auto insurance tips?

Norm Apter

We're going to be purchasing our first car in some time over the the next few weeks. While we've pretty much settled on models and makes, I'm wondering if anyone has any good advice on selecting auto insurance companies/plans.

I moved to L.A. in 2000 and had a car for about two years. At the time, I was too busy with other things to really research auto insurance plans and I really can't even remember how I selected a plan or even what company I used, as I sold that car in 2002 (fortunately, I didn't get in any accidents or even have any traffic violations during that period). This will be the first car I've had since that point.

I realize that rates will be based, to a certain degree, on our location, but aside from that I'm wondering if there are things I should/need to consider as I search for a suitable plan. For instance, is it a good idea to go with a big national company such as Allstate?

Any advice will be appreciated.

Norm

F1nut

Amica, 'nuff said.

ben62670

I had a great policy with Allstate. Shop around though.
Ben

tryrrthg

Go to an independant insurance agent. They will be able to quote you with many companies that they represent/sell. And they should be able to match you with a company that best fits your needs.

jeremie

stay away from allstate. wife was in a bad wreck with an uninsured motorist and Allstate was trying to be on the cheap to do the repairs on the vehicle. 05 Murano with 22k in damage and wouldnt total it, at the time it was work 25k but they told us it was 32k still even though we paid 31k for it. Buyer beware, i was told but our state insurance department that they are the worst for paying for accidents. I have nationwide and couldnt be happier but havent had a wreck.

heiney9

All insurance companies take several things into account.

Car make/model/year
Drivers age
Location
Usage
Credit rating
Driving record/history

From what I've seen; shop around. There are so many companies and competition that you need to do some serious research. I'm not saying don't go with a "national" brand we all know like Allstate or State Farm or Country Companies, etc., they just may not be the most competitive.

H9

tcrossma

tryrrthg wrote: »

Go to an independant insurance agent. They will be able to quote you with many companies that they represent/sell. And they should be able to match you with a company that best fits your needs.

+1. Good advice as far as I'm concerned.

McLoki

I recently switched to State Farm and am pretty happy with them. One thing to consider (regardless of who you go with) they often give pretty big discounts if you have Home and Auto with the same company. I would call whoever you use now for home insurance and get a quote from them.

State Farm ended up being much cheaper for us since there was a big disount by switching our home insurance to them as well. (when you get the online quotes "from our competitors" from geico or whatever, they never include this discount of course)

brettw22

I had something similar happen with Geiko that turned into my personally visiting the divisional president while I was out on vacation in CA and just about beating his **** over their 'how do we know this was from the accident' bs...........Then they told me that my policy shouldn't be affected by this or that and then ended up canceling me. I won't ever do business with them again......

Some of the smaller names that I've had good experiences wtih: 21st Century and AIG

I'm currently with State Farm and have been happy with them, but I haven't had a claim to really go off of from them.

Of course they're all really good up to the point that they're supposed to be paying YOU money..........

NotaSuv

tryrrthg wrote: »

Go to an independant insurance agent. They will be able to quote you with many companies that they represent/sell. And they should be able to match you with a company that best fits your needs.

agree with this too...thats what we did and saved alot...we also saw a discount when we moved all of insurance with the same company...home,boat, and car

but do shop around you will be amazed on how much policies vary in price....we also use a rural address where we have a cabin, instead of our city address..and this also saved us a little

ND13

I'm with Motorist's Mutual now, and so far so good. They beat all comers by several hundred $s every 6 months. Allied(a division of Nationwide) was really good.

Make sure you let the companies know every safety and security device that the auto has. You can also combine your homeowners and auto policies with one company(like I did) to get a substantial discount.

Don't pay for extras like car rental, roadside assistance, etc. Do get enough coverage, though. I always recommend at least 100/300/100.

edbert

I've had Nationwide a few years and love it. My parents have had it and the few times that we have had to use it they have been spectacular and very quick on getting us money when needed. Heck, when my car was broken into a few years ago they made sure that I could replace my stereo for what the new cost was even though my old headunit was about three years old and no longer being sold. I have really liked (and taken advantage of) the perk where they will pay to have my car towed when it breaks down. You pay up front and then they reimburse you(same day if it isn't too late).

Good luck!

Norm Apter

ND13 wrote: »

I always recommend at least 100/300/100.

Thanks, guys.

Yes, I'll call around and I will look for one of those locally-based independent insurance companies. I suppose I can find one in the yellow pages. (I'm a renter, not a home-owner, so this will be an independent policy). It looks like I'll pay special attention to State Farm, Nationwide and a few of the others mentioned positively above and, yes, I'll stay away from Geico (I've always hated those caveman commercials, as it is:)).

But can someone refresh me with the three-part formula quoted above. I know that it has to do coverage, but forget what each figure stands for....just don't want to appear like an idiot when I inquire about these things.

ND13

You can combine with renter's insurance, too. If you don't have renter's ins, you should. The discount might cover most, if not all of the renter's policy. The last time I rented, the policy for $75K was only like $150 every six months(might have actually been the year). If you decide to get renter's, make sure to get replacement cost, not depreciated.

McLoki

100 / 300 / 150

100 - total medical liability per person.
300 - total medical liability in accident.
150 - total property damage in accident. (don't run into any houses nor expensive cars)


I used to have 100/300 but have since upped it (when I got sued for a rear end collision) and now have an 250/500 with a 1,000,000 umbrella policy to cover any overage. It does cost more, but sleeping well at night is worth it to me....

Michael

Edit - for the record, when I was sued, the 100/300 was still more than enough, but there was definate doubt that would be the case until it was settled out of court.

tryrrthg

McLoki wrote: »

100 / 300 / 150

100 - total property damage in accident. (don't run into any houses nor expensive cars)
300 - total medical liability in accident.
150 - total medical liability per person.


I used to have 100/300/100 but have since upped it (when I got sued for a rear end collision) and now have an 250/500/250 with a 1,000,000 umbrella policy to cover any overage. It does cost more, but sleeping well at night is worth it to me....

Michael

Edit - for the record, when I was sued, the 100/300 was still more than enough, but there was definate doubt that would be the case until it was settled out of court.

You've got that backwards.

100 - total medical liability per person.
300 - total medical liability in accident.
150 - total property damage in accident. (don't run into any houses nor expensive cars)

McLoki

tryrrthg wrote: »

You've got that backwards.

100 - total medical liability per person.
300 - total medical liability in accident.
150 - total property damage in accident. (don't run into any houses nor expensive cars)

Crap - sorry about that.... (corrected to avoid confusion. Thanks)

bobman1235

ND13 wrote: »

You can combine with renter's insurance, too. If you don't have renter's ins, you should. The discount might cover most, if not all of the renter's policy. The last time I rented, the policy for $75K was only like $150 every six months(might have actually been the year). If you decide to get renter's, make sure to get replacement cost, not depreciated.

Yes, depending on where you live, renter's insurance is hella cheap and well worth it. At my place in NH, it costs me like 11 bucks a month for ... well I forget how much coverage, but enough to cover my things.

(that's with National, btw, who also insures my car and motorcycle)

skipf

I've had State Farm for decades and have always gotten excellent service at a great price. If you are getting a new car, you might consider Nationwide for the first year. I think they are the only company that will replace a car damaged in it's first year with a brand new one rather than repairing the damaged one.

steveinaz

I have Progressive on the 2 bikes, Allstate on the cars. Both have been responsive, though I think Progressive is a better value.

Demiurge

I've been with Progressive for almost 9 years. No accidents or tickets.

I did have someone hit my parked car on a hit & run a few weeks ago and take off my drivers side mirror. I filed my claim (online) to get it on record and someone local called me right away and came out to my office to look at it same day. Got a quote on the spot and that was the end of it.

Aside from that...they have good rates. I'm more of a fan of national insurance companies because their prices tend to be better. If you're worried about the personal touch, you can always get a local agent for a national company. That's what I did with Progressive. It's just like having a small local guy, but they're backed by a larger firm.