Went to the GEICO website just to check prices. Pretty decent site, I was fairly impressed by the programming and design that went into it. I was all set to save about $300 a year on insurance for my Mazda when I happened to notice they were quoting a 6-month policy, not a 1-year. So instead of saving $300 a year I’d be paying over $200 more than Erie.
Thanks fer nothin Gecko!
It’s fairly common for auto insurance premiums to be quoted for a 6-month policy period. So common, in fact, that I’ve often wondered why anyone would quote annually simply because their number is very likely to get compared to a 6-month quote.
But yeah, you gotta pay attention to that. Most of us are used to dividing by 12 on ‘long-term’ contacts. Fuggin insurance companies. 
Since we’re dissing on GEICO…
I’d been with them for about a year and a half (three terms). Or so I thought.
I was driving last December when all of a sudden the cop behind me hit his lights. I pulled over and the officer, who was very nice and extremely professional, asks for my license, registration and insurance info. I gave it to him and asked the reason for the stop.
“Your plate came up as suspended for no insurance.”
“REALLY?!”
“Yes, sir. Hold tight. I’ll be right back.”
Sure enough, Geico had failed to process my renewal six months previously. I took all the paperwork to my hearing, but still got hit with a $600 fine, since I did not, in point of fact, have insurance when I was pulled over.
The morning after my stop, I called Geico and basically got, “Oops. Sucks to be you. Would you like us to quote you a new policy?”
I then went to a bunch of other sites and ended up with esurance. The downside is I had to pay a bumped up rate for the first six months because, you guessed it, I’d been without insurance for more than 30 days. On top of all that, have to keep an SR-22 form on file with MVD until Dec. of next year.
So, yeah: Stupid Geico.
Huh? “Failed to process” your renewal? Don’t you have a canceled check? Credit/Debit card receipt? Some proof of payment?
I’m moving to Ameriprise through CostCo. My policy basically went the other direction.
Current: $119 per month
CostCo.com: $406
$406 per MONTH! You gotta be kidd…OH SHIT…$406 per SIX MONTHS!!! SIGN ME UP!!!
This is pretty much why god invented lawyers. You should consult with an attorney. Seriously.