car insurance non-renewal

20 years ago

A few years ago I was involved in a very bad car accident (not my fault) and because I carried higher insurance limits than the other party, we ended up suing my insurance co for the difference between the policies. Amazingly my insurance co paid the full difference.

During that period we had trouble with a claim...turned out we didn't make a claim but DID get a mess of trouble stirred up regarding the customer service (LOOONG story). We were pretty sure we'd get dropped at renewal. But that didn't happen.

We also have home insurance with the Co. and get long term and multi-car discounts too.

My DH got a hefty ticket, so that bumped our premiums up a bit. Then just the other day I got in another car accident (while fault is disputed, it's likely the other party who made a left hand turn in front of me will be found at fault). So now we're SURE they're going to drop us.

We've never been dumped by an insurance co, so we're not sure how this might affect us getting coverage by another company. Also, there is the matter of the house insurance...I hear horror stories of people not being able to GET insurance. Should I be shopping for new insurance NOW, wait to see what happens, or what? We were thinking of changing insurance anyway, so any suggestions on who to check with? We're currently with American Family.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

kudzu9
20 years ago
Before we start speculating, have you tried talking to your insurance agent first to see if that provides any useful information?
steve_o
20 years ago
Definitely speak with your agent first.

One of the unspoken secrets of the insurance business is that there always is someone out there willing to write the business for a reasonable amount of money. You'll find them through insurance brokers, though, not captive agents.

Can't help you on choosing another company. I got tired of State Farm's endless premiums escalator, got off it (after only one claim and one ticket in 20 years), and didn't get so much as a "thank you for your business -- why did you leave?" from anyone there. I went with American Family.
Related Discussions
Car insurance --need advice (grrr!) (long!)
Q
Comments (15)
Ahhhhh....deep breath. Thank you all for your wisdom and replies! I'm going to look into the companies you suggested as we still have time to change before our old coverage expires. Now that I'm calmer (!), I think I wouldn't have hit the ceiling if yesterday's email from Esurance had included a statement like: "Please note: if this vehicle was purchased within the past XX days, please confirm that the registration has been updated to reflect your ownership" or something to that effect. I simply opened the email and was blasted with the notice that they'd found something that we'd apparently hid from them, and my interpretation of that was that it was slamming our ethics. I'm not saying that very well, but you get my drift. I also find it terribly creepy that they put the full name of a stranger in our email. When we purchased the truck last week from a long-standing reputable dealer, never in any paperwork was the previous owner's name listed. Frankly, we're buying a used truck, and the previous owner's name is none of our business. So that email on top of the previous one that claimed we'd provided inaccurate information about a gap in our coverage on top of our current insurance agent's genial incompetence on several occasions (not that his incompetence had anything to do with Esurance!) was enough to send me around the bend. We have excellent credit and a clean driving record other than a deer hit at the end of 2009 (the deer hit last fall didn't count against us since no insurance was paid out) so this should be SO simple. Thank you all again. I'm off to do some internet research! You guys are the best!
...See More
Car insurance question
Q
Comments (10)
It's really worth it to go through an insurance agent, rather than trying to do this on your own. An agent can crunch the numbers and figure out which insurance coverage is the best and most economical FOR HER. They can compare many different companies, and know what to suggest to lower your premiums, if possible. No one company is the best or the lowest costing. And example. We have our auto policy through a fantastic company--very small, most people have never heard of it. They only insure really good drivers, and our rates are extremely low. I've checked over the years, an not even the really cheap, discount companies can come close for us. DD had her insurance with 'our' company, and a couple of years ago, decided she'd like to get a better rate. Called the agent and yep--she found dd a policy with another company that was even cheaper for her. We had them check our coverage with that new company? For us, our original company was still cheaper. There are a lot of variables that go into the rate you end up paying, so it is best to have a pro doing the comparison for you. Also, with an agent, you've got someone to represent you if you do have a problem/claim down the road. If she does choose to do the legwork herself, a couple of tips. Check with the state insurance commission--they can tell you who has the best rates, what companies have the most consumer complaints, etc. And then, once you find a company that sounds good--check to see if they are allowed to write policies in New York state--they have the most stringent insurance regulations, so usually, if a company meets their requirements, they're pretty solid.
...See More
Car Insurance question
Q
Comments (11)
Here you must list new drivers in your household immediately. Our insurance agent said if you dont and heaven forbid he is in an accident, whether its his fault or not the insurance company will go back to when he got his license and bill you for the coverage. I don't know if that is actually true or not. Here they do give a small discount if your teen is on the honor roll. I guess they figure they are less likely to get in trouble? Also a discount for taking Defensive Drivers course is given too. As far as being the main driver I am not sure. Our teens were on the policy and were able to drive any of our vehicles with no problems. I don't think they were listed as a "main" driver of any one of them even tho they had their "own" vehicles. Somehow I am thinking its the car itself that is insured for anyone, but of course you pay extra for a teen driver too! LOL You should have him listed as an occasional driver though at least. And just a word to the wise, make sure your ex actually HAS the insurance on the other car! I'd hate for Alex to get in trouble for no insurance.
...See More
Alcoholic Brother, Car Insurance - What Do I Do?!
Q
Comments (30)
From the time my oldest son was less than 2 years old, I have seen the influence an unrelated girl of a similar age can have on behavior. Maybe his drunken behavior chasing off the very one he sought to impress can be a catalyst you or your family could not provide. I hope it will be a helpful step for him. Perhaps you can help him by reminding him that alcoholics in recovery are not the only people who don't drink. Many people chose never to drink and others cannot drink for other medical reasons (past illnesses liver or kidney issues, medications they take), religious issues, etc. I doubt most folks would press for an explanation if he chose not to drink, but there are better ways to deal with the situation than to get drunk. He could simply say he took some allergy medication earlier and can't drink on top of that, ate something that didn't agree with him a day or two ago and is taking it easy -- nothing that commits him to a long term story. He can reveal himself if and when he's ready. He just needs to be prepared so he can handle the situation. Though I'm surprised that any treatment wouldn't include discussion about handling those situations, he obviously wasn't -- or he didn't want to believe that he needed to be. Maybe he needed some proof. Hope he see that he got it and that he's ready for it now. Cautiously hopeful for both of you.
...See More
neetsiepie
Original Author
20 years ago
Thanks for the note about State Farm...we were thinking of them.

