I am paying too much for insurance. Help me out?

"Niquemarshall" (dominiquemarshall)
11/06/2013 at 22:46 • Filed to: None

Hey guys, I am in a sort of a bind right now. At the moment, I am currently insured through USAA, while they've treated me well, I need something a bit cheaper. I am currently paying $208 dollars a month for one car, a 2004 MINI Cooper S, with 121k. What should I do? Shop around more? So far i got a quote from esurance that is about 110 a month. Any other ideas? Background: 22 years of age Few traffic tickets Owned three cars Living in central Ohio

DISCUSSION (32)

getchapopcorn > Niquemarshall
11/06/2013 at 22:49

1) how old are you, 2) what kind of tickets/accidents do you have on your license? That seems astronomically high.

Niquemarshall > getchapopcorn
11/06/2013 at 22:52

I'm 22
Few speeding tickets, few bullshit ones

desertdog5051 > Niquemarshall
11/06/2013 at 22:53

Are you having to buy full coverage due to a loan? If not, drop it to liability coverage until you can afford to reinstate the full coverage. Wow. $208 is pretty high. You must be young.

PowderHound > Niquemarshall
11/06/2013 at 22:53

That is a close to double what I pay for my 03 WRX through USAA.

Toby F., Manager > Niquemarshall
11/06/2013 at 22:53

Just wondering, where are you located? If California, I know just the insurance. :)

Grindintosecond > Niquemarshall
11/06/2013 at 23:04

I was with State Farm. Now Geico saving half of what it wold have cost. Ive also found your location has alot to do with it. I lived on a street where on one side it was considered Buffalo and the other side a different village....So living in the different village saved me $150/6 mos.

Straightsix9904 > Niquemarshall
11/06/2013 at 23:07

I went with Erie (north east area) and bundled my Renters Insurance with my car insurance. Funny thing is, by getting more coverage (my apt) my rate dropped about $3 monthly. i pay around $95 for car and renters, but I'm over 25. Top tip....stay away from Progressive, Geico, state farm. I found their prices $20 to $45 higher. Go talk to somebody in person, they are more likely to fudge some numbers to get a better rate.

Niquemarshall > Grindintosecond
11/06/2013 at 23:22

This was previously Florida insurance, have since moved to Ohio and no change in rate.

Niquemarshall > desertdog5051
11/06/2013 at 23:24

Well, I have full coverage now, since the vehicle is not paid for yet; however I only owe 1200 dollars on it total at this point.

Niquemarshall > Toby F., Manager
11/06/2013 at 23:25

Ohio.

Niquemarshall > Toby F., Manager
11/06/2013 at 23:25

Ohio.

Niquemarshall > Toby F., Manager
11/06/2013 at 23:25

Ohio.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Niquemarshall
11/06/2013 at 23:25

22 and you have tickets? And you drive a mini? I'm from michigan and I would KILL to have that low of insurance. Although the year of the car does decrease it a bit, age + tickets = you lose. I'm 24 with a perfect driving record and zero accidents of any sort. I have been quoted at 4k a year for an 18k car. If I had tickets, it could be 5 or 6k. I pay 100$ a month for basic liability for my jetta and my audi that is classified as "recreational" since it hasn't moved an inch in three months. Enjoy your cheap-ass rates.

Supreme Kiwi Zorro > desertdog5051
11/06/2013 at 23:26

* assumes our surprise didn't cheer you up * :( * feels sad now *

Niquemarshall > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
11/06/2013 at 23:43

Damn. Well I guess that puts things into perspective....

desertdog5051 > Supreme Kiwi Zorro
11/06/2013 at 23:44

Oh, I am so bad. I did get it and was pleasantly amused. You and Ivan deserve better. Sorry.

desertdog5051 > Supreme Kiwi Zorro
11/06/2013 at 23:48

I have been doing so many online applications in the last 2 or so days. Oppo is my only relief. Sorry my Kiwi friends, for not acknowledging your touching and much appreciated sentiments.

Grindintosecond > Niquemarshall
11/07/2013 at 00:00

I would shop around. Geico, state farm, nationwide if they offer auto...etc. 200/mo is silly. State farm strts high but they come down each year you own the car so it eventually becomes cheaper....but still 2400/yr for car insurance?....buy a bicycle at that point.

Toby F., Manager > Niquemarshall
11/07/2013 at 00:13

Well, I'm not sure if they operate in Ohio, but try giving Wawanesa a try/call/research. They're based out of Canada, but operate in a couple U.S. States. By far the best quality for very low premiums. My total of 5 cars (family cars) total to around 2000 for full coverage per year. And quality isn't affected whatsoever; they're great! Hope this helps.

Squid > Niquemarshall
11/07/2013 at 00:43

I'm paying about 1500 a year to insure a Miata with full coverage as I can't afford to have some dipshit fuck it up and be out of a car. . . It is a case of damned if you do and damned if you don't. Buy a radar detector and learn how to be aware when you are travelling at a high rate of speed. I have zero speeding tickets, but one accident and another fuck up but really you need to learn to be hyper vigilant about who is around when you decide to travel at 80 mph with traffic on the freeway. Mini's stick out to cops for some reason so you are behind the gun on that. Call your insurance agent, if you have been with the company for some time, they may consider adjusting your rates to keep you as a customer. But really it is time to shop around as that is a ridiculous amount to pay for insurance. . .

