That's awful!

I'm not an insurance agent (never have been, never will be), but I've got a couple of comments...

I don't commit to memory the details of KT folks' lives, so I don't know the reason why you need to remove Dale's name from the policy. But, is it possible that your driving record is not as good as Dale's, so that you incur a higher premium by yourself than the two of you did together?

Also, just because you own two cars doesn't mean that you need to insure both of them. If you aren't going to be driving one of the cars, especially if it's kept in a closed garage, you can cancel the insurance on it. If the car is left parked in a driveway or open carport, where it might be broken into or stolen, you could continue the comprehensive coverage but drop the collision coverage. Either way should save you money.

I'd guess it has to do with how insurance companies rate things.

We have a business (LLC) that has many titled vehicles (pickups, semi's, etc) We provided housing for one employee so we had a residential house on the policy. That employee wanted to move so we sold the house. We closed on the sale this past week and I removed the house from our insurance policy. I was told by the insurance company that since we no longer have a house on that policy the rates on all the vehicles went up. Go figure.

Lindsey, Marie's husband passed away a week or so ago.

Is he saying your insurance on the two cars is going to go up every six months (that makes no sense) because you now have only one person driving two cars? Is this some kind of crazy state law?

I drive two cars (just me), and I can assure you my insurance doesn't go up every six months. In fact, I switched companies last year and my insurance went way down. I hope you can get another opinion on this.

Get two new quotes. By doing that, you can also get a fresh opinion about whether you have appropriate coverage. Independent agents don't always offer the best prices.

All you need is your coverage summaries (they come in the mail) and your telephone. In 30 minutes, you'll know whether what your current policies are a good buy or if a change is indicated.

Dropping coverage on one car isn't a good idea in my view. If it's too expensive for you to own and insure two, sell one.

Good luck.

My friend has been a broker for 30 years and has never
heard of this happening. She says if you sell one of the cars
you will lose the multi-car discount.
Who is your carrier? NOT your broker.

ed. for typo

This post was edited by lindakathy on Sat, Aug 17, 13 at 19:52

I don't understand that either, it's not something I've ever heard anyone say.

When DH needed commercial liability for his truck, we had to change to another company because ours didn't offer it, then my car and house policies went up because we'd removed a vehicle and no longer had all insured at the same place....And we wouldn't have changed if they'd offered the coverage he needed.

But take a driver off the policy and pay more? I'm having trouble following that, had he no explanation as to what the reasoning is behind that? (if it's even true of all of them).

I'd get some more quotes. And please let me say I'm so sorry you're having to deal with all these small annoyances right now, and wish some of us could be there to do a little of the leg work, followups for you.

$127 for 6 months. Or $21.17 a month. She is being quoted a 6-month price.

That was the way I understood her to say it too, but that still comes to an increase of $254 a year when it's likely neither car will be on the road as frequently, of the total miles of the two combined will at least be less. I just hate to see anyone have to make decisions like keeping or selling a car even if a 'spare', any household changes at all, unless promptly necessary these first several months. I wanted to ask my own agent but got office voice mail, no one there today.

Doesn't sound right to me. Unless you've discovered that elusive ability to be in two places (cars) at the same time.

I honestly think he's taking advantage of you at a vulnerable time. I'd switch on that factor alone.

OK, he's not an agent but my BIL was here a while ago and he said (and he's one of those who knows all kinds of odd little facts many of us wouldn't be aware of so maybe he's correct), statistics show married couples are safer drivers and some companies give discounts (or lower rates) according to marital status. If there has been in a change in that status, the discount is lost and the premium increases.

If that's true I'm still outraged, you would think there would be a grace period of at least several months before that type of change would become effective if that's what is happening.

My broker friend has never heard of rates based on marital
status. OP: What state are you in?

I say, leave him on the insurance until you get this figured out. I am so sorry you are dealing with this while things are still so fresh.

This does seem strange. But we have 3 cars and two drivers. One vehicle is considered a recreational vehicle (or something like that). It means we put a max of 5000 miles on it in a year. When I asked him what happens if I put 10000 miles, he said it wouldn't matter. So, maybe you could put your second vehicle as a recreational vehicle? Just a thought.

This is what I do daily. Your going from being married to widowed and that affects the rates. Two cars, cheaper than one car. One person can't drive 2 cars at the same time so see if suspending coverage to comprehensive only on one car is an option. Don't drive that car but by suspending the coverage you will save money and still retain the multiple car discount/rating. If you need to drive it you should be able to call and ask them to reinstate the coverage's while you need it. Truth is, you can leave your husbands name on the policy, however if there is a claim the claim check will be issued in both names and as long as that is not an issue with your banking institution, then it shouldn't be a problem. The problem you may encounter is that if the broker has removed your husband due to death, it's kind of hard to go back and un - endorse the policy.