I need to learn the secret to paying what some of you guys pay for insurance. I review coverages and rates every 2 years, and the last time I did it, all the competitors were higher. Here's my renewal (Safeco) coming due May 1st. I don't know if it's Texas, or what's to blame, but insurance is back-breaking here. I'm 51, no tickets, just one claim for a hit & run that happened a month or so ago, which didn't seem to affect rates much. Kind of mind-blowing that a 2017 Focus ST base costs more than a fully loaded 2018 Mustang convertible. 252hp vs. 310hp, and a cloth roof. Their algorithms are definitely strange.
$ 257 / 6 months would be a dream.
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A lot of it may be your area.
Since I'm not familiar with the Texas market, I can't speak specifically to it.
However, as a point of reference, I will tell you what I pay in Ohio.
Full coverage on all four vehicles in my signature, 250K/500K bodily injury, 250K property damage, 5K medical payments/person, 250K/500K uninsured/underinsured, $250D comp, $500D collision. Not including my 1M umbrella, I pay $1017/year.
I found a good independent agent and shop every 2 years.
I have been with the same company 27 years. Have beaten price once by $50./year. This was from a company that is well known to jack rates on renewal. (ended up getting a quote through my college alumni association.) When I went to pair up home insurance if I made the change, I found that the change would basically be a wash.
My company gives us excellent service. They proved that to us through how they handled themselves during a 7 year long lawsuit when some woman hit my wife and sued. Frankly, it would take a huge number to get me to switch, and with longevity and other discounts, I question whether I could find anything that would make it worth my while to switch. Heck, I insure my pickup for $7.41/month, full coverage with discounts.
I always recommend finding a good independent agent or broker that can capture a multitude of companies. Not only the captive, well advertised ones, but the regional lesser known ones. I've found many times that there is real value that can be realized there. Also, do these companies offer longevity discounts and other discounts. With my carrier, I qualify for 11, including one that states that since I have been a customer for at least 15 years, no surcharge will be applied to the policy for future at fault accidents.
Some markets are just horrible to insure vehicles in. My sister in Florida just told me a recent horror story she had, and her costs are horrible as well. In those cases, you just shop the best you can and do as well as you can.