What car insurance do you have?

twopu · 08-14-06, 04:17

Car insurance in NJ is ridiculous!!! With Geico and Progressive in the state I checked them out and they were cheaper than my current carrier (Lancer). Does anyone use Geico? How do you like them?

Who do you guys recommend to go with or stay away from?

ZaneO · 08-14-06, 04:22

My family has been with State Farm for many, many years. We've been very pleased.

xTravBx · 08-14-06, 04:25

State Farm.

Good prices, just average service.

tdekany · 08-14-06, 04:27

state farm - excellent service.

SpoiledMan · 08-14-06, 04:31

We insure through Costco. Excellent prices and very good service.

jnmttu · 08-14-06, 04:48

My mother-in-law has been with State Farm for more years than she'd like me to point out. They have always treated her well. We use them now. They are reasonably priced and pretty good service. I used to have Amica when my parents insured me. That was the best service I have ever seen from an insurance company, but you definitely pay for it.

Joshua312 · 08-14-06, 05:08

I have a horrible driving record....Progressive is the best for me and my coverage needs.

Accumulator · 08-14-06, 05:27

I'm insured with Chubb. They let me get 'em fixed the way *I* want them fixed whereas other companies (e.g., Progressive) wanted to use used parts and otherwise cut corners. Unfortunately I've had a lot of cars damaged in accidents over the years, and Chubb has taken care of me.

I heard/read, though I dunno how accurate/not this might be, that Geico has issues with their customers using radar detectors.

I gotta say that I have issues with Progressive. Besides wanting to use the used parts on my immaculate vehicle (this was when it was *their* customer who caused the wreck), they pressure the bodyshops I patronize to fix things as quickly/cheaply as possible, to the point that the shops say they simply cannot do decent work if Progressive is paying for it.

An in-law of mine worked for both Progressive and, later, Geico. He says that Geico recently "got just like Progressive". FWIW he got fed up with the industry and went into another line of work and IIRC he's insured through Nationwide.

velobard · 08-14-06, 05:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdekany

state farm - excellent service.

I've had a very different experience. My parents were with SF the whole time I was growing up, so naturally I went with them as well, at least at first.

After getting burned by SF a couple times, I've vowed to keep my distance. First case, in 1985, was attending college out of state in a state that allowed no-fault insurance. Got rear-ended by a fellow SF policy holder while I was sitting at a red light and SF would only allow me inferior no-fault coverage for accident in spite of the fact I had a "normal", non-no-fault policy. The other guy was 87 and it was his 5th at-fault accident that month. Police said they were finally gonna take action against his license. I still have arthritis in my neck from that one.

Second case, about 1998, had SF renter's policy and made a claim for $800 for surge damage to my computer. They paid, then 18 months the SF state underwriter wrote to tell me I was "non-renewed" because I'd made a previous claim. Checked around and confirmed they were dropping all customers who had the gall to actually expect to use the coverage they were paying for, even for a single, fairly small and valid claim. Since I was dropped by them, no one else would accept me as anything but a high-risk customer with outrageous rates and many exclusions. Less than 2 years later had a loss of several thousand dollars due to flooding that my ex-SF agent confirmed would have been covered if I'd still had a policy.

Right now my car's in the body shop for storm damage that's being covered by Farm Brureau of Missouri and they've been very fair with me. Here's a pic of virtually all the damage. Just a couple small dents on the top of the door and a couple barely noticable dings on the edge of the roof. There was also a little pinhole-sized ding in the door molding.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...nRoof-Door.jpg

I faxed in estimates for over $2800 and emailed these two pics and I had a check in the mail within 2 days minus my $100 deductible. After the car went in the shop and I already had the first check I called about a scuff in the rubber molding around the rear window.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e2...apesOnRoof.jpg

The next day they mailed a check for $350 for an appearance allowance and I received it the following day. The molding comes with the back window and would have cost $700 to replace and they would have replaced it if I'd asked, but I opted for the cash. I also received an assurance from the adjuster they will not have a body shop install non-OEM parts.

They've definitely treated me right. I plan on sticking with FB. They're considerable less expensive than my previous company and have given outstanding service. BTW, I also made a claim just this past spring when I had damage to the rear of the car from an accident and the service was just as good then. I imagine if I hunted around long enough I'd find a company that cost less, but they've proven they're very fair on rates, plus that there's a lot more to insurance than just cheap rates up front.

G35stilez · 08-14-06, 05:53

I was with State Farm for 6 years underneath my parents and had no problems.

Their premiums were about $800 more per year than Geico and I just didn't see the need. I went with Geico and have loved them for the past 3 months. No claims (thankfully), but the bills and customer service have been well put forth.

twopu · 08-14-06, 08:51

I'm going to check on State Farm and Liberty, but Geico is $400 cheaper than my current policy. My biggest concern is how Geico handles accident claims. I've read that they cut corners with repairs, but on the flip side I've read they were fine. I'll just keep researching, thanks for all the input.

JohnnyDaJackal · 08-14-06, 09:08

I've been on High Point (aka Prudential) ever since I started driving. My parents are longtime members of them. I don't know a lot about insurance or how it really works; I do know you pay a lot of money to hope to never use. I was happy with High Point when I caused a three car accident on the highway a couple years ago, due to traffic completely stopping

They handled my claim nicely, and since my parent's we're loyal customers with the only other incident being a car accident 6-7 years ago, my insurance didn't go up which was really good

As for Geico I would do a lot of reseach on them. My one friend who is really pressed between a wall and a hard rock finacially had them and said it was really cheap at first but they slowly rose up in time(couple of months). I then overheard someone at work saying the same exact thing happened to her. Not sure if it's because they are younger drivers or what, but I though that was noteworthy.