Wow. Where do you live? My rates with GEICO are about double that for two cars with full coverage and only on claim in the last 6 or 8 years.

 

Live in VA. When I first called them I wash shocked as well. Just renewed and it stayed the same.

 

I've had GEICO for 2 years, and I had a claim (rock salt flew off a truck and dented my hood) within my first 3 months. My premium went up... $20 next period. On a $1500 claim.
They are out to make money like any other corp, but they have not done me wrong. go for it.

 

I'm so glad someone brought this up, because the rate geico quoted me on a 2011 MINI (base) was the reason why I bought one. I'm 20 years old and my insurance rates have been in the thousands per year. Before my MINI, I had a 2001 honda civic coupe that I was paying around $1600-$1700 per year for with state minimum coverage. I have one on record accident in the 3 years I've had my drivers license in the state of NJ (one of the highest states for insurance rates), but the accident was not my fault, and never had any speeding tickets, so I have a pretty good record. The MINI salesman I spoke with suggested geico for insurance, so I gave them a call. They quoted me a 6 month policy with full coverage on a brand new car for around the same as what I was paying for my 10 year old honda civic for every 6 months. Relieved initially, I bought the car and the auto policy. But now, I was wondering as well if it was going to go up drastically when I renew in 6 months. I spoke with a geico rep about my concerns and they told me I had nothing to worry about as long as I don't have any claims or tickets-but as someone else stated, was that just a convincing tale to lure me in? But after taking a look at the other posts on this discussion, it seems geico rates are pretty stable. They explained to me that they're the largest insurance provider in the state of NJ so their rates are cheap, and I qualified for a lot of discounts (good student, new car, etc). Hopefully I won't have any surprises at renewal. Has anyone around my age had any experiences like that with Geico?

 

Never had Geico, when I looked at saving money I gave them a chance, I was not impressed. They wanted for 6 months what I pay for a year with my current Insurance company. I have had my current insurance company, Erie Insurance, for about 15 years now and my policy only goes up when I add a new car. I have had a couple of claims with them, small stuff, and every year my policy actually had dropped in cost. But then again no one has been able to touch their rates, too bad they aren't a national company, they are pretty much just a regional company. You couldn't pay me to switch to the gecko lol.

 

I have to admit, that has always been my fear when shopping rates. That the prospective new insurance company is only "low balling" the rates to tease me to switch, and then at the first opportunity, raise them back up to their normal rates.

Let me add that I found if one goes back to one's current insurance company, and tell them you have a lower rate quote from another company, your current insurance company might just match it (or come darn close). At least for me, I found it always interesting that my current company seems to "magically" pull some credit or option out of their *** that I wasn't already getting, but apparently I'm eligible to get, that lowers their rate to match. That always leaves me wondering why I wasn't getting that credit all long.

Also, let me pass on a warning from my years of experience in getting quotes of other companies. I have always gotten a quote with an error in it. Either the limits are lower than I clearly requested, or the deductibles are higher; stuff like that. I have never gotten a quote with an error that makes it more expensive; always less (surprise, surprise, surprise). IMHO, these quotes are hoping that the customer's attention goes directly to the "bottom line" and doesn't notice the errors.

 

What he said. It was a long time ago, but not only were they dropping their own clients that owned radar detectors, they also contributed to lobbyists for making stricter rules on their use.
I decided then I wouldn't consider them, and never have/will.
There is a general rule for auto insurance, "if you haven't shopped around in two years, you're probably paying too much." I was lax on that and had Farmers for the last 6-7 years or so and watched as it crept up despite my clean record. Just switched to the Hartford last year and it dropped to almost half for a two car policy. I'm back to one car now with my 2011 JCW and it's only $689 a year.

 

I had geico 15 years and the rates did not jump after each renewal.

I had a single car accident in the rain (my fault obviously),
was cited, but it was dismissed. They raised my rates
500%.

I had always heard this too, from people that had geico, if you
have to make a real claim, ie, the car is totalled, they will either
cancel or raise your rates so high that they can't be paid. I am
not certain but the law in NC now may make it impossible for them
to outright cancel you.

I remember the thing with geico and the radar dectors also.

I was able to get USAA which I was not originally eligible for back in
the day. I'm very happy with them and have the cars/house discount.
You get a dividend check each year.

Less than $100 /mo for three cars (total) driving a total of about
40,000 miles per year. My only complaint is that a CRX
with liability only is the same price as a MINI with full coverage
AND very low deductable. No tickets or accidents in a long time.

 

Just to throw in my couple of pence, I've had the geco for about 8 or 9 years, but only for auto insurance. I wanted to insure my home through them also but since my male Corgi nipped a repairman and the Putz reported it to Animal Control (who investigated it, found his papers in order but put him under house arrest for a week anyway (which didn't cramp his lifestyle in the least since he was an old codger and prefered to sleep anyway)) we were told that we couldn't have homeowners with them because of the "vicious" animal and in fact they wouldn't consider us for homeowners for 3 or 4 years due to this. That sort of perturbed me so I kicked the dog (no not really) and fired the repairman (yes really), but left my auto insurance with them anyway.

