Auto Insurance...What would you do???

[dfchelbay]

Hi budget buddies. Sorry if this is long but I have to make a final decision by Saturday whether to stay with my current insurance carrier or change to Progressive. I am unhappy with my current carrier because they raised the rates, yet again on my auto and umbrella policies. My renewal amount for auto was $3041.00 per year (With Onstar). I noticed that they did not give me my discounts for low mileage driven and for having Onstar on my car. So, I called them and they gave me my discounts, then sent me my new Declaration/Renewal page in the mail...RAISING my premium. I called and they told me that when I called to get my discounts, that was considered a change to my policy and, in turn, effective that day said it now costs more to insure the car without Onstar and my RV. So, I got my $48 Onstar and low miles credit, but they raised my premium $106.00. So, at the moment, I hate them. I called around and got some quotes and here are the numbers:

Current Carrier - $2894.00 per year
Progressive - $2618.76 per year (or slightly less coverage)

Save $275.24 per year to switch to Progressive

Mr apprehension are:

1-My homeowners premium may go up because it will no longer be with the same insurer as my autos;

2-I've not heard very good things about Progressive when it comes to making a claim; and it's slightly less coverage limits than I currently have.

3 - I'm nervous that over the phone Progressive says is will be $2618.76 per year, but I will get my policy/declaration page and it will be more than the verbal over the phone. My thinking is that they will quote low to get your commitment and credit card number, then it will be higher when I get the paperwork. Then, I'll have to pay an additional amount.

So, would you stay with your current carrier, or switch? What are your experiences, good or bad with Progressive?

Thanks for any input.

 

[tar heel]

I would not shop auto and homeowners insurance separately. You need prices for both in order to make a decision. It would not be wise to just "guess" what might happen with your homeowners.

Raising you b/c you asked about discounts is crazy.

I am in a similar situation to you. We've had Liberty Mutural forever. I know we could get lower rates, but we've been very impressed with claims. I've not even priced other carriers for several years.

 

[zscfan]

I've had Progressive for the past 4 years and have had 2 claims with them. They are the most awesome, helpful company ever. They bend over backwards to make sure I am happy. I recommend Progressive to everyone.

 

[2005s4]

I have mercury and it just went up $250/6 months.. no accidents or anything, really terrible!

 

[kellydizfan]

O.k. from a insurance broker, I would not move to Progressive. Here in NY they are not what we call a standard company, they take anyone and if you get any tickets at all, they will charge for them. For that savings it is not worth it. Also, less coverage - how much and what is it that they are cutting. Also you have your umbrella to worry about. Progressive here in NY does not write umbrella's. You may need to go to another carrier to get an umbrella over your home & Auto as your current carrier may not go over a Progressive Auto Policy and it may eat up your savings on the auto. Please review carefully before changing - more than just savings to look at. Multi-policy discount possibly lost on the home and that could go up and take away some of that savings also.

 

[here757]

woah! FL?!
its already tough to get a good rate in florida. most insurance companies wont even deal with florida..

ur correct in thinking that ur homeowners will go up if you cancel the auto.
check your homeowners declaration page see if it lists the discount and try to figure it out, if not then call the company and tell them ..
ur upset about ur rates. make sure you tell them no changes this time so you dont get an increase because of the questions!

make sure you go line by line and match the policy limits. be sure to check for any valuable personal property coverage. IE jewerly, art etc.

make sure they do all underwriting up front. make sure they have ur driving record. most companys dont get it til the renewal and then they charge for accidents and/or tickets. making them look cheaper at first.

progressive.. for claims. i have never had an issue.. but think about this.
everyone with a claim wants it settled fast. 3 days might be fast to you. but to others 3 days seems like forever!
every company out there has complaints in the claims department. LOL

good luck

 

[here757]

O.k. from a insurance broker, I would not move to Progressive. Here in NY they are not what we call a standard company, they take anyone and if you get any tickets at all, they will charge for them. For that savings it is not worth it. Also, less coverage - how much and what is it that they are cutting. Also you have your umbrella to worry about. Progressive here in NY does not write umbrella's. You may need to go to another carrier to get an umbrella over your home & Auto as your current carrier may not go over a Progressive Auto Policy and it may eat up your savings on the auto. Please review carefully before changing - more than just savings to look at. Multi-policy discount possibly lost on the home and that could go up and take away some of that savings also.

not to mention...
MOST companies will not write an umbrella without the home and auto.
they wanna be able to monitor the limits of liability

 

[RyJMom]

Something doesn't sound right about the rate raising because you made a change. I work for State Farm and if you call and make any change it spits out a new page showing the price from the date you called through the end of the renewal. If it is close to the renewal it shows more than 6 months. Maybe that is why it looks like the rate raised. I may be way off - every state is different - in fact we don't even give Onstar discount in my state.

 

[Juliee8]

I have been in the insurance business for 14 years, and can tell you that you definately want to keep your home and auto with the same company for the best price. With that being said, I also think that especially now, it is a good idea to get quotes and check rates in your area every couple of years.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

DH just called Progressive this morning. They are saying the quote is now higher b/c I was rear-ended in 2007 (not at fault). What, was I supposed to do... pull out into traffic and get t-boned to avoid getting rear-ended?

 

[nunzia]

I am also looking into changing carriers (have had Allstate for home and auto for years) does anyone know a place to search for rates for this type of combo insurance?

 

[here757]

I am also looking into changing carriers (have had Allstate for home and auto for years) does anyone know a place to search for rates for this type of combo insurance?

try an insurance broker.
they work for multi companies and can shop the rates for you

 

[Shmily1]

Progressive hands down!! We've had them for 10 years and they are awesome! We've had a major wreck, hail damage, DD19 hit a deer in a brand new Mustang, hit and run wreck last month, and a car broken into. They have fixed everything and been very caring in every instance. The customer service with them is soooo worth every penny!!

 

[dawson5]

My husband deals with them through his work (fixed operations director at a dealership). He has nothing but great things to say about them and how they handle the claims.

Not sure if they are in your area or not, but he also has nothing but good things to say about Erie Insurance. The agent he deals with here goes out of her way to make sure the insured is happy.

 

[Leajess99]

Have you checked rates with The Hartford? I saved close to $400 when I switched to them last year for a similar coverage on home and car insurance. I’ve heard good things about their claim handling too but never had to use the service (cross my fingers!) so far.

The Hartford is absolutely wonderful to deal with. We were hit by a drunk driver who was uninsured, unlicensed, stolen plates on his vehicle, etc and they had to pay out everything. I had no problems with getting the car repaired and they even waived the deductible. My youngest and I (both injured) were given settlements as well. The insurance rate did NOT go up because of that accident as it was no fault of mine. They also, last I heard, had been unable to get any money from the POS that hit us. Of course this county charged him with DUI 1st, gave him 7 days in jail even though he jumped bail twice and I had to locate him so they could rearrest him. I kept checking all the court dockets for counties around us and found him going to court for another incident. He was finally brought to "justice" (not that our county actually gives anything just in sentencing) 18 months after the fact.

 

[2nitesSaga]

Dealing with insurance is always so frustraiting and confusing for me.. but I'm sharing this link for state farm and http://whyagent.com/ gives endless reasons for you get a State Farm agent, I guess having one would aleviate some fo the confusion..