car insurance

[Frost]

thanks a lot guys for all your help,, this has been really great and helpful info from everyone. i never knew how hard the process is of getting a car, insurance registration etc... hopefully i'll get a car by this weekend and take it from there, its just really hard to pick a car cause i dont really know whats good out there and what will last and at the same time i want something that looks pretty decent , as far as insurance goes im kinda leaning towards Safeco,, the quote i got was $960 for 1st 6 months. anyone else has or heard of safeco ?

[jbcjr14]

Look, while you should look for the best price you should also look at claim service and customer service. The only time you need an insurance company is when you have a claim! Make sure you have all the coverages you need and NOT the state minimums as there are too many people dying to take everything you have in the event of an accident.

Now I am not a licensed insurance agent, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Seriously, I have been in the insurance business for 15+ years and two things always stick out when customers are either happy or pissed off. Rate and claims service.

Good luck! Check with the biggies (State Farm, Nationwide, Geico, Progressive, Farmers)

[MTK]

Personally I'd stay away from Progressive. Yes I'm biased since I worked in that hell hole for a year doing claims, and believe me if you saw the way the company operates from the inside you wouldn't want to do business with them.

Besides that their rates typically stink, they'll insure anyone and I mean anyone, so their rates are usually higher because they take on a high risk pool.

[BrudLee]

Fine. If no one else will, I'll do it.

[MTK]

I love this new one

[MTK]

This one is great too

[firstdown]

The reason your rates are much higher are for two main reasons.
1. Your driving expeirence is only a 1/2 year.
2. No prior insurance.

With the few months you have had a lic. the ins companies do not have much of a window to see how your driving record will be and to get a perfered rate most want 2 to 3 years driving experience. With prior or current insurance they can look at your prior claim history which you do not have. You will have to bite the bullet for maybe 6 months to maybe a couple of years depending on your state. I would suggest that after you have had insurance for the first 6 months shop your rates again and see if you can get a price break for having the prior ins. Your rates may drop when you turn 25 depending on the ins co and your state ins regulations.

[onlydarksets]

The best service out there (IMO) is USAA - however, you (or your parents) have to have been military at some point. The rates aren't bad - I think we're paying $1100/year for 2 cars with variable deductibles (depending type of incident).

[BDBohnzie]

As everyone else said, check out the biggies. When I was 16, I got plunked onto my Dad's State Farm account, which he has had forever. Converted to my own when I graduated from college, and have been going ever since. I think right now I'm paying less than $1200/year for 3 cars. Since you aren't over 25, and have only been driving for a short amount of time, it's going to cost you.

As far as car goes, I've heard really mixed things about CarMax. Some people have enjoyed the experience, while others have been completely screwed. Instead of the 05 Mazda, look at a slightly older Honda or Toyota with less than 100k miles. You'll be able to put at least another 100k miles on it (6-8 years, unless you're me, and that's 4-5 years), and as long as you do all the scheduled maintenance, you'll be good to go. And, if you've got 12,000 to spend, I'd spend 8-10k and use the rest towards the car insurance.

I have a 2001 Honda Civic with 135,000 miles, runs great, and I get 34-36 MPG mixed.

[MTK]

I agree with PSF, minimal coverage might save you money now but god forbid if you ever wrecked and needed the coverage, especially medical.

After working in no-fault for a year, I now max out my coverages and encourage everyone I know to do the same.

[jbcjr14]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I agree with PSF, minimal coverage might save you money now but god forbid if you ever wrecked and needed the coverage, especially medical.

After working in no-fault for a year, I now max out my coverages and encourage everyone I know to do the same.

+1 and Underinsured/Uninsured Motorists Coverages are PARAMOUNT!

[BleedBurgundy]

I just bought a new truck and switched from Progressive to Geico. Geico is offering this new (to me) option where your vehicle is covered against mechanical breakdown. The deductible is like $250 but it would easily pay for itself the first time something breaks that isn't covered by the warranty...

[BleedBurgundy]

As far as switching from Full Coverage to Liability only, DON'T DO IT. Here's what happened to my brother two months ago...

He had his car paid off and decided to save a little cash by switching to minimum coverage. 3 days later he's driving on the PA state turnpike late at night and has to pull off the road. When he pulls off, he does so into a massive sink/pot hole about 3 feet deep and the width of his car. Needless to say, his car was F'd up. So he calls the insurance company and reinstates full coverage before he reports the accident. Two days later, he tries to report the accident with the whole, "this is so strange. I'm lucky I just switched back to full coverage..." routine and they immediately tell him they'll be doing a full insurance fraud investigation and are going to be pulling his phone records... So... needless to say, he dropped that claim pretty quick. I'm sure his account at Progressive has a flashing FRAUD ALERT for anything he reports in the future and he had to pay the $3000 in repairs.

Moral of the story: Get the best coverage you can afford, because as soon as you don't have it, you'll need it.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by BleedBurgundy

As far as switching from Full Coverage to Liability only, DON'T DO IT. Here's what happened to my brother two months ago...

He had his car paid off and decided to save a little cash by switching to minimum coverage. 3 days later he's driving on the PA state turnpike late at night and has to pull off the road. When he pulls off, he does so into a massive sink/pot hole about 3 feet deep and the width of his car. Needless to say, his car was F'd up. So he calls the insurance company and reinstates full coverage before he reports the accident. Two days later, he tries to report the accident with the whole, "this is so strange. I'm lucky I just switched back to full coverage..." routine and they immediately tell him they'll be doing a full insurance fraud investigation and are going to be pulling his phone records... So... needless to say, he dropped that claim pretty quick. I'm sure his account at Progressive has a flashing FRAUD ALERT for anything he reports in the future and he had to pay the $3000 in repairs.

Moral of the story: Get the best coverage you can afford, because as soon as you don't have it, you'll need it.

LOL trust me Progressive goes through every claim with a fine toothed comb.

Besides, any claim right after a coverage change is a huge red flag to probably any insurance company.

[Riggo44]

If you eligible you can't beat USAA. Besides that Progressive is alright.