Frustrating call to Progressive Insurance!

[Marseeya]

I'm ready to tear my hair out!

DS just turned 15 on Friday. Today we were talking about next year when he gets his driver's license and I was explaining how expensive it'll be to add him to our insurance, and he thinks it'll be no big deal. He can't get his permit until he turns 16 (this is Pennsylvania).

I got on Progressive's website to get a quote -- just to see how much it would cost. Well, I put him in as age 15 and it gave me a $0 quote. I was afraid to put his age as 16 because I didn't want the system to flag me or anything, know what I mean? I called and spoke with some guy who completely understood what I was trying to do. He was really friendly, and laughed, saying that it's a good idea to show him the cost to let him know. He told me to go ahead and put in his age as 16, because it wouldn't do anything but give me a quote -- no flag or anything.

I put in his age as 16 and still gave me the $0.

I called back to Progressive and talked to a complete IDIOT! I had to explain to him over and over and over again that my son won't be 16 until next year -- 2007. He kept telling me my son was a permitted driver. NO, not until he's 16, in 2007! I kept saying, "I only want this quote for my own information. He's not 16 yet!" and he was so dense. Then he wanted DS's social security number! I actually had to raise my voice and yell at the guy before it would sink in, because he kept insisting that I was wrong and needed to add my son to the policy now.

I wonder what the chances are that my account is flagged? Do you want to bet that my son's name is now added to our policy?

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Ick, Progressive Insurance.

Sorry it was so frustrating. This is why I love having a local agent I can visit or call any time.

 

[Royalbear]

Well, when my dd turned 15, we had to add her on to our insurance, just in case. There was no added charge, but the insurance company said that her name should be listed in the policy. When she turned 16 and got her license, they upped the cost considerably.

 

[Marseeya]

Well, when my dd turned 15, we had to add her on to our insurance, just in case. There was no added charge, but the insurance company said that her name should be listed in the policy. When she turned 16 and got her license, they upped the cost considerably.

Right, but in Ohio, they can get their permit at 15, can't they? It used to be that young when I lived there. Here in PA, they can't get a permit until they're 16, so there's no reason to have to add him at all. I can understand them having to add non-licensed non-drivers when they're of age. It's a pain in the butt, but I can understand why they do it. But they shouldn't even think about doing it when they're not even of age. At that point, why not add the whole family? You never know when your five year old is going to go for a joy ride.

(That's actually a personal joke... when I was five years old, I drove my dad's truck into a wall. )

 

[hemispheredancer]

I have no experience with kids on my insurance. I have some time before that happens. I do have good things to say about Progressive. They have handled my claims expeditiously and with courtesy. Plus, their premium beats any I have priced..by at least $150!!

 

[rt2dz]

Well, I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate Progressive. I have had nothing but problems with them. I'd rather pay more money than deal with them. I had problems getting them to pay out when I was hit by an uninsured motorist; it was 6 months and a lawyer that finally got me partial costs. I still want to throw rotten tomatoes at the tv every time a commercial pops up about their customer service. It WAS all good until we had a claim, our only claim ever. BTW--I pay less money now with 21st, but I would pay more.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Well, I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate Progressive. I have had nothing but problems with them. I'd rather pay more money than deal with them. I had problems getting them to pay out when I was hit by an uninsured motorist. I still want to throw rotten tomatoes at the tv every time a commercial pops up about their customer service. BTW--I pay less money now with 21st, but I would pay more.

When I worked in a law office this is the insurance company we had the most issues with, especially with regard to getting Progressive to pay out on its own clients. Very frustrating for policy holders.

 

[pixiemomma]

I'm not sure what kind of insurance my ex-BIL has but they had to add my niece to their insurance when she turned 15. (And she has to come up with the extra $150) I know my parents did also, even though I did not get my permit until I was well over 17 and my license right before I turned 18. (I dont think this cost them extra money...I got my own insurance when I bought my car)

Progressive claims service is quick to respond and dispense. Although they did charge my husband with an at-fault accident when a big rig kicked a tire up and it hit our hood and windshield, which may be policy, but it burned our cookies.

Theie rates suck. We are paying less than $200 for 3 vehicles with Liberty Mutual (full coverage on two). Progressive had us up to $500 for two vehicles when we decided to look elsewhere.

 

[goofy!]

.....

 

[barkley]

triple a is no winner when it comes to weird policies either.

my mom stopped driving in her mid 70's but still had homeowners through 3a, one day i'm helping her with bills and i see she's paying for triple a membership with the basic tow package. i'm like-mom why do you still carry this-you don't drive, you never travel, you don't even own a car anymore? she sez she tried to cancel the membership but triple a would'nt let her. sure enough when i call them they say to keep her homeowners she has to retain her triple a "membership" tow package and all what a rip off! at least we were able to drop the "increased tow package" they had been charging her for (again the woman had NO car-she did'nt need basic tow let alone enhanced).

i was surpised when someone recently posted a thread wherein their insurance rates were going through the roof because they were moving back in with their parents. the parents/adult kid had separate policies, separate insurance companies but the state they would be living in allowed the insurance companies to require any related household member be added to another's policy (even though they would'nt be allowed access to the car). if i remember right the op had a great driving history but her parents did'nt so the op's rates were going through the roof

i personaly think all insurance company practices and policies are written in pencil-so they can erase and make changes when it suits their mood

 

[Towncrier]

Right, but in Ohio, they can get their permit at 15, can't they?

The current age for getting a learner's permit in Ohio is 15 1/2 (although they are about to raise it back up to 16 like it was in the olden days when I got my license). Our insurance agent (not Progressive) told us that our learners were covered until they got their actual license. This surprised me. A bigger surprise was the bill when our DS actually got his probationary license. Yikes.

Progressive is located at the end of the street where I work. They have taken over most of the business real estate in Highland Heights. The insurance business must be booming.

If you think that their employees are idiots on the phone, you should see them drive. I commute to/from work with them on a daily basis. They must get really good rates because they are all maniacs behind the wheel.

Good luck with your teen driver.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

When Ds turned 15 last year and got his permit, I called our local agent to ask about driving. He told me he didn't even want to know about Ds until he actually had his license at 16. Explained that since one of the insured drivers had to be in the car with him, he was covered. Our guy is so great and I love our insurance!

We were told the same thing when our DD got her permit. We have State Farm and they knew she was driving since we stopped in to pick up their new drivers kit that she had to fill out, but no charges until she had her license.