Among Friends

[I am still oxox]

We do not have an agent we us Geico from home and auto and most of my work with them is online  Our policy included roadside protection and you can track the repair truck on line which is great

[Bird mama]

@Group 5 minus 1  I can't tell if you were asking the question of me.  I went from full theft/collision to basic no fault.  

[Group 5 minus 1]

Do you mean that you had full collision (sometimes called broadform) and now have collision coverage only if you are determined to be not at fault (sometimes called limited collision)?  In Michigan all auto insurance is "no Fault".  This means your insurance pays you and the other persons insurance pays them.  The fault of the collision is not taken into account unless ther are extensive circumstances and a law suit ensues.  If this confuses you ask your agent for an explaination of  "no Fault".

[Bird mama]

@Group 5 minus 1  I'm quite clear on the difference in my insurance coverage between my Nissan and my Camaro.  Should something happen to either car, there will be no surprises :-)

[Group 5 minus 1]

OK fine

[Moonchilde]

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@Bird mama wrote:

@Katcat1  I live in Michigan.  

Anyone else who lives in Michigan that reads my post will understand what that simple 4 word sentence above this one means.

I started out with Allstate with my first car.  I had to give my agent credit because he came out and said I was redlined - a Detroit resident.

I was told, when you get older the rates will drop.  When you move the rates will drop.

I've been with State Farm for awhile because I have my house insured by them and husband's car was always insured by them.  I finally added my car to State Farm after 20 + years with Allstate (just easier).

Homeowners isn't bad and I don't have a flimsy homeowners policy.

I am not a menace to society on the road and am 55 today, not living in Detroit for some time time and my Nissan Versa insurance is high to me (2010 model).  I have a '99 Camaro that I dropped to no-fault only because even though the car is in good shape, the age is such that they would total the car if there was an accident (told this by the agent).

I have coordination of benefits between my medical and auto insurance.  My agent told me when I hit 65 and go on Medicare insurance, rates will go up because Medicare insurance never coordinates with auto.

In summary - it's all a crock.  We never catch a break :-)

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@Bird mama - ain't that the truth!

I lived in an area of LA that had higher rates (as does most of LA city). My rates were high on a 14 year old car, never went down. Was assured, even when I bought a new car in 2016, that once I didn't live in LA my rates would go "way" down.

I live rural now. No theft, no high collision rates, no nearby crime. I have a clean driving record. No tickets, no at-fault accidents. Also no drop in my insurance rates by any of the last three insurance companies I used (the state's cheapest). Yes, I expected certain rates because I had a new car, but it was very clear early on that the whole "lower rates for living in the sticks" thing is completely untrue. My rates on the new car while still in LA were only slightly (and I mean slightly) higher than what their rates would have been here - so I shopped. I still think it's higher than it should be based on all the above. But - whaddaya gonna do... 

[Annabellethecat66]

No, I guess I'm lucky that way.  I have had the same agents for many years.  They represent many different companies but I've never changed.

I have my house, my car, my business and catastrophe with them.  It's amazing how many people don't have catastrophe (that's what I call it).  If you are in an accident and get sued often insurance doesn't cover the extra cost.  People these days will sue you something terrible.

It isn't expensive and worth looking into.  I've had several lawyers tell me they all have it because they have teenage drivers.  They said, "We know what's going on out there, make sure you're covered."

I agree there are a lot of differences in what they charge.  However, before you eliminate any of your insurance you should price what it costs to get any kind of replacement for your car.

I just gave my little sister $2,000 to get one here in the Washington, DC/Va area.  She shopped for a long time but found a wonderful 2002 car.  She said the prices are stupid high.

I don't know where you live but make sure you'll be able to get another car if something happens to yours.  Just be sure.

My other daughter just sold my old 2004 Acura MDX for $7,000.  That seems like a lot of money to me.  However, I didn't realize she bought it from me (wouldn't let me give it to her) for $8,000.  She said that was the blue book value.  I have no idea.

[Lindsays Grandma]

I have been with State Farm since I started driving, which has been a lifetime.  They always handled problems to my satisfaction so because of that I never even thought about changing companies.  I never heard about dealing directly with the company as opposed to an agent until I read this thread and your post.  Now that I am a little bit smarter and a how lot older,  I just might call around to see if I can save some money, oh, and I'll pass on the info to my daughter, knowing her I am sure she is paying way too much.

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@Moonchilde wrote:

The rates for companies who use agents are very often, if not nearly always, higher than dealing with an insurance company directly. I haven't used anything but online & mail companies for at least 35 years. I've had claims (the other guy's fault) over the years and none of the companies gave me any sort of hassle, or were not diligent on my behalf. And the rates are definitely lower.

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[hckynut]

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@K@atCat1 wrote:

I have been with my agent 7 years never had a claim.  My insurance rates are high because of my zip code (there must theft or other claims outside my present area) as we are seniors in all 3 buildings and have no problems here with cars. 

So I call my agent up and I told her I wanted to drop collison since my car is 2005.  I said my rates keep going up.  She tells me my rates have been the same for 4 years (that was a lie).  I told her I would call back once I made a decision.  

So I call back today and she was shocked that I had the figures for each category on my car.  Take off collison which is $104.05 and I will keep comprehensive.  In my first call she is telling me I need to take off comprehensive too.  Then she said, oh you flooked over the figures.  

Did she think I would make a decision without looking at everything and I corrected her on a couple of things but never brought up the fact that she lied about my rates being the same for 4 years.  Little does she know that I will be changing agents.  If you cannot be truthful with me, I cannot trust you.  I can imagine how she handles clients that are older than me.   Well this senior chick has her number.  Ever have your agent lie to you??   

@Katcat1

Yes I have, but only 1 time for that person.

hckynut(john)

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[ID2]

We were with AAA for many years. Our agent always made us feel like he was giving us such a good deal! We wised up and now have Progressive. What a huge difference in what we now pay! More coverage for a lot less!