Best way to get insurance for my new 135i

[N55_BBM]

Hey guys, so I just got my new 2011 135i, it's waiting for me at the dealership. I'm currently traveling and won't be back to pick the car up for another 2 weeks or so, so I've been taking my time to look for good insurance rates..

I just called the major companies (Geico, Progressive, All State and State Farm) and got my best rate from Geico.. It's not great but at least they matched up what Progressive charged me for my old 05 Mazda 6, so I guess I can't complain...

I was wondering if I were to call an agent instead of the companies' 800 number there's a chance I'd get a better rate..

Whatever tips you guys can give me will be highly appreciated! I live in Harrisburg, PA by the way..

Cheers

[jpd]

You must have a plethora of agents in Harrisburg. Some are independent reps that can give you several quotes. Also check to see which company settles claims without too much of a hassle.

[Cuz5150]

I little advise, stay away from Geico, they have funny commercials, but thats when everything stops. They don't like to pay well, and like to F- ya on injury clams. This is the word on the street, plus what a few lawyers have told me.

Second, strongly advise to get a single 300,000 type of policy. The 100/300 is garbage and its for amateurs.

The one insurance i have found that offers a single policy of 300,000 is a company name AMICA. This company is off the charts!! (no, i do not work for them or have stock in this company)

Good luck.

[N55_BBM]

edit: nevermind, I researched online and read about the combined single limit policies. seems a lot better, I'll look into it..

so should I stick to talking to agents in person? I'm abroad once again, and was hoping to get this settled over the phone.. would calling an agent be a good idea or should i stick to going in person?

[Bimmer-Bob]

I've had nothing but good experiences with GEICO. Super fast claims/payouts, inexpensive premiums, great service, etc.

YMMV, of course, but I would never use another company besides GEICO or USAA.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

I've had nothing but good experiences with GEICO. Super fast claims/payouts, inexpensive premiums, great service, etc.

YMMV, of course, but I would never use another company besides GEICO or USAA.

This.

GEICO paid my $25,000+ collision damage claim and $5,000 medical claim without batting a lash. They didn't even raise my rates for that one... it's when I hit a deer 6 months later that put me into the high risk category and bumped up my premium. Something to be aware of is that GEICO evaluates drivers on a 5 year trailing while most others only look at 3. My big claim was just over 3 years ago so I switched to AllState until the biggie falls off then I'm right back to GEICO. Nothing but good things to say about them.

[shodanusmc]

Originally Posted by Cuz5150

I little advise, stay away from Geico, they have funny commercials, but thats when everything stops. They don't like to pay well, and like to F- ya on injury clams. This is the word on the street, plus what a few lawyers have told me.

Second, strongly advise to get a single 300,000 type of policy. The 100/300 is garbage and its for amateurs.

The one insurance i have found that offers a single policy of 300,000 is a company name AMICA. This company is off the charts!! (no, i do not work for them or have stock in this company)

Good luck.

Agree with you. AMICA is a great company, and right behind USAA if you are military or former. They leave the others in the dust.

[tbird]

Agreed 110%, USAA is best, hands down. But you have to be former military, or former dependent of military.

If not, a company that flies under the radar is Metlife (Metropolitan). I had them for 6 years, and they were great. I regularly check my rates on Insurance.com to compare to other companies, and Metlife constantly beat everyone.

[JimD]

I aways have used State Farm. I occasionally (every 5-10 years) check rates and have found them to be cost effective. I have not been considered to be the cause of an accident in over 30 years and have only had one accident which probably is a significant factor. But when my kids were on the policy their accidents (one apiece) were almost an issue. I found State Farm to be good to work with. They advised me not to report my daughters fender bender to them to keep us off high risk, for instance.

I might use the opportunity to check prices if I had time like the OP but usually all I do when we trade cars is just call the agent and they will fax a binder to the dealer within the hour. I get a bill later. I don't know if they all do this but I like the convenience.

It has not been true for most of this time but my daughter has worked for State Farm for the last couple years. I will mention that they have been a good employer for her with ethical practices consistently. I don't think her employment clouds my judgement but I mention it so you can make your own opinion.

Jim

[tbird]

State Farm is considered to be the #1 insurance company (since not everyone is eligible for USAA). However, as I have found out from dealing with the various entities of my current accident, State Farm is changing.

The guy who rear ended me was insured by State Farm. He was clearly guilty of causing the four car accident. The police cited him with "Careless Driving, Resulting In Accident". He admitted he was guilty.

Then State Farm claimed that he wasn't guilty and tried to get out of paying the claims. In talking to people, it appears that State Farm is changing a bit. Well, as I am seeing it, yes they are.

