Pros/cons Progressive Insurance?

rpiper · 03-04-2005, 01:06 PM

Hello all, I know this is O/T but I need a quick answer and there are a lot more people on this forum than o/t! Anyways, I just moved to Seattle and Farmer's wants to double my rates because of speeding tickets within last 3 yrs (they hadn't checked until I needed a new policy). I won't go to Geico because of the Geico Gun, but I checked w/ Progressive and their rates are almost half what Farmer's wants. Any thoughts? TIA.

MysticLlama · 03-04-2005, 01:52 PM

I had Progressive for about a year, and filed a claim when my Honda got broken into and they broke the steering column trying to steal it.

Never had any problem, it was pretty simple.

I switched to Pemco just because I have a friend that's an agent and it's a great deal. Had to replace a windshield through them and I think it might have been a 4 minute phone call, if it was that long, painless. They aren't friendly about tickets I hear though.

aigel · aigel's Garage

About 5 years ago I was in an accident with a person that was insured with Progressive. That person was at fault in the accident. The Progressive claim person was out the same day looking at my car and I had a check in the mail 2 days after the incident. The check easily covered my damage.

George

Edit: I had an independant agent at the time of this incident. When I called him after the accident, he said that Progressive was an excellent insurance and not to worry about my claim. He was right.

rpiper · 03-04-2005, 01:57 PM

Thanks Rob. A new wrinkle: they recommended I insure the SC with a "restored and collector" insurance co. Know of any around here?

aigel · aigel's Garage

Classic / collector insurance? Do a search on Hagerty. They insure your car. But usually there are three tough conditions:

1. Locked garage where it stays unless you drive it
2. No driving to work or errands
3. No racing type events

Basically, Hagerty will work great if you cruise around in your car in the spare time or if you take it to shows etc. Hagerty will not work for a daily driver. It is an excellent insurance that will be really cheap, compared to a daily driver / regular policy with someone else.

George

MysticLlama · 03-04-2005, 02:05 PM

Sent you a PM with Chris' number to look into Pemco just in case.

Not sure why they recommended that unless you said you don't drive it much, mine is a daily driver, actually my only car since I just sold the Honda, so collector insurance wouldn't work for me anyway.

I haven't been looking into it for DE's though, I ran across someone that was like $600 a year as long as the events weren't timed, but I lost the info.

MysticAlpaca · 03-04-2005, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MysticLlama
Had to replace a windshield through them and I think it might have been a 4 minute phone call, if it was that long, painless. They aren't friendly about tickets I hear though.

LOL, I was there when he made that call while at the glass shop, the call was so fast I thought maybe they were going to call him back or he had the wrong number, but nope it was that fast.

rpiper · 03-04-2005, 04:56 PM

He asked me if the car was restored and I said yes, then he said that they only cover for cash value, which is "original price less 27 yrs depreciation" so would therefore be "not even close to what it's actually worth" (his words). Mine is a daily driver too but in fairly nice -albeit not concours- condition.

rdane · rdane's Garage

Used them for years..they suck....among their suckiness was they were charging more than dbl for 2 cars what Farmers is now for 3. Same cars with the new addition a 330ci. just a couple of months ago.

I used them on the SC for a couple of months and then quickly went to collector's insurance and agree value. No daily driver insurance though. Still grinds on me the extra 1500. a year I have paid them over the last 5 years.

They paid the claims (none my fault) quickly but upped the premium before I could get to the mail box.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Just get basic liability. I have saved so much on premiums, I can replace a car out of my own pocket without feeling too bad about it. In my eyes, insurance is something I need for catastrophic events that would ruin me financially. As bad as loosing my SC would be, I could replace it eventually. This also answers the track insurance question. The trick is to be careful when driving, then you only get hit by people when it's their fault.

And if you wreck on the track, go nose first, so you can transfer the drivetrain to that early car you always wanted.

George

tdatk · 05:35 PM

I use State Farm Antique/classic coverage. Limited use Full coverage and declared value no milage limits. Both cars for $169.04 total for 6 months. Never had a claim but I feel I'm covered.

