "Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist for those that might miss that)

 

[SC Maintenance]

Yep nope Costco +$300 for home alone

Everyone has their own profiles - why there are umpteen companies.

Keep shopping.

 

[Burt]

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.

It’s worse than that. If you file a claim, they simply raise your rates for 3 years to recover the amount they paid out. So other than catastrophic events they’re just financing your claim.

 

[Cropduster172]

I've been with State Farm for...well, forever. Got a call from my agent about 2 weeks ago to warn me about the rate increase and suggesting that we sit down and see what can be done to reduce the premium.

I hate to switch because I have the history with them, and I have to admit that the various agents over the years have been extremely helpful when I've needed their help.

Why do you purchase insurance through an agent? There are so many channels to purchase every line of insurance online.
I can understand if you own a business and want to maximize your options between your own personal lines and your business...ie placing a vehicles on your company auto policy. But for typical homeowners, auto, marine, etc... who needs an agent?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Why do you purchase insurance through an agent? There are so many channels to purchase every line of insurance online.
I can understand if you own a business and want to maximize your options between your own personal lines and your business...ie placing a vehicles on your company auto policy. But for typical homeowners, auto, marine, etc... who needs an agent?

I wish more companies did online but they don't. Your really stuck with the big players. If your somewhere with lots of options thats great, but here the big players would not insure a home for years - no Geico, Progressive, or All State. So you were pretty much stuck using a agent, which I agree are more than worthless. I have given them proper information in writing via email and they still write the quote wrong - I think on purpose to make it look cheaper.

 

[Pablo]

Everyone has their own profiles - why there are umpteen companies.

Keep shopping.

Done shopping for now. PITA, or just tiring. I want someone to beat Progressive, just doesn't seem like they can where we sit.

 

[Cropduster172]

I wish more companies did online but they don't. Your really stuck with the big players. If your somewhere with lots of options thats great, but here the big players would not insure a home for years - no Geico, Progressive, or All State. So you were pretty much stuck using a agent, which I agree are more than worthless. I have given them proper information in writing via email and they still write the quote wrong - I think on purpose to make it look cheaper.

I get that. In fact I use an agent for our beach house because the major US companies don't write policies for coastal properties but smaller local carriers do and they're only accessible through a broker...same with flood and even condo insurance. But mainlanders, suburban, urban even rural USA...a broker is just poaching your money.

 

[alarmguy]

Why do you purchase insurance through an agent? There are so many channels to purchase every line of insurance online.
I can understand if you own a business and want to maximize your options between your own personal lines and your business...ie placing a vehicles on your company auto policy. But for typical homeowners, auto, marine, etc... who needs an agent?

I wish more companies did online but they don't. Your really stuck with the big players. If your somewhere with lots of options thats great, but here the big players would not insure a home for years - no Geico, Progressive, or All State. So you were pretty much stuck using a agent, which I agree are more than worthless. I have given them proper information in writing via email and they still write the quote wrong - I think on purpose to make it look cheaper.

Agree with @Cropduster172 for most all cases for 2 decades now I have done this.

However as @SC Maintenance just posted I ran into this recently on our new home in a coastal community but not on the coast.
At first I had traditional insurance from Progressive, interestingly though, through the builders insurance agency which reduced the premium greatly than when I tried on my own.

The following year Progressive dropped us and the area being we are near the coast.

I couldnt get anywhere going through online companies. Hooked up with a well known agency. 10 minutes on her computer I got an incredible rate, so low that I hesitate to tell others in my community *LOL* Its some company based in Florida that I never heard of and could care less. From what I understand I think, she inputs all the information and while we sat there and waited, offers to insure us start coming in. Keep in mind we have excellent credit scores and insurance scores.

Im paying $1,200 a year now on our new home, same $500,000 liability etc ... Many, make that everyone (I think) in my community are over (and well over) $2000 now including a family member on the SC side of the border who just got a $1000 increase and he felt good about it because after his company dropped him the recommended company was $2000 higher. A different local agent this time found him the policy with only a $1000 increase. You cant do this online with companies that I suspect are maybe more like (lack of better words) backed by some type of hedge fund or investment fund, never cared to look into it further but its a real company. A good insurance agency must have the software that connects you (assuming you have a good insurance score and credit) as a premium insurance buyer.

 

[demarpaint]

EVs are more expensive to insure and will be for quite some time if not forever, who knows. It's not about vandalism, this was factual before the whole anti Musk movement. The cost is significantly higher. Of course results will vary state to state to state right down to city and town.
It's just common sense really.
Here is what I think a good story on why. Think about it. even a ding to that battery pack, never mind the insane amount of sensors built into the vehicle.
https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/electric-car-insurance/

Call me crazy but my wife's loaded fossil fuel 2025 GM Equinox cost $343 every 6 months = $686 per year for robust coverage.

(note where it says "Uninsured Motorist No Coverage" is it is covered under the line above it "Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist for those that might miss that)
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View attachment 289922

I agree, they are higher to insure out of the gate because of what you stated. He was specifically told that the insane premiums quotes he was getting is because of the high potential of them being vandalized, and as I mentioned there were companies that wouldn't insure him at all. I would imagine that now that things have quieted down a bit in a few months or a year the high rates he was quoted might come down. Disclaimer, I did not fact check it, however I do believe it. I do know for me to insure a Tesla would be considerably higher than an ICE vehicle.

 

[alarmguy]

It’s worse than that. If you file a claim, they simply raise your rates for 3 years to recover the amount they paid out. So other than catastrophic events they’re just financing your claim.

At least 3 years and it also is a ding on your insurance score.

 

[SC Maintenance]

At least 3 years and it also is a ding on your insurance score.

7 I was told. I was out of town and a pipe burst. I had no idea who to have the wife call so told here to call insurance and ask - they sent the clean up crew. It worked out well but insurance went up quite a bit and some companies would not quote for a while.

I am older and wiser now.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Warren Buffet is a strong believer in self insuring wherever possible.

Well, he has pretty deep pockets...

 

[JeffKeryk]

IIRC last year while looking for houses in Florida as part of doing my homework I checked insurance rates, insane is putting it nicely. I was told that about 40% of the people on the road in Florida are either under insured or have no insurance. I didn't fact check it but it made sense to me. Guess who pays for that?????????

Yep. I imagine I am paying for at least one other person...

 

[JeffKeryk]

This thread got me wondering about other vendors, specifically Tesla insurance. Easy to do an online quote via the Tesla cellphone app. $1178 for 6 months; sheesh! Elon can pound sand. He's wack.

 

[SC Maintenance]

This thread got me wondering about other vendors, specifically Tesla insurance. Easy to do an online quote via the Tesla cellphone app. $1178 for 6 months; sheesh! Elon can pound sand. He's wack.

I am sure they are not the underwriter. But yes that sounds like a lot.