Granted, insurance companies get so many fake claims, they have to be tougher, no doubt there. But when the guilty person says they are guilty, and the police officer says they are guilty, and the witnesses say they are guilty, why would State Farm say "No, he's not guilty"? That's a bit cold.

So, take any insurance company with a grain of salt.

[N55_BBM]

I just called Amica and their quote ties with Geico for the lowest rate.. Except theirs is a $200 CSL policy with a $1000 deductible and Geico's is a 50/100/50 with a $500 deductible.. they're both at about $2000/yr

what do you guys think?

freaking license suspension 2 years ago is screwing me over SO bad..

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by tbird

Agreed 110%, USAA is best, hands down. But you have to be former military, or former dependent of military.

If not, a company that flies under the radar is Metlife (Metropolitan). I had them for 6 years, and they were great. I regularly check my rates on Insurance.com to compare to other companies, and Metlife constantly beat everyone.

Just FYI, Geico beat USAA's quote for me by almost 40%. They were half what Progressive wanted. USAA's a good company for sure, but not enough to justify that kind of difference in premium.

[tbird]

GEICO is good, but they have been known to spike your rates for the slightest infraction.

And I base my USAA pricing on that when I switched from Metlife over, just my wife's Mini alone was a savings of about $1000 for the year. I got another $200 or so from my cars in savings.

But it all depends. Insurance has so many parts to it to how they determine their pricing structure, it literally comes down to the individual, and you just have to try all the good companies to get the best price.

[tgxmike]

OK you need to compare exact insurance details, so here it is.....

Big differences is usually from your deductible (assuming you have a perfect driving record.)

24yo male, Albany NY, perfect driving record

[N55_BBM]

Originally Posted by tgxmike

OK you need to compare exact insurance details, so here it is.....

Big differences is usually from your deductible (assuming you have a perfect driving record.)

24yo male, Albany NY, perfect driving record

wow that's so cheap.. is that for 6 months?

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by brunobm

wow that's so cheap.. is that for 6 months?

Yes.

[igom3]

Originally Posted by brunobm

wow that's so cheap.. is that for 6 months?

Its 128I not 135I. Different symbols

[N55_BBM]

Originally Posted by igom3

Its 128I not 135I. Different symbols

still... best thing i got was $850 for a $200k single limit with a $1000 deductible...

22yo male..

then they found out about my suspension and raised it to $1000....

[Freakazoid]

Originally Posted by brunobm

still... best thing i got was $850 for a $200k single limit with a $1000 deductible...

22yo male..

then they found out about my suspension and raised it to $1000....

bruno sounds like you're in the same boat I was in when I got the 135 (minus your age... I was a few years older).

Progressive, Geico and State farm are all awesome, no matter what anyone says here. State farm depends ENTIRELY on your agent.

With your history, check out progressive and see what you can do to get around things, progressive is probably your best bet though..

And 1k every 6 months sounds about spot on for your age and your history for a 135... actually it sounds more on the cheap end of things.... you will not do ANY better with a suspension in your history. (progressive might cut you a few corners)

[Freakazoid]

I just realized you're getting a NEW 135... holy shit you're not going to be able to do any ounce better.. that's actually a pretty damn good rate

[NYF32DRIVER]

Originally Posted by Cuz5150

I little advise, stay away from Geico, they have funny commercials, but thats when everything stops. They don't like to pay well, and like to F- ya on injury clams. This is the word on the street, plus what a few lawyers have told me.

Second, strongly advise to get a single 300,000 type of policy. The 100/300 is garbage and its for amateurs.

The one insurance i have found that offers a single policy of 300,000 is a company name AMICA. This company is off the charts!! (no, i do not work for them or have stock in this company)

Good luck.

Id have to say "BULLSHIT" to all that. I have had them for 10 years and they have been great. When some schmuck side swiped my 335i coupe last year, (hit and run while parked) the bill was $2000 and they didn't raise my rates or give me a problem. AMICA might be good but they also want $500 more per year for my 135 with LESS coverage. For now, I'lll stick with the Gekko.

[fboutlaw]

In PA, you deal with the companies directly. There's no need for an agent.

Agents can help if you combine insurance policies like renters/homeowners/motorcycle/life etc. But based on your age, I'm not sensing that you'd be looking for more than auto.

I've had progressive, geico, and erie insurance while in PA. I went with the cheapest available each time. Progressive was the easiest to deal with and claims are really easy. It sounds like you're doing your research, and you're on the right track.

I just wanted to chime in and say that unless you're hunting for discounts (safe driver, multi policy, graduate, etc.), don't pay for an agent in PA.

Originally Posted by brunobm

I was wondering if I were to call an agent instead of the companies' 800 number there's a chance I'd get a better rate..

Whatever tips you guys can give me will be highly appreciated! I live in Harrisburg, PA by the way..

Cheers