Best auto insurance

[Jason Boggs]

I've seen threads on here about insurance companies, but who do you like/not like? I've been with State Farm for about 22 years, but I just got a quote in the mail from Allstate that's quite a bit cheaper than what I currently pay. All in all I've been satisfied will State Farm, but does anyone recommend another carrier? I may call tomorrow to see what Allstate offers me.

 

[Ric Burney]

I used to be with State Farm but the rates kept creeping up even with good driving record, no accidents, older vehicle, etc. I switched over to Progressive a few years ago and haven't looked back. No problems so far and for what I was paying SF to cover one vehicle I now can cover two with change to spare.

 

[Chris Allington]

I had the same issue with State Farm as Ric, and though I'm young, my rates kept going up though I have never had any reported accidents and only a single ticket in my 7 years of driving. I switched to Geico and cover both my wife and I's vehicles for what I used to pay for just hers. The tricky thing for me when switching was you can't really read reviews online, I tried that and just about every company had the same rating and the same complaints. People complain if their claim doesn't get paid and alot of people don't seem to understand how insurance works so they wrote bad reviews. I'd ask around with some folks you know and see who they have had good experiences with...

 

[Tony Laubach]

I've been with American Family Insurance for 12 years now; my agent is well aware of my chasing and they've done a brilliant job of protecting me over the years. I have had three claims; one on car (accident), one on renter's (broken pipe), and one on business (camera) and all three were handled immediately and I had a check in my hands in a few days. They've never questioned me, never have made me fight, and have always been there. My rates have stayed very steady throughout my time with them, so that has never been a problem. I have seen cheaper rates with other companies, but I absolutely refuse to trade in the peace of mind I have with them and will stick with them as long as I can.

 

[D. Hayes]

I used to be with USAA since they was considerably cheaper than Geico for me in the military when I was overseas. But recently I switch to Progressive and they were $200 cheaper every 6 months. Would be considerably cheaper if I could afford to pay in full.

 

[Jason Foster]

I won't use:

Allstate
State Farm
Progressive

The crap they have pulled, their ridiculous policies (in MD & FL) and the high prices, it just isn't worth it to me. They all have 'central' claims centers and are trained how to 'aggressively' avoid paying.

Both states I've had insurance in are high priced states (and cities). Florida is the worst state to have insurance, especially in Miami area. Rates are sky high (thanks to the 50% of un-insured drivers), and no one working for these companies cares or even tries.

Check the ratings of companies in your area and with your circumstances (own a home, have kids, etc.). National companies tend to rank low on a local level. Personal agents and such are much better to deal with, and often will get you the discounts to match the big guys rates.

The mode of operation these days for any of the big companies (and some of the small ones) is always to offer a low rate for your first contract (six months or a year), but the average increase year-to-year is around 5%+/- WITHOUT any 'incidents' including infractions. Also remember that outside factors also can change your rates...like you credit score.

 

[Jason Boggs]

Well, I'm now insured by Allstate. I saved a little over $200 every 6 months by going with them. Included is 15,000 worth of renters insurance that I didn't have with State Farm. I'm happy...

I wasn't going to, but I told them that I chase storms. They didn't seem too concerned at all. I said I wouldn't make a claim for hail dents, but I would for broken glass. In 12 years of storm chasing, I've never had a window bust on me. Again, the agent didn't seem concerned. He stated that the vehicle could get pummeled with hail just sitting in the driveway, and I agreed.

 

[Greg Campbell]

I won't use:

Allstate
State Farm
Progressive

The crap they have pulled, their ridiculous policies (in MD & FL) and the high prices, it just isn't worth it to me.

The mode of operation these days for any of the big companies (and some of the small ones) is always to offer a low rate for your first contract (six months or a year), but the average increase year-to-year is around 5%+/- WITHOUT any 'incidents' including infractions. Also remember that outside factors also can change your rates...like you credit score.

As near as I can tell, they ALL do it. Over the last few years, I've come to expect outrageous premium increases and am happy to bounce back and forth between 3~4 companies. I pay for 6 months or a year at a time. When renewal time rolls around, I just head down to the local agent and tell them "It's time! " They hunt down a good rate, often with an 'old friend,' I pay, and all is well.

Credit is one excuse they use, but I can't imagine it's the only one. I don't have bad credit, but I don't have very much 'good' credit either. I have one tiny credit card, and no outstanding loans. Is that a somehow a bad thing?

Over the last 10 years, I've accumulated 2 traffic stops (one unrelated to driving, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, 1 absurd warning from a bored CHP,) zero tickets, and 1 innocent fender-bender (got rear ended with minimal damage a few years back.) For this, they invariably JACK my premiums by 30, 50, even 60+%. WTF?

 

[Jason Boggs]

1 innocent fender-bender (got rear ended with minimal damage a few years back.) For this, they invariably JACK my premiums by 30, 50, even 60+%. WTF?

You got rear ended and your premiums went up!?!

 

[Scott Weberpal]

I use American Family and have been with them my entire life, at least the portion of it which I needed insurance. Right now I pay about $170 every 6 months for FULL coverage on my car, that's right, only about $340/year. My agent is well aware of my chasing and knows I usually don't make any weather related claims. I've replaced all windshields out of pocket (usually about $250 installed), and don't bother getting hail dents fixed.

I've been extremely happy with American Family, and I'm sure it helps that our agent is a family friend and it's a small town office where everybody knows everyone.

 

[MatthewCarman]

I have Progresive at the moment and they charge me 50$ a month. Times that by 12 months and that is $600 I pay a year for insurance. $340 a year sounds like a better plan.

Edit: Thanks for the correction Wes and thanks Chris I did not notice you mentioned Gieko.

 

[Wes Carter]

I have Progresive at the moment and they charge me 50$ a month. Times that by 12 months and that is $1200 I pay a year for insurance. $340 a year sounds like a better plan.

Nobody has mentioned Gieko. Are they any good?

$50 x 12months = $600

 

[Chris Allington]

I have Progresive at the moment and they charge me 50$ a month. Times that by 12 months and that is $1200 I pay a year for insurance. $340 a year sounds like a better plan.

Nobody has mentioned Gieko. Are they any good?

I had the same issue with State Farm as Ric, and though I'm young, my rates kept going up though I have never had any reported accidents and only a single ticket in my 7 years of driving. I switched to Geico and cover both my wife and I's vehicles for what I used to pay for just hers. The tricky thing for me when switching was you can't really read reviews online, I tried that and just about every company had the same rating and the same complaints. People complain if their claim doesn't get paid and alot of people don't seem to understand how insurance works so they wrote bad reviews. I'd ask around with some folks you know and see who they have had good experiences with...

(Required Text and Such)

 

[Bruce M. Sumner]

You got rear ended and your premiums went up!?!

Yes. It's called risk.

 

[David Goines]

I have Progressive and it's currently $73/ month for:
Bodily Injury: $25,000 EACH PERSON - $50,000 EACH ACCIDENT
Property Damage: $25,000 EACH ACCIDENT
Medical Payments: $5000
Comprehensive Deductable: $500 with $0 window glass deductable (WHICH I LOVE)
Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury: $25,000 Each Person - $50,000 Each Accident

With me and my wife's car on it (her's without the 0$ glass deductable) it comes to $140/month.
Not too bad in my opinion. She has had two tickets and two fender benders that were her fault which raises her premium a little. We used to have a local insurer and it was around $100/month but her car was liability only with them.