That being said, I had a shmuck pull out in front of my Mustang in her 70's model Cadillac and the accident totaled the 'Stang. By time I got everything settled with the Police and got a ride home, it was about 8:30 PM so I just filed my claim online (I was tired, a little sore and in mourning from seeing my much loved 'Stang's body being carried off and really wanted a drink). I had not one but two calls from Geico by 7:30 AM and their claims process was pretty smooth. They totaled the car (both airbags had deployed) and I had a check from them within a few days and a new (well gently used) V8 'Stang within 8 or 9 days.

I don't really watch my rates that closely even though I do review the paperwork when I get the renewal, but even with the new MCS, I don't think the rates changed by much and in fact I think they went down a touch due to the new car discount and the increased safety equipment. Now if I could only say the same thing about the STUIPD personal property tax which has tripled since I got the MCS (I just payed the stupid bill this AM! ).

I still have a few small complaints with Geico but that concerns dropping a driver and they say that is due to the DMV information on record so I can live with that explaination for now.

 

Do you really expect me to believe that a ""CORGI"" would ever nip someone?



*****Mario the Corgi**********

 

You and I both know that he was only following his instincts and herding the repairman who was trying to leave the "herd", but this Putz made a big deal over it. The silliest thing is, Norman (RIP) barely broke skin!

Say hello to Mario, no such thing as too many Corgi's!!

 

Not to hijack the thread, but has anyone (specifically w/GEICO) had them ask about mods to the car? When I added the MINI the GEICO phone rep asked me if the car was modified or not. At that time, as is now, it's stock.

But when I add the CAI & reduced pulley, and I obligated to inform GEICO of this? I'm sure they'll bump my rates, I'm just wondering how much, and if I'm legally obliged.

 

I have used GEICO for the last 2 years and have no complaints, although I have yet to file a claim, knock wood... No rate increases...

No one asked me anything about how my MINI was equipped...

 

they wanted $80 more for my mini vs the jeep compass i had . so i told them to take a hike and got progressive at $280 less than the jeeps rate was. Was with them for almost 6 year, NO tickets or accidents..but i am 24 years old.

 

Bummer my well thought out and long reply was eaten by the computer system here.

The short reply is that no experience with geico as you asked, but they might have a form you don't know about that they require you to give them if you make mods. This could lead to an out for them should a disaster strike.
I doubt what you would do is the disaster I've heard about where during
the ricer craze people were building those go fasts and crashing and the insurance company says that is not the car we insured.

I can say when I put my CRX on USAA I had to convince the person that
it had not been modified, that it was my baby, and that they were welcome to come check.

 

They ask about mods for several reasons:

1) they want to know if you have done anything that could increase the likelihood of an incident

2) they want to know if you have any mods that you are expecting them to cover-- if you don't tell them about the mods, they might not cover them if the car is ever stolen or totaled.

 

No, the reason the Geico quote is lower is because they are a POS insurance company.

I've been in the bodyshop business for almost 30 years. I get customers come in ALL the time and tell me how good their insurance company is, how great they are, how long they've been with them, blah, blah, blah.

Then, they are suddenly surprised when the insurance company wants to use aftermarket parts on a brand new car or doesn't want to blend a panel when an adjacent panel is being painted or they are using used parts when they thought they were getting new.

Here's the deal... most people who have something good to say about their insurance company typically refers to the agent. Why? Because the agent generally will bend over backwards because you've probably put his kids through college or paid for his summer home with the premiums you've been paying for 30 years.

Point I'm making... the agents tend to be nice because they're taking your money.

I, on the other hand, get to see how well an insurance company treats their customers when it's crunch time. (literally)

I'm not saying that anyone that has Geico present or past hasn't been treated well nor satisfied, what I am saying is after 30 years, I see a recurring theme in poor customer service usually led by Nationwide, Geico, Allstate, etc, etc....

I see what their policies are and how they work... and it's not pretty most of the time. Over the last 15 years, I can't tell you how many times I had to sell a part at cost (I didn't have to, I chose to) to help a customer get an OEM part when the insurance company chooses to use aftermarket parts on a car that has less than 300 miles on it.

Or when a brand new 2010 Acura RL rolls over and EVERY panel is damaged except the trunk lid and the insurance company says they "will NOT" pay for an all over paint job. (really??? )

When Geico says "save 15% in 15 minutes", where do you think that money comes from?? Who the hell is paying for all the advertisements they have flooded the country with for the last 5 years?

I'll tell you where.... lower hourly rates, aftermarket parts, and hiring people that instead of having experience, they hire and train someone with a 10 day training course.

Yeah, 15 % my azz....

Mark