Car Insurance

[ashbeeigh]

Who do you all have? How is the customer service? How the rates for the type of car you have? I bought the car (2004 VW Jetta GLS), now I'm insurance shopping. All the websites I'm going to are saying horrible things about everyone agency. It's taking the "remembering a bad experience better then remembering a good experience." to an extreme.

[SequSpur]

amica.

[ShoogarBear]

You usually can't go wrong with USAA, if you qualify.

[SpursWoman]

Geico....from all the quotes I got when I was shopping for insurance recently, they were BY FAR the least expensive for the most coverage. And it wasn't even close.

I've never had to file a claim, though, so their customer service for me is top notch. :tu :lol

[kingsfan]

Progressive-great rates.

[01Snake]

Fred Loya. :D

[boutons_]

I thought I was in good hands with Geico, but went shopping and found Progressive to be MUCH cheaper. Upped my collision liability from $50k to $100K (lots of cars around worth over $50K) and Progressive was still much cheaper. And you get $50 discount if you sign for Progressive on line.

[SpursWoman]

I thought I was in good hands with Geico, but went shopping and found Progressive to be MUCH cheaper. Upped my collision liability from $50k to $100K (lots of cars around worth over $50K) and Progressive was still much cheaper. And you get $50 discount if you sign for Progressive on line.


Ours was the exact opposite. We saved a combined $180/month switching from Progressive to Geico with twice as much coverage.

I'd definitely get quotes on several sites, don't just take that comparative quote thing Progressive does at face value. It was very much off what we ended up getting from Geico.

*shrugs*

[CubanMustGo]

Family experience: Geico and Progressive have good rates but God forbid you ever have an at-fault claim with either one. They either will drop you (Geico) or jack your rates all to hell (Progressive).

I had an at-fault with USAA about four years ago. Rates went up a little but have since come back down. Then again, it was my first at-fault in 25 years.

[Sapphire]

I've been with Allstate for 14 years. I've shopped around and they always have the best rates for us. I've had 2 accidents, and my premiums only slightly increased after the 2nd one. They have great customer service as well. We've been happy with them.

State Farm was really high when my husband had it on his own, when we first got together. He was paying about $150 month for full coverage. When I added him and the truck to my Allstate plan, my premium only went up about $60 a month.

[Extra Stout]

Be sure to set aside about $2000 per year on repairs for that VW. The Jetta is among the least reliable vehicles available for sale in the United States.

Be sure to use nothing but the expensive synthetic oil, especially if you bought the turbo four-cylinder. Religiously change it every 3000 miles. If you fail to heed this advice, sludge will build up in your engine, it will self-destruct, and you will have to buy a new one for $6000 or $7000. VW/Audi four-cylinders have a design flaw that makes them especially susceptible to sludge build-up. Also expect to replace the water pump, which fails because it is made from cheap plastic. This will run you about $300.

If you have the VR6, there is a design flaw with the spark plugs that can cause backfires.

Expect to replace headlamp bulbs every six months. Do NOT buy replacements from the dealership -- their markup is absurd.

You will experience numerous electrical gremlins. Do not fall in love with using the sound system; it is liable to stop working at any time.

Is there any chance you bought an extended warranty? Usually those things are a waste of money, but since the VW falls apart at a rate typically reserved for cheap Chinese toys, in this case one is almost a necessity.

[Jimcs50]

State Farm

Great company. I had AllState and we had 2 minor claims in one year and they dropped us. :ihit

We have had two big claims with State Farm. My wife had her Rolex and her up graded wedding ring(we were broke when we got married) stolen in 94 for a loss of $30,000.00 and they paid us in full, no questions asked.

We had a water pipe break in 98 when we were away for 6 hrs and the whole downstairs flooded ruining our wood floors and carpet for 17K in damages, and all was taken care of. Neither time, did our rates increase.

