Calling all Auto Insurance Experts
- Thread starter Cyinthenorth
- Start date
Personally having a local agent is old school fogey stuff...the local agent isnt going to be able to do much other than what you can on a good website. If you have a claim other folks will get involved, etc. The agent is there to sell you more than you need and profit.
I had a local agent for years, and finally realized when he didnt call back and was out of the office 2 out of 3 times I called him, I didnt actually get anything for my higher premiums. Had Farmers, and switched to Progressive and set it up online in like 20 minutes. All your data is online, and I felt dumb paying more for ****** service. Your experience may vary....
I dont have full coverage on any vehicles, they are all paid for the day I buy them. I would have a high deductible if for some reason I needed full coverage.
One other person recommended an umbrella policy. I think thats good advice too, maybe look into that for all of your needs? Good luck...
I had a local agent for years, and finally realized when he didnt call back and was out of the office 2 out of 3 times I called him, I didnt actually get anything for my higher premiums. Had Farmers, and switched to Progressive and set it up online in like 20 minutes. All your data is online, and I felt dumb paying more for ****** service. Your experience may vary....
I dont have full coverage on any vehicles, they are all paid for the day I buy them. I would have a high deductible if for some reason I needed full coverage.
One other person recommended an umbrella policy. I think thats good advice too, maybe look into that for all of your needs? Good luck...
Wait, unless you're just shuffling between low value vehicles this makes no sense. If you're buying newer/higher priced vehicles, you'd still want to protect your financial investment in them.
I would suggest putting your and your wife's vehicles on the same policy with the same limits. You can get multi vehicle discounts that way, and while the discounts aren't large, every little bit helps. As far as limits, 50/100/50 is very much on the low side. Many umbrella policies require you to have higher limits to purchase a million dollar policy.
I have older vehicles (newest is a 2010), but i also work on them. My investment is minimal, as I pay cash from private parties. Cars are a **** investment, especially mainstream newer stuff. I have some cool stuff, but dont insure them all at the same time and take my chances. Low value is relative too....got an amg benz, 7 series bmw, classic cadillacs, suburban, tahoe, silverado, sports cars, etc. All not worth much if you crash them, but expensive to insure (your local agents favorite kind)....
I think you're in a much different situation than an average person not knowing what, how much, or where to insure things. working in the insurance industry there are a lot of people who don't actually know what their policy covers, so unless you're willing to put in the time and read through the policy packet and research things, it's nice to have an agent.
Find an independent agent that represents many companies and let them do the work for you. My local agent is fantastic. I signed everything electronically, and at our annual renewal, they look and make sure we still have the best deal for our options. We talk over the phone and email, it's been great. I've had nationwide, auto owners, state farm and now progressive. Your agent is the most important part, if you have a good agent, it really doesn't matter what company you have.
We have 250/500/500 through progressive, cheaper than we were paying 100/300/100 with our previous company. Those levels are required to get the $1mil umbrella. Being in the metro, one big accident adds up quick.
If you're planning on quoting with allstate, I'd probably see what the rate is through esurance first (I believe allstate backs their policies). I doubt they clear against each other but just in case.
I've had esurance for 4-5 years for our house/cars: it started off dirt cheap and continues to be dirt cheap on renewal
I've had esurance for 4-5 years for our house/cars: it started off dirt cheap and continues to be dirt cheap on renewal
Have to say I thought esurance was just a quote blaster, not a direct writer of insurance.
Not having read the previous posts on this thread, I think you are just moving your situation from one discount insurance company to another. If you want better service, you will likely need to choose a company with an agent you can face to face with. If you want cheaper insurance without a face, but are willing to deal with nickels and dimes, then go with GEICO or just stick with Progressive.
I've had the same State Farm agent since 2008. About 1.5 miles from my house and I've talked to him once in person. Talked to the receptionist maybe 3 times in person.
I really like State Farm and they've been easy to work with on a couple incidents. But I'm not really sure how much value they add to an online auto insurance company.
I really should shop around but I hate even the idea of that.
I really like State Farm and they've been easy to work with on a couple incidents. But I'm not really sure how much value they add to an online auto insurance company.
I really should shop around but I hate even the idea of that.
I've been in the business for pushing 15 years now and truest fact on the planet is that people that don't need an agent think they do and call all the time and people that really do need an agent never pick up the phone and shop online.
You'd be amazed at the number of incredibly well off people that have tons of assets and tons to lose are driving around in their brand new BMWs with damn near state minimum coverage while not disclosing to Progressive all of the members of their household. It's frightening.
Also, whoever it was that's paying $100 a month for an umbrella, unless you have a horrible claims history, you're getting ripped off.
You'd be amazed at the number of incredibly well off people that have tons of assets and tons to lose are driving around in their brand new BMWs with damn near state minimum coverage while not disclosing to Progressive all of the members of their household. It's frightening.
Also, whoever it was that's paying $100 a month for an umbrella, unless you have a horrible claims history, you're getting ripped off.
Watch out for Geico. I had them quote home and auto and ended up switching because of the homeowners policy was better, especially in terms of roof replacement.
However, when I got my declaration page for auto I found out they had totally dropped collision on my truck "because it is over 10 years old and most people don't carry collision then".
I figured I was smart enough to know when I didn't want collision coverage.
I texted and had an agent quote me 2MM umbrella and it was 65/month. About what my mill is now so I am going to have to check more into this. No accidents to note.
I'm trying to do this every few years myself just because of the time it can take. so far State Farm has tried to say they have lowered rates and will work on a quote for me but then never call back, and Allstate still beats every one by a few hundred dollars overall, but again my situation will be different then the next so the best advice is as you said shop around and make sure the coverage's are actually comparable.
under 30 and still technically single might be bumping my rates up a bit still, hell most places wanted over $1000 a year for full coverage on my $8k sports bike when I first got it, had to go under my parents insurance for it for a while even with having a motorcycle license when I turned 16 and a permit before that even, with multiple safety courses taken because of the military.
Told they go by age, driving record, businesses, age of all drivers, your income, credit history was mentioned, a few other things I don’t remember.
