Innsurance Preimum TRIPLED for one ticket.

I've been thinking about personal responsibility kcmoedoe. I researched the circumstances and believe that we were wrongly ticketed. But we paid the fine and did not contest--perhaps a bigger mistake than falling in the ditch.
I should know better than to defend myself against criticism, however, reckless driving was too harsh a ticket for the circumstances. Not careless driving, reckless driving with "reckless disregard for people or property". Because it was promptly paid, no points were issued against the license, but we did not realize there would still be a record.
There was probably no way that charge could have been proven in court but we didn't know enough about insurance consequences to not pay the fine. Our letters were to try to help someone else by fixing the problem but nobody would take responsibility for the dangerous drive.
Fortunately we found an insurance company that did not consider us such a risk after that incident.

I have a question for those with experience with Good Sam Insurance. Is it worth having? I had them many years ago, but don't recall that experience. I've been without an RV since 08, but just recently bought a used 07 Copper Canyon 5th Wheel.

I had called them last week and got a quote, the girl called today wanting to know if I was going to switch to them. I told her I would let her know the first of next week. I currently have my insurance with Country Wide in Oregon where I have my home and auto's. The cost there is thirty a month and I am not sure I am getting all the RV benefit's that I should be getting.

Thanks,

Tom

Fishinghat wrote:

Many things go into rating a policy holder besides citations and chargeable collisions. Your age, credit rating, principal address, and the record(s) of other drives in the household also count.

In Washington State, the state legislators passed a law the insurance companies could only consider the last 36 months history to underwrite your policy. So, being a policy holder in good standing for 20+ years doesn't mean squat anymore.

Actually I did exactly that. However, I didn't ask for a reduction, mainly because the cost of the ticket wasn't that bad. I did explain my situation and threw myself at the mercy of the court. Never heard a thing back.....nothing!

Ron

I have search previously and found that if I split up my insurance companies...one for my 4 autos and one for my motor home, that it seemed to be cheaper. Good Sam was about the only one I found that I could lump them all under one policy and still be $$ competitive. So, I guess I try to split them up and go from there.

Thanks to all for your great advice.

Ron

lanerd wrote:

Fishinghat wrote:
Many things go into rating a policy holder besides citations and chargeable collisions. Your age, credit rating, principal address, and the record(s) of other drives in the household also count.

In Washington State, the state legislators passed a law the insurance companies could only consider the last 36 months history to underwrite your policy. So, being a policy holder in good standing for 20+ years doesn't mean squat anymore.

Age is 71, spouse 69. Credit rating 800+, CA resident, spouse has 0 tickets. CA might have a little to do with it as it always seems to be a little higher than other states. But given all the other criteria, I just can't believe a $4000 per year increase that is triple what I paid last year. Unbelievable!

Ron

I am sorry to say but your ages are probably working against you in this case. This ticket may be seen as a red flag for the insurance company...not saying I agree just that this is the reality.

I am 62, no moving violations at all and pay about $1200 per year for my new Dodge 4x4. I am going to move my insurance for my truck to GSI because they are cheaper. I quoted my current insurance with Progressive which wanted $400 per year more than my current (ESurance)

EMD360 wrote:
We had the same situation. GS tried to help but could not find a policy for us that was anywhere close to last year's cost. We went to a local independent agency who shopped for us and found Safeco at about what we paid last year.
We had a totally bogus "reckless driving" ticket in a rental moving truck in Pueblo, CO in April. Also no tickets for over 30 years. We were trying to get around an illegally parked semi in a gas station that had a huge unguarded, unlighted ditch next to its driveway. One wheel of the rear of the truck fell into the ditch and because the truck was stuck partly on the side road in the turning lane we called 911 to inform them. I guess the gas station also called. I think every cop in Pueblo showed up, including one guy with two women civilians in his car who laughed uproariously at our predicament, and the chief of the dept. arrived but didn't think to deal with his own officer.
We must have talked to at least 4 different cops and given license and registration etc. There was a cement sewer or water device in the ditch and they called the head of Public Service out to look at it to see if we were liable for damage to public property. Felt like Alice's Restaurant littering criminals.
Then when we thought it was all over and the tow truck had pulled the truck out of the ditch, yet ANOTHER cop decided to issue a reckless driving ticket. REALLY? Of course when traveling it is impossible to go back and fight the ticket so we were out $90. Not terrible until we got the insurance bill! Yes over $3000 more for the same insurance and will will carry this strike against us for 3 years. (36 months) Apparently reckless driving is as bad as a DUI. Does there seem to be something wrong with this picture?
So we wrote the station and said it was a problem and could they put up a light and guard rail and they wrote back and said it was the city's problem. Wrote the city and asked if they would look into the dangerous spot and they wrote back and said it was a state problem! Wrote the state and never heard anything back--probably couldn't decide how to blame it on the feds.