[ashbeeigh]

Be sure to set aside about $2000 per year on repairs for that VW. The Jetta is among the least reliable vehicles available for sale in the United States.

Be sure to use nothing but the expensive synthetic oil, especially if you bought the turbo four-cylinder. Religiously change it every 3000 miles. If you fail to heed this advice, sludge will build up in your engine, it will self-destruct, and you will have to buy a new one for $6000 or $7000. VW/Audi four-cylinders have a design flaw that makes them especially susceptible to sludge build-up. Also expect to replace the water pump, which fails because it is made from cheap plastic. This will run you about $300.

If you have the VR6, there is a design flaw with the spark plugs that can cause backfires.

Expect to replace headlamp bulbs every six months. Do NOT buy replacements from the dealership -- their markup is absurd.

You will experience numerous electrical gremlins. Do not fall in love with using the sound system; it is liable to stop working at any time.

Is there any chance you bought an extended warranty? Usually those things are a waste of money, but since the VW falls apart at a rate typically reserved for cheap Chinese toys, in this case one is almost a necessity.

Wow. I've been hearing the exact opposite about the Jetta, that it's a great car and it was a great purchase, except the oil thing. That's going to be a pain, but that's life.

Thanks to the rest of you for answering the questions. Progressive has had the lowest rates, by far, while I had worried about the customer service part.


State Farm

I think I may call up my parents' agent tomorrow morning, if he's not off for Veteran's Day and get a quote from him. I couldn't get a quote online because that's who I already have. That was the only thing that bothered me.

[xrayzebra]

Who do you all have? How is the customer service? How the rates for the type of car you have? I bought the car (2004 VW Jetta GLS), now I'm insurance shopping. All the websites I'm going to are saying horrible things about everyone agency. It's taking the "remembering a bad experience better then remembering a good experience." to an extreme.

Contact company you have your house/apartment insurance
with. Many times you can get a discount and better
service with both policies with them.

[florige]

Progressive-great rates.



:tu I've had Progressive since I've started driving and they've always done me good.

[tlongII]

I have Safeco.

[angel_luv]

Statefarm.

Always great service; Our agent is great.

[mrsmaalox]

Be sure to set aside about $2000 per year on repairs for that VW. The Jetta is among the least reliable vehicles available for sale in the United States.

Be sure to use nothing but the expensive synthetic oil, especially if you bought the turbo four-cylinder. Religiously change it every 3000 miles. If you fail to heed this advice, sludge will build up in your engine, it will self-destruct, and you will have to buy a new one for $6000 or $7000. VW/Audi four-cylinders have a design flaw that makes them especially susceptible to sludge build-up. Also expect to replace the water pump, which fails because it is made from cheap plastic. This will run you about $300.

If you have the VR6, there is a design flaw with the spark plugs that can cause backfires.

Expect to replace headlamp bulbs every six months. Do NOT buy replacements from the dealership -- their markup is absurd.

You will experience numerous electrical gremlins. Do not fall in love with using the sound system; it is liable to stop working at any time.

Is there any chance you bought an extended warranty? Usually those things are a waste of money, but since the VW falls apart at a rate typically reserved for cheap Chinese toys, in this case one is almost a necessity.
BUZZKILL

[Extra Stout]

Wow. I've been hearing the exact opposite about the Jetta, that it's a great car and it was a great purchase, except the oil thing. That's going to be a pain, but that's life.
OTOH, the Jetta is a fun-to-drive stylish little car, especially that generation.

If your mother or father was in the military, you are eligible for USAA, which is unparalled in its excellence.

[SAtoDallas]

Our best experience has been with GEICO, great customer service and when my wife was in an accident a couple of years ago they set us up with a rental immediately.

[Twisted_Dawg]

Try MetLife Auto & Home Insurance.....best secret going.

Call my local SA agent at 692-0800!

