Massachusetts drivers, HELP ME

[nebe]

I'm looking for new insurance because I currently use Commerce, an agent of Banknorth. I HATE my insurance company. It took them nearly 4 months to award me for a total loss accident in which I was NOT at fault! And they're constantly sending my bank notices of cancellation (even though they're not infact valid) "by accident", which is screwing with my car loan and making me look awful. I'm losing hair over all this crap, and a lady should never be bald!

So I'm shopping. Problem is, I've only been driving 2.5 years, so my coverage hadn't dropped yet (it will August 20somethingith). I've been quoted by several different carriers (because of the law changes) between $2,500.00 (my crappy current insurer) - $2950.00 (the company my ILs use and love) I'm going crazy trying to find a carrier who actually TAKE CARE of their people. I'm on a fixed monthly income, so I can't afford to keep paying $250 a month for car insurance alone, but I need a better company. So here you guys come in:

Who do you use, who are they a carrier for, are they expensive for your area/car/circumstances and do you like them? Have you been in an accident handled by them, if yes, how'd it go?

Please please please help!!

[ETA- sorry I spaced and posted this in SMTR, I reported it to be moved to the Hangout. My apologies!]

 

[iheartscience]

Have you tried Progressive or Geico? They''re usually cheaper than others.

And what about USAA? Can you get coverage with them? I have USAA and it''s super cheap compared to other companies, but I''m not sure if they allow people to just join up. (It''s a military thing originally, but I could get it because my parents had it.)

 

[rockzilla]

Mass has some weird insurance stuff going on - a lot of the big name insurers won't even operate there due to the laws, rules regulations, etc.

My parents have used the protector group in worcester for years and seem to like it...that could help....

Also, it is often cheaper if you can go on a family plan with parents or some such.

ETA: AAA is also good, don't know if they offer it in MA

 

[neatfreak]

Nebe, Massacusetts has pre-negotiated rates so many of the carriers people recommend here won't insure in MA. You'd be better off getting recommendations from local friends.

When I lived in MA we insured through Colt Insurance in Pittsfield. I'm not sure if they have other offices in Western Ma, but they weren't bad.

 

[sna77]

I'ved lived in Mass for about 25 years... Liberty Mutual is the best in Massachusetts by far... and I've tried them all... Will give you national coverage if you ever move too... Rates are competitive and they are really easy to deal with if there is ever a claim that needs to be filed...

 

[erica k]

oh fudge, this isn''t good to hear. i have commerce insurance through AAA.

$250 for car insurance is nearly twice what I pay. i guess they offer a discount through AAA

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 4/30/2008 8:47:32 PM
Author: erica k
oh fudge, this isn''t good to hear. i have commerce insurance through AAA.


$250 for car insurance is nearly twice what I pay. i guess they offer a discount through AAA

Massachusett''s just has insane insurance prices because the prices are somewhat fixed and competition isn''t really allowed. It''s gauging if you ask me...

 

[sna77]

I hate Commerce through AAA. They refuse to use OEM parts in your car in an accident...

Wait, your car insurance is $250 / year total??!?!!

 

[Kismet]

I have my insurance through Metropolitan. The few times I''ve needed to contact them regarding claims I''ve never had any problems.

 

[sna77]

Date: 5/1/2008 8:41:15 AM
Author: Kismet
I have my insurance through Metropolitan. The few times I''ve needed to contact them regarding claims I''ve never had any problems.

Met doesn''t really have a big presence in MA though.. Only a few offices through independant agents...

LM has major offices all over the place where you can drive right in for a claim or have them come onsite...

 

[Keepingthefaith21]

Have you tried going through AAA for insurance? I do believe it is through Commerce Insurance but they do offer a significant rate reduction.

I understand your frustration with getting the total loss payment very late but often times that is because "behind the scenes" your insurance company is suing the other party''s company and it can take a little bit of time before your insurance company receives settlement. I know something similar happened to me years ago and the delay was actually caused by the other party''s insurance company.

Have you looked into A Affordable Insurance? They are MA only. I haven''t used them in years but I did when I was first driving and if I remember correctly, the rates were reasonable.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

We renewed our policy before MA enacted the law that allowed insurance companies to set their own rates. I'm interested to see what kind of rate we can get when we renew this year.

Anyway, it used to be that you HAD to go through an independent insurance agent and that's what we did...she found the best priced policy and we said "sounds good!" I've noticed that insurance rates vary significantly by city.

