How is your auto insurance?

I have had Geico Auto insurance for about 15 years, so when we bought our new 5er last February we added it to the Geico insurance. Not a bad deal (so I thought) at that time. The Geico is due to renew on July 7. I received a renewed policy from Geico for my insurance earlier this week and I thought the quote seemed a little high so I gave them a call to ask about the increase in my premiums. I was told that I filed a claim in April against my Geico insurance and I had another claim back in November 2011. I told the guy on the phone that I had not had any claims before that or been ticketed in over four years so why would that make my premiums go up so high. Of course he didn't know.
So now here is the kick in the face from the Ugly Ass Galapagos Iguana, not the cute little green lizard that you see on TV.
I was paying $1772 for 6 months for my 2013 Dodge 2500 & a 2012 GMC Arcadia with the 2015 Silverback 5er. Because of the claim in April they now want me to pay..........................................................................
..............................................................................................
$4098 U.S. Dollars for six months an increase of about 231%.
That is $8196 per year for auto insurance. NO WAY JOSE!!!!

You want to know what the claim in April was for?? I backed into a mail box pole at a friends house. A $1600 claim!

I looked on line at that cute Little Flo's insurance company (Progressive). Looked like a good deal. $1278 for six months for just the auto. Right! So I called them on the phone, they asked who I had had my insurance with. I told him Geico. He said let me put you on hold while he worked on a quote for insurance. When he came back on the phone he said I see you had a claim, so the price will be a little higher that the price you saw on the web site.
Are you sitting down to read this????
Progressive's quote is $3282.15 for six months and that was without the RV. I almost dropped the phone.
Out of desperation I went down to talk to "Farmers" they have my home insurance. The quote from Farmers is within reason $1329 for the two cars and $773 for the 5er RV. And after looking over the coverage from Farmers there is more that I have been getting from the Ugly Ass Galapagos Iguana.
I'm not sure what the moral to this story is, these are just the facts.

DutchmenSport
Explorer
May 23, 2015
When you have all your insurances with one company, it usually does come out cheaper. We're with AllState for everything: house, auto, camper, life, and some investments. Overall, because of the multi policy benefit, our rates are pretty reasonable.

I used Geico when I was in the Army for my automobile back in 1982-ish era. Back then Geico was basically catering to Military only. I thought it was a good deal, but once I discovered Allstate, I switched, and have been with AllState ever since .. what... over 30 years now.
agesilaus
Explorer III
May 23, 2015
We were with Progressive for years, cars and RV then Allstate sent use a much lower quote. We just shifted to them. They give you discounts if you let them track your driving habits via a small box that plugs into the OBDII port. And more discounts for our 11th grader getting B's.
Dennis_M_M
Explorer
May 23, 2015
We have everything, cars, truck, home umbrella with Farmers. Had a claim for a pickup I clipped with the trailer in a parking lot back in 2004; then I totaled the smart in 2011.

They paid the other party's claim with no problem. I had to negotiate on the smart after their initial low-ball offer, but they gave me a fair settlement.

No effect on my premiums at all.
Trackrig
Explorer II
May 23, 2015
We've always found the cheapest insurance when you have all it (house, vehicles, toys, trailers, snowmachines, etc) under one insurance carrier. Have State Farm for probably 30+ years.

Bill
jmtandem
Explorer II
May 23, 2015
I was paying $1772 for 6 months for my 2013 Dodge 2500 & a 2012 GMC Arcadia with the 2015 Silverback 5er.

Wow! You got to be kidding! I pay $540 for six months for my Ram, VW Jetta, and 30 foot travel trailer and I complain that it is too high with Allstate. You must have a couple teenage drivers or something.
K_Charles
Explorer
May 23, 2015
The house, auto, truck, excursion and TT are all with the same place but I let the ins agent find me the best price and he does change it every few years if he finds a better deal.
kaydeejay
Explorer
May 23, 2015
agesilaus wrote:
We were with Progressive for years, cars and RV then Allstate sent use a much lower quote. We just shifted to them. They give you discounts if you let them track your driving habits via a small box that plugs into the OBDII port. And more discounts for our 11th grader getting B's.
Careful with that little box! If you actually stop for a red light or accelerate too fast it will ding you and any savings go out the window.
I tried it and it had me driving when I was in a four hour meeting! Took the little box back and told All State where to put it!
It also does not work with diesels.
debraindi
Explorer
May 23, 2015
Looks like geco is dumping you. I have been farmers for 26 years except for the replacement cost of my RV, Harley and boat I have foremost. Im paying 54 a month for 2015 Impact they told its kinda of expensive r v at replacement cost for 56 K. I thinks that's about right.My rv gets used being pulled all over the south west.
Dtank
Explorer
May 23, 2015
jmtandem wrote:
I was paying $1772 for 6 months for my 2013 Dodge 2500 & a 2012 GMC Arcadia with the 2015 Silverback 5er.

Wow! You got to be kidding! I pay $540 for six months for my Ram, VW Jetta, and 30 foot travel trailer and I complain that it is too high with Allstate. You must have a couple teenage drivers or something.

Wow yerself!

Apples to apples.

What levels of liability?

Minimum for your state (here it's 15/30) - or 100/300 (or more)..??
(IMO - personal minimum should be 100-300)

Collision coverage (deductible)? 250-500-1K?

The RV - simply an add-on (common for trlrs) or separate coverage?
(Which is usually much better).

Flo *is* the "Sea Hag", USAA is smoke & mirrors -supposedly catering to active & retired military and Am Legion- (but prices are not really competitive) - as well as insurance companies that reduce prices for "bundling".
(Bundling is simply a means to keep you "hooked"!)

Some insurance agencies lo-ball, then raise rates the second year.
Some will automatically jack up rates if you have a claim - even it it's insignificant. (It's an excuse).

Unfortunately - the best I have found (Wawanesa, past 10 years) doesn't do business in Texas.

Former insurers have included:
AAA
Allstate
State Farm
Farmers
CA Casualty
USAA
Progressive
Mercury

So (OP) - you need to shop around - *ALWAYS* comparing the identical coverages you want from each company...:W

Ask when your "accident" will cause your premiums to be reduced..:@

Happy hunting!

.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
May 23, 2015
I was with State Farm for many years, but took a friends suggestion to call Wawaneas Insurance. They started in Canada, and then started offering insurance in California back around 1988? Now they offer insurance in Oregon and other states. They will include a motorhome if you already have a auto policy. But will not cover a E-450 based handicap van.

I had to go with Farmers Insurance for the E-450 van. Wawanesa would not call it a motorhome! It is only for personal use, and only 5,000 miles a year.

I wonder why it is legal for the proposed insurer to ask what your prior coverage was, or it's cost! I have been asked to show a renewal form to the insurance agent before they could give me a quote. It is sort of like the 'sealed bid process that Governments are required to have for when they buy a new truck, however the insurance agents are requiring that they look at what your renewal is before giving you a price!".

Hopefully you will be as happy with Farmers as I am.

Fred.

Good luck!

Fred.