[SequSpur]

amica.com

geico, statefarm, allstate, progressive can blow me...

do yourself a favor and at least get a quote from amica. that goes for all of you, especially if you have a clean record. don't call them if you have tickets, and accidents...

[Sapphire]

amica.com

geico, statefarm, allstate, progressive can blow me...

do yourself a favor and at least get a quote from amica. that goes for all of you, especially if you have a clean record. don't call them if you have tickets, and accidents...

Amica? A midget in car accidents?

[ShoogarBear]

Amica? A midget in car accidents?:lmao x a giga-trllion

[SequSpur]

Amica? A midget in car accidents?

that's stupid.

[Sapphire]

that's stupid.
Your face is stupid. :rolleyes

[SequSpur]

Your face is stupid. :rolleyes

you're obviously just stupid.

[leemajors]

USAA - i pay under $150 a month for 2 cars with full coverage.

[Sapphire]

USAA - i pay under $150 a month for 2 cars with full coverage.
That was us with Allstate until we added our teenage son. Unfortunately, it has more than doubled.

[ashbeeigh]

That was us with Allstate until we added our teenage son. Unfortunately, it has more than doubled.

:lol I'm afraid my rates are going to be pretty high where I end up going just because I am 23. What is it? 25 when the insurance goes down?

[florige]

:lol I'm afraid my rates are going to be pretty high where I end up going just because I am 23. What is it? 25 when the insurance goes down?


Thats BS. My rates actually went up 4 dollars when I turned 25. They just dropped on my 28th B-day.

[ShoogarBear]

Thats BS. My rates actually went up 4 dollars when I turned 25. They just dropped on my 28th B-day.It's different for men vs. women. She may be right.

[ashbeeigh]

Thats BS. My rates actually went up 4 dollars when I turned 25. They just dropped on my 28th B-day.

:td that's crap. I'll just have to see when my birthday comes around.

[florige]

It's different for men vs. women. She may be right.


Yeah you have a point. My lil sister pays alot less than I did when I was 20. We are more aggressive drivers they say..... :lol

[AZLouis]

Progressive - 2 vehicles, 2 drivers, full coverage, $93/month, $250 deductible

Just switched over from Geico.

They were great for the past 10 years and then a claim had to be filed.

Terrible, terrible experience.

My brother's truck was torched, somebody put a rag in his gas tank and lit the rag.

The damage wasn't that great, but required some work to the tank and the fender.

4 months later and Geico has yet to submit the payment. They constantly say it's been mailed and then it's this whole cycle of proving it's not paid for.

The auto repair shop (trusty and reliable, have done business with them for years) says they have this problem with Geico regularly and that they and other repair shops hate doing business with them as this is routine.

[bejanicek]

i would tell you this. For woman when you turn 21 your rates should decrease. for Men it doesn't decrease a lot untill you turn 25. I'm an independent insurance agent, meaning we have about 8 or so companies that i can quote you with to find you the cheapest price with the best coverages. Companies like progressive, and many others that you might not see a lot of but are just as good like Beacon, Kemper, Rebpublic, Hochhiem Prairie, Germania, Encompass, etc. Find you a local independent agent.

[leemajors]

:lol I'm afraid my rates are going to be pretty high where I end up going just because I am 23. What is it? 25 when the insurance goes down?
mine dropped by half when i turned 25.

[AZLouis]

i would tell you this. For woman when you turn 21 your rates should decrease. for Men it doesn't decrease a lot untill you turn 25. I'm an independent insurance agent, meaning we have about 8 or so companies that i can quote you with to find you the cheapest price with the best coverages. Companies like progressive, and many others that you might not see a lot of but are just as good like Beacon, Kemper, Rebpublic, Hochhiem Prairie, Germania, Encompass, etc. Find you a local independent agent.

That's what I did. And I found great coverage with a great rate.

Thank you independent insurance agency.

I even got hooked up with a great deal on life insurance and renter's insurance.

