Information

[wimom]

My son has been on our insurance policy (West Bend) for about $750 a year. He graduated from college and is moving out. I am trying to set him up with his own policy, but was quoted about $1800 a year!! He is 23, has his masters and will be starting a professional accounting job in downtown Milwaukee, where he will be living. He was in an accident 2 years ago but was not cited; the other driver was cited and paid for repairs. We did not even file a claim. No speeding tickets either. Why is this so high!! I did an online quote for Progressive and it came in at $880/year, but I'm not sure about going that route. I was not real happy with past dealings with Geico. Anybody have Progressive? Any other suggestions? Thanks for any help!!


UPDATE -- You all were so helpful, just wanted to follow up with my final results. West Bend, Erie, and Cincinnatti all came in around $1800. State Farm was $1450, and Progressive was $930. With that kind of price difference, we had to go with Progressive. All the forms had to be done online and the first six months had to be paid right away online via credit card to get that rate. The renter's insurance came in at about $160 for the year with both Progressive and West Bend, but West Bend won't sell you renter's insurance unless you get their auto insurance, so I went with Progressive on that, too. We also titled my son's truck to him alone, getting my husband's name off, upon the very strong advice of our agent. I cannot praise my agent enough -- I wasn't buying from her because of price but she still went through everything with me and gave me lots of info/advice. Thanks to all of you, too, for sharing your experiences.

[craftyfool]

I've used Geico for years and have had no problems. And I have had to file a claim...but they were very supportive & helpful.


However, even though the $1800 quote is more than what you were paying, it's still only $150/month which isn't bad since he's under 25. I'm sure you were getting discounts when you had it combined on your policy too.



My best advice is to shop around a bit. Find a few local companies, get quotes, take them back to West Bend and see if they'll match the lowest. If they don't...switch.

[MOM2SNOX]

Since he's going onto his own policy, I'd definitely go physically INTO an insurance office, sit down with the representative and discuss ALL the options. Since he's already been driving for a few years, is educated and has his own vehicle, there should be plenty of discounts available to him. Get the quote in writing and let the insurance company know you're "shopping around". Gather a few quotes and then find the policy/program you like best and see if you can't negotiate for the best deal based on the offers you've received! Good luck!!

[scrapscot]

Check with AAA.

[SarahA]

We've had Progressive for years and never had a problem. We have had several claims- one broken window and two accidents that were not our fault- and have been happy with their service. My husband actually got in an accident 2 years ago and just this year one of the replaced parts quit working. Progressive had a guarantee on the part & we got it replaced for free.

[killarney_rose]

I hate insurance companies of all types of insurance!!! I could start on an ever living tirade over them....but I'll just sit here and quietly stew!!!

[nun69]

We have Geico and I agree with shopping around....

[wimom]

Thanks for sharing your positive experiences with Progressive and Geico. Makes me feel better about maybe going with one of them. I've found more sites for doing online quotes, so I think I will try a couple more ...

[kcatt79]

Personally, as a customer of State Farm for 15 years, they are AWESOME! Have always been wonderful to us, and when my hubby's truck was totalled last year in a hail/tornado storm, they gave us a lot more than we thought which was such a help! I love State Farm! We insure a Nissan Titan and a Toyota Sienna for about $1100 a year TOTAL with the two together and that is for two drivers on each vehicle. And, that is after they have payed on three accidents over a 10 year period on me. Love them!

[Monroe1218]

We also have Progressive and have no complaints! We were in a hit and run accident this year and the police "couldn't locate" the man that hit us. Our claims representative went above and beyond and found him and contacted his insurance. I won't necessarily say that she "bullied" his insurance company - but he eventually responded and claimed responsibility for the accident. I would definitely recommend them to anyone! Our rates are well below what we were paying....and another good point - they offer monthly payments which for us works out a lot better than trying to remember to pay every 6 months or something!

