| paulp |
After 20 years with AAA, my renewal went up $800 per year for 4 vehicles. I called and was told that Cal Dept of Insurance took away the new driver discount (for my daughter), and that was the biggest chunk of the increase. Additionally, she said the premium on the "extra" vehicle (three drivers / 4 vehicles) also went up.
(What's a b.s!)
I only had one claim on fixing the windshield chip on the X last year.
I tried 21st Century online and was quoted $700 less than AAA. I don't know if it would jack up the premium after the first six months!
Any experience / thoughts of this company is appreciated!
Paul |
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| kudo |
| 21st Century is pretty good, however, I heard that they will kick any policy out after the policy holding has an accident (at fault party I assume) Go with AIG, they are the parent company of 21st Century. (and they are cheaper then 21st) The only thing I dislike about AIG is that they don't have a towing company ($75 towing reimburse) |
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| paulp |
| Thanks Kudo! I'll try AIG. |
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| manus1980 |
| What about Geiko? The one with the lizard in all its commercials. |
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| HARDROCK |
| I just switched from AAA to 21st Century after 10 years because 21st gave me a quote of $600 less for the three cars I have covered. I did use 21st for a while about 15 years ago and it's true that they bump your premiums up after a claim. |
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| mogur |
21st used to be 20th. They have a horrible reputation for fighting claims and cancelling people who file one. There were gigantic lawsuits against them here in California after the 1994 earthquake
and class action lawsuits filed against there auto insurance division for numerous problems and failings. That is one of the reasons they changed their name... Personally, I'd avoid them.
QUOTE]Originally posted by paulp
After 20 years with AAA, my renewal went up $800 per year for 4 vehicles. I called and was told that Cal Dept of Insurance took away the new driver discount (for my daughter), and that was the biggest chunk of the increase. Additionally, she said the premium on the "extra" vehicle (three drivers / 4 vehicles) also went up.
(What's a b.s!)
I only had one claim on fixing the windshield chip on the X last year.
I tried 21st Century online and was quoted $700 less than AAA. I don't know if it would jack up the premium after the first six months!
Any experience / thoughts of this company is appreciated!
Paul [/QUOTE] |
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| Warzau |
quote:
Originally posted by manus1980
What about Geiko? The one with the lizard in all its commercials.
I've heard the same with Geiko in regards to accidents one accident and poof you are gone. |
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| Dale MDX |
I think with car and home insurance, there is some small effect of "you get what you pay for." No way is that always true, of course, as there are lots of exceptions. Maybe more exceptions than not. But an insurance company is in business to make a profit after it pays out claims. Some companies try to skimp and try to make you use inferior parts and inferior body shops, and deny claims (and/or cancel you or raise rates) whenever possible. Others have a better reputation. The companies that are holding down expenses (in good ways, as well as bad, for you the customer) can have cheaper rates.
Obviously, nobody should go out and buy the highest-priced insurance. There are lots of factors to consider. The companies that have local dedicated agents (e.g., Allstate, State Farm) till TEND to have higher rates than the "mail order" companies because the agents have to be paid. Plus there are incredible inequities in what different companies will charge the same driver with different cars. So you have to shop around, then pick a company that will take care of you.
Of course, one way a car insurance company can offer lower rates is to not insure higher risk drivers. If you're in the low risk category, these are the ones to seek out. There's noting wrong with a company that drops drivers with several accidents and tickets, as long as you remain out of that category. Sometimes when you have been with the company for a long while, you can get it in writing (automatic, basically) that they can't drop you or even raise your rate for the first chargeable accident every so many years. (State Farm does basically that). So there is some protection in the event of the inevitable (almost) eventual accident.
If you were quoted $100/yr. for coverage for all of your cars, would you jump on it? I wouldn't, as that is an indication that there is something wrong. That's really all I'm saying. Some bargains out there really might not be.
I would also recommend keeping deductibles as high as you can afford. Insurance should exist to keep you out of the poorhouse in case of disaster, not to pay for every nick, scratch, and broken window. You'll save a lot of money in the long run if you "self insure" on that stuff. |
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| TheWorm |
I just checked 21st's online quotes. It was $150/yr *more* than AAA. In addition, 21st doesn't have the higher coverage limits I've got w/AAA.
It's just my wife and I and 2 cars, though.
I've had AAA for 20 yrs. Every year I get the renewal, I think "gee, that's expensive" and when I check I can't find anything less for the same coverage. I've had good experience w/them. 1 at-fault crash when I was 16 and 3 others'-fault crashes (including 2 uninsured drivers), each handled fast and fair w/no increases.
IMO it's worth paying a few extra bucks to go with a reputable company that will treat you fairly when you need to file a claim and not whack you over the head with an increase (or cancellation) when you do. But what percentage are we talking about here? FYI My premium is $1850/yr or so. |
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| paulp |
Thanks for all responses!
I called AIG since the online does not work for CA. I was told that AIG can't take new clients if they were not solicited by the company first. She sent me an information package to my house. Once I received it, i can call for a quote.
Of course, I would not switch insurance company for $100! AAA is not much different than "mail order" company. Its local offices have been replaced by contract adjuster. I have fed up with AAA the last time my wife involved in an evident. The adjuster tried to send my TL to AAA's approved body shop. I wanted to send to the one owned by Acura dealership. He would not return my calls for 3-4 days. I wrote a note to the Claim Manager pointing out that his adjuster violated CA laws, the manager called and apologized. The adjuster still tried jerking me around with the repairs and car rental. My wife was not at fault ( the other car came out of stop sign.) All costs were reimbursed by the other party's insurance.
Last year, I added my daughter to the policy, and the premium went from $2500/yr to $4300/yr for 4 vehicles (92 Aerostar-just P&L, 99 Beettle GLS, 00 TL, and 02 MDX.) This year, the renewal came, and it is $5100/yr. This included multiple policies discount, multiple vehicle discount, and good driver discount ( on me and my wife.) I know Sacrament is 7th on the most car stolen list, but this is highway robbery!
The only reason that I filled a claim on the windshield was I did not know if it could be fixed. AAA offered to fix it at no deductible, and the job was done reasonably well.
The X sits in my garage 5-6 days out of a week. It only have 7000 miles after 18 months. I drive my van and leave it at park and ride lot. Still, the premium on the X went up almost $300 this year.
I would feel better if AAA sent me a coupon for discount on a jar of Vaseline instead of a note stating that I'm rewarded for being a loyal customer!
I'll keep you posted as soon as I get a quote from AIG.
Paul |
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