Auto Insurance hikes

[Irving]

While I was never in underwriting, when I was new I trained with all the underwriters and had friends in that department. While some companies still maintain a hands on approach to personal auto underwriting, I'm under the impression that a lot of it is automated when it comes to renewals. Even if it isn't, I have to seriously question whether some entry level underwriter with 100 policy renewals to review every week is going to take the time to determine if someone lives on a dirt road or how far they travel to work. Even if they did, living on a dirt road and having yearly windshield replacements would likely just add up to paying a higher rate.

Under the full realization that no one ever asked me, it's my opinion that prices for services and customer service are in a never-ending positive feedback loop that continues to drive prices up faster than would inflation and population increase alone. I'd personally rather pay slightly less for an insurance policy than having free windshield replacement built in. Especially concerning windshields specifically since the most common damage is gained from driving on the roads. It'd be like offering free tire replacements for flat tires. It's a very easy sell, and who wouldn't want free windshields and tires? But in the end all it does is raise expectations, and ultimately rates. This isn't just an insurance industry issue though.

[MarkCO]

Your insurance costs can vary based on changes in your credit rating. That just seems crazy to me, but maybe I don't understand the logic there.

There is data out there that higher math scores result in lower accident rates. While females are in more accidents, the cost per accident of males is higher. People with lower credit scores populate the vast majority of work comp claims and "injury accidents" that are later proven to be frivolous or contrived, but still at a cost to the carrier to adjudicate.

My glass policy is a rider, costs less to have it than not for me.

[brutal]

My 6 month policy for 3 (old) vehicles went from $996 to $1,500.

I do get an additional discount for paying in full every 6 months.

2004 Ram
2003 Audi
2008 Suby Imprezza

Uninsured motorist for all 3 from 98 to 225.
Comprehensive more than doubled for each.
I've had ONE hail claim on my truck last year.
Wife had one hail claim a few years ago.
I paid out of pocket for two windshields as it was less than my deductibles. Have never claimed a windshield
Neither of us have any moving violations on record and I have spotless credit (the wife not so much).

Sucks that we're all paying for the uninsured and sh*tty drivers.

Progressive has generally been good to me and I'm an "Emerald" member.

Anyone think I can do better with USAA?

[MarkCO]

You should give USAA a shout for a quote. Great Company...that by itself makes me wish I had gone into the Military when I was a wee lad.

[Gman]

I have glass coverage when it makes sense. When I had a Chevy truck, a new windshield cost $150 installed, so it didn't make sense to pay for the coverage + $100 to use the policy. Now that I have a couple of vehicles that aren't that common and have sensors that interface with the glass, it makes more sense.

[Ronin13]

My 6 month policy for 3 (old) vehicles went from $996 to $1,500.

I do get an additional discount for paying in full every 6 months.

2004 Ram
2003 Audi
2008 Suby Imprezza

Uninsured motorist for all 3 from 98 to 225.
Comprehensive more than doubled for each.
I've had ONE hail claim on my truck last year.
Wife had one hail claim a few years ago.
I paid out of pocket for two windshields as it was less than my deductibles. Have never claimed a windshield
Neither of us have any moving violations on record and I have spotless credit (the wife not so much).

Sucks that we're all paying for the uninsured and sh*tty drivers.

Progressive has generally been good to me and I'm an "Emerald" member.

Anyone think I can do better with USAA?

I can PM you my brother's info and see about getting you a quote if you want. They represent Travelers and Chubb (but don't do monoline auto, so they'll want to look at your home- which could save you more $$ in the broader scheme). When I worked in the biz, I would definitely tell people to shop around, but also to be wary as the best price might not always get you the best coverage. When someone asked "how much coverage do I need?" I would always respond with "how much are you willing to risk?" Meaning, if you t-bone a 1989 subaru and cause minimal injury it may not be bad, but what if you t-bone a '17 Merc driven by a hand surgeon who loses the ability to work? What if your Uncle's friend who's a aerospace engineer comes over for dinner and falls and bonks his head and is unable to work? Can your auto/homeowners/umbrella provide enough with your current liability limits?

[hollohas]

My last windshield cost me $348.71 a year and a half ago. Only windshield I've had to replace since I purchased my 2010 Tundra new. I carry $1000 deductibles.

That said, I won't buy one from Safelite again. Thing is a weak piece of shit. I need a new one already.

When someone asked "how much coverage do I need?" I would always respond with "how much are you willing to risk?" Meaning, if you t-bone a 1989 subaru and cause minimal injury it may not be bad, but what if you t-bone a '17 Merc driven by a hand surgeon who loses the ability to work? What if your Uncle's friend who's a aerospace engineer comes over for dinner and falls and bonks his head and is unable to work? Can your auto/homeowners/umbrella provide enough with your current liability limits?

Exactly. When I called Geico to complain, they said "Well, you have way more coverage than you need, why don't we reduce that to get your premium down.".

Umm, no.

1st of all, reducing my coverage to get my premium back closer the what it used to be does not address the bullshit 40% increase. That's like telling me the 600% increase in my health deductible that helped keep my health premium "down" was a good trade. Hell no it's not. Lower coverage and higher premiums both suck balls.

2nd, how the eff do they know how much coverage I need? I prefer to carry deep insurance. Yes I could get cheeper rates by reducing coverage. But I'd rather protect me and my family financially.

However in exchange for me buying high-end insurance, I expect the insurance company I have paid a shit ton of money too without asking anything back from them for years would not just one day decide to shove it up my ass.

Zero claims in 6 years (one claim in my lifetime). High credit scores. Same cars. Same drivers. Same employement. Same use. 40% increase is flat crazy no matter how you shake a stick at it. I'm still pissed.

Anyone here get a 40% increase in their pay this year for doing absolutely nothing different? Anyone here seen 40% inflation in the last year? Do brand new cars cost 40% more than the same model last year? Used cars? Did any parts or service on your car cost 40% more this year than they did last year? Nope. Nope. Nope.

40% is bullshit.

[MrPrena]

Speaking of auto insurance. Does state of CO allows a person to get bonded instead of having an insurance?

Just asking...

[Irving]

You can have a broadform policy, but I don't know how similar that is to being bonded.

[brutal]

I can PM you my brother's info and see about getting you a quote if you want. They represent Travelers and Chubb (but don't do monoline auto, so they'll want to look at your home- which could save you more $$ in the broader scheme). When I worked in the biz, I would definitely tell people to shop around, but also to be wary as the best price might not always get you the best coverage. When someone asked "how much coverage do I need?" I would always respond with "how much are you willing to risk?" Meaning, if you t-bone a 1989 subaru and cause minimal injury it may not be bad, but what if you t-bone a '17 Merc driven by a hand surgeon who loses the ability to work? What if your Uncle's friend who's a aerospace engineer comes over for dinner and falls and bonks his head and is unable to work? Can your auto/homeowners/umbrella provide enough with your current liability limits?

I used to have home/auto with the same carrier (AmFam) and I've looked into combining home and auto again a few times over the last 10 or so years since I dumped AmFam due to a BS rate increase on the auto's, but they've managed to maintain my HO insurance standalone at the best rate. Nobody has ever been able to do better than what I currently have with the split policies. The only claim I ever filed with AmFam was for some wind damage that blew down a couple sections of fence.

That said, the last time I shopped them, it was only with Progressive who wasn't underwriting CO policies at the time so maybe it's time to shop around.

Funny really, because we had to file a bad faith lawsuit on my son's behalf (was a minor) against both AmFam and Progressive when they weren't paying my son's medical bills from an accident caused by Prog driver. Then years later I switched to Progressive.