ETA: I completely forgot to answer all of your questions!

1. We have Premier Insurance (through our independent insurance agency)
2. We do not have collision insurance because our car is virtually worthless and our annual bill is anywhere from $800 - $1200. We moved from an affluent suburb to the ghetto, which is why our annual rate increased so much.
3. We were recently hit by another driver and his insurance handled all of damages, but our insurance company was great about following up and making sure everything was covered. Also, as a result of the accident we had to switch titles and our insurance company was great about re-insuring our car with the new title.

 

[Kismet]

Date: 5/1/2008 11:57:17 AM
Author: sna77

Date: 5/1/2008 8:41:15 AM

Author: Kismet

I have my insurance through Metropolitan. The few times I''ve needed to contact them regarding claims I''ve never had any problems.

Met doesn''t really have a big presence in MA though.. Only a few offices through independant agents...


LM has major offices all over the place where you can drive right in for a claim or have them come onsite...

All my dealings with them have been over the phone. When I totaled my car, they sent someone out to inspect it. When the car has been in drivable condition we had to bring it to their facility in Woburn for them to inspect there, which could be very inconvenient if you''re not close to whatever facilities they have.

I don''t use an independent agent at all, I just deal directly with Met. I get a discount on my insurance via my credit union or via my employer.

 

[sap483]

I LOVE Liberty. My premium is less than $700 a year now that i live in the suburbs. I have had a clean record for almost 9 years though. I recently was in an accident with an uninsured driver. It was their fault and Liberty was fantastic. They towed my car from CT to a repair facility near me in MA for no charge. They immediately provided me with a rental car and quickly took care of paying the repair facility. I did have to pay my deductible, but they gave it back to me within a week of my getting my car back. So overall I am more than pleased with their service and pricing. Needless to say I insure my home through them too.

 

[erica k]

Date: 4/30/2008 8:54:31 PM
Author: neatfreak

Date: 4/30/2008 8:47:32 PM

Author: erica k

oh fudge, this isn''t good to hear. i have commerce insurance through AAA.



$250 for car insurance is nearly twice what I pay. i guess they offer a discount through AAA

Massachusett''s just has insane insurance prices because the prices are somewhat fixed and competition isn''t really allowed. It''s gauging if you ask me...

i live in cambridge, and the price that i pay for car insurance is comparable to what i paid in southern california. both places are pretty darn expensive, i guess. we pay about $130/month for our car insurance. my car is pretty close to worthless, and i''d have to look at the policy to tell you what it covers. i''ve yet to file a claim (knock on wood) in spite of the crazy drivers here in mass.

 

[sna77]

I''m at $2k a year for my insurance... And that''s a competitive rate, living in Brookline... Also down from $3500 last year when I had 2 speeding tickets on my policy (that dropped off for this year)

 

[sna77]

Date: 5/1/2008 1:35:11 PM
Author: Keepingthefaith21
Have you tried going through AAA for insurance? I do believe it is through Commerce Insurance but they do offer a significant rate reduction.

I understand your frustration with getting the total loss payment very late but often times that is because ''behind the scenes'' your insurance company is suing the other party''s company and it can take a little bit of time before your insurance company receives settlement. I know something similar happened to me years ago and the delay was actually caused by the other party''s insurance company.

Have you looked into A Affordable Insurance? They are MA only. I haven''t used them in years but I did when I was first driving and if I remember correctly, the rates were reasonable.

AAA is Commerce as you noted... Great, you save 5% off the principal (like $35)... And still get Commerce''s crummy insurance...

Want to find out who is the best insurance company? Ask the guys that deal with them all day, every day--body shop owners, which is exactly what i did when I switched to LM. They have inspectors come on site daily to offer estimates, and know who pays out the quickets. 2 different body shops in MA told me LM was far and above any other insurance co in the state for car insurance...

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 5/1/2008 4:18:41 PM
Author: erica k

Date: 4/30/2008 8:54:31 PM

Author: neatfreak

Date: 4/30/2008 8:47:32 PM


Author: erica k


oh fudge, this isn''t good to hear. i have commerce insurance through AAA.




