Geico vs. Progressive

[ruxCYtable]

Insurance up for renewal. Been with Progressive for several years but got a better quote from Geico and I see their customer satisfaction ratings are higher (both Consumer Reports and JD Power).

Anyone have any strong feelings either way?

 

[bos]

I always got high quotes from Prog, so I went with Geico. Been with them for a few years now and cant complain.

 

[dmclone]

Geico just sent me a birthday card and I'm not even a customer. I've gotten quotes on both but both times they were both more expensive then me just going through the same broker I've had for the last 15 years.

 

[Knownothing]

Call Adam Gray and see what Nationwide can do. Usually in Iowa Nationwide beats Geico. Especially if you get home and auto or renters insurance and auto. Also don't let Geico sell you the lowest crap possible. It does not cost that much more to get better coverage. I am an insurance agent and know Geico agents try to sell the lowest crap just to beat the other guys rate. That is not good. You will pay for it in the long run.

 

[cyflier]

Insurance up for renewal. Been with Progressive for several years but got a better quote from Geico and I see their customer satisfaction ratings are higher (both Consumer Reports and JD Power).

Anyone have any strong feelings either way?

Go with an agent, its always good to have be able to work with someone when a claim comes in. The cheapest normally isnt the best, you get what you pay for.

 

[greatshu]

I was with GEICO for couple of years, but switched over to Progressive because GEICO send me a nasty letter about me abusing their emergency services.

My tire went flat (and spare went flat at the same time) and battery died in one week, so I called for emergency services. Few days later, I got a letter from GEICO saying that I am abusing their services and taking their resources away from other customers. I was like WTF? I pay for those services and why do I have to be lectured by them when I am the customer?

Progressive is cheaper when you combine everything. I even have homeowners insurance from them too. They were extremely helpful when my garage got hit by a drunk driver. They took care of everything and cut me a check within a week.

 

[abcguyks]

I can't stand Flo - go with Geico.

 

[dmclone]

I'm a believer in high deductibles. For the last 15 years I've had a $1,000 instead of a $500 on my cars. I don't have the numbers in front of me but I have to think that in the last 15 years that has saved me thousands of dollars. Although I've never submitted a claim.

 

[Senolcyc]

I was with GEICO for couple of years, but switched over to Progressive because GEICO send me a nasty letter about me abusing their emergency services.

My tire went flat (and spare went flat at the same time) and battery died in one week, so I called for emergency services. Few days later, I got a letter from GEICO saying that I am abusing their services and taking their resources away from other customers. I was like WTF? I pay for those services and why do I have to be lectured by them when I am the customer?

That's insurance. The only product ever that costs more if you actually use it. Imagine this: you pay $500 for a set of golf clubs and that is the price as long as you never use them. Once you use them, the price goes up. Every subsequent time you use them, the price goes up. And if you use them "too much," the store you bought them from comes and takes them away. That's insurance.

 

[benjay]

I'd shop around, and definitely talk to some agents. West Bend Mutual ended up being the cheapest for me, plus I have an agent I can call or email with any questions or policy additions/subtractions.

Progressive is quite expensive.

 

[bos]

State Farm said they could save me 11 dollars a year. Thanks SF.

 

[CySmitty]

I have progressive since thy have given a me killer rate. When i was shopping it earlier this year travelers gave me a pretty killer rate so check them out too.

 

[hawkeyeh8r]

state farm is the way to go

 

[JY07]

I had both progressive and geico for a year each. I didn't have a claim with either, so I can't tell you how helpful they are, but i can tell you both raised their rates by a decent percentage after a year for no apparent reason, so that might be something you can look forward to.

 

[CloneIce]

I've had Progressive for years. They were very helpful and good to deal with on a claim for a major accident I was in that was not my fault some years ago. Can't speak to Geico.

 

[ruxCYtable]

I've researched my own coverage needs so a low quote is not being pushed on me by an agent. I know exactly what I'm looking for thanks to the outstanding education I received in finance from THE Iowa State University.