It is a BIG mistake to think because you are traveling you cannot contest a ticket. Most courts in this country will accept a written defense in lieu of your appearance if you have a good reason that you cant be there. A well written letter goes to the Judge...not the prosecutor. More often than not...and you must specifically ask for this, a reduction in the charge will be made. This can save you a lot of heartache. Don't wast the Judges time with protestations of innocence. Give the extenuating circumstances, admit guilt and ask for a reduction to a lower charge. Keep it short and dont try to sound like Perry Mason..Unless you are a lawyer...in which case this advice isn't needed.

I actually did this for a ticket for expired tabs. I got the ticket during my Cancer treatment and completely forgot about the thing. I moved overseas for 8 years, came back and tried to get a new license and found this waiting for me...My letter to the Judge got it removed from the Collection Company the state gave it to, reduced the fine and cleared the violation from my record. I was here in ND the entire time. The court was in another State.

Check out the escapees.com website. Usually there is a insurance company advertizement online. Or ask for their recommendations.

Good luck,

Fred.

PS: I am with Wawanesa insurance - google them, they have wonderful rates too, and good service. Many of my co-workers in Huntington Beach had that insurance since 1988. They have been really happy with them, and recommended them. I found that they had a price about $1,200 less than State Farm.

EMD360 wrote:
We had the same situation. GS tried to help but could not find a policy for us that was anywhere close to last year's cost. We went to a local independent agency who shopped for us and found Safeco at about what we paid last year.
We had a totally bogus "reckless driving" ticket in a rental moving truck in Pueblo, CO in April. Also no tickets for over 30 years. We were trying to get around an illegally parked semi in a gas station that had a huge unguarded, unlighted ditch next to its driveway. One wheel of the rear of the truck fell into the ditch and because the truck was stuck partly on the side road in the turning lane we called 911 to inform them. I guess the gas station also called. I think every cop in Pueblo showed up, including one guy with two women civilians in his car who laughed uproariously at our predicament, and the chief of the dept. arrived but didn't think to deal with his own officer.
We must have talked to at least 4 different cops and given license and registration etc. There was a cement sewer or water device in the ditch and they called the head of Public Service out to look at it to see if we were liable for damage to public property. Felt like Alice's Restaurant littering criminals.
Then when we thought it was all over and the tow truck had pulled the truck out of the ditch, yet ANOTHER cop decided to issue a reckless driving ticket. REALLY? Of course when traveling it is impossible to go back and fight the ticket so we were out $90. Not terrible until we got the insurance bill! Yes over $3000 more for the same insurance and will will carry this strike against us for 3 years. (36 months) Apparently reckless driving is as bad as a DUI. Does there seem to be something wrong with this picture?
So we wrote the station and said it was a problem and could they put up a light and guard rail and they wrote back and said it was the city's problem. Wrote the city and asked if they would look into the dangerous spot and they wrote back and said it was a state problem! Wrote the state and never heard anything back--probably couldn't decide how to blame it on the feds.

Lets see, you drove into the ditch, were blocking a traffic lane and it is the fault of 1) a parked semi, 2) a ditch that is unguarded (though I must admit having a guard stationed at every ditch in America would solve our unemployment problem), 3) a ditch that wasn't lighted (sure is strange, every ditch I have ever seen has LED mood lighting at a minimum), 4)the gas station, 5) the City, 6) the State. What seems to be missing is any hint of personal responsibility. You were cited for careless driving and chose not to fight it, so as far as the insurance company is concerned you drove carelessly. Careless drivers are at increased risk of having more accidents, so a higher rate is certainly justified.

Start now shopping other companies, one red light ticket can't raise your premium that much! Something doesn't sound right!