[Ayla]

I had progressive and had loads of problems filing a claim. They told me they didn't believe how my car got damaged, when they were trying to cover a minor dent from a previous accident that I told them WASN'T involved in this, and didn't want to fix the headlight area. I ended up having to go up the chain of command and file a complaint before they would pay for it. I will never insure with Progressive again, I don't care how much they cost. AllSTate tried to charge me almost $1800 for SIX MONTHS when I added the Durango....cost me less than 40% of that by going through AAA. Call around...insurance companies vary incredible amounts. Also try 21st.com ... they advertise on TV, and quoted me a great rate. I have a friend who insured with them and had a good experience, I just went wiith AAA because I also wanted some of their travel stuff. But biggest thing..don't accept that quote, and call around! YOu may also find discounts thru a credit union, professional membership, or similar avenues.

[scrapaholic]

Definitely keep looking around, that is too high. I've had State Farm for over 30 years and have been happy with them.

[Kimandasmo]

We have had progressive for the last few years and have been extremely happy with them. Had Geico prior and had minor issues..nothing not workable. But shopping around is your best bet...and make sure you know what you are getting! That is the most important I think...just because the quote is lower does not make it better.....

[3 Pals]

I did not read everyone's post but I saw some liked Progressive...I heard the opposite of them - not good and my son was being over charged in the end whne he sat down and looked at everyhing.


If he has no marks on his record the rates will drop when he hits 25 - If the car is in his name (he is the owner) than it will be $$- my insurance agent told me this when my daughter bought her car so we had the title put in my name for now. Ya she is still listed on my insurance but it saves a ton of $$ and she pays her portion.



Also check the deductibles he is paying - can he afforda higher deductible if in an accident? Say $1000 ? And the bodily harm.... he wouldn't need the max unless he owns house they could sue him for otherwise get the minimum.



I have Commerce but I think it is only local - 2 accidents and I had $$ within a few days.

[TraciL]

try AAA and Farmers -

We have State Farm and I shopped insurance a few months back and even with a so called discount thru my employer they couldn't beat State Farm which shocked me.

Try a local agent from the yellow pages. I had fantastic rates back in Wisconsin by going through a local guy.

[FairyMouseMom]

....WOW...that is about what I was quoted for asking about having my 17 year old son to my policy...AT LEAST $150 PER MONTH. Personally, I cannot afford to add that kind of a monthly expense!!!
I have Farmers...have had State Farm.....but, to pay that much for him....on my 10 year old minivan.....ridiculous!!!
From what I know...aside from single males, under 25....rates are high for them.
ONE of the factors of your rate aside from that...is your zip code. (To know about that...ask your agent for a rate as if he was going to stay living where he was.)
And, yes, I heard the same thing....going on a separate policy....being the sole owner of your vehicle...it all plays into the plan.
GOOD LUCK

[mgehrke]

We are with American Family. We were with Progressive and they were great. The only reason why we switched is because our neighbor was with American Family with a couple of DWIs and he was paying less then us. American Family is wonderful. Their prices and customer service is great. I would NEVER got with State Farm. They are HORRIBLE to work with. We still haven't gotten a claim settled that was over a year ago by one of their insureds. She was sited and everything, but State Farm is saying it was our fault. Well clearly if their insured was sited it was not our fault. So American Family agreed with us and the police report and paid for our repairs. They are now going after State Farm themselves to recoup the money they paid us.


Since you are looking in WI, you could also look up Travelers (this is were I work, but not in the Auto department). We have a website. For us Travelers is too expensive, but we are insuring 4 people and 3 vehicles. 2 people are under 25 too which is always more expensive. Good luck to you.

[ShellyBob]

Try SAFECO. They have always been the cheapest for me. Much less than Geico or anyone else. I never had an accident with them, but my mom did and she said they were WONDERFUL.

[Sweyo]

Your son needs to go into an Independent Insurance Agent and talk to them about which policy is best for him. $1,800 is high. Progressive is a great company with great Customer Service and Claims handling. They are handled through Indpendent Agents and directly.


Each company has a niche and not all of them are young drivers!


Good luck and definetely have him shop around.

[scrapscot]

We had Nationwide for a few years, but when AAA offered us a better rate we went with them. Our rates are less than $60.00 a month for our 2003 pickup (full coverage). Of course, we're 62 years old, but still......