Car Insurance (tips!)
Jan 29th 2008, 7:16 am
#16
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,059
Re: Car Insurance (tips!)
Also, with the dollar being weak presently, there is a good range of cars which i could afford... but i dont know any easy way to guide me on roughly what i can expect to pay for insurance (other than constantly calling companies to get a quote). Is there a web page which gives insurance groups or similar?
Any other tips that you may have regarding insurance (in particular coverage that would be required - i am wanting "fully comprehensive" coverage as i would in Britain).
Any other tips that you may have regarding insurance (in particular coverage that would be required - i am wanting "fully comprehensive" coverage as i would in Britain).
In general, performance/sports cars, luxury cars, commonly stolen cars cost more to insure. A boring old family sedan, a few years old, will probably be relatively cheap.
In addition to some of the other companies suggested, you might try State Farm. They have a reputation for low cost coverage. I use Nationwide, but my wife and I have been customers for years, so our rates would be nothing like yours.
Jan 29th 2008, 7:55 am
#17
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Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Lake County IL
Posts: 1,953
Re: Car Insurance (tips!)
We have our car and house insurance through a compant called AIG Global Star as they do a special scheme for people who have come to the USA from abroad. They are really helpful. You will find that you cannot purchase a car without proof of insurance and AIG can provide you with cover the next day. They can also help many other services us expats have trouble with including your SSN. They have a membership programme which cost $400 a year but i think this is money well spent. Their phone number is 1-888-737-3916. Their email address is [email protected].
I would highly recommend them.
I would highly recommend them.
Jan 29th 2008, 9:46 am
#18
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Joined: Oct 2004
Location: The Big Apple
Posts: 1,834
Re: Car Insurance (tips!)
Not wishing to hijack the thread but are there insurance companies that people would steer well clear of. It's difficult to find any good information as web reviews seem to be full of bitter people who didn't get their claim paid by whatever company they are with.
I've been with Geico for a few years (since back when a lot of companies wouldn't insure NJ drivers). Now there are many more in the market and the big ones like Progressive and AIG are a lot cheaper. Now it used to be the case that you pay for what you get so if you pay more you can expect better customer service but looking around online it doesn't seem that there's much difference in the number of complaints (except AIG seems to be a bit worse than others).
Any recommendations?
I've been with Geico for a few years (since back when a lot of companies wouldn't insure NJ drivers). Now there are many more in the market and the big ones like Progressive and AIG are a lot cheaper. Now it used to be the case that you pay for what you get so if you pay more you can expect better customer service but looking around online it doesn't seem that there's much difference in the number of complaints (except AIG seems to be a bit worse than others).
Any recommendations?
My wife was hit by someone in Texas - and they were insured with State Farm who were superb! We didnt deal with our insurance company at all.
We were with Allstate in Texas who were really good although we never had a claim. They gave us credit for UK experience even though they werent supposed to - i think it was an error but it saved us a packet! They were shit in NY though and GEICO was much cheaper so we are with them now!
Jan 29th 2008, 12:45 pm
#19
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Location: NW Chicago suburbs
Posts: 11,253
Re: Car Insurance (tips!)
My wife was hit by someone in Texas - and they were insured with State Farm who were superb! We didnt deal with our insurance company at all.
We were with Allstate in Texas who were really good although we never had a claim. They gave us credit for UK experience even though they werent supposed to - i think it was an error but it saved us a packet! They were shit in NY though and GEICO was much cheaper so we are with them now!
We were with Allstate in Texas who were really good although we never had a claim. They gave us credit for UK experience even though they werent supposed to - i think it was an error but it saved us a packet! They were shit in NY though and GEICO was much cheaper so we are with them now!
Jan 29th 2008, 1:40 pm
#20
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Katy TX
Posts: 8
Re: Car Insurance (tips!)
I tried to find insurance when I first came here in 2002 and the rates were extremely high from the quotes on line and speaking with agents. I talked to someone from the credit union and they put me on to a Farmers agent. I asked if my no claims could be taken into consideration and she agreed that if I could provide proof with a letter from my UK insurance she would get me a better deal. Out of 5 quotes she came in at less than half of all the others. I live in Houston.
Stephen
Stephen
Jan 29th 2008, 1:55 pm
#21
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,174
Re: Car Insurance (tips!)
All I can say is, yae, about time, Mass is finally not going to be dictating insurance rates from April 1st, so the big insurance companies will bother to come to town and have proper competition, so things should get cheaper, especially as they can refuse to insure high risk people now and punt them over to other insurance companies.
One good thing about this state though, it's got low % of none insured drivers, but that's partially because if your caught, they impound and flog your car....the real hassle is being on the NH border, where they don't need insurance.
One good thing about this state though, it's got low % of none insured drivers, but that's partially because if your caught, they impound and flog your car....the real hassle is being on the NH border, where they don't need insurance.
Jan 30th 2008, 2:25 am
#22
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Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 3,338
Re: Car Insurance (tips!)
Not had probs whatsoever (yet!) - high coverages and better rates than other biggies round here for us - such as Geico (absolute rip - chronically so) and State Farm.
Jan 30th 2008, 4:03 am
#23
Not here much
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Highland Park, NJ
Posts: 2,452
Re: Car Insurance (tips!)
