Changing Insurance Companies...

[Joe Hummer]

Long story short...F*** GEICO!!!  I have been with them for 9 years...and most will remember that this winter, I had an at fault accident on my bike...where they totaled the bike and I bought it back...made all the repairs to get it back to like new condition...but hell...that didn't matter.  Today, I received a renewal notice via email...clicked the link to see what the damage was...and OMFG...my rate jumped from around $600 for 3 bikes...to $1300!!!  The rate on my bike jumped 3.5 times over what I paid last year...after 9 years with them. 

My first move was to get an online quote from Progressive.  I have had them in the past (about 9 years ago...) but left them when Geico had better rates.  Progressive offered me the same coverages for $441.  Needless to say...I have signed a new policy with Progressive...and cancelled my policy with Geico...and because of the way they treated me...I will not be going back to Geico...regardless of their rate. 

So as I started out with... F*** GEICO!!!

[sheets]

After thirteen years with the Valk, and Progressive, I crashed. Insurance totaled the bike. This spring I acquired a new bike. Because of the claim pay-out, Progressive quoted me a rate that was quadruple the amount of the previous premium for the same coverage. I signed up with Geico for not much more $ per year for same coverage as I previously had on the Valk.  Cost of doing risky business. Just glad I walked away to see another day.  Yrmv,   

[PAVALKER]

It's up to us to watch the rates and switch if necessary.  I have been happy with Progressive for years with 4 bikes (3 Antiques) and the Valkyrie.  If their rates get raised... I will move along to someone else I guess.

[Jess from VA]

With or without at-fault claims (but especially with), vehicle insurance tends to go up over time.  Now we expect reasonable increases, but after awhile it is not cost but greed.  I have read many, many stories of people getting hosed by companies they have been with for many ears, and switching with same coverage for much lower premiums.  It is good for everyone to keep this in mind. 

Been with Geico (bikes only) for many years, never had a claim, but after an unreasonable bump, I called and said I'd be leaving.... oh the increase was an error, so I stayed..... for now.

There's an old saying........ loyalty is a two way street. 

I have only had a single vehicle insurance claim in my lifetime (stolen van in '73, not my fault)........ far as I'm concerned all those premiums have been money wasted.  But who can afford to risk all they own (once they own something)?  Oh, and then there's the small matter of it being required by law.

[J.Mencalice]

Check out Allstate.  I'm pretty satisfied with their rates.

[Daddie O]

I'm sticking with Progressive.  I had an accident on my Road King and it was totaled.  Progressive gave me more than I could have sold it for privately, and didn't raise my rates.  In fact after buying the Valkyrie my rates went down!

[Hef]

insurance is the same as discussing tires and oil. Most have a different opinion when discussing the same brands. Therefore you gotta go with what works for you. As for insurance, I have been with State Farm for over 40 years with no complaints. I am not with SF because it is SF but because I know my agent personally and trust him. I have been offered cheaper rates, but sometimes you get what you pay for. I pay $216/yr for full coverage 100/300K on my bike and have full peace of mind that I have good coverage. Joe, sounds like you were getting screwed because of the accident. Glad you found something much more reasonable.

[cookiedough]

It's up to us to watch the rates and switch if necessary.  I have been happy with Progressive for years with 4 bikes (3 Antiques) and the Valkyrie.  If their rates get raised... I will move along to someone else I guess.

110% agree with this.  My home insurance just went up 40 bucks last year and another 45 bucks this year which is about a 20% increase in premiums in 2 years.  yah, 85 bucks divided by 12 months is not much, but WHY????

Going shopping once again for home and/or auto have switched like 4-5 times for both home/auto in 10 years.  SO sick of pissing money away from what I believe the insurance companies are screwing the loyal customers when in fact they should be giving loyal customers very tiny percentage increases every year is all, not 20% for gosh sakes for NO claims ever.  You'd think insurance companies would want to keep accident free customers, not price gouge them and make them find cheaper insurance elsewhere.   

I also don't believe a customer who has ONE at fault accident say in their life should have a 40-50% rate increase the next premium period.  Maybe more than the loyal paying never filed a claim customer, but not to extreme increases in premiums. 

Can't wait to see next year once my 16 year old gets her license how much my rates may go up for teenage driver.  One thing I do know is she won't be getting a car to drive and not buying her one unless she gets a job and pays for all the gas and insurance which won't happen.

[Mo Lee]

I'm with you Joe, this spring when I went to register the V8 trike I had just finished Geico was hesitant to insure it however with me being with them for near 30 years they approved it but were flip flopping on the cost I was already paying around 700 a year for the 2 Valks and the Spyder full coverage and for liability on the trike was going to be between 400 and 700 alone. Called progressive and they were glad to insure the trike and gave me a quote of 350 for all 4 bikes, guess you know who I'm insured with now.

[Jess from VA]

It's up to us to watch the rates and switch if necessary.  I have been happy with Progressive for years with 4 bikes (3 Antiques) and the Valkyrie.  If their rates get raised... I will move along to someone else I guess.

110% agree with this.  My home insurance just went up 40 bucks last year and another 45 bucks this year which is about a 20% increase in premiums in 2 years.  yah, 85 bucks divided by 12 months is not much, but WHY????

