Insurance companies

[WRXtranceformed]

So, having just turned 25, I got a little break in my insurance premium, but with Progressive it's still way too high. When Travis takes the STi off my hands in June it will help quite a bit, but I'd like to see what you guys use and what you recommend. Someone was telling me good things about State Farm at the bar the other night, but I've heard bad things about them as well.

Any suggestions? When you were shopping for new insurance companies, what was your best resource? Just calling around or using something like insurance.com?

[Mike]

I couldn't be happier with state farm. Doesn't progressive's site have the comparison thing? Progressive does have miserable repair shop options and they're stingy as hell (why most shops refuse to work with them) so I'd stay far away.

[BLINGMW]

what was your best resource? Just calling around

Yup, that's what I did. I went with Progressive maybe 6 years ago because their rates killed everyone else's. I haven't shopped around since, but my rates keep going down so I haven't had much reason to complain. I just called them recently to ask how much insuring a new Mini would be, and was quite pleased with their answer. I've never made a claim, so I can't speak to how they act then, but the people I've talked to over the years have always been really helpful, happy to answer my questions, and tolerant of what is probably a pretty high turnover rate of e30's and such....

Keep in mind that most of these companies (progressive included) are figuring your credit score in as well, so maybe that's working to my advantage.

[.RJ]

I couldn't be happier with state farm

For once, I agree with mikey :lol:

[WRXtranceformed]

Yeah I've got great credit which is a bonus, but not so great driving record. I was actually very impressed with how Progressive handled my claim when my old WRX got keyed on almost every panel down at JMU. They handled it very quickly and hooked me up with a body shop that did good work.

Maybe I'll give State Farm a call and see what they can do for me. I'm hesistant to call around to a bunch of places because I'm pretty sure they pull a credit check / insurance check when you request an accurate quote. Too many credit checks within a certain time period hurts your credit a little bit.

[white_2kgt]

I'd had State Farm since I was 16, once I graduated college and had to start paying the bill on my own I called up all the ins companies, read them the exact coverage I had, told them all the tickets SF knew about and had all the vehicle info, statefarm was cheaper, when christina and I got married she had the navy insurance, she called them up for a rate quote on our vehicles/apartment I did the same w/ statefarm SF still cheaper, we bought a house, same deal, called up a few ins companies with house+multicar+all my accrued discounts with SF over the years, SF still cheaper. I've had several claims on SF and it's been a painless process on the insurance company end every time. The body shops were another story (I picked them).

[Apoc]

Wow that's got to be the longest run-on sentence evaR.

I have Nationwide and am happy. Insurance companies are pretty much like any other service industry, you can easily find someone with something good or something bad to say about them. I'd recommend calling a few, regardless of the credit check ding. Random companies check your credit more than you know so three checks to actually save you some money is worth it IMO.

Regardless of company, my recommendation is to go to your OWN shop if you ever make a claim (assuming someone can recommend one). I've had zero problems using my own shop a few times and I'm pretty sure Mike has had nothing but problems with the one Progressive sent him to. Chances are they'll cover the difference, if there is one, and your shop won't cut corners like a lot of the insurance recommended shops do.

[WRXtranceformed]

That's great advice, thanks guys. I'll start making some calls today! =)

[ScottyB]

Jen and I have Allstate. besides their annoying commericials we've been happy with them. they are courteous and they have a "safe driving reward" program that's pretty nice. i may change down the line if our service suffers.

i took the Xterra into the body shop that they recommended for me yesterday...we'll see how it goes. they're supposed to be a decent shop, but i had those same sentiments when i took my audi in to get the engine worked on and look where it got me....

[white_2kgt]

credit checks from the same 'type' of business won't hurt you much, like when shopping for a new/used car, 8 dealers check your credit is the same as 1 dealer (I think this is over a 3-4 week period before it resets).

[Feersty]

Same situation as Lee, turn 25 in July. I have Geico.

[Dave]

I have Nationwide and it has been pretty painfree for the past 8 years, and it was a peice of cake to add renter's insurance to it last summer. I guess I ought to shop around and see if I can do better, but I've had too much other stuff to worry about. I'll add Statefarm to my short list, sounds like you guys have been pleased with them.

[WRXtranceformed]

So I had a State Farm agent run my numbers today. She tried to compare apples to apples so I could get the best comparison. Basically she quoted me the same exact policy terms that I have now with Progressive, except with Progressive I added my mother to my personal policy because her driving record is so good that it actually gives ME a discount. I didn't have my mom's information for the quote, so I just did the quote with me alone.

I'd save $75 per month with State Farm. That's pretty significant! And that's without adding my mom as a secondary driver to give me a discount. Looks like I'll be making the switch tomorrow after I get her information =)

[Scott]

I couldn't be happier with state farm

For once, I agree with mikey :lol:

me too

[Mike]

Same situation as Lee, turn 25 in July. I have Geico.

parents plan?

[HAULN-SS]

I have quoted with geico a few times over the years, and they were always ridiculously higher than anyone else I've ever checked. I'm not sure who's saving that 15% out there they're always talking about.

[Maengelito]

i ended up saving close to 50% and adding another 2 cars by switching to geico. as with all insurance companies, YMMV

[WRXtranceformed]

I'll be saving over $500 yearly by switching to State Farm, and that's without factoring in the momdukes going onto my policy. She saved me about $75 / month through Progressive, dunno if it's going to be as drastic with State Farm or make any difference at all, but if so that would be close to $1400/yr savings!

[Sijray21]

interesting, i may look to State Farm for my motorcycle insurance...i wish USAA had M-Insurance...(i have progressive right now and they're kinda high)

[Scott]

i found the more cars I had on the plan, the less my insurance was