[S_A_Longhorn]

I've had Allstate since I got my own policy. They've gone up the last couple of years at least twice, despite me never using them...not even once (knock on wood). Supposedly, all of their auto rates went up this year. Also, they will increase your rates simply because you have a couple of credit checks, since they use your credit score to determine your rate.

I'm thinking about switching my house and autos.

I've been involved in two minor fender benders (not my fault). Had to deal with USAA (good experience) and American Express (didn't know they offered auto insurance, but easy experience).

It's funny when dealing with the other person's insurance - the agency should treat you as best as they can as you are a potentially a new customer.

[ShoogarBear]

Of course, remember, you get what you pay for.

Low rates are great, but pay attention to what people have been saying about what happens when you need the insurance company to do something for you.

I'm sure that a lot of this information is available on various consumer web sites.

[florige]

mine dropped by half when i turned 25.


Did you have full coverage or liabilty? Like I said when I turned 25 mine went up by like 4 bucks. When I first started out I was paying something like 410 monthly. No tickets or nothing. Now I pay 200 a month for insurance. Mine did eventually drop, but it was gradual. It's wasn;t like during one cycle it just dropped in half. I'll say from my 27th-28th birthday I have seen a gradual decrease. Maybe it's differ's from state to state or something because mine sure as hell didn't drop when I turned 25.

[ShoogarBear]

Dissecting the Code - Age, Gender, Marital Status

The insurance company's objective is to determine how much risk you will pose to them if they insure you. Through the data they've collected over the years, they know that 16 to 24-year-olds are in a disproportionate number of accidents. People 25 to 49 are in fewer, and people 50 to 64 are in the fewest of all. But starting at age 65, people begin getting in more accidents. By the time they hit 75, they are more commonly in accidents than even teenagers! By and large, women are in fewer accidents than men. Gender is most important in the cases of people under 25, with young males being in far more accidents than young females. This risk can be partially offset, surprisingly, by marriage. Married men ages 18 to 24 are in far fewer accidents than their single peers.

Dissecting the Code - Secondary Factors

Driving record is the most important of the secondary factors. The insurance companies believe that if you're in one accident, there is a great likelihood you'll be in a second. If you're in a second accident, there's an even greater likelihood that you'll be in a third. And if you're in a third, fourth, or fifth accident in a short period of time, your insurance rates are going to go through the roof. Credit history is one of the most controversial criteria used to determine rates, but the insurance companies have historical data on their side - people with poor credit cost more to insure. Where you live is considered an important factor since it indicates how much traffic you'll encounter on a daily basis, and also the frequency of car theft in your area. Finally, the make and model of your car is used to see how often similar cars get into accidents, how much damage they sustain, and how much they cost to repair - all important factors in assessing the risk you pose to the insurance company.
http://www.carinsurancerates.com/news/36-cracking-the-insurance-code-how-exactly-are-your-rates-determined.html

[tsb2000]

Is American Family available in TX? If so, they usually have great rates.

[SrA Husker]

As a military member, I do everything insurance-related through USAA. Always the best rates for me, customer service has never failed, and as the company is member-owned, you get a profit check of 100-200 bucks each december.

[ashbeeigh]

Thanks for all the help, everyone. I appreciate it, a lot more helpful then the last car thread I started. I ended up going with Progressive.

[florige]

Thanks for all the help, everyone. I appreciate it, a lot more helpful then the last car thread I started. I ended up going with Progressive.


Welcome to the family.

[Shelly]

i would tell you this. For woman when you turn 21 your rates should decrease. for Men it doesn't decrease a lot untill you turn 25. I'm an independent insurance agent, meaning we have about 8 or so companies that i can quote you with to find you the cheapest price with the best coverages. Companies like progressive, and many others that you might not see a lot of but are just as good like Beacon, Kemper, Rebpublic, Hochhiem Prairie, Germania, Encompass, etc. Find you a local independent agent.

Sounds like someone stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night!