Hi y'all,

Just curious who you found to be best for insurance. My baby is going to be here soon and I am getting all prepared! So far, I've found Geico to have the best rate, though state farm offered a small discount if I purchased a renter's policy with them. Esurance was a joke, though perhaps it was because I didn't provide my soc sec # to them... they were more than 2 x the cost of the others! I'm well entrenched in my 30's with a perfect driving record-- though I *am* leasing to keep payments low while finishing grad school (so I need more insurance) but have every intention of buying out the lease when I am a working midwife in another year or so.

Any good insurance pointers would be welcome- this is my first car of my own even though I've been driving for 16 years! Also- anyone have the license plate mounted EZPass?

JennyS

 

hi -
1. geico had a good price, but I had a bad experience with their sales people. several sequential problems, actually. they're not the company I knew 10 years ago. I've been with allstate for 6 years, and the bad geico experience 2 months ago kept me with them.

2. I had the license plate mount on another car prior to the MINI. I thought it was fine until it got smuushed by a bumpy parallel parker. Also others around here have had theirs swiped. I liked the look, better, tho.

 

I have Geico too. Rates are very good. But I'm not too sure about their service. I just hope I never have to use them. I saved a few bucks off my initial quote b/c I declined their road side assistance. I have one with MINI USA already for the duration of the factory warranty. I also declined rental car reimbursement and saved a few $$$ b/c I do not take my car to work.

I mounted my EZ pass tag on the sunroof. More specifically on the rear pane towards the front. Works like a charm

 

1950 dollars at John romero State farm, Merrick, Long Island. full coverage, max possible liability (i dont mess around with that) 31 years old male, never submitted a claim for $$ from insurance. Whenever I have gotten into an accident, rates never went up as I had not been to blame. I have driven 80+ miles an hour and gotten ticketed, never a rate increase, keeps going down every year. Lady named Stacy there, tell them James Mansella (thats me!) sent you. They are much more personable and offer much more coverage. I suggest going with that type of plan so that you can get an insurance history for future insurance needs.

Geico is cheaper often, a terrible company always. only get it if you must. insurance is supposed to insure, not be a necessary evil or another bill.

license plate mounted ez pass does sound like ez five finger discount.

 

Thanks everyone! I'm going to shop around some more for insurance and go with the regular EZPass! I used to have one of those suction cup windshield mounters that I liked... might get that and try it on the sunroof.

Jenny

 

Jenny S - some have mounted it on the rear sunroof with good results. It sure makes the look of the MINI more pleasing.

 

I have GEICO and they are real good. I was involved in an accident (with my other car, THANK GOD!!) and they arranged for a lawyer and got everything squared up.

I was checking online and found that the other companies gonna charge me almost double of what I am paying at GEICO.

I know of a lot of MINI drivers who have mounted their EZPass on the rear sunroof, without any problems.

 

Hi All,

Thanks again... I am leaning towards state farm since I need a renter's policy anyway and with that, the 2 come out about the same. I am going with the regular ezpass and will try the sunroof thing for sure. I'm also going to get the suction mounter because I hate those sticky velcro things!

Another q... Aux jack.... worth it? Dealer installation is pricey and since I am leasing, they have to do it AFAIK. Or should I just get iTrip for my ipod?

Jenny

 

AUX input is an easy DIY install. I did it on my leased Cooper and took it out before I returned the car. Don't pay the money for the dealer to install it.

 

Agree. Aux Audio Input is easy to install and a great addition. I also went with the Belkin iPod Adapter, which charges the iPod and runs the sound though that connector rather than the headphone jack for better audio quality. I don't even use my CD player anymore.