car insurance

[GhettoDogAllStars]

I have GMAC insurance, and I pay $1100/year. I'm 25, have a full size pickup with full coverage ($1000 ded.), and I have a pretty good driving record (no accidents in the past 3 years, no points).

When I was looking for insurance, I got an agent to do all the shopping for me. She got quotes from several different companies, and just sold me the cheapest policy. Granted, I'm sure I paid some markup, but I doubt it gets much cheaper than $1100/year for a guy like me.

I have only been with them for a few months, so I cannot attest to their customer service ability.

[Schneed10]

The reason you're hearing people throwing out names of all different companies is that no one company dominates any area. Car insurance is very regional; each company has their own price points based on certain areas. State Farm might be the cheapest in one area, and one county over, the most expensive. Really, you just have to shop it around to find the lowest rate.

I'd be very hesitant to drop coverage. Certainly, never ever ever drop the underinsured coverage, the non-insured coverage, and keep your medical limits nice and high. I work at a chain of hospitals; trauma bills get VERY high. If they get high enough to clear your coverage, you can be financially ruined.

I'm also always hesitant to drop collision coverage. The worst thing is if you total your car and don't get any money back for it - forcing you into having to buy a new car. At least if you have the collision coverage, you get the blue book value on your totaled car, and you can put that towards a new one.

In the end, you're going to have high rates because you're young and male. Hang in there, the rates only go down from here.

[Redskin Rich]

Here is the advice of a licensed insurance agent in VA (sorry, life & health)...

Call several independent agents in the phone book... find one you can trust. They have a wide range of companies available... make sure you deal with a reputable agent... go with your gut on that...

When they present a company that you have never heard of, ask what the AM Best rating of that company is... this is an independent company that rates the financial stability of a company... you are looking for a grad of A++ - B+... stay away from anything else...

Some agents may try to use other rating systems that will make the company sound better... so, make sure you are getting the AM Best rating... you can also look it up yourself in the local library.