How do I not go broke over car insurance? And if I switch to a cheap company, will I get cheap service? Anyone have a positive recommendation?

I have no accidents and a 4.7 year old ticket, yet my car insurance rates go up every year. I recently found my insurance company listed two of my sister's accidents on my policy for years!! Now they've been removed, but my premium didn't drop (currently or retroactively).

And I thought I fit all their nearly-illigal profiling - safe driver, college degree, decent job, homeowner, money in the bank, not young anymore (27), etc, etc. Sure I take a hit for being male and single, but come on.

When I called my agent about the incorrect accident listing, she called back with a quote $1000 less with another company "because they look at other things." Was she trying to sneak away from the mistake? Will the other company give me bad service/payout if I need it?

I'm going to try Geico (again) and USAA (if I qualify). Any other companies? Any other agencies? Thanks.

I was a satisfied Amica customer for many years. I only switched because I encountered a specific inflexible policy constraint related to off street parking (and living on a boat). But I felt like they were straightforward and would look at them in future.

Years ago, I foreswore the Government Employees Insurance Company because of their stance on radar detectors. I do like the caveman adverts, tho. Very clever.

I wonder if the insurance company overcharged me and is not owning up to it. Why not, I have no way to prove they overcharged me because I don't have their actuarial formula. Any idea how I could find the truth about my last 4 years of auto insurance?

I personally use State Farm in NJ. Not the greatest, but it works and is not too bad. I have also heard very good things about Manufacturers. If you want more info, I will see if I can dig up some info on them.

The one observation I have is the the initial quote is usually low balled. You don't really find out what the cost will be until you ask for a policy, then it's "Oh, the initial quote had some mistakes in it. So sorry."

Odd, that. I've hade State Farm for over 10 years, and my premium has never gone up. Take that back, I had an 8$ a month hike a few years back, but that's it. Not sure if it matters, but I also use them for Flood, Fire, and Homeowners. Not to mention my wife's car is also on my policy. So I guess I probably get a fair amount of breaks.

I asked them about it before just dropping them (since I've had State Farm since I could drive). They said that even though I had a stellar record, they base the premiums off of others who drive the same Make/Model. Apparently a lot of reckless drivers drive the same kind of car I do.

FWIW, I use AIG in New Jersey, but I also get a little discount for using them for my homeowners, too. We haven't had to use them for a claim, so I can't comment on that. Anyway, no serious problems so far.

Wow. I would have thought most mustang drivers were a little undercautious. I always assumed it also had a bit to do with the value of the vehicle.