Insurance recommendations

[s_wilwerding]

At present, I have both my cars (a 1993 Honda Del Sol and my 1981 Porsche 911SC) insured through State Farm. I am 23 years old and have a good driver discount, a good student discount, and a multicar discount. I'm paying about $1500 a year for both cars with $1000 deductibles and only collision (not comprehensive).

I looked at Geico's website and got a quote for about $1200 for both cars, with $500 deductibles and comprehensive on both (also before the discounts mentioned above). I'm thinking of switching, but I'd like to hear other's opinions on Geico. Fortunately, I've never had to file a claim with State Farm in the 7 years I've been insured with them, so I don't know how they handle claims. How does Geico do for claim handling?

Any other recommendations for auto insurance? I just got my State Farm bill and they've jacked rates up again, so I'm looking to switch soon.

Thanks.

[BGCarrera32]

I'm in the same boat. I have, however, filed claims with State Farm, and they've always paid up in a timely manner. I guess I get piece of mind from knowing that my agent has a local office, and in the event of something dreaded I can stop in and talk to somebody other than an 800 number. You probably get what you pay for to some degree.

On the other hand, Progressive Insurance is running an ad on TV that has a cool dancing midget in a wizard costume...

-BG

[RANDY P]

I like Geico. My rates are exactly the same as yours, (except have liability only on my 77 mbz, 911 is full coverage w/ $500 ded.) had a chance to try out their claims service about 3 mos. ago. Can't complain, car was in body shop within 24 hrs. with repairs fully covered with a shop that WAS NOT on their preferred list. No hassles, and the claim was settled fairly. Their call center is easy to deal with too, it's a good deal all around. Don't think I'd switch even if I found a better rate.....

Collision repair is good. Dunno about what happens if your car were to be totalled out- but if that's the case hopefully it won't be on YOUR coverage.

rjp

[911boost]

I used State Farm for quite some time, but I was jsut not able to get the Collector Car Insurance that I wanted through them, so I switched to Allstate. Since then I have had one car severly damageed by hail, and another one hit in a parking lot (by SOmeoen with Geico). Both instances I was very happy with Allsate.

I am a littel older and married (28), but it sounds liek we have about the same driving record. I pay right at $380 every 6 motnsh for the Porsche and just a little bit lower for my 2001 Tahoe.

Bill

[Dantilla]

State Farm has great claims service. I will NEVER use Geico after how they treated a guy that works for me.

[eion]

I'm with Progressive - they were *ridiculously* cheaper than State Farm ($1500 or so a year compared to the almost $8000 that State Farm quoted me), and half the price of Geico. I've only used their breakdown service so far, but I was very happy with it.

[Leland Pate]

I pay $260 for 6 months for my 911...
$310 for my wifes '03 Santa Fe, and $390 for my '98 Ram Deisel.
Full coverage on all three...

I go through USAA and wouldn't trade them for the world.

[Rot 911]

Originally posted by Leland Pate
I pay $260 for 6 months for my 911...
$310 for my wifes '03 Santa Fe, and $390 for my '98 Ram Deisel.
Full coverage on all three...
I go through USAA and wouldn't trade them for the world.

Yes, but remember, USAA is only available to us present and former military types.

[juanbenae]

i just dropped the 911 off my allstate policy because pre-blue book years, (pre 82 currently i believe) will not be given a value until there is a loss. that told me that the value of the car would be determined after a loss, not real comforting. i found Classic Car Insurance Co. out of Indiana, $198 a year, declared value of 16.5K, 100/300/100K coverage (exceeds state minimum), allowed 5K miles a year. no coverage for timed events, autocross/track stuff (look close at your policy who does cover that?), errands. you must have additional "primary transportation" vehicles, 500 deduct, towing, and some $ for repairs to prevent a tow.

compared to the 275 every six months for just the 911 from allstate, with undeclared value, was no brainer.

[schulr]

Unfortunately, insurance has become a commodity with most companies so you need to shop alternatives very closely. This is not to suggest you change for the cheapest price every year, but you will find the prices all over the place. As long as you are claim free or maybe one at-fault claim, you should be ok with any of the companies mentioned. However, if you have two at-fault claims or incidents say speeding, you are going to be toast as most companies will move you into their high risk category and being under 25 it will be even worse. I would shop online, call a good agent, and call some of the direct companies to compare. I am with State Farm for my family that includes two under 25 kids and so fare everything has been ok.

Bob

[Axeman]

I have a question regarding insurance for you guys. I currently have State Farm and their rate is pretty low, but I was wondering if there's a good company out there that will insure cars that have lots of extra money invested, and give you coverage for the actual amount invested vs just the blue book price?

Thanks,

[Yargk]

Originally posted by Axeman
I have a question regarding insurance for you guys. I currently have State Farm and their rate is pretty low, but I was wondering if there's a good company out there that will insure cars that have lots of extra money invested, and give you coverage for the actual amount invested vs just the blue book price?

Thanks,

Yes, you declare a value that the rate is based on. I need to find a company that does that for my car.

[12own911]

If you reside in CA, OR or Canada, you may want to check out Wawanesa at the following:


http://www.wawanesageneral.com/california/

[schulr]

State Farm will not do this unless the car is ~20 years old. There are a few companies that advertise in Excellence that say they will provide stated value but I believe they all of mileage limitation. Worth checking out. I need to do the same. One other point about SF is they said that even though they will not offer me stated value, they will adjust a claim based on the NADA retail value of the p car. This abount is ~$24,000 for an 87 Targa. Too bad I can't sell them the car now.

Bob

[Jeremy Cottrell]

Has anybody used Leland West, or one of those other "classic" car policies for cars that are not driven very much?

[ricwon]

my state farm insured 83 sc was hit by a 2001 mustang whose owner also had state farm. i was offered a choice of repairing the sc (repair estimate $7,200) or accepting a totaled cashout of $11,900. the mustang had to be towed away while i was able to drive my sc back home.these cars are well made!

[LeeH]

Originally posted by schulr
State Farm will not do this unless the car is ~20 years old.

Quite a few of us here have State Farm's classic car insurance on cars that are <20 years old. My '84 has a declared value of $20,000 and costs $25/month.

There are no specific mileage limitations, but my agent suggested that the car should not be the primary commuter vehicle. Not all State Farm agents are aware that this coverage exists.

[RANDY P]

Anybody have any exp. w/ totaling a car when the vehicle totalled has DECLARED value but it's not your fault? Is the insurance policy of the party responsible obligated to pay you your "declared" value? Or does the injured party (w / declared) get covered for whatever difference between what you're paid and what you've declared - do they write it off as a "uninsured motorist" type of claim?

rjp

[JR Indy]

I had All State for my Saab 9-5 and Jeep when I bought my 911. I shopped around and found Progressive to be my best overall deal -- added the 911 and the total package with three cars was less than the two with All State.

I checked out the "specialty" insurers, Leland, etc, but was scared away by all the limits. I wanted to drive the car not only look at it.

Now, if only the roads would clear up.

[JackT]

Go with an independent agent. They can shop it for you.