Auto Insurance Hike

[Vaughn]

We added my wife to the auto insurance policy just prior to her road test as required by state law here. The agent mentioned a probable (and formidable) increase would take effect upon licensure. She passed the road test in the middle of a 6 month policy period - I laid low and watched closely when the renewal statement arrived. No increase, not a kopeck. We just renewed again, paid 6 months in full - and then - BAM, a additional bill arrives (with a friendly threat of cancellation if unpaid) from the carrier for an amount higher than the premium we just forked over: effectively, it's a 130% INCREASE. No way Jose, not before I shop around. I called the local agent and told him "do something, or we're outa here".

Her age matters not, it's her lack of driving experience. She drives herself to and from work for over a year now, nary a scuff, no tickets, signals every lane change and turn. Will NOT answer her cell while in motion... Even swipes her debit card and pumps her own unleaded !! No credit nor considerations for past performance, as it's short term. 

Well, so's our policy...

Anybody here (maybe Conner?) face the insurance man lately and negotiated a truce? Who are you using to write your auto policy? If they establish a cancellation date, I wanna be prepared to move over. I know, we could've fabricated a long driving history and claimed that Russki license was pulled when she got the visa - but hell, the absolute truth has worked so well for us so far, why change the gameplan? Got gecko?

Vaughn

[Admin]

We added my wife to the auto insurance policy just prior to her road test as required by state law here. The agent mentioned a probable (and formidable) increase would take effect upon licensure. She passed the road test in the middle of a 6 month policy period - I laid low and watched closely when the renewal statement arrived. No increase, not a kopeck. We just renewed again,paid 6 months in full - and then - BAM, a additional bill arrives (with a friendly threat of cancellation if unpaid)from the carrierfor an amount higher than the premium we just forked over: effectively, it's a 130% INCREASE. No way Jose, not before I shop around. I called the local agent and told him "do something, or we're outa here".

Her age matters not, it's herlack ofdriving experience. She drives herself to and from work for over a year now, nary a scuff, no tickets, signals every lane change and turn. Will NOT answer her cell while in motion...Even swipes her debitcard and pumps her own unleaded !!No credit nor considerations for past performance, as it's short term.

Well, so's our policy...

Anybody here (maybe Conner?) face the insurance man lately and negotiated a truce? Who are you using to write your auto policy? If they establish a cancellation date, I wanna be prepared to move over. I know, we could've fabricated a long driving history and claimed that Russki license was pulled when she got the visa - but hell, the absolute truth has worked so well for usso far, why change the gameplan? Got gecko?

Vaughn

Geicko here - and we adopted the policy of "Don't ask - don't tell". Olya took lessons and received her license wihin a month of arriving here in the US - and then we took another couple of months to get her a license here - and IIRC, we made no special efforts to obscure, or to announce, her level of driving experience. Geicko ended up pricing her coverage at the same rate as someone in the US her age with a normal range of experience.

Not sure if this may help your situation Vaughn - just what we did.

- Dan

[ConnerVT]

I handled it the same way as Dan -- Didn't advertise the fact she was a newly minted driver, but didn't hide it, either.  I added my wife to the car policy the day she received her license, then shortly after, bought a slightly used car (12K, 1yo) and her name is listed on both.  I actually got a discount for adding the second car (but of course, needed to pay a similar rate for the second car as well).

I've been using the same State Farm agent now for about 7 years.  On my auto policy, when it describes the auto's usage, it says something like: "... less than 16K miles/yr driving to/from work or school, no male drivers or unmarried female drivers under the age of 22..." (paraphrased, I'm at work right now, and don't have the invoice nearby).

If you have had this policy for some time, tell you agent (as you have) that you are shopping around.  Then do so. 

[jb]

Progressive Drive here, no big rate increase to speak of.

Oddly, some insurance carriers base your premium on your credit score and not on your time spent behind the wheel.  Strange but true.

When Etna got her license and we bought her a car, I was anticipating a shock, my agent just sent the changes to the underwriter and it came back based on her age and my credit,  not her driving history.

