Auto insurance...best company?

[kimbercuddles]

We've had State Farm for the last five years and I'm thinking that it's about time to change. At this point in time, we pay almost $170 per month (renter's insurance included) for a 2001 Saturn L200 (paid off) and a 2003 Honda CRV (payments). We have no accidents or records within the last five years and are just tired of paying so much for the risk of what might happen. We're buying a house and State Farm will not insure the house because it's less than 1.5 miles from the ocean, so we'll lose the discount.

What coverages would you recommend? Since the Honda is not paid off, obviously, we need a little more insurance on that, but the Saturn is paid off and would it be okay just to have liability and maybe a little higher deductible for collision, etc? What about bodily injury liability? Is $15,000/$30,000 enough? Property damage $20,000? Everything is a risk, but it seems ridiculous to overpay so much especially in a smaller community where there isn't any road rage! Geico has a decent rate...and they seem dependable. Any horror stories or advice regarding auto insurance? Thanks for any help or advice offered...it's appreciated.

[PDXnative]

We have Farmers for auto, home, and life and like it.

[kimbercuddles]

Originally Posted by PDXnative

We have Farmers for auto, home, and life and like it.

Thanks, PDX...do you carry full coverage on your vehicles? Oh well...evidently Farmer's Insurance doesn't do Florida. What gives?

[Wyody]

So much seems to vary from state-to-state, I wouldn't know what to say about Florida.
We use Farmers also - for auto. In Ohio, they beat the stuffing out of a few other companies price-wise with no bull. I've used them before and never had a problem ... but never had a problem to deal with either.
In some states, you can find coverage from "Dairyland" - thru an Independent - and they're often very competitive and/or agreeable price-wise.

[Wyoming53]

I had All State for over 30 years and loved them. Their rates were always lower then anybody elses and when I had to use them, they were right there. For instance.

1997, I had a head on collision on a small windy road. Motorcycle went into a curve marked 25 and he was doing 60. He couldn't hold the curve and drifted right out and hit me head on. He had no insurance.

I had my truck towed to my house because it was a sunday and I knew no dealers would be open. On Monday morning, I called my rep and she said, "Don't call the adjusters, let me. Cause they'll put you on hold. Did you have it towed into town?" I said yes and told her the amount. She said, send me a copy of that bill.

5 minutes later, the adjuster called me and asked what happened. I told her. She said, is there anyplace in particular you want it fixed. I told her Center City Ford because that's where I bought it. She said Great, they are a preferred customer. She asked me if I needed a rental. I told her no. 15 minutes later a tow truck was there to get my truck. The same afternoon they called and said they had an estimate ready. I went down and looked at it and signed it. They gave me a copy. I went home and called my rep. She said she already had a copy from the dealer that faxed it to her. Tuesday, I got a check for the towing. I still hadn't sent in the receipt. Wednesday I got a check for the damage to the truck. I called my rep and said, it's just an estimate. She said, sign it. Give it to Center City ford. If it's lower, they'll send the money directly to us. If it's higher, they'll bill us directly. 3 weeks later, they called and told me my truck was done.

Talk about hassle free.

But not I'm with State Farm. I switched last year because the local AllState guy pissed me off. We only have one in town so it's not like you can go to a different one. He was rude so I dropped them like a hot rock. I'm with State Farm. Right after I switched, I wrecked my 4 wheeler. I called State Farm and they said take it to the Honda dealer. I did. They sent a check directly to the Honda Dealer and the dealer had me come down and sign it. A week later, I had my 4 wheeler back.

So I've had tremendous luck with both. AllState did not raise my rates when I wrecked the truck. I don't have to renew the State Farm policy until April of next year so I don't know if they'll raise my rates.

For liability, do not accept the minimum. talk it over with them. I went about 3 notches above the minimum and it only amounted to about $25 per 6 months more and gave me a much better piece of mind.

I think the minimum was like $30,000 for wrecking somebody elses rig. Take a look at todays prices and there's a lot of cars that are more expensive. Plus, where I live, everybody is driving Ford F-250 4 wheel drive, crew cabs. Or Ford F-350, 4 wheel drive, crew cabs. Or Dodge duely diesels, or Chevy Duramax's. So they run around $50,000. So I hiked up my liability to cover what was in the neighborhood.

[isabel]

We have had AAA for 30 years. Never had a problem. I turned in a claim yesterday because I just bought a car a week ago and I hadn't call and put it on our insurance yet...wouldn't you know it...a truck towing farm equip. coming the other way on the Hwy, threw a huge mellon size dirt clod at my bumper/grill. Took chunks out of both and a little paint to boot. I called them told them what happened they added the car to my policy said I was covered and took my claim. Then asked if there were children in the car...yelp...two of them...they asked me to replace the car seats and they would send me a check to cover that. Seems they do it for all collison claims even minor ones like mine. The truck never stopped. Got none of his info. no problem...I'm still covered. They are also great because they have a dmv dept. so I don't have to stand in line at the dmv office. We also get all our maps for free. We also use their travel dept. some times.

Well catch you later.

Izzy

[PDXnative]

AAA offers insurance? We have AAA, but for towing and lockouts. And I love their free maps for members. I think those maps and travel guides cover the cost of having it.

[isabel]

They offer both. Here in CA they are a really big company. We also have the tow service. I need to get that extended tow service again. It sure comes in handy. Tows for quite a distance. Also if you are traveling in someone elses car.:)

Izzy

[isabel]

Forgot to mention AAA also does homeowners insurance. We have three cars. Two new and one paid off. We pay about $2,000. a year. We both have good driving records.

Izzy

[kimbercuddles]

Wow, guys...thank you so much for all the great info! Odie...I'll check out Dairyland (even if I'm laughed at) and Wyoming, I've never had any bad luck with Allstate, but the rates were comparable to State Farm in Louisiana and my parents have had them since the dawn of man. Izzy, just like PDX, I never knew that AAA had insurance. I'm so glad that everyone was okay. It's always defensive driving, it seems. I didn't expect to get such an overwhelming response...you're all awesome.