Car Insurance Shopping

[Talint]

I've had Progressive for 2.5 years, and I think it's time to switch carriers.

Six months ago, I got a letter from Progressive telling me they were raising my rates because they found out several things about my credit history in particular. These things include:

1: Owning my car/Not taking out a car loan in the last ten years.
2: Establishing a line of credit (I opened up an American Express account in May of 2011).
3: Maxing out said line of credit (which isn't even true, as AmEx Gold members do not have limits on their credit cards).

I lodged a complaint with Progressive at the time, as I don't understand how my credit history (which is in great standing anyway) would affect my car insurance rate, but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears and gotten no where. My six-month rate was $800, and is now down to $700 (at the time I was paying for $550).

Checking rates with Geico and Esurance gets me to even a little less than the rate I was paying with Progressive ($535/$525 respectively) on the same policy. Though StateFarm, with the same plan, wants $1,010 for six months. I genuinely don't understand how these companies can look at the same things and get such vastly different results.

What does the extra $150/2 year, auto-Platinum membership with Progressive get me?

-"Discounted" insurance for being a member for 3(?) years.
-Minor Child discount (of which I have 0).

I guess it seems in the cards to switch carriers. However, will this penalize me somehow other than having to start at another company at the bottom of whatever programs they have? And if anyone has any input on said carriers, I'm all ears.

Other things people may care about:
Car is a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer.
Location is Orlando, Florida.
Single, the primary (and only) driver of said vehicle.
I've been a safe driver for more than 10 years, 0 car accidents, 0 traffic tickets.
Recently took a Motorcycle riding class in the past year.

[AidenCarby]

They're doing the same to my sister. She's looking elsewhere, she's been using them for 11 years, no accidents, no tickets. No loyalty toward customers lol, idk wtf they're thinking but that's going to drive people away.

[Ksandra]

esurance did it to me recently. I admit I'm doing something kinda "shady" in that I list my home address at my in-laws home. All my mail goes there as I tend to move apartments a lot, and often have stayed with them for long periods of time inbetween moves n' such. Anyway, got a letter from them saying they weren't renewing my policy unless I sent them a utility bill from that address, otherwise they were going to put my new address and raise my rate $400 every six months. (fuck. that.)

I can actually say I saved hundreds of dollars by switching to geico as the same policy I was paying $115 a month for (before the raise they wanted to charge), I now pay $85.


There really is zero difference when it comes to the well-known insurance companies. As long as it's one of the major brands, just go with whatever is cheapest.

[Nephlite]

I'm surprised that Progressive would do something like that. I was was paying around $150/Month for liability only with Geico. I then tried to buy a new car and the woman quoted me $450/Month for full coverege. I called Progressive and they quoted me $150/Month for full coverage.

Still don't know to this day how Geico figured anyone in their right mind would pay $450/Month for insurance. Now I have USAA and pay around $60 for full coverage on 3 vehicles.

[Churchill]

USAA 2legit

[Soa]

All insurance companies pull that bullshit so just go with the cheapest. My friend was with the same company for nearly 20 years, never was late or missed a payment, and they raised his rate 50% because his credit slipped when he was unemployed.

[Ratatapa]

Tried to renew here in QC (La Capitcal)

They upped me about 200$ per year for like 1k something

Went with Belair for like 690 per year lol

[Melena]

Do you expect anything less from a company that did this?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1775191.html

[Dotsudoku]

Under 25 year old Orlando resident, and I'm paying 1k/y with Allstate. I didn't set up my insurance, but I imagine you should be able to get something similar or better

[Acevalefor]

I have esurance and pay $115/mo for 2 vehicles full coverage, 50/100/50, 2 drivers, and renter's insurance for up to $40,000. I am married, have no accidents/tickets, motorcycle endorsement (which raises the rate...wtf?), and had to exclude any other drivers. But it's a good rate for what we get.

Previously we had Progressive and they did the same shit you guys are describing. I have no credit at all and suddenly got a letter saying they were raising our rate from $950/6 mos to $1100/6 mos. They cited 2 maxed credit cards and lack of credit history as the reason. Which is it Progressive? Do I have no credit history or do I have 2 credit cards? They didn't have a clue and it seemed to be just random bullshit to raise my rates. My credit history is 0 for the last 7 years. Dropped Progressive and never looked back.

[archibaldcrane]

Yeah just switch, there's no "penalty" for doing so - just take the lowest rate for the same coverage offered.

[jmc]

God damn, all these quotes is just making me feel terrible. Since Boston has a extremely high rate for insurance (state won't allow insurance providers to compete in prices, alot of insurance companies won't do business in this town)

but yea, had my license for 7 years. No personal accidents, no work related accidents and i'm paying $380/month for my 2009 WRX and 2012 Harley.

As to the topic at hand, go with whatever is cheaper honestly. If alot of companies are around the same price, I love Liberty mutuals service and would recommend them.

[Acevalefor]

God damn, all these quotes is just making me feel terrible. Since Boston has a extremely high rate for insurance (state won't allow insurance providers to compete in prices, alot of insurance companies won't do business in this town)

but yea, had my license for 7 years. No personal accidents, no work related accidents and i'm paying $380/month for my 2009 WRX and 2012 Harley.

