Car Insurance company vent!!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Car Insurance company vent!!!!
3
Wed, 08-31-2005 - 10:45pm

Who does everyone have for auto insurance??

We have had the same car insurance for about 16 years(Nationwide), never had any problems; rates hardly ever changed. When we would look at others, they would come right out and say they couldn't compete with the rates we had. We were paying $68 a month for full coverage (100-250 deductible on our car and liability on DH's car)

I call on a Friday because we were looking at buying a "new to us" van. I called to see what the rates would be; gave them exact information. She gave me a quote that was about $3 more a month than we were paying. Great! Buy the van. Saturday I called to confirm that we did buy the van and we need to drop the car and add the van. The rate he gave me was $300 more(for 6 months)so I had to raise our deductibles to 250-500 and it still came to $22 more a month. I got off the phone so confused. I checked on line with Geico, Progressive and about 4 others. Their rates with 100-250 deductible were what we had been paying through Nationwide on our car!!

So I call on Monday--asked exactly what they had for our van and she said they had $431 for 6 months for 100-250 deductible and liability on DH's. Great!(I thought)Get the declaration and its for the higher amount, called back, the only thing they have listed was of course the high one. She goes on to tell me that I could have been talking to someone in Texas or Ohio and she was in Portland OR. I'm thinking ok, but you are all the same company with the same system!! Then I get the notice for our automatic billing and its up another $5. Grand total $95 a month from $68-$72 a month.

Time to switch, just don't know to who though. Thanks for letting me vent.

Dana

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Thu, 09-01-2005 - 12:15am
Hi, Dana. We have State Farm. For everything. Earthquake, homeowners, car, etc. We have the multiple vehicle/good driver discount. Since we have "older" cars, and no teens in the family, our rates are competitive. I think it depends on the cars and models, too, and zip codes where you live, and if your vehicle is a popular model for thieves, etc. Can you negotiate and get a good driver/multiple car discount with your company? Discounts for anti-theft protection? Whiz.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2001
Thu, 09-01-2005 - 9:24am
I have Farmer's and I also have an agent so that I can actually sit down with a real person and discuss my car needs. I also get a discount on my car insurance since I also have homeowner's insurance through them. You get good discounts if you have one company covering different insurance needs. I don't believe I pay really any more with an agent, and he has even come to my house to pick up my checks. I find online or over the phone just very uncaring and everyone tells you something different.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-18-2004
Thu, 09-01-2005 - 10:22am

You may want to try USAA.com. They insure military and their families and there are some other ways to qualify. They have a list of those who qualify on their homepage. If you qualify, it is a great company and less than what I have heard other people pay.

If you don't qualify, then ITA with the others, you may want to try bundling your insurance in one place. Just remember if you switch companies, you may not get some of the discounts you are getting now. Like, most companies give you a reduced rate the longer you have insurance through them with out having accidents, filing claims, etc. Just a thought. Good luck on your quest.

Kellie