Automobile Insurance

[Greene's Basin Girl]

My local automobile insurance with State Farm just went up 19%. It is a corporate rate and not based on my driving record. My record is clean. I have been with state farm for almost 30 years. I would have had to pay them $1500.00 a year. I just changed insurance companies and for the same coverage I am now paying $600.00 annually. That is a substantial savings!!!

[AC2717]

all those discounts companies show on TV and what not are just ploys to get you to call them. When all they do is bring you down to normal rates

[songkrai]

My local automobile insurance with State Farm just went up 19%. It is a corporate rate and not based on my driving record. My record is clean. I have been with state farm for almost 30 years. I would have had to pay them $1500.00 a year. I just changed insurance companies and for the same coverage I am now paying $600.00 annually. That is a substantial savings!!!

The exact same coverage?

Of course some insurance companies just don't care.

I tried Amica recently and they wanted $2,500.00. So Amica just doesn't care.

I go through a local agent - as all is easier for me.
Some of the large ones that advertise on TV may offer a lower rate.
I have received in the mail a couple of times over the years a free gift card just to compare. And both times I did this - the difference was less then $12.00.

For me, anyway, I go to my local auto body shop and ask him the names of the auto insurance companies that are better for him to work with. And of course, the quality of any repairs - if I ever need such.

[AC2717]

90% of the time using an independent agent far outweighs a direct writer, plus the agent knows what coverage you should have, vs. you trying to pick them, and if they don't you have recourse against them. Plus you have someone to fight for you with a claim

Direct writers in the Northeast are the worst, they are not used to our frugalness and knowledge.

sorry independent agent on his soap box stepping off now

[CentHarb_Ray]

As said above an independent agent will find you the best rate. I had State Farm on a home policy for many years when they suddenly jacked my rate 40% a few years back. Had only one claim with them and that was 10 years previously.

I use Concord Group now for both home & auto.

CHR

[8gv]

Clark Howard, a consumer advisor on the radio, said that some insurance companies use software designed to measure a customer's propensity to change companies. With those companies, loyalty is punished via higher rates.

I have been with Met Life for decades. That doesn't seem to keep my rates reasonable. When I move to NH from CT later this year I hope to find a lower cost company.

My daughter has already moved and changed companies. Her new policy is with State Farm. It was significantly cheaper than the other companies she checked.

Maybe they will hit her hard with an increase next cycle. If so, she will shop again!

[Greene's Basin Girl]

90% of the time using an independent agent far outweighs a direct writer, plus the agent knows what coverage you should have, vs. you trying to pick them, and if they don't you have recourse against them. Plus you have someone to fight for you with a claim

Direct writers in the Northeast are the worst, they are not used to our frugalness and knowledge.

sorry independent agent on his soap box stepping off now

I checked with a local independent agent and the quote was extremely high!

[pjard]

Clark Howard, a consumer advisor on the radio, said that some insurance companies use software designed to measure a customer's propensity to change companies. With those companies, loyalty is punished via higher rates.

I have been with Met Life for decades. That doesn't seem to keep my rates reasonable. When I move to NH from CT later this year I hope to find a lower cost company.

My daughter has already moved and changed companies. Her new policy is with State Farm. It was significantly cheaper than the other companies she checked.

Maybe they will hit her hard with an increase next cycle. If so, she will shop again!

Two years ago I moved from CT to NH and switched from Liberty Mutual to an independent (Cross). My car insurance was cut in half. Also I was converting two houses to rentals. Believe or not the quotes I got from Cross was 60% lower than LM. I had been with LM for 15+ years but never shopped them until the move...I'm glad I did.

[tis]

I have found a lot of times if you switch you get a better price. I think they just want to get your business. I hate to have to do it but I think you need to every once in a while.

[SIKSUKR]

Two years ago I moved from CT to NH and switched from Liberty Mutual to an independent (Cross). My car insurance was cut in half. Also I was converting two houses to rentals. Believe or not the quotes I got from Cross was 60% lower than LM. I had been with LM for 15+ years but never shopped them until the move...I'm glad I did.

I've used Cross for our businesses for many years.No complaints.

[upthesaukee]

If you are moving from another state to NH, ie; CT to NH, don't compare your insurance in CT to rates you may get in NH. If I am stating the obvious to you, please don't take offense. I used to receive regular phone calls for the reverse, leaving, for instance NH, and moving to CT and why did my insurance go up.

Back in my prior life as a Personal Lines Underwriter, I was responsible for underwriting in all 6 NE states. MA rates are pretty much set by the state, but out of the other 5, CT was significantly more expensive than any other state.

Doesn't help GBG (wow, big increase if across the board, which the NH Insurance commission or board would have to approve). State Farm would have to justify that kind of increase.

Bottom line, it can pay to shop.

[BroadHopper]

there are rates by county as well as by vehicle class, age even credit rating! As well as age and driving record. Really can't compare when you move from another area.

I switch from MetLife when I was in Mass to Hartford in NH, Melcher & Prescott of Laconia cut my insurance in half by transferring my auto to Mt Washington Assurance and home to Cambridge Mutual. It really pays to find an independent broker!

Also SUV / CRV class rates are very high! I switch to an AWD wagon for a huge saving. A wagon is a lot more fun and comfortable to drive than an SUV. And they are just as practical!

[AC2717]

I checked with a local independent agent and the quote was extremely high!

keep checking, different agents have different carriers and different range of quotes they will do for a person. unfortunately it comes down to the person who takes your call and how far they are willing to go to get a quote for you

[upthesaukee]

One of the premium rate classes is "over 65" drivers. When I was an underwriter and was rating policies, I never thought too much about increasing a policy premium because the driver turned 65. Actuarial studies showed these drivers to be more likely to have an accident.

Now that I have seen my premiums increase for this very reason, I wonder about the accuracy of those studies.

Are we another distracted driving generation, driving down the road eating our oatmeal, and taking our dentures out of the Polident, all the while reading the latest edition of AARP magazine.:laugh: