Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

General Discussion => Campfire Talk => Topic started by: Blue Ridge Wheeltor on September 13, 2009, 06:18:35 pm

Title: It pays to shop
Post by: Blue Ridge Wheeltor on September 13, 2009, 06:18:35 pm
I just got a renewal notice in the mail for auto insurance. in NC they seem to write them 6 months at a time.
The bill was from 21st Century (formerly AIG). I was quoted $464 for 2 vehicles. Attached was the following:
"The rates charged for physical damage coverage are greater than those rates applicable in the State of North Carolina". WTF is that all about? Turning it over I discovered I was charged more, and it could go up again, "but not to exceed 550% of the rate I would be charged if I had no driving points".
I haven't had a ticket since 1966. It seems I was being charged more because of the "number and frequency of inquiries into your credit history". ??????????
I haven't applied for any loans. It turns out the credit card companies are monitoring credit history so they can pounce on you and change your rates prior to the Obama credit card law taking effect.
I got an online quote from Progressive. $565. I tried Travelers. $600+. I tried Amica, over $800. I then tried Geico. I verified exact same coverage. $346. I went with geico.

I was lookinf for a laminator for the office and read reviews and settled on a specific model and brand. Wal mart had it in their store for $139. Walked over to Staples-$169. I found it, new, in box, on Amazon for $79.

Those of you who don't have an Enfield dealer nearby, don't sweat it. Anything you need can be bought online. The power of the internet is awesome.

Title: Re: It pays to shop
Post by: Chasfield on September 13, 2009, 06:38:12 pm

I haven't had a ticket since 1966. It seems I was being charged more because of the "number and frequency of inquiries into your credit history". ??????????
I haven't applied for any loans. It turns out the credit card companies are monitoring credit history so they can pounce on you and change your rates prior to the Obama credit card law taking effect.



Seems like they are turning us into laboratory rats sometimes.

 :(
Title: Re: It pays to shop
Post by: The Garbone on September 13, 2009, 09:30:45 pm
I had Geico back in the day,  they were good the first year, then they jacked me up....   Just saying...
Title: Re: It pays to shop
Post by: jdrouin on September 13, 2009, 09:49:05 pm
I too priced Geico way lower for the same coverage than any other company I tried (USAA, Progressive, State Farm, and some others). Been insuring cars with them for several years, as well as the Bullet. Never raised the rates (actually, they should drop now that I've been motorcycling for over a year), and never had any problems with them. Though I've never had to file a claim.

Jeff
Title: Re: It pays to shop
Post by: The Garbone on September 13, 2009, 10:11:49 pm
To be fair,  I was 20 at the time and moved from Florida to Chicago, so that might have had an effect...   ;)
Title: Re: It pays to shop
Post by: UncleErnie on September 14, 2009, 02:09:16 am
I had Geico until I sold a motorcycle.  They said I needed my wife to co-sign the cancellation  I said , "But it's not her policy". they said, "But you're married".
I said, "Right- but not to you.  Buh-bye...!"
Title: Re: It pays to shop
Post by: dogbone on September 14, 2009, 02:40:45 pm
Progressive raised my rates this spring from $121 to 168, Why, I didn't bother to ask !!
called Geico, although I hate their ad's,but they were $99, I bit. If the commie bastards raise the rate for next year, I'll switch again. 40 years on a motorcycle, no tickets or accidents, this sucks. >:(
Title: Re: It pays to shop
Post by: Blue Ridge Wheeltor on September 14, 2009, 03:35:42 pm
I am not endorsing Geico in any way. I had them before and dropped them for AIG when they were cheaper. The point I was trying to make was to shop around. $300+ to $800+ is a big difference. Same with the laminater. The Staples is 2 doors down from the wal mart and there was a $30 difference. And Amazon blew them away.
Title: Re: It pays to shop
Post by: UncleErnie on September 14, 2009, 04:42:46 pm
How much is shipping?
Title: Re: It pays to shop
Post by: Cabo Cruz on September 14, 2009, 05:06:58 pm
Brs. and Srs., I'm in full agreement: "It pays to shop."  I also find it very beneficial and cost effective to let one (1) insurance company handle our needs.  We're very satisfied with our insurance company's products and service.  Nonetheless, I don't represent or promote that company.  For this reason and for this post, I'm calling it Our Insurance Company.  In any case and to remain competitive and to retain all of our business, Our Insurance Company remains ready to give us the best available rates on all of the insurance lines!
Title: Re: It pays to shop
Post by: Blue Ridge Wheeltor on September 14, 2009, 05:13:28 pm
Free shipping, no sales tax.

How much is shipping?
Title: Re: It pays to shop
Post by: UncleErnie on September 14, 2009, 06:38:24 pm
So tell me again- why do you need shipping for insurance?
Title: Re: It pays to shop
Post by: StephenCB on September 14, 2009, 07:51:27 pm
So tell me again- why do you need shipping for insurance?

Because sometimes all the needed policies won't fit in the nifty basket in those Progressive insurance commercials, so they have to ship them to you.

 :o
Title: Re: It pays to shop
Post by: LJRead on September 14, 2009, 09:37:10 pm
Amazon is getting to be a strong stock buy on Wall Street, the reason being that people are going for internet shopping, and that, apparently, is the reason for mall closures.

We don't have credit cards here, only a debit card, and that is fine with me.

Internet makes it fairly easy to shop around.
Title: Re: It pays to shop
Post by: Blue Ridge Wheeltor on September 15, 2009, 01:27:33 am
If you check rents and malls and brick and mortar stores, you understand why more people are buying and selling on line. You drive to the mall, waste time looking for a parking space, hope no one scratches or breaks into your car, try to buy something that is not in stock, but they'll order it for you, pay the price that reflects their sales labor, management, rent, utilities, profit, and sales tax.
Or you can order it on line. Lots of places have free shipping.
The guy on line might be like Uncle Ernie, in his basement, in his underwear, in front of the computer. But his overhead is the internet connection and the bags of Cheetos he consumes.