Auto Insurance Cost

[myway_1]

I am getting closer to becoming a car-dweller but I may have hit a roadblock. I just got quotes for car insurance (I live in a city and get around on a bicycle. I sold my car three years ago in order to save money). I used a website that compared six major companies. Best rates were from Progressive and esurance.

Full coverage with typical limits and deductibles will be $250 a month for the car that I intend to buy (2011 Toyota Prius). This is way more than I can afford. I live in SE Florida. Car insurance is high here but not sky high. I think the premium is high because my credit is bad and maybe because I'm uninsured (that is one of the questions). I've had no accidents or tickets in the past five years.

Does anyone have any advice for me?

 

[Almost There]

It pays to shop it around to insurance brokers rather than just using an online comparison site but don't be surprised that your rates are high.

Premiums are based on the make, model and year of the vehicle. Both parts/repair costs as well as area theft rates for that specific vehicle are taken in to consideration. Even a years difference for the same make and model can have a big difference on premiums. Ask an agent if a 2010 gets a better rate before you buy.

Premiums are also rated on your insurance record with breaks in insurance being one of the kickers. You haven't had insurance for 3 years so that 5 year claim free and ticket free records counts for squat.

Most insurance companies also factor in your credit rating although some do not.

Since you're about to become a car-dweller (and for heavens sake DO NOT tell that to any insurance person), perhaps a change of legal address is possible. If you want to remain in Florida then a 'move' to Green Cove Springs might make a substantial difference in your premium. Contact St. Brendans' Isle at https://www.sbimailservice.com/ - I used them for almost a decade and I can recommend them.

Lastly, while I don't recommend it, if you don't have a loan on the vehicle, you  have no obligation except to yourself to carry  anything more than state mandated minimum insurance. Again, it's not something I recommend to anyone but if you have to, you have to.

 

[VanKitten]

St. Brendan's informed me that they would NOT accept anyone without an RV. I use American Home Base out of Pensacola.

I know how high insurance can be...but, Pensacola seems to be one of the lowest cost areas in Florida. Also....check Geico

My insurance was with Allstate in central Florida...it was really a lot of money!! And I didn't have a break in coverage.

Look around more...there is better deals to be had

 

[Almost There]

St. Brendan's informed me that they would NOT accept anyone without an RV.    I use American Home Base out of Pensacola.

I know how high insurance can be...but, Pensacola seems to be one of the lowest cost areas in Florida.   Also....check Geico

My insurance was with Allstate in central Florida...it was really a lot of money!!  And I didn't have a break in coverage.    

Look around more...there is better deals to be had

Wow, SBI must have gotten picky over something. I had no trouble with them at all but then it's been over a decade since I repatriated to Canada. I used them starting when I was driving a van, then went to 2 or 3 other vehicles, only one of which was technically an RV.

I also just went over their application form, it doesn't appear to ask for a vehicle identification. If you are a full time traveller on land then just tick off RVr...that stands for recreational vehicle...no need to identify what RV you're using.

But it's also good to know that there are other firms in Florida that are also available.

 

[myway_1]

I got a quote from Geico for $190 a month with typical full coverage. That is better but still too high. They had an extra question asking why I am uninsured. I selected "I haven't needed insurance". Maybe that helped.

At least I see that there is substantial variation in quoted rates. I'll call a local broker tomorrow.

 

[Peaceseeker]

$250/mo does seem extraordinarily high, imo.   I too am in Florida and shop for better deals on car insurance annually. 
 
Look closely at your coverage and see if you can trim some costs there and still feel comfortable with your coverage.

Are you a risky driver in your opinion?  
Did you know that nearly 25% of Fla. drivers are uninsured?  It's the second highest percentage state!  Yikes.  You might be a good driver and could consider trimming costs w/your driving habits, but if you plan to drive in Fla. make sure you have the uninsured motorist coverage!  (I think it's required)
  
Think of the replacement cost of the car you are considering (or just purchased) and adjust your coverage accordingly.
I could be wrong on this next point, but my son and I were just having a conversation about bodily injury coverage.  What if you don't pay for the bodily injury coverage because you have other health coverage?  Why pay twice?  Again, I haven't taken the time to understand that.

Mileage to and from work (if you are employed) is a factor.  I think there is a rate deduction if you "work out of your home", i.e. travel only to and from the grocery stores vs. to and from a workplace too.  If you do have a workplace, I've never had them as for an address.  Your workplace is right around the corner, no more than 5 miles round trip, right?

