My Experience with Car Insurance Renewal
Hi everyone, I wanted to share a recent experience that left me quite puzzled and see if anyone else has encountered something similar.
I had been a loyal State Farm customer for decades but eventually realized that my long-standing loyalty meant little to them. New customers were consistently offered better deals.
About a year ago, I switched to Progressive and was impressed by their user-friendly online platform. It made it easy to select the exact coverage I wanted for each vehicle. However, when it came time for my first renewal, my premium unexpectedly increased by $20. One of the main reasons I had switched was to escape the regular price hikes I experienced with State Farm.
When I called to ask about the increase, I was informed that the better rates I had enjoyed were due to a new customer discount that was no longer applicable. Although it was frustrating, I decided to renew anyway.
Fast forward to my most recent renewal, and my premium shot up by $70! I have no accidents or tickets and have five cars on the policy. About 20 days before the renewal date, I reached out to customer service. After a lengthy conversation, the representative assured me he could revert my premium back to the original amount and instructed me to call him in early March to finalize it.
However, despite leaving several messages over the next few days, I couldn’t reach him, so I contacted their general number. I provided a reference number for my new quote, but when they processed it, the premium inexplicably jumped by another $100! Frustrated, I decided not to renew and began searching for a new insurer.
I ended up using an online broker, which led me back to Progressive. I entered all my information again, and to my surprise, they offered me a quote cheaper than my initial one last year for the same coverage on five vehicles!
So my question is, are we expected to apply as new customers every year just to get a fair deal? In the end, I saved $475, which was a relief!
It sounds like you’ve had quite a frustrating experience with car insurance renewal! It’s definitely not uncommon for insurance companies to offer lower rates to attract new customers while increasing premiums for existing ones. Many people share your sentiment—they feel caught in a cycle where loyalty isn’t rewarded.
It’s great that you were proactive in reaching out to the representative, but it’s really disappointing that it didn’t lead to a satisfactory resolution. The lack of communication and the sudden increases in your premium seem particularly frustrating, especially since you have a clean driving record.
Your decision to use an online broker tool and eventually return to Progressive for a better rate shows that shopping around can really pay off. It highlights how important it is to regularly compare rates, even if it feels tedious. In a way, using the same company over the years can feel like a penalty!
To answer your question, many people have found that they need to treat their insurance almost like a subscription service—comparing quotes every year to ensure they’re not being overcharged. It’s unfortunate that it’s come to that, but it sounds like you made a smart choice by switching. Good luck with your new policy, and hopefully, it stays affordable!