Getting car insurance is a real pain.

The BBQ Pit
1

I’m trying to get quotes for car insurance. I go off my parents’ policy in July, and I want to be able to get a good rate. Unfortunately, that just isn’t bloody going to happen.

See, when I was 18–JUST 18, almost THREE years ago–my license was suspended. This was due to a stupid Illinois state law thing where if you get two tickets on your record, and you’re under 21, your license automatically gets suspended. No recourse, no other option.

I got two tickets. One for running a stop sign (that was, to be fair, obscured in an area of town I had never driven in before, not that that’s any excuse). One for speeding. I haven’t gotten a ticket since then. I haven’t even been pulled-effing-over since then.

With my full driving record minus the suspension–including all the tickets that I got the suspension FOR–I’d have to pay about 1000 a year; harsh, but fair. With my full driving record WITH the suspension, I’d have to pay 1600 a year. This is despite the fact that I didn’t do anything extra to get the suspension. It was only based upon the tickets that I’d already TOLD them about. It’s a stupid Illinois law. If I’d been over 21, or if I’d gotten the second ticket about a month later–after the first had cleared off my record–I’d qualify for the lower rate.

I’m not saying that I wasn’t stupid in getting the suspension.; I was. It was an incredibly stupid thing for me to do. It just seems unfair that the State of Illinois’ way of regulating drivers basically dooms me to insanely high insurance rate until God-Knows-When. Would I somehow have been a safer driver if this had happened when I was over 21 (when the limit rises to three tickets)? I have had an extreme amount of driving experience since then; I’ve consciously made the effort to get better, to get more attentive, to not speed, to learn how to drive better. 90%+ of my driving time has been SINCE the suspension; back then, I was pretty much only driving to and from high school and around town. I was inexperienced, younger, and more impulsive. And, goddamnit, I can’t afford 600 more a year for car insurance. I just can’t.

If I go bare minimum, liability-only, with MAYBE the uninsured coverage, then I would probably be able to swing it. Probably. I hope. Without the suspension, I’d be able to afford medical, collision/comprehensive, and rental in addition to better liability coverage.

I hate that the fact that something that happened almost three years ago–something based on a law that has nothing to do with any additional infraction–is forcing me to gamble on my insurance. I’m a much better driver than I used to be, but I’m not perfect. I could conceivably get into an accident. And then I’d be screwed.

Especially without medical. Because I don’t have health insurance right now. But that’s an entirely different story.

The insurance agents that I’ve talked to have been as helpful as they can be. They’ve interceded on my behalf with the underwriters and have failed. Because, of course, common sense has no place in a land where statistics rule; Illinois state law makes me a more dangerous and risky driver than I would otherwise be. Stupid insurance companies.

2

I am guessing that you knew the consequenses after your first ticket that your license would be suspended if you got another before you turn 21 ,right? You decided to takle the risk and got caught for speeding. Sorry dems da breaks (should have used them).

Less experienced and younger dirvers are a higher risk. Your driving record shows that. I am not saying you are a bad driver but you are still in the High Risk category. At 25 your rates drop.

Some things you should consider:

  1. Taking a Defensive Driving Course. This should/may reduce you insurance rate
  2. FInd out when your record is cleared of the suspension (3-5 years probably). You should get a nice fat reduction when that happens or at least be able to shop around for a better rate.
  3. Unfortunatly, you might have to lower your coverage in order to afford insurance.
  4. Perhaps the car you are driving is adding to the high cost as well.

FTR I got the same tickets when I was younger. But haven’t even been pulled over since then (over 10 years).

Chalk it up to lesson learned and move on.

3

Angel of The Lord - I sell car insurance on Ny State and I’m curious about something. Were you by any chance caught driving under suspension and ticketed for that too? Just wondering. Most of the companies we deal with don’t charge a higher premium for the actual suspension but will clobber you if you’re caught driving on a suspended license.

4

Damn. Just, Damn. Sometimes I wish I was 21 again, and then my insurance bill comes and I find solace in my old age. Sounds like you’ve been doing the smart thing in talking to insurance guys to find out what your options are. About the only thing I’d suggest is find out exactly when you become a ‘normal’ person again. Suspensions are considered a “major” motor vehicle record item, and typically will haunt you for :ulp: 5 years. Moving violations are “minor” and only hang out for 3. The reason for the suspension is going to be irrelevant, so don’t even bother trying to explain it unless someones asks why…even then they’ll just be curious.

Do this: Talk to an insurance agent YOU trust about policy limits and medical coverage. Make sure you understand what 25/50/15 really means if you cause an accident, for instance. Decide what limits you dare to live with, and then go to an insurance broker for the coverage. A broker has access to numerous “non-standard” insurers who can give you a good price. As soon as you are a ‘normal’ person again, flee the broker and get covered by the company of your choice–preferebly one that will replace a good *price * with a good value. I hope for your sake you never need to learn the difference, because man, some companies charge relatively little, but positively suck when you have a claim or want something changed on your policy.

Good luck.

5

Nope; I just got the suspension. I didn’t even have my car during the suspension; it was my first year of college, and freshmen weren’t allowed to have cars. JOOC, what companies do you deal with?

6

I will send you an e-mail. Not sure if the Mods want the companies names here.

7

Have you tried State Farm? They gave me an excellent rate a few months ago when I got my car and license, and their customer service and claims process was excellent when some moron slammed into me on the highway. Even better, they didn’t raise my rates a cent (then again, it wasn’t my fault).

I’m paying easily $1000-$2000 less with State Farm than I would with other companies. My premium is $3600 a year - it would be much lower if I drove a different car.

8

State Farm in Illinois might have different underwriting guidelines from here in CO, but I’m guessing they wouldn’t touch the OP until the Suspension is more than 5 years old. (I used to be an agent) I’d also be willing to bet that had the OP gone to a SF agent that the statement, “They’ve interceded on my behalf with the underwriters and have failed” would apply. Agents don’t make any money by saying “no.”

9

$3600!!! Jebus!

I thought I was getting hosed at $1300 a year! Then I turned 25… and it’s more like $900 now.

As for the OP:
With insurance, you just have to tough it out, I’m afraid. They say what goes. You’ve shopped around, right?

10

I’ve never had a claim before on any car insurance since I’ve been driving. That puts me at 13 years without an accident of any sort–or damage to my car other than from an accident.

Today, however, I called to find out if I’m covered for a windshield replacement (it’s cracked, and the crack is eating its Wheaties and beer and growin’). Turns out that the deductible is reset for each incident, not for a 6 month or year period. Color me surprised, because I assumed it worked like my medical insurance–where you pay toward the deductible for the entire fiscal year.

Huh. That’ll teach my car to get cracked in the forehead like that.

11

Just wait, it gets worse—the letter arrived Saturday. Our cost for COBRA will be 1269.24 a month :smack:

12

I’ve been with Nationwide since I got married and have nothing but good things to say about them. Might wanna give them a call.

13

Holy crap. I’d email you but you’ve got no address there. There are cheaper alternatives! Email me at gingerofthenorth at hotmail.com and I’ll see if we can get you a break.

14

Huh is right. My glass coverage has no deductible and only costs an additional $4 a month. Well worth it in my eyes. Check into it.

I am guessing you are using your comprehensive to pay for the windsheild. Depending on your deductible you may be better off not reporting it and just paying out of pocket. That way it can’t be used against you (not sure if it would though). I say if you can afford the amount above the deductble than pay it (within reason).You can wind up saving more in the long run from not getting a rate increase.

Unfortunatly the deductible is per claim not a yearly cummulative amount.

Car Insurance…you have to have it but don’t ever want to use it.