See what raising your deductibles will do to the premium.  May or may not have much impact.

The two Co's. I've used that seem to always be lower cost wise, and are A rated have been Travelers and Liberty Mutual.  I currently have LM and have for the past few years.  Although, you have to keep on top of things each year at renewal time.  Seems no matter the insurance Co. each year your bill will increase rather dramatically.  It's a pain, but each year, I call them and get it back lowered and/or shop around.  It always seems to boil down to Travelers and LM though each year that have the lowest rates.
Geico used to be the carrier I used but they got crazy with their costs.

 

[rvpopeye]

I think IIRC Bob posted a map of average insurance rates by state.
(Maine was the lowest #51 !)
Can you move to a better state ?

 

[BradKW]

For whatever reason, not having continuous coverage and/or having long gaps with no insurance definitely bumps you into a higher rate category. And most insurance companies use your credit score as well...Carriers use credit-based insurance scores to predict how likely you'll be to make an insurance claim.  Only CA, HI and Mass don't allow insurance companies to do that.

Here's a couple links worth reading:
https://www.creditkarma.com/article/under-the-hood-of-auto-insurance-scores

https://www.creditkarma.com/article/things-that-can-drive-up-auto-insurance-518163

 

[rvpopeye]

I was with Allstate for 35 years when they started using credit score to calculate premiums.
I've never used credit so my rates soared !
I went to AAA to check rates and they quoted 2/3 less and cared nothing about my credit score , even gave me a discount for all the years I was at Allstate !!!

 

[vanman2300]

The General will quote you online and you can remain anonymous. I tried them and their prices were very reasonable. Allstate was my carrier many years ago. I left them because I heard they cancel you after one accident. Then of course when you have to answer yes to the question were you ever cancelled by another insurance company they either refuse you or ask a king's ransom for premiums.

 

[myway_1]

Spoke with some brokers today. Didn't get any better quotes. It's definitely the fact that I don't currently have insurance that's causing the premiums to be so high. One of the brokers said it would have helped if my son had added me as an authorized driver on his policy. I could get him to do that. I'm afraid it will come back at me later though. Does anyone know whether this will save me money for sure and what might happen down the road if he has to remove me? Will my insurance company jack my premium back up? The brokers don't seem to be very knowledgeable about these details.

 

[darude]

don't get insurance in so cal if you think fl is bad!!!
have you tried AIS

https://www.aisinsurance.com/

 

[ramblingvanman]

Can you get USAA? I pay 172/6 months. You have to be a veteran or related to one

 

[myway_1]

I tried some of my relatives' addresses. Northern Florida was 33% less. Rural North Carolina was 60% less. I had intended on using my son's south Florida address but these insurance savings are too big to pass up. I am relieved that vehicle insurance cost won't prevent me from becoming a vandweller.

 

[Iwant2dothis4ever]

Look on google and search for classes you can take to get a discount on car insurance. In kentucky there is a drivers class you can take to get like 10 or 20% off.

 

[Vanholio]

Spoke with some brokers today. Didn't get any better quotes. It's definitely the fact that I don't currently have insurance that's causing the premiums to be so high. One of the brokers said it would have helped if my son had added me as an authorized driver on his policy. I could get him to do that. I'm afraid it will come back at me later though. Does anyone know whether this will save me money for sure and what might happen down the road if he has to remove me? Will my insurance company jack my premium back up? The brokers don't seem to be very knowledgeable about these details.

I went through this years ago when I hadn't had a car for a while. I paid through the nose for 6 months, then switched insurance companies and got normal rates. Problem solved. Of course, your budget is shot for those six months. :-/

 

[arctic cat]

I am getting closer to becoming a car-dweller but I may have hit a roadblock. I just got quotes for car insurance (I live in a city and get around on a bicycle. I sold my car three years ago in order to save money). I used a website that compared six major companies. Best rates were from Progressive and esurance.

Full coverage with typical limits and deductibles will be $250 a month for the car that I intend to buy (2011 Toyota Prius). This is way more than I can afford. I live in SE Florida. Car insurance is high here but not sky high. I think the premium is high because my credit is bad and maybe because I'm uninsured (that is one of the questions). I've had no accidents or tickets in the past five years.

Does anyone have any advice for me?

The question if I'm not wrong is "have you driven without insurance for XXX months?"  If rode a bike and DID NOT DROVE A CAR  the answer to question is NO.

 

[CMan]

Google: Auto insurance by State.
Some tax the vehicle property tax.