--Has anyone been seeing rising costs for insurance for your R53? I had my R53 insured for 3 years in Hawaii with no increases but reductions yearly. When I moved to Vermont after the first six months I would see an increase in my premium.

The insurance ppl would say "Oh there was a rate increase across the board here in this region."

I found that to be an outright lie as my fiancee's rate didn't go up. In fact no one else I knew saw a rate increase.

I am in my late 30's, have not had a moving violations in nearly 20 years, nor an accident in 15 years, am a homeowner, and drive on average 5000 miles a year in my MINI, and I don't even commute with my MINI as I work from home.

I moved here to Austin Texas 6 months ago, and now Progressive is telling me that they have had a rate increase. WTH?

Even with my snapshot discount where I received a 13% discount I am now paying $19 more for the next six months. $40 more a year for being a good driver?

State Farm in New England was even worse after the first six months they raised my 6 month premium by over $50. After a week of arguing with those idiots I left and went to Geico. Who I would still be with if their Texas premiums weren't so much higher than Progressive's.

What gives? Are we a bunch of irresponsible hooligans?

I'm a very "loyalty" based type of customer. If I'm a good customer and am treated well I will stick with a company. But these insurance companies just don't seem to understand that or want to maintain that relationship. Consequently every 6 months to a year I have to shop for new insurance.

Any and all input from Austin Texas MINI owners regarding their insurance rates would be appreciated. There is a local investigative reporting show here and I think I'd like to put the heat on insurance companies here. Perhaps it will spread nationwide if they uncover some interesting facts.

Thanks one and all.

~p

 

You're complaining about a $40 per year increase? Doesn't seem outrageous to me at all. What are you buying these days where the price hasn't gone up?

 

I wouldn't complain too much if my insurance went up $40 a year. Progressive makes me pay something like $200 a month just to insure my R53

 

Progressive is crap! I had them for a few years up in Mass and moved to the Baltimore area. They wanted to increase our rates up 200 + more a month! Their explanation was that the drivers down here were worse and that accident rates are a lot higher. OK, I'll bite on that one as it is a possibility. However, I then called Geico and a few others and was quoted lower rates then I had in Mass. They wouldn't budge so I am no longer with them. I think that they simply inflate them hoping that some consumers are oblivious as to what they are paying.

 

I can't believe you guys are paying so much on insurance!

I pay 125 a month for full coverage on mine through Progressive.

Also, an FYI, in my experience working in body shops, Geico insists on using junk yard, used, and aftermarket parts for repairs.

 

Don't forget, insurance premiums can go up (and down) in relation to your credit score too.
Bad credit score = higher premium.

 

Sticking with Allstate for 20 years has paid off. When I called Geico they were $300 more a year. Even USSA, arguably THE best insurance company out there can't save me money since they don't do homes and the combined policy discount is large with Allstate. I don't think you did yourself any favors by shopping and moving around. Pick a big company with a good reputation and stick with them. The discounts come over time in my experience.

 

Yeah, so does Progressive! They tried to put cheap glass in my car that was warped when you look through it.. The only reason that I finally got PPG was because the sensors in the cheap stuff were not working in the three that they put on it. Several calls to Progressive were pointless until I finally got my case manager on the line to complain. Geico has actually been really good to us in the past and taken care of everything we needed.

As for coverage, you live in AZ. Move over here near DC and see if your rates stay low.

 

You're happy with your service and that's what matters.

Progressive has always done right by me and everyone I know who uses them, so I'll stick with them. Especially since everyone else has given me quotes of almost double what I'm paying now for the same coverage.

In AZ Progressive uses OEM parts. Glass is done by whomever you choose, so if you go for cheap glass its on you.

I don't know about DC rates. AZ rates can run high due to neighborhoods and proximity to the border. Plus we have a ton of uninsured and under-insured motorists. Some of that is due to being so close to Mexico. We tend to have more than a few cars with Mexican plates running around that don't carry insurance.

 

Coverage will vary from state to state. I was happy with them for the most part in Mass, but then again I never really had to use them other than the windscreen and that was hassle enough. I was directed by them who I could use for glass so it wasn't on me. Add that to the move to Baltimore and them trying to jack up my rates (clean driving record with good credit) and that was enough to send me shopping. Had a buddy here that was also with them and switched to Amica saving 300 USD over six months.

If you are happy, that is all that matters, but it isn't going to sway my opinion that I think they are crap.

This was posted about a year ago, but it still holds true.

http://www.insurancenetworking.com/n...s-27459-1.html

DC is ranked 5th highest and Arizona is 41st.

 

--Thanks for everyone's input. As of yet I still don't see any Texas MINI owners input though.

I do agree that insurance hopping isn't something that is good for the long term or convenient for me. I am looking for a reputable company to be my long term insurance carrier. I was with AIG Hawaii for 9 years, and they never raised the rate on me and gave me small discounts yearly for not having any accidents, claims or violations. I would've continued to use AIG on the mainland but the market crash killed AIG and I found out that AIG Hawaii was considered a separate company/subsidy from their corporate parent. The AIG re-quote even with a 9 year history was close to $1300 a year.

In Texas so far State Farm seems to be best deal now offering me $700 a year with an additional $80 discount for our family for multi-car discount. This is for full coverage, $250 deductible and full under and uninsured coverage and 30 day rental car in the event of an accident.

I'd like to again emphasize this isn't a "complaint" post, but rather an information gathering post to see what other Texas MINI owners are seeing.

If you pay high insurance I do sympathize with you as I used to have to pay $440 a year for liability only on my 250 Ninja in college, while my older friends were paying $180 a year for full coverage on their 600cc to 1000cc superbikes. I was pretty poor in college and that motorcycle was all I had for nearly 4 years so that premium really hurt me on my $250 a month budget. When our family got our new/used Altima State Farm quoted us $1500 a year. All other carriers were the same. AIG Hawaii (now Farmers) offered us $800 a year and I jumped on it. Loyalty and safe driving paid off and by the 4th year I was down to under $600 a year.

I have heard mixed reviews of Geico and Progressive giving bad customer service and sometimes great customer service. Most insurance networks are locally owned franchises so that may be the reason for regional customer service differences.

Again thanks for everyone's input.

~p