We're with Progressive - the only adjustment on the rate we've ever had is paying less - if you pay in a oner for your 6 months, you save quite a bit. Been with them 3 years now, premiums have been steadily falling.
Not had probs whatsoever (yet!) - high coverages and better rates than other biggies round here for us - such as Geico (absolute rip - chronically so) and State Farm.
Not had probs whatsoever (yet!) - high coverages and better rates than other biggies round here for us - such as Geico (absolute rip - chronically so) and State Farm.
Edit to add: if people bought on the basis of cost rather than quality (whether of service or anything else) everyone would be driving Hyundai cars.
Jan 30th 2008, 4:34 am
#24
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Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Lake County IL
Posts: 1,953
Re: Car Insurance (tips!)
Here in Illinois our premium has gone up as the state can put the rates up. 8% this year!
Jan 30th 2008, 4:35 am
#25
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Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Posts: 826
Re: Car Insurance (tips!)
When we moved over we were able to lease a car at European costs by ordering it before we arrived through International Autosource. They also set up our insurance with is also with AIG. It seemed quite expensive but since I have also bought a car and insured it with AIG and so we got a multicar discount. It works out at about $750 for both cars for six months. Insurance seems much more expensive over here, but then this is the country where everyone sues everyone else so I suppose it's more necessary! I would reccommend AIG though. They have been very efficient and helpful.
Jan 30th 2008, 1:59 pm
#26
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 8,497
Re: Car Insurance (tips!)
For anyone with a US military connection - USAA is excellent.
Jan 30th 2008, 3:02 pm
#27
Cpl Tony
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 92
Re: Car Insurance (tips!)
Hi 
I have just got my Texas drivers license, and now i want to buy a car.
Which insurance companies are most open to giving good quotes to a "new" driver (with only 16 years unblemished UK history)? Is there anything that I should say to get a good quote? I do have a letter from my UK insurers stating that I have had no claims for last 4 years with them - is this likely to help?
I am still awaiting my Social Security number - does this wildly affect the insurance premium?
Also, with the dollar being weak presently, there is a good range of cars which i could afford... but i dont know any easy way to guide me on roughly what i can expect to pay for insurance (other than constantly calling companies to get a quote). Is there a web page which gives insurance groups or similar?
Any other tips that you may have regarding insurance (in particular coverage that would be required - i am wanting "fully comprehensive" coverage as i would in Britain).
Your thoughts are appreciated!
I have just got my Texas drivers license, and now i want to buy a car.
Which insurance companies are most open to giving good quotes to a "new" driver (with only 16 years unblemished UK history)? Is there anything that I should say to get a good quote? I do have a letter from my UK insurers stating that I have had no claims for last 4 years with them - is this likely to help?
I am still awaiting my Social Security number - does this wildly affect the insurance premium?
Also, with the dollar being weak presently, there is a good range of cars which i could afford... but i dont know any easy way to guide me on roughly what i can expect to pay for insurance (other than constantly calling companies to get a quote). Is there a web page which gives insurance groups or similar?
Any other tips that you may have regarding insurance (in particular coverage that would be required - i am wanting "fully comprehensive" coverage as i would in Britain).
Your thoughts are appreciated!
I go through State Farm for renters insurance, car insurance and the car loan. With multiple account discounts I get the renters pretty much for free.
I'm sure any agent (not salesman) would be happy to sit down with you and talk you through it. But I'd shop around, especially the companies others have posted as they seem really good.
FYI if you get a quote online from some companies you're signing up for a lot of junk mail even if you don't complete the process.
Jan 30th 2008, 9:13 pm
#28
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Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 3,338
Re: Car Insurance (tips!)
Progressive doesn't seem to have as good reviews for customer service. I don't mind paying a bit more if I know I'm going to get good service (after all that's what you're paying for and it makes sense that if you pay more you would expect better service). I went through some quotes and State Farm is $100 less than Geico, the Progressive quote comes in at $350 less than Geico but I realise now that they didn't ask me about my annual mileage or my commute. I have a long commute and therefore high mileage so expect that that number will change quite significantly. I'm going to try AAA next.
Edit to add: if people bought on the basis of cost rather than quality (whether of service or anything else) everyone would be driving Hyundai cars.
Edit to add: if people bought on the basis of cost rather than quality (whether of service or anything else) everyone would be driving Hyundai cars.
Jan 30th 2008, 9:57 pm
#29
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: NW Chicago suburbs
Posts: 11,253
Re: Car Insurance (tips!)
A very good thing about Progressive is that you can change anything you want to instantly, online. Their website and that sort of DIY support is fantastic. I have not had to deal otherwise to date (touch wood!) - but happy so far. The difference you quote between Geico and Progressive was about the same for us - commute included, and for better 250/500/250 coverage with Progressive over 100/300/100 with Geico.
Bot the coverage AND the deductibles will make a big difference in premium. You have options in both, make sure the agents explore those options with you.
Jan 31st 2008, 2:42 am
#30
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Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Lake County IL
Posts: 1,953
Re: Car Insurance (tips!)
I'm actually keeping my various insurance policies with separate companies, since you never know who is going to go bust next in this climate. It's not costing me any more to have them separate, in some cases it's cheaper.