Shopping around for another Insurance Co is probably a good idea.

[Bruce]

USAA has been great for me.  Just a bit of a pop more adding the wife to the insurance policy. 

[Goldtop]

USAA has been great for me.  Just a bit of a pop more adding the wife to the insurance policy. 

Bruce,

I've got USAA too and I will be adding my fiancee in April to the policy. Did they ask any questions about driving record or history?

Bill

[Son of Clyde]

The only price hike is when I bought the second car and my insurance almost doubled. I guess if you have two vehicles (one brand new and one 8 years old) $2,100.00 a year is normal? State Farm says so. My wife had a valid international drivers license and received her Maryland license with very little difficulty. It is not that she is now insured. The car is insured.

[Vaughn]

Clyde, the figure you posted means little - every state seems to have its own range of rates, based on many factors - especially coverage levels. For instance, we own three autos outright so collision/comprehensive is at our option. One of those vehicles, a Ford Explorer, is registered to Elvira. We didn't announce her inexperience at the wheel, but we WERE specifically asked - and I don't know if that's a state trait, or just our agent's M.O.   Regardless, until he comes back with a far better figure (or complete absolution) we are looking around. Coverage continues for the moment at least....

jb, I happened to notice a white Land Rover today with progressive.com labeled on its side - and I've heard their commercials on the AM. Rates based on her age and your credit history? I like that plan. I'll check them out along with Geico, State Farm, and several others (who don't advertise heavily). I want to be in good hands, but not with picked pockets.

Maybe Galaxy Agency could create a retrospective driver's license for my honey? I wonder what Gomer would pay for that?

Vaughn

[START2]

I have Geico and when I bought a second car for Valentyna to drive our insurance not only dropped $220 a year,(multi car) the premiun didn't rise because she was added. They never asked if she drove before, they only asked how old she was. I have full coverge on our 05 Monte Carlo and only liability on the Lumina. It's a 96 with only 100,000 on it and we got a great deal. I figure if she wrecks it we can throw it away and get something else. she loves driving this car and doesn't feel safe in a small compact car. I think the premium for both cars now is $1100/yr.  Of course we live in the country and minimum liability here is either 25 or 50,000. I still took the $100,000 as our minimum just in case. I had one claim with Geico a few years back and the service was excellent.

[catzenmouse]

Maybe Galaxy Agency could create a retrospective driver's license for my honey? I wonder what Gomer would pay for that?

Vaughn

Vaughn,

 I'm pretty fair with Photoshop so for a reasonable fee let's talk...:P;)

Ken

[catzenmouse]

[user=297]START2[/user] wrote:

Of course we live in the country and minimum liability  here is either 25 or 50,000. I still took the $100,000 as our minimum  just in case.

Elena tells me Val told her that there is only one house within 250 miles of you and the only road is an old tractor trail....

Ken

[START2]

Yes!!!! in fact her first lesson was on our tractor:D  as was her first trip to the grocery store:P

[START2]

Which reminds me ot the 2 Teaxas ranchers. One with thousands of acres of land and the other a poor homesteader trying to make ends meet. One day the poor one and rich one were talking and the the rich one says, it takes me a day and a half to drive across my land and the poor ones says yeah, I have a truck like that too.

[Vaughn]

Oh, I just adore these bastards. A timeframe emerged, the notice from GMAC Insurance came in today's mail:

"We are concerned that we have not received your premium payment. We are sure you realize that we cannot keep your policy in force without payment. We regret that we must cancel your policy unless payment reaches us at the home office before 04/04/2006. Please disregard this notice if payment has been made."

Did a parrot compose this? The word "payment" appears in every sentence...  

They didn't come down one penny. They're history. And so is the agent. I need a hungry insurer who doesn't ask too many questions - and I'll find them. Thanks to all posters who provided ideas and leads.

I'm pretty fair with Photoshop so for a reasonable fee let's talk...

Ken, I have not forgotten your offer to RWD when it was doing monthly door prizes, and one day I plan to approach you with a creative work order...

Vaughn