As to the topic at hand, go with whatever is cheaper honestly. If alot of companies are around the same price, I love Liberty mutuals service and would recommend them.

It's Boston. If my time there 3 years ago is any indication of the shitastic driving abilities of the people, I completely understand the high rates. I was there for 7 days and witnessed more fender benders and generally horrible driving behavior (read; cell phone drivers using all 3 lanes of the freeway like it's their own personal race track) than I see in a year in my home town.

[ringthree]

I've had Progressive for 2.5 years, and I think it's time to switch carriers.

Six months ago, I got a letter from Progressive telling me they were raising my rates because they found out several things about my credit history in particular. These things include:

1: Owning my car/Not taking out a car loan in the last ten years.
2: Establishing a line of credit (I opened up an American Express account in May of 2011).
3: Maxing out said line of credit (which isn't even true, as AmEx Gold members do not have limits on their credit cards).

I lodged a complaint with Progressive at the time, as I don't understand how my credit history (which is in great standing anyway) would affect my car insurance rate, but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears and gotten no where. My six-month rate was $800, and is now down to $700 (at the time I was paying for $550).

Checking rates with Geico and Esurance gets me to even a little less than the rate I was paying with Progressive ($535/$525 respectively) on the same policy. Though StateFarm, with the same plan, wants $1,010 for six months. I genuinely don't understand how these companies can look at the same things and get such vastly different results.

What does the extra $150/2 year, auto-Platinum membership with Progressive get me?

-"Discounted" insurance for being a member for 3(?) years.
-Minor Child discount (of which I have 0).

I guess it seems in the cards to switch carriers. However, will this penalize me somehow other than having to start at another company at the bottom of whatever programs they have? And if anyone has any input on said carriers, I'm all ears.

Other things people may care about:
Car is a 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer.
Location is Orlando, Florida.
Single, the primary (and only) driver of said vehicle.
I've been a safe driver for more than 10 years, 0 car accidents, 0 traffic tickets.
Recently took a Motorcycle riding class in the past year.

Progressive is ultimately a scam. Geico is nice, and they work with a whole lot of shops if you have any problems. I have State Farm which has the best rates and coverage I can find, but requires a certain age and no infractions in 3 years to even get it.

How old are you?

Is said Mitsubishi Lancer of the Evolution variety? That makes a huge amount of difference obviously.

[Dolmen]

USAA 2legit

This. My premium with USAA is $600/year (license for 16 years, two accidents not my fault that totaled the car, new car, no tickets). Granted there are conditions for getting the insurance.

[Talint]

Thanks for the replies, all. I switched to Geico, and got a 6-month policy for $515. d('-'d)

Under 25 year old Orlando resident, and I'm paying 1k/y with Allstate. I didn't set up my insurance, but I imagine you should be able to get something similar or better

I checked with Allstate, got a quote for $999. Genuinely don't understand, especially since Esurance (an Allstate company) gave me a quote for $530. The plans are identical too.

God damn, all these quotes is just making me feel terrible. Since Boston has a extremely high rate for insurance (state won't allow insurance providers to compete in prices, alot of insurance companies won't do business in this town)

but yea, had my license for 7 years. No personal accidents, no work related accidents and i'm paying $380/month for my 2009 WRX and 2012 Harley.

As to the topic at hand, go with whatever is cheaper honestly. If alot of companies are around the same price, I love Liberty mutuals service and would recommend them.

The high price might be due to the Subie WRX, and that might be why the quotes from StateFarm and Allstate were quoting me so high. They see "Lancer" and think "Lancer Evolution" (many places didn't seem to realize there's a huge difference).

It's Boston. If my time there 3 years ago is any indication of the shitastic driving abilities of the people, I completely understand the high rates. I was there for 7 days and witnessed more fender benders and generally horrible driving behavior (read; cell phone drivers using all 3 lanes of the freeway like it's their own personal race track) than I see in a year in my home town.

Florida is infinitely worse, and this is coming from someone who used to drive in Boston.

Progressive is ultimately a scam. Geico is nice, and they work with a whole lot of shops if you have any problems. I have State Farm which has the best rates and coverage I can find, but requires a certain age and no infractions in 3 years to even get it.

How old are you?

Is said Mitsubishi Lancer of the Evolution variety? That makes a huge amount of difference obviously.

31. Vanilla Lancer.

This. My premium with USAA is $600/year (license for 16 years, two accidents not my fault that totaled the car, new car, no tickets). Granted there are conditions for getting the insurance.

Civilian here. v('-'

[Lost]

I feel better about how much I pay for insurance now after seeing all these rates.

I pay $160 a month for full coverage on a 2013 F150 and a 2002 Firebird Trans Am. I dunno if AAA is only in Michigan or if they're in other states.

[Dotsudoku]

Pretty happy with 83/m with full coverage, but realized this evening that it's because I was originally attached to my father's plan, and he's gotten my payment reduced substantially for a lot of reasons

[Ksandra]

Pretty happy with 83/m with full coverage, but realized this evening that it's because I was originally attached to my father's plan, and he's gotten my payment reduced substantially for a lot of reasons

kinky

[Dotsudoku]

Gross