KobaltBlau · 03-04-2005, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aigel
Just get basic liability. I have saved so much on premiums, I can replace a car out of my own pocket without feeling too bad about it. In my eyes, insurance is something I need for catastrophic events that would ruin me financially. As bad as loosing my SC would be, I could replace it eventually. This also answers the track insurance question. The trick is to be careful when driving, then you only get hit by people when it's their fault. And if you wreck on the track, go nose first, so you can transfer the drivetrain to that early car you always wanted.

George

what if the car gets stolen? I have had that happen.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Kobalt:

You had your 911 stolen? Do 911s get stolen frequently? In this area it is the japanese imports. Nobody knows what to do with a 911.

Let me explain my reasoning: I want to cover my own risk. If I have the insurance do it, they will do their risk analysis and charge me accordingly. Expensive! It's because they throw me in one pot with everyone (With people who likely drive worse than I do, may live in a worse neighborhood and park their car outside). So, basically, by self insuring, I get away from all the morons!

If I get full coverage, it will cost me 1k extra a year. I doubt that it is likely that my car gets stolen or I have a total loss more than once over the next decade. On a good day the SC may be worth more than 10k, but I doub the insurance will pay you more at a total loss. (theft). So, as long as I believe that chances of total loss are less than 1:10 over the next decade, I come out ahead!

It's not for the faint of heart, but as I said before, unless it is financial ruin, I rather cover the risk myself and pay attention as good as I can. This goes for my driving, how I park the car and for my track behaviour too.

George

no substitute · 03-04-2005, 07:32 PM

"Geico Gun"--?

jkarolyi · 09:00 PM

George, I had the same idea as you. I had a 1994 VW Passat VR6 with all the options in beautiful shape. Paid $5000 for it and put a sweet $600 Hella euro headlight kit on it:

I figured, I'm an excellent driver and I've been driving for 10+ years and never had an accident...forget full coverage.

Fuel leaks and starter motors don't mix:

I'd only had the car for two months and had to watch that Hella kit melt before my eyes.

I will always have full coverage now.

jkarolyi · 03-04-2005, 08:58 PM

>> Geico Gun?

Geico buys (or bought) radar guns for policemen to use to rack up more tickets, thus increased premiums for "speeders". Needless to say, I will never support that company.

I use American Express insurance (the credit card folks) and have had good luck with them.

KobaltBlau · 03-05-2005, 12:40 AM

George (aigel), your points are very good, well reasoned. I should run the numbers and figure out how much the comprehensive costs me a year, just to know. I'm still not sure I would have the balls to not carry comprehensive, just depends how much difference there is. One thing is that it is very frustrating to have a car stolen even if it is insured, and mine was recovered, which complicated things somewhat.

Quote:

Originally posted by aigel
You had your 911 stolen? Do 911s get stolen frequently? In this area it is the japanese imports. Nobody knows what to do with a 911.

You got me, this was a "daily driver" (though nice, and not new) and it was japanese. I hope that nobody knows what to do with a 911 here either, but I would prefer not to be proven wrong. It's not like a '67 saab, I mean, 911s do get stolen sometimes. I do suspect that it's not the same crowd that steals the hondas.

daka · 03-05-2005, 03:47 AM

What....they certainly would know what to do with a 911...Engine! Wheels! interior!
If you don't insure the car be sure to have it DISABLED when you park/leave it!

kqw · 03-05-2005, 04:47 AM

I had an employee put in a claim to Progressive and they insisted on using after market parts for the fender. Where his wheels (2) were damaged, Progressive wanted to get used wheels. Every day for 2 weeks this poor guy was fighting Progressive.

Noel · 03-05-2005, 05:47 AM

American Collectors Insurance is also good for a second/third car. They have similar requirements as Hagerty, but very inexpensive if your 911 is not your daily driver. They also offer Drivers' Education insurance if you don't wish to self-insure while at the track.

I used Hagerty for the past four years and have been happy with them.