No offense to any agents on the board or to anyone who suggests it as the way to go, but I'm simply not interested for a couple reasons. First, I don't like people very much, least of all salespeople. I'd much rather get online and submit a claim when necessary than call and talk to somebody on the phone. Second, as I recently found out with my satellite install experience I posted on extensively, I see an agent as an unnecessary layer of potential incompetence. Again, no offense intended, just one man's opinion.

To the other person who posted regarding deductibles, I have also saved thousands over the years by selecting high deductibles. I want insurance for one reason only: to replace my car in the event of a catastrophic accident. I don't want insurance paying to fix door dings. I've never understood people who pay hundreds of extra dollars per year so they can have a $250 deductible vs. a $1000 deductible. Makes no sense whatsoever.

I'm surprised to read some people's comments about Progressive being expensive. I think "Progressive" and "expensive" are two words I've never seen in the same sentence together.

 

[temperflare]

I'm a believer in high deductibles. For the last 15 years I've had a $1,000 instead of a $500 on my cars. I don't have the numbers in front of me but I have to think that in the last 15 years that has saved me thousands of dollars. Although I've never submitted a claim.

The premium difference between a 500 and 1000 comprehensive deductible is very small. Obviously, if you've never filed a claim then it works out for you. However, I suggest carrying no more than a 500 comp deductible if you are looking for cost-effective coverage. Depending on your history, the difference between a 500 and 250 comp deductible may also be minimal.

Your collision deductible is where you are going to see the greatest premium difference from 500 to 1000.

ALWAYS, always carry as much liability coverage as you can comfortably afford. Better to have it and not need it than to not have it and wish you did.

Also, the difference between 50k property damage liability and 100k is usually anywhere from cents to a couple bucks a month. Always ask for the premium difference between those two. It'll shock you how little it is.

However, the above isn't necessarily true if you have multiple accidents and/or have been driving for only a few years.

I can go on and on.

 

[JY07]

I'm surprised to read some people's comments about Progressive being expensive. I think "Progressive" and "expensive" are two words I've never seen in the same sentence together.

Their automotive rate for me was pretty close to on par, but when I bought a house and went to add that to the coverage, their quote was staggeringly high... allstate and geico were in the $400 range, where progressive was around $900 (i did the quote online, and then called them up just to be sure... over the phone they came up with a similar number)

 

[dmclone]

The premium difference between a 500 and 1000 comprehensive deductible is very small. Obviously, if you've never filed a claim then it works out for you. However, I suggest carrying no more than a 500 comp deductible if you are looking for cost-effective coverage. Depending on your history, the difference between a 500 and 250 comp deductible may also be minimal.

It saves me roughly $350/year on each car. So in 15 years it has saved me roughly $10,500. I would have had to have 21 accidents in 15 years to justify the extra cost. I don't know how that's not cost effective?

 

[temperflare]

I've researched my own coverage needs so a low quote is not being pushed on me by an agent. I know exactly what I'm looking for thanks to the outstanding education I received in finance from THE Iowa State University.

No offense to any agents on the board or to anyone who suggests it as the way to go, but I'm simply not interested for a couple reasons. First, I don't like people very much, least of all salespeople. I'd much rather get online and submit a claim when necessary than call and talk to somebody on the phone. Second, as I recently found out with my satellite install experience I posted on extensively, I see an agent as an unnecessary layer of potential incompetence. Again, no offense intended, just one man's opinion.

To the other person who posted regarding deductibles, I have also saved thousands over the years by selecting high deductibles. I want insurance for one reason only: to replace my car in the event of a catastrophic accident. I don't want insurance paying to fix door dings. I've never understood people who pay hundreds of extra dollars per year so they can have a $250 deductible vs. a $1000 deductible. Makes no sense whatsoever.

I'm surprised to read some people's comments about Progressive being expensive. I think "Progressive" and "expensive" are two words I've never seen in the same sentence together.

Excellent points, you know, Nationwide has a direct service so you don't have to deal with a local agent. Ask me how I know. :yes:

It's always great for someone to "self-insure" for their deductible. The way you are looking at insurance is the "correct" way. It is best used for your high dollar losses as opposed to smaller incidents whereas paying out of pocket is preferred. Why? Because if you have an accident or comprehensive claim whereas the payout is above a certain amount (usually 400.00 to 1000.00 or more) you will get surcharged at renewal.