My Car Insurance Renewal Experience
Hi everyone, I just had an experience that left me scratching my head, and I’m curious if this is typical.
I was with State Farm for many years until I realized they didn’t value my loyalty and were offering better rates to new customers. Last year, I made the switch to Progressive and loved their user-friendly online platform. It allowed me to choose the exact coverage I needed for my vehicles.
However, at my first renewal, my premium increased by $20. One of the main reasons I moved away from State Farm was their tendency to hike prices periodically.
When I called to ask about the increase, I was told it was due to a new customer discount that had expired. Frustrating, but I let it go and renewed anyway.
Now, as I approach my next renewal, my premium jumped by $70! I’ve had no accidents, no tickets, and I have five cars on the policy.
I called about 20 days before the renewal date and spoke with a representative. He assured me he could get my premium back down to the original amount, and suggested I call him in early March to apply it.
After trying to reach him for three to four days, I finally contacted customer service through the regular number. I had a reference number so they could look up my new quote. They acknowledged it, but when they processed my policy, the price inexplicably shot up by $100. There was nothing they could do to reverse it, and I was furious. I decided to cancel my renewal and look for a different provider.
I then used an online broker tool that led me back to Progressive. I entered all my information, and to my surprise, they offered me a quote that was actually lower than my initial one from last year for the same coverage on all five vehicles.
So do we really have to apply as new customers every year just to get decent rates? In the end, I saved $475!
It sounds like you’ve had quite a frustrating experience with your car insurance renewals! Unfortunately, what you’ve encountered is not uncommon in the insurance industry. Many companies offer attractive rates to new customers but aren’t as generous when it comes to existing ones, which can lead to feelings of being undervalued—especially after loyalty to a company for decades.
It’s great to hear that you found a solution with Progressive and that you were able to save a substantial amount! It really highlights the importance of shopping around and comparing quotes, especially since premiums can vary year to year, not only based on industry practices but also changes in personal circumstances or coverage options.
As for your question about whether we’re expected to apply as new customers every year: it’s becoming increasingly common for people to switch insurers frequently to take advantage of new customer discounts and lower rates. Some consumers do this regularly to avoid the surprise premium increases that can happen at renewal. It’s definitely worth staying proactive and reassessing your options annually.
Thank you for sharing your experience—hopefully it helps others recognize the importance of reviewing their policies regularly and shopping for the best rates!