Car insurance with a new teen driver

[Anonymous]

We (DH and I) have had Geico for over 10 years, and in the past year the prices have risen astronomically. A year ago, we were paying about $500 for a 6-month premium; 6 months ago, we were charged around $650; now they want to charge us over $800 for the next 6-month premium. That is, until we told them that we have a new teen driver. They now want to charge us over $1900 for the next 6-month premium.

I've been looking around, and it seems that Progressive is by far the cheapest (they were $706 for 6 months; NJM was $833, and everyone else was around $1500 or more).

For those who have Progressive and/or NJM, what has your experience been with those insurance companies? If those are both terrible companies, do you have recommendations?

We are pretty safe drivers, and we barely drive (we both telework, and we carpool for our kids' schools).

Any suggestions to help us save money is appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Progressive is fine, similar to Geico.

I've moved back and forth from one to the other based on premiums - the insurance industry has some regulatory rules that won't let you shop one plan against the other and stay with your current provider. So... switching it is.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks, PP. This is helpful.

I meant to add, our homeowner's insurance went up by $200, so I'm thinking of switching that, too (we currently have Penn National for homeowner's insurance).

I'm guessing it makes the most sense to bundle these two. Our umbrella policy is also through Geico. Should we look at bundling all 3 with one company, or is that not a good idea?

[Anonymous]

When you say the teenager is additional driver of your car is cheaper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you say the teenager is additional driver of your car is cheaper.

But more personal liability if there is an accident. Car and insurance should be in child's name or have a large umbrella policy.

[Anonymous]

We were in a similar situation and switched from GEICO to Nationwide. Progressive was slightly cheaper for car insurance, but Nationwide was a lot cheaper for home insurance. Both were WAY cheaper than GEICO. GEICO has great rates when you first join them (or rejoin them), but steadily raise their rates just enough that you don't care. After this happens for several renewals you are paying a lot more than you should.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks everyone!

My DH was saying that our umbrella policy has to go with the auto policy. Is that true? I don't even see umbrella on Nationwide's website.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone!

My DH was saying that our umbrella policy has to go with the auto policy. Is that true? I don't even see umbrella on Nationwide's website.

I'm the PP, I also did umbrella with Nationwide so they definitely offer it. It was pretty cheap.

[Anonymous]

Geico raised is a bunch for a teen as expected. But issue with them is they insist on insuring that teen for cars he will never touch. They refused to not insure him on those cars versus his car only.

[Anonymous]

Nationwide said they did not insure in Maryland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nationwide said they did not insure in Maryland.

LOL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Geico raised is a bunch for a teen as expected. But issue with them is they insist on insuring that teen for cars he will never touch. They refused to not insure him on those cars versus his car only.

This is because he lives in your house and has access to car keys. Everyone would say that their kid won't touch the BMW, but if the kid has an accident in that vehicle, they will pay to fix.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you say the teenager is additional driver of your car is cheaper.

But more personal liability if there is an accident. Car and insurance should be in child's name or have a large umbrella policy.

If the teenager is driving sometimes when they come from college and during vacation it makes sense to make them additional drivers of your car.
The insurance company is aware of it so why is there more liability?
Anyway we have umbrella policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you say the teenager is additional driver of your car is cheaper.

But more personal liability if there is an accident. Car and insurance should be in child's name or have a large umbrella policy.

This is a FACT. I have tested this and saving a few bucks is NOT WORTH IT. You would barf at my legal bills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nationwide said they did not insure in Maryland.

Looking at their website, they have a lot of agents in Maryland for not insuring there. Its been 15 years since I have lived in MD, but I got quotes from them when I lived there. Pretty sure you are making things up.