$250 for car insurance is nearly twice what I pay. i guess they offer a discount through AAA

Massachusett''s just has insane insurance prices because the prices are somewhat fixed and competition isn''t really allowed. It''s gauging if you ask me...

i live in cambridge, and the price that i pay for car insurance is comparable to what i paid in southern california. both places are pretty darn expensive, i guess. we pay about $130/month for our car insurance. my car is pretty close to worthless, and i''d have to look at the policy to tell you what it covers. i''ve yet to file a claim (knock on wood) in spite of the crazy drivers here in mass.

You''ll KILL me when you hear how much we pay in Wisconsin. We pay $39/mo for insurance for both of us. AND we have a brand new car, with full collision coverage. Crazy huh?

 

[sna77]

Date: 5/1/2008 2:04:43 PM
Author: Kismet

All my dealings with them have been over the phone. When I totaled my car, they sent someone out to inspect it. When the car has been in drivable condition we had to bring it to their facility in Woburn for them to inspect there, which could be very inconvenient if you''re not close to whatever facilities they have.

I don''t use an independent agent at all, I just deal directly with Met. I get a discount on my insurance via my credit union or via my employer.

I had Met before I switched to LM... they fought with me over a windshield replacement for a week. Windshield replacement is free in MA w/o deducatble... Met wanted to repair the 3" crack in my windshield (not safe at all)... Then after a week of arguing with them to replace my windshield with BMW stamped galss as opposed to generic glass (generic glass prevents your car from being CPO''d when you trade it in)... They refused to do it, over a difference of about $90. I finally paid the difference myself and cancelled my insurance with them as soon as possible. Been with LM for 3 years now, and have had 2 windshield replacements in my BMW and 3 in my FI''s Land Rover (a $1200 windshield in the LR beacause it has built in defrost)... LM has never once given me any lip at all when I ask for OEM glass...

 

[sna77]

Date: 5/1/2008 5:17:20 PM
Author: neatfreak



You''ll KILL me when you hear how much we pay in Wisconsin. We pay $39/mo for insurance for both of us. AND we have a brand new car, with full collision coverage. Crazy huh?

yes, but then again, you live in Wisconsin. You couldnt pay me enough to live there. haha... My rates actually dropped when I moved from Manhattan to Brookline... Heck my parking in NYC was close to $500 month... That was depressing... Garages used ot charge more depending on the type of car you drove... Absolutely absurd... My Boss had some $100k Range Rover, that they hit him double luxury tax on, and was paying close to $1k /month to PARK HIS CAR. just stupid...

but yes i am extremely jealous of your car insurance rates.

 

[neatfreak]

Ya know Sna, as much as I love Boston (lived there myself), Madison is pretty great too! Slower pace for sure, but pretty cosmopolitan considering it is in Wisconsin...

 

[nebe]

Date: 5/1/2008 5:05:27 PM
Author: sna77

Want to find out who is the best insurance company? Ask the guys that deal with them all day, every day--body shop owners, which is exactly what i did when I switched to LM. They have inspectors come on site daily to offer estimates, and know who pays out the quickets. 2 different body shops in MA told me LM was far and above any other insurance co in the state for car insurance...

That''s a REALLY good tip. I''m going to call my shop tomorrow. I completely never thought of that but it''s totally brilliant. Thanks!! I feel for you about Commerce. My parents have always had them, but my mom and sister are terrible drivers (sad but true) so I thought they just gave them problems because of that, but it turns out they just suck completely. I will NEVER recommend them to anyone.


Thanks so much for your help everyone, I''m definitely going to call around the places you suggested.

 

[AStack75]

Check out Progressive. They just started offering insurance in Massachusetts yesterday. I made the switch from Commerce yesterday. Progressive does six month long policies, so just double what they quote you for basis of comparison. But my 12-month Commerce policy was $860 for 12-months. My 12-month Progressive policy is $466. Definitely worth checking out.
http://www.progressive.com

 

[sna77]

Date: 5/2/2008 8:49:24 AM
Author: AStack75
Check out Progressive. They just started offering insurance in Massachusetts yesterday. I made the switch from Commerce yesterday. Progressive does six month long policies, so just double what they quote you for basis of comparison. But my 12-month Commerce policy was $860 for 12-months. My 12-month Progressive policy is $466. Definitely worth checking out.
http://www.progressive.com

The ONLY reason to go with Progressive is their rates... which don''t do you much good if you''ve been in an accident...

Its funny, how everyone on this forum pus so much thought into which insurance for their jewlery (chubb, Jewlers Mutaual), because theya re concerned with what happens after a loss... But when it comes to auto insurance, price seems to be the only influincing factor...