Going shopping once again for home and/or auto have switched like 4-5 times for both home/auto in 10 years.  SO sick of pissing money away from what I believe the insurance companies are screwing the loyal customers when in fact they should be giving loyal customers very tiny percentage increases every year is all, not 20% for gosh sakes for NO claims ever.  You'd think insurance companies would want to keep accident free customers, not price gouge them and make them find cheaper insurance elsewhere.  

I also don't believe a customer who has ONE at fault accident say in their life should have a 40-50% rate increase the next premium period.  Maybe more than the loyal paying never filed a claim customer, but not to extreme increases in premiums.  

Can't wait to see next year once my 16 year old gets her license how much my rates may go up for teenage driver.  One thing I do know is she won't be getting a car to drive and not buying her one unless she gets a job and pays for all the gas and insurance which won't happen.

Cookie, something to keep in mind about new children drivers.... if they do get a car, make sure it is in their name alone, and insured alone (in their name only).  Yes it is more expensive, and you may (or not) help them out with money/costs, but if the car goes in your name (or joint with them) and on your ins. policy, if they have a catastrophic accident with tremendous medical/propertywrongful death claims beyond your policy limits, you can lose everything you own, and your home.  Of course, putting it in their name alone can make it difficult or impossible to take the car away if they become driving maniacs, but it is still the best policy.  (you just disable it or hide it)

Some kids are better than others, and statistics show brand new drivers are usually pretty careful at 16-17 (because they may lose their license for any moving violation or accident, or lose their privilege to drive the folks' cars, but after that, they get cocky and cause a lot of big accidents.  

My dad helped me out and did joint ownership of my first VW and on his ins. policy at 16, but after I moved up to a 396 Chevelle and started getting tickets, he wisely made me remove his name from ownership and get my own insurance.  I never had any catastrophic accidents, but I probably did get awards for every moving violation on the books by the time I was 19 (not DUI or reckless dr).  

[cookiedough]

Thanks Jess, will have to consider that but not likely another car will be in my driveway until she turns at least 18 and out of high school.  She doesn't need a car to drive ONLY UNLESS she gets a job outside of town for the summer months during high school.   Neither me nor my brother had a car to drive in high school and can get by without unless like said, have a job to get to outside of town.   Am already hearing from my neighbor it is like 600 bucks more every 6 months to insure a teenager onto our already existing 2 vehicles which is more than our total insurance premiums on both vehicles combined - OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!      I better find a new, better paying job within the next year.

[donaldcc]

. . . .
Cookie, something to keep in mind about new children drivers.... if they do get a car, make sure it is in their name alone, and insured alone (in their name only).  Yes it is more expensive, and you may (or not) help them out with money/costs, but if the car goes in your name (or joint with them) and on your ins. policy, if they have a catastrophic accident with tremendous medical/propertywrongful death claims beyond your policy limits, you can lose everything you own, and your home.  Of course, putting it in their name alone can make it difficult or impossible to take the car away if they become driving maniacs, but it is still the best policy.  (you just disable it or hide it) . . . .

 In CA under current law, if a minor causes a motor vehicle accident, the parents also are responsible for up to $15,000 for injury or death to any person, up to a maximum of $30,000 per accident, and up to $5,000 for property damage. These amounts correspond to the minimum insurance coverage required by California law. MODIFY (if you have the minimal insurance for the minor, no personal responsibility)

In cases where the parent has done nothing to cause or contribute to the accident, his/her responsibility is limited.  However, in cases where the parent is negligent because of his/her own failure to properly supervise their minor child (i.e. negligently supervising a minor driving with a learner's permit or negligently entrusting their vehicle to a minor the parent knew or should have known would drive negligently), the above limits do not apply.  

 so . . . in CA parent liability is limited unless you know your kid is a f . . k up and let them drive anyway, or similar parental negligence. So, Jess, maybe your dad was a wise guy to put you on your own.  I had similar awards for tickets between 16 and 20 y.o. Had my grandmother's big Mercury in a ditch racing on dirt roads within a few hours after getting license. 

[cookiedough]

Speaking of switching insurance yet again:  I got a quote for auto w/o home from allstate who I used to have 3 years ago for 425 vs. 448 I have now (only 23 dollar savings every 6 months.)

Also got a home quote all by itself for 350 vs. 416 paying now for the year (66 dollar savings in 12 months).

So,  comparing pretty much apples to apples, would you switch to 2 different insurance companies one for home, one for autos to save just 112 bucks per year which is almost 10 bucks per month?

All companies are reputable just don't know if it is worth it.  Got a call into my current insurance agent on home since has gone up 85 bucks in past 2 years not happy with and they haven't called me back yet, wonder why?  since I said I may be switching insurance or at least considering it and would like a good reason on why home has gone up 85 bucks in only years (a 20% increase in premiums)

[donaldcc]

. . . .

So,  comparing pretty much apples to apples, would you switch to 2 different insurance companies one for home, one for autos to save just 112 bucks per year which is almost 10 bucks per month?
. . . .

  Sure! I am a little crazy about  those things.  I will spend 30-45 min on internet to save $5 on rental car etc.  I refinanced home twice in last year to save a few $$.  About 7-8 years ago I refinanced 4 times in one year to save a few extra $$ each time. 

  $10 a month is about a 60-75 mile ride on your Valkyrie, right?