His Stigness > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
11/07/2013 at 01:17

WTF?!? Do you have the highest liability coverage or are you insured through the shittiest insurance company known to man? Even when I first got insurance and with a Mercedes with Collision coverage I only paid 2,000 a year, and my deductibles were only 250.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > His Stigness
11/07/2013 at 01:25

a) michigan is no-fault. b) I am under 25. c) I am looking at compacts and sports coupes which typically have the highest insurance rates for under 25 year old single males for obvious reasons. If I get a slightly used c-class it drops to a bit over two grand.

This is all for average levels of coverage

His Stigness > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
11/07/2013 at 01:33

Do you get a good drivers discount because I know when you can get that varies from state to state. I'm from California and it used to be you didn't get it until you turned 25 or something, but now it's a clean driving record for three years, so because I got my license when I was 18 I just got the discount this year and with a few other changes (lowering my annual mileage and adding my mom's car) has cut my premium in half, and I can save even more when I switch to wawinessa (or however you spell it). Someone else mentioned them and if your in Michigan you should be able to get them. I've heard nothing but good things about them, they're super cheap, and my sister who used to work in the industry even said they're the best and I need to switch to them.

SteyrTMP > Niquemarshall
11/07/2013 at 01:34

WTF? Is this my past life coming back?

In my mid-20's I had a 2004 MCS, living in NE Ohio, and my insurance was shit too... for the same reasons.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > His Stigness
11/07/2013 at 01:37

Wawanesa says I need to be in OR or CA for them. I will get a good driver discount at 25, but probably not until then. The short of it is since it basically requires the cops saying "This guy was 100% a dumbass" to avoid any liability on your part, we're screwed. My friend about fainted when he moved here from ohio and he has an old E21, a 280z, and an FR-S......yeah his monthly insurance payment is staggering since he has restored the Z and put some money into the BMW so he has more than basic liability in case of theft or damage. Oh and the FR-S is a sports coupe and he too is 24....yeah that did NOT go over well for him.

SteyrTMP > SteyrTMP
11/07/2013 at 01:40

Try Progressive, they were pretty decent until the last year or two, but I left because of their third-party home owner's insurance, not the car insurance.

I now have Allstate. They appear to be the cheapest for car and home combined. I am paying about 100 bucks a month for full coverage on a 2007 Subaru Impreza 2.5I, and liability on a 1998 Legacy Outback. I pay another 250-ish through a subsidary of theirs for the 7 GTR, I forget if that's full coverage. I think I have to to have insurance for it. Either way, I'd say 120ish a month for 3 cars, one being hard to insure, isn't too bad.

Niquemarshall > Toby F., Manager
11/07/2013 at 01:42

Got it.

His Stigness > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
11/07/2013 at 01:49

Yeah it's kind of a shame that we Californian's get all the good stuff. If I switch to Wawanessa with the same coverage that I have with Mercury (it was the cheapest option for me, and my sister also, and my mom) I'll save over $300 a year, which is a lot.

So if you're in an accident and even if it's not your fault you still get found partially at fault? That sounds really stupid and totally opposite to what happens here. If you're in an accident the person that's more at fault usually gets all the fault on them, which is bullshit especially in a situation where the person is speeding but they don't get dinged at all.

So remind me never to move to Michigan because I'd like to not have to choose whether or not I want to sleep in a house, or forgo a house and live in my cars.

Supreme Kiwi Zorro > desertdog5051
11/07/2013 at 14:26

I'll let Nakita (the artist) know you thanked all of us. He repeatedly asked me what's wrong with you, but I told him I don't have the permission to discuss that. Even if I did, he probably wouldn't understand.

How did it go with your roommate yesterday? How's the job hunt going?

P.S. Apology accepted. :)

desertdog5051 > Supreme Kiwi Zorro
11/07/2013 at 14:53

We talked in the morning and got it figured out. I admitted that I did not read her very well and apologized. Put in a bunch of apps. Have not heard anything yet.

Supreme Kiwi Zorro > desertdog5051
11/07/2013 at 17:26

Oh excellent! Apologising always makes things easier and better. It takes a lot of weight off your shoulders as well. Ivan said, "she's a woman, remember that. Women has the tendency of being bossy and bitter. If you sense something's bothering her, don't say anything, give her some space, and offer to make food." :)

I suggest you call the employers regularly to demand some information or updates on the application review process. It'll give them the idea you actually want the job.

We're planning to see Nakita this weekend. I've been wondering, is it okay with you if I explain the situation to him about you being out of job? He's very curious and demanded answers.

desertdog5051 > Supreme Kiwi Zorro
11/07/2013 at 18:03

Sure you can tell him. If I had lost my job cause I was a child molester, that would be different. :)