Car/Home Insurance ?

[luv2rn4fun]

When you are up for your renewal, does your insurance company (in this case, car insurance related) automatically increase your mileage and/or rates without any reason?

Reason for my question...we have Mercury and every 6 months this is an issue.  We automatically get increased 1,000 miles per vehicle no matter what.  What's more annoying is that I called 1 month ago to reduce my mileage (since I'm only commuting 1 day/week) and now that it's time for renewal it went up another 1,000 miles.  I called this morning and they are requesting a mileage reading for both vehicles, even though we are only questioning the mileage on my car (we use DH's car for everything but he's also liability coverage only).

I'm really frustrated and we are both considering leaving Mercury and not dealing with the BS every 6 months.  Unfortunately, we have tried this in the past and cannot seem to get enough rate anywhere else (primarily because they give us such a great deal on our home insurance which is bundled with the cars).

[HoneySpider]

I haven't noticed them changing the mileage (maybe I need to look at this better) but every 6 months when we're up for renewal our rate always goes up...and it's always some generic reason like "rates went up everywhere in your state"

Last time I checked around and our rate was still lower than going elsewhere but it's frustrating

FTR we have esurance

[spankswife]

I have never had a mileage increase. We get a generic "costs are going up" increase. We have Progressive, and find it very reasonable for our area.


ETA - Homeowners forget about it. I live in a home that's over 20 years old (apparently old here), in a hurricane zone, so only 1 company will even insure me. It's ridiculous. I have no say in what they charge me, and no other options.

[travelbug]

I have never heard of a mileage increase either, odd. Ours doesn't do that. Normally it goes down by a few dollars or more every 6 months. That does sound super irritating to be dealing with that over and over again!

[MrsMB]

I've not heard of an annual increase based on mileage. Now, when we moved to our current home, my husband's car insurance increased because he was driving further to and from work. However, that was because we moved.

[tacocat]

I should probably pay closer attention, lol. I don't think it's really changed the last few times we've gotten our bill though.

[HoneySpider]

Aug 28, 2014 14:13:52 GMT -5 spankswife said:

I have never had a mileage increase. We get a generic "costs are going up" increase. We have Progressive, and find it very reasonable for our area.


ETA - Homeowners forget about it. I live in a home that's over 20 years old (apparently old here), in a hurricane zone, so only 1 company will even insure me. It's ridiculous. I have no say in what they charge me, and no other options.

Yeah we have the same issue here, the windstorm insurance is outrageous

[anyastroud]

Aug 28, 2014 12:37:18 GMT -5 HoneySpider said:

I haven't noticed them changing the mileage (maybe I need to look at this better) but every 6 months when we're up for renewal our rate always goes up...and it's always some generic reason like "rates went up everywhere in your state"

Last time I checked around and our rate was still lower than going elsewhere but it's frustrating

FTR we have esurance

It's the truth. It does suck not disagreeing in the least bit. BUT they use SO much to rate with.

credit
zip code
driving records (even NAF accidents can make you rates go up)
age
gender
what type of car
business use vs. used for pleasure
millage
and those are just some of them. it's all about the "Rule of large numbers"
it's dumb. 
I'll sell the shit out of some car is to get food on the table, but boy am I glad that I don't own a car. 

[HoneySpider]

Aug 28, 2014 14:45:11 GMT -5 anyastroud said:

Aug 28, 2014 12:37:18 GMT -5 HoneySpider said:

I haven't noticed them changing the mileage (maybe I need to look at this better) but every 6 months when we're up for renewal our rate always goes up...and it's always some generic reason like "rates went up everywhere in your state"

Last time I checked around and our rate was still lower than going elsewhere but it's frustrating

FTR we have esurance

It's the truth. It does suck not disagreeing in the least bit. BUT they use SO much to rate with.

credit
zip code
driving records (even NAF accidents can make you rates go up)
age
gender
what type of car
business use vs. used for pleasure
millage
and those are just some of them. it's all about the "Rule of large numbers"
it's dumb. 
I'll sell the shit out of some car is to get food on the table, but boy am I glad that I don't own a car. 

Right but when nothing changes (except I guess being 6 months older) it's frustrating

[bk1]

I've never paid attention. I guess I should look into that.

[Deleted]

Our car insurance went up because we moved to a different county (not sure how that affects the rate). Homeowner's insurance goes up every year just because they can, it seems.

[anyastroud]

Aug 28, 2014 14:51:18 GMT -5 HoneySpider said:

Aug 28, 2014 14:45:11 GMT -5 anyastroud said:

It's the truth. It does suck not disagreeing in the least bit. BUT they use SO much to rate with.

credit
zip code
driving records (even NAF accidents can make you rates go up)
age
gender
what type of car
business use vs. used for pleasure
millage
and those are just some of them. it's all about the "Rule of large numbers"
it's dumb. 
I'll sell the shit out of some car is to get food on the table, but boy am I glad that I don't own a car. 

Right but when nothing changes (except I guess being 6 months older) it's frustrating

Oh I get it. I have lots of pissed off people that call me every day about it.
It's because other people that are similar to you are having accidents and claims there fore every ones rates go up. BS man.
after Ike came through in 2011 all home prices went up because of the volume of claims that were paid. The people that didn't have claims still got a rate increase. I hate having to tell people it went up just because. I  follow that up with: I'll be happy to re-shop it for you.



also  word to the wise:

Some companies only surcharge for 3 years for things on your driving record. some charge for 5

some companies can remove tickets or accidents midterm if they are old of enough causing the rate for the res to the term to go down. (Progressive does this)

also if you purchasse an annual policy you are locked in to that rate for the entire term even if you so have an acciden or ticket your policy won't go up until the next renewal. unless you make any changes then of it's subject to be re rated based on new info provided.


