I saved $530 by switching car insurance carriers

[bob]

Well, I told the world that I saved $330 by switching to Geico from AAA a few months back. I mentioned in that post that I really liked dealing with the insurance gal that I was dealing with. She has always been very helpful and since we have developed a bit of a relationship it makes it much more enjoyable dealing with her.
Saving another $200 a year on car insurance
She emailed me about a week ago asking me if I would be open to her getting me a new quote with a few other insurance companies. Of course, why not? So, she ran it and she seemed to be very excited to tell me that she could get me the exact same coverage for $200 cheaper per year than Geico.

The new company is America First/Liberty Mutual who coincidentally just recently purchased Safeco. I don't know much about this company. I think the truth about whether or not it is actually a good deal remains a secret until you have a claim. Dealing with AAA on a claim turned out to be quite difficult, so that made the decision to switch even easier. Hopefully I never have to find out how good America First is...
My car insurance lesson
The lesson learned here is that I have saved $530 on my car insurance (keeping the same coverage and limits) over the last 6 months. I didn't really think I was paying very much, but I am glad I shopped around. It is something to think about.

A while back I wrote a post about how to leverage your emergency fund to save you money on car insurance. This is another thing to consider if you are trying to save money on your car insurance.

bottom line: if you haven't shopped around in a while, it might be a good idea... who are you with currently? Have you used any companies that haven't paid up after an accident?

[waterlover]

We have used Hartford for the last 8 years. I shop around every year and their still the least expensive. We signed up with them when we bought the car (Ford Focus) and they had a deal going with Ford. We've been in two accidents, neither our fault, so the other drivers insurance co. paid for the repairs.

[bob]

Very interesting, I will have to check them out next time I shop around... Also, I think it is funny that we have the same car -2000 focus !! Mine is still going strong and I guess yours is too!

[welikemoney]

I used to be with Liberty Mutual when I first started driving! Now I'm with Progressive and I haven't shopped around since we got our new car! I should do that...we've got full coverage on a 2006 Pontiac G6 and we're paying around $950 every 6 months (I'm 24 and my husband is 25).

[Amatachick]

If it's available to you, I highly recommend USAA for insurance. We have them and they've been wonderful (we had a claim when my car was broken into) and always have the cheapest rates when we shop around. On top of that they're a customer owned business so we are essentially their shareholders and get money back every year if they do well. My husband was in the military so that's how we became eligible. I believe someone in your immediate family has to be an active military member or veteran.

[bob]

you know I remember getting rear-ended by someone with USAA and they were great - There were 2 other cars involved (long story) but the one with USAA was great to deal with, I got a check from them in like a week and the other one was Safeco, they were not fun to deal with... lots of calls not returned, hoops to jump through and a check not for the right amount that came about 1.5 months later...

[matt]

We just recently switched from a local insurance co (West Bend Mutual) to esurance. I was originally going to go with Geico as they gave me a great quote. But their homeowners insurance wouldn't/couldn't cover us because our dog is an Alaskan Malamute. (don't even get me started on breed discrimination for home insurance). Of course I found this out on the day before our other insurance coverage was ending.

Surprisingly, the esurance price was a few dollars under the Geico quote for our vehicle and home insurance. We ended up saving a lot. We should have shopped around sooner.

God willing we won't have to find out how good they are for the price.

[bob]

Matt, you are right - that is the tough thing about insurance- that you never really know how good they are until something goes wrong

[matt]

true, good thing I've got another insurance provider that won't let me down

[waterlover]

Very interesting, I will have to check them out next time I shop around... Also, I think it is funny that we have the same car -2000 focus !! Mine is still going strong and I guess yours is too!

It's a great car, It'll go strong for a long time. If I had to buy another car, it would be another Focus. Great mileage and low maintenance costs.

[jpsawyer]

When I turned 50 I got the obligatory AARP mailing - it included AARP car insurance info through Hartford. I checked it out and saved about $600 a year over what we were paying with Geico. I haven't had a claim since changing, but they have been great to deal with on the phone - I bought a new car and had to add it.

[tony34]

I also saved by switching auto insurers from Geico to Unitrin. Got additional discount by switching my home insurance also.

[Steve Orris]

Good reminder. I've got to check them out. I think my insurance is about to run out.

[Clarinda Della]

The best advice I can give you is to find a local State Farm Agent (they are everywhere) and ask him/her for twenty minutes of his/her time to explain it to you. (be sure you see the agent, NOT a staff member for this). They will be glad to explain it to you so you will understand and won't get mad if you don't buy a policy. They understand full well you are a pontential customer for the next fifty years and will usually bend over backward to help people with this sort of thing.

[Jonathan K]

Saved $500 by switching. Got my personal banker to hook me up with an agent that looks at 20+ insurance companies all A++. I still have the same terms and coverage and am paying $42 a month less a month! Also, got a discount for paying 6 months at a time!

[cccfree]

haha title of this article sounded like those All State commercials...but yeah I need to look into saving money on my car insurance too.