Well, now this gets a little more tangled...the woman I collided with is UNINSURED. Thank goodness we have uninsured coverage.

Our particular agent is a ding-a-ling. And they're all independent agents, so you can't call another one to get a 'what-if' scenario if you're represented by another agent.
richard_f
20 years ago
Get quotes from the two big direct insurers - Geico and Amica. They both have web sites you can get quotes from, and they are frequently cheaper because they don't pay agents a commission on your policy every year. I've been with Amica for over 20 years and the service is excellent.
looony2nz
20 years ago
I have been with AMICA for probably 18 years. First in NY, now in Florida, although I don't think they are writing any more auto policies in FL though anymore. (and who knows about FL for homeowners) but anyway, they may not be the cheapest, or the most expensive, but their service, I have found, is excellent. I have had a few relatively small claims, including a relatively small homeowners claim from Hurricane Wilma and their turnaround time was quite fast. I think a few weeks, and that was after a major storm.
mariend
15 years ago
Geico is not good according to Consumer Reports. Check it out.
raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
15 years ago
I had my car insured with AIG, who gave me excellent service after an at-fault accident. They rebranded the auto insurance unit as 21st Century , and that has since been sold to Farmer's, I believe. I switched (before Farmers bought them) in order to get homeowner ins. with the same company as car (was switching from Nationwide due to hugely increasing premiums even though 17 years claim-free), and 21st Century wouldn't insure a house as old as mine.

Not car insurance, but I did have my homeowner's insurance cancelled after repeated burglaries (one of the joys of living in San Diego county, next to an agricultural operation). I was able to find another insurer pretty easily--I think my bank actually recommended the company, and fortunately my premiums were reasonable. However, I didn't make any more claims for the subsequent 6 burglaries in the next 18 months, before I sold the place.

I think that most states have a "high risk pool" for auto insurance, so that even the absolutely worst drivers can get insured, although it will cost. You don't sound like you will need that option.

car insurance non-renewal

Comments (7)

kudzu9

steve_o

Related Discussions

neetsiepie
Original Author

richard_f

looony2nz

mariend

raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

car insurance non-renewal

Comments (7)

kudzu9

steve_o

Related Discussions

neetsiepieOriginal Author

richard_f

looony2nz

mariend

raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

neetsiepie
Original Author