Community Chat

[Desert Lily]

I've had the same insurance company since I was in college after high school 40 years ago. Because I sold my house and am currently building a new house, I'm renting (my own house, actually). So I went from a Homeowners policy to a Renters policy.

My premium on my Auto insurance has now jumped by $210/year because I switched to Renters insurance temporarily. I still have multi lines of insurance with the same company, but the Auto discount shrank with the onset of a Renters policy rather than a Homeowners. A company rep explained that to me.

For 15 months during the pandemic, I drove less than 20 miles in total. There was a discount during the 1st 3 months only. I retired during the pandemic but my office was less than 3 miles from home, so I have less than 5,000 miles on my 3-year old car.

The insurance rep said that I could possibly get an Auto insurance discount if I let the company install a "beacon" that would track my driving. The State Farm agent called it "The Drive Safe & Save app." That "beacon" feels like an infringement on my privacy and completely discouraged me from seeking a further discount. (I realize there are services like ONSTAR that can be helpful, but this "beacon" is different.)

But, the whole scenario may encourage me to seek out a new insurance company after all these years.

[On It]

@Desert Lily I am very concerned about these devices. We already have way too much personal information out there. I would be hesitant to install one on my car. I don't want Alexa watching me sleep either. Unplugged, disconnected everything I could to prevent that!

Edited to add: Ask if the discount will be reinstated when you move into your new home. Maybe you won't have to change.

[KailaS]

I also refused to let my company track my driving although I probably drive fewer than 25 miles a month.  Except for medical appointments, I walk almost everywhere.  

[SeaMaiden]

@Desert Lily  Do not choose Farmers...no discount at all for low mileage driving...

[PickyPicky3]

Insurance is regulated by state, so someone's recommendation from a different state really has little value.

You should get some quotes from other companies whether you change companies or not. Get quotes from  two individual companies plus give your info to a broker to see what they can do for you.

You may be happy with what you have, or you might not. Buying insurance is like a playing a board game. 

[itsmagic]

We used to have Allstate a few years ago and they used some sort of tracker system too.  I didn’t like the idea of it either and will never get auto insurance where I have to use one. 

[Jordan2]

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@itsmagic wrote:

We used to have Allstate a few years ago and they used some sort of tracker system too.  I didn’t like the idea of it either and will never get auto insurance where I have to use one. 

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@itsmagic I have Allstate, they mentioned the driving tracker, they said I could save money. I told them I didn't want it, they didn't make me take it. I will be shopping for a new auto insurance company, I think Allstate is rather expensive. I'll checkout Liberty Mutual, Geico, and Progressive. I checked out State Farm, it was more expensive than Allstate.

[ValuSkr]

Get quotes from other companies.  If you've been with the same company for 40 years, I bet you'll save a lot of $$$ by switching.  The companies take advantage of people that don't shop around.  They aren't loyal to you and you shouldn't be loyal to them

[Meowingkitty]

I started out with Allstate when I was a kid because they told me since I was young I had to stay on my parents policy until I was 25. I found out that was a lie. Fast forward, I got married and got a house and I started to shop around when Allstate lowered by premium by all of 2 cents a month. Then my homeowners insurance with them skyrocketed and when I asked why I was told I had to pay for a fire that was up north hundreds of miles away. I left and went to Amica where my premiums were half. Then they started to raise my rates and I am now with The Hartford. Good rates for both homeowner and 2 cars. It pays to shop around.

[patbz]

I've had same insurance company for forty years as well and I don't foresee ever switching.  My company is USAA and my family and I really feel its the best (  its always highly rated for homeowners and auto).