New Jersey Insurance options?

Pauli33 · 08-11-2003, 06:39 PM

hey all,

after moving from new york to new jersey i'm in insurance hell... seems no matter what i do i'm gonna get the shaft in terms of my overall cost. just wondering if anyone had any suggestions?

i drive my car for pleasure and the occassional DE, but options are really limited at this point. seems like far too many insurers will not cover drivers education events, so where does this leave me? can anyone recomend a good insurance company? thanks in advance for any suggestions.

-Paul

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Open a P.O. Box in Bucks Co., PA.

lateapex911 · 08-11-2003, 08:10 PM

Or call an agent in Maine...they'll register you and you can go from there.

GSpreeman · GSpreeman's Garage

Yeah, I just moved from NY to NJ as well. It really sucks out here to try to get insurance.

BER · BER's Garage

Paul,

Welcome...I think?? I'm actually moving back to VA in a couple of months...won't miss the NJ taxes and insurance.

One option is to get a Limited-Use or Collector Car policy (i.e. Leland-West, Haggerty, Peacock-Parrish, etc.) on your Porsche. You will be limited on the number of miles you can drive per year, but the cost is low (I pay about $500/yr. for stated value coverage on my '84 Carrera). The downside is most collector car policies don't cover DE.

The other benefit of a limited-use insurance policy is you can get your car classified as a "Collector Car" for NJ liscensing and inspection purposes. This is a great deal for Porsche owners that don't meet the "Historic" or "Antique" classifications. Collector Cars go for a limited state inspection every two years. All they check is your mileage (3000/yr. limit), your Collector Car insurance policy and your registration card & driver's license. No smog test and you don't even have to get in line with the other cars being inspected...you just park and go into the office.

Good Luck, Bruce

RickM · RickM's Garage

Most insurance companies in NJ will choke when you mention any type of car related activity other than driving to work. I use State Farm but as you may know they're in the process of pulling out of the State...they look for any excuse to cancel/non-renew a customer. Though, I must say they've been great to me over the years.

I use a collector insurance for my 911...I think it's Modern Home Insurance. The terms are exactly as decribed above by Bruce.

Forget about getting a PO Box, no insurance co. will write a policy without a permanent address. Ocassionally NJ, PA and NY run stings on people who insure their cars in other states. They don't take it too lightly.

Cost-wise NJ Manufacturers will probably be the least expensive and despite what you may have heard just about anyone can qualify to get insurance from them. Used to be that you had to work for the goverment or certain companies to get coverage.

The two most important factors are your driving record and if there is a driver in your household under 25 yo.....wether they drive the car or not.

trader220 · 08-12-2003, 06:29 AM

USAA kicks ass

adamred · adamred's Garage

I agree on USAA I ensure 3 cars basically for the price of one but you have to have been in the military or have a parent who served. Also once my kids leave the house they cannot take the insurance with them (from what I understand)

I have heard the NJ manufactueres is the way to go.

Adam

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Adam, your kids can take USAA too. My dad was in the Army but I was not. I've had USAA since I left the house. I'd like to inquire about DE insurance with them, but I've heard they will get suspicious if you even ask them.

adamred · adamred's Garage

Richard, could your kids (if you have them) take the insurance. I'm in the same boat as you, dad was an officer in the airforce, I just escaped being an airfoce brat by a couple of years....

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I had USAA from the time I first started driving. Of course, then I was on my folks' policy. I just happened to buy a Jeff Spicoli-esque van at about the time I got out of college and my dad made me get my own policy, which USAA happily issued. If you are no longer a dependent of your dad, then I don't know if you can just pick it up again after a lapse. But I also had a friend who was in the Marine Reserves and had never even heard of USAA until he met me - about two yrs. after he got out of the USMC. USAA still took him though. You have to call and ask. if you don't like the answer, call back and talk to someone else.

1fastredsc · 08-12-2003, 07:03 AM

My advice, move! Compared to NJ, i'm pay 10% of the insurance here in NM.

trader220 · 08-12-2003, 07:20 AM

My dad was a Major in the Army. USAA was the bast damm thing we got from the Army. I have not lived with my Pop in 20 years but I still get the benefits of USAA under the USAA CIC subsiderary. I insure both Porsches, my bike and my Jeep Cherokee for a touch more then 3k a year. I am not talking just basic coverage either. I have max coverage and 500 dollar deductable. They're tops. Oh did I mention that in the past 5 yeras they've rebated me around 3 thousand bucks. The check comes from the compnay with a letter saying that "we did better then expected this year so we are refunding some of your premiums" How's that for a kick ass company?

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I also insure both Porsches, my truck and home with USAA. I get rebates too every December. They are pretty good. Do whatever you can to get USAA.

trader220 · 08-12-2003, 07:26 AM

The auto insurance program is vastly better then the home owners plan. I use them for 3 properties but they're just as good as the next guy there.

adamred · adamred's Garage

Yeah I love those rebate checks but I think they've been lower for us Jersey folks the last couple of years...I also ensure 3 cars, house and personal items....love it!!!

Pauli33 · 08-12-2003, 06:32 PM

thanks for the replies everyone...

funny enough, i actually am still insured in new york state - only because i have a PO box there (it's actually where i keep me car too)... but i'm fairly certain they'll catch onto my little game soon enough. it's all fairly complicated right now.

the collectors policy seems like a great idea, but what about drivers ed events?? i'm really scared about going out on the track and being so vulnerable. what do you new jersey folks do for when you go out on the track? argh, frustrations!

but thanks for all the input!

-Paul

adamred · adamred's Garage

Paul, where are you moving to in NJ?

Also don't know if you saw earlier posts but we're going to do a Palisades fun run October 25 or 26th weather dependent!

Adam

FLY993 · FLY993's Garage

Yep..wonderful NJ (Insurance Hell). Try Leland-West (based in CA)..very competitive if your car is pleasure only. They offer 2,500 or 5,000 miles p/a plans. I was paying double for similar coverage with a local NJn insurer until I signed up with these guys. Good luck.

P993 Carrera Cab - Triple Black - Street weapon
Bmw325i Cab - Black - Commute Car
Lancia Integrale - Rosso Red - Sold but not forgotten

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Paul: check with your employer: if they use New Jersey Manufacterer's Insurance, so can you! NJM is hands down the BEST insurance company in NJ: I have never had a problem with them, AND they will cover you for DE events. To give you an idea, I have three cars insured with them (95 Subaru Legacy, 92 Subaru SVX, 89 Porsche 944S2) with FULL coverage, and I pay a little more than $1500.00 anually. (I'm 35 and married, BTW).

HTH,
-Z.