I'm not saying that any of if it is fair. I get why you are mad.
 

[luv2rn4fun]

Thanks ladies!

Yes, it's frustrating to say the least. Funny thing that he was able to change my policy without an odometer reading for both my DH and I just a month ago (literally the new itemized rate was generated on 7/28) but yesterday he's unable to do anything and they will be checking mileage every 6 months. Seems ridiculous and not something we've dealt with with other companies in the past.

Also, in 1 month the rate changed from $316 to $350...

[anyastroud]

Aug 29, 2014 7:24:32 GMT -5 luv2rn4fun said:

Thanks ladies!

Yes, it's frustrating to say the least. Funny thing that he was able to change my policy without an odometer reading for both my DH and I just a month ago (literally the new itemized rate was generated on 7/28) but yesterday he's unable to do anything and they will be checking mileage every 6 months. Seems ridiculous and not something we've dealt with with other companies in the past.

Also, in 1 month the rate changed from $316 to $350...

ouch! I would re-shop if I were you.

[luv2rn4fun]

Aug 29, 2014 7:39:45 GMT -5 anyastroud said:

Aug 29, 2014 7:24:32 GMT -5 luv2rn4fun said:

Thanks ladies!

Yes, it's frustrating to say the least. Funny thing that he was able to change my policy without an odometer reading for both my DH and I just a month ago (literally the new itemized rate was generated on 7/28) but yesterday he's unable to do anything and they will be checking mileage every 6 months. Seems ridiculous and not something we've dealt with with other companies in the past.

Also, in 1 month the rate changed from $316 to $350...

ouch! I would re-shop if I were you.

That's what we're consideiring.  I had just called to reduce my mileage a month ago...they reduced it and now that we're at renewal it's up again (and that seems pretty high for a 1k change in mileage...no accidents, tickets, anything ever).  Unfortunately, every time we have in the past they are still the lowest rate (mainly because of our home insurance which is bundled in with our auto).  I will look around...really $700/year doesn't seem so bad but it does when my mileage is only at 6k per year (which is like driving no where in So Cal!).

Decisions decisions...

[anyastroud]

Aug 29, 2014 7:46:15 GMT -5 luv2rn4fun said:

Aug 29, 2014 7:39:45 GMT -5 anyastroud said:

ouch! I would re-shop if I were you.

That's what we're consideiring.  I had just called to reduce my mileage a month ago...they reduced it and now that we're at renewal it's up again (and that seems pretty high for a 1k change in mileage...no accidents, tickets, anything ever).  Unfortunately, every time we have in the past they are still the lowest rate (mainly because of our home insurance which is bundled in with our auto).  I will look around...really $700/year doesn't seem so bad but it does when my mileage is only at 6k per year (which is like driving no where in So Cal!).

Decisions decisions...

yeah that is shitty. Also some times independent agent are cheaper.
Discounts that I can think of off the top on my head

EFT(automatic draft from checking account)

home owner

multi policy

Paperless (some companies give a discount some don't)

advanced quote discount (get a quote at least 8 days prior to buying)

multi car

safe driver ( no tickets or accident for 3-5 years)

Paid in full discount

langth of time with company

continus insurance ( no lapses in coverage)

low mileage

if you have kids that drive
good student discount (GPA of 3.0 or higher)
driver training courses



Snap shot(progressive) intellidrive(travelers) rewind(Safeco)
 a lot of companies have that little devise that plugs in to your car and can save you up to 30% 

That is all that I can think of at the moment. I would ask if all discounts are applied as well.

[luv2rn4fun]

Aug 29, 2014 8:13:17 GMT -5 anyastroud said:

Aug 29, 2014 7:46:15 GMT -5 luv2rn4fun said:

That's what we're consideiring.  I had just called to reduce my mileage a month ago...they reduced it and now that we're at renewal it's up again (and that seems pretty high for a 1k change in mileage...no accidents, tickets, anything ever).  Unfortunately, every time we have in the past they are still the lowest rate (mainly because of our home insurance which is bundled in with our auto).  I will look around...really $700/year doesn't seem so bad but it does when my mileage is only at 6k per year (which is like driving no where in So Cal!).

Decisions decisions...

yeah that is shitty. Also some times independent agent are cheaper.
Discounts that I can think of off the top on my head

EFT(automatic draft from checking account)

home owner

multi policy

Paperless (some companies give a discount some don't)

advanced quote discount (get a quote at least 8 days prior to buying)

multi car

safe driver ( no tickets or accident for 3-5 years)

Paid in full discount

langth of time with company

continus insurance ( no lapses in coverage)

low mileage

if you have kids that drive
good student discount (GPA of 3.0 or higher)
driver training courses



Snap shot(progressive) intellidrive(travelers) rewind(Safeco)
 a lot of companies have that little devise that plugs in to your car and can save you up to 30% 

That is all that I can think of at the moment. I would ask if all discounts are applied as well.

Thank you!

Update:  I emailed Mercury Ins directly and explained the situation.  The rate was reduced to the original rate from one month ago.  Maybe it's time to just do business through them and not the local agent...or just go directly to them every time there is an issue instead of the local agent.  Either way, just thankful that it was reduced to what it should be!