Insurance Rates?

[RedMile04]

Hey guys, I’m a 19 year old guy driving a 2001 1.8t GTI. Now when I got the car about 6 weeks ago, I searched long and hard to find insurance that wasn’t outrageous. Most companies wanted around $3800 for third person and collision, no comprehensive, no rental, no ambulance etc. Some how State farm quoted me at $801/ 6 months, after some companies were saying over $550/ month! Now turns out I finally found out why, as State Farm sent me a letter today saying they had messed up royally and quoted me as a mid-twenty single married female!? Now state farm wants to immediately start charging me $3700/ year starting next month, but I am just curious if anyone knows the law? Just like in retail if a price tag is wrong in a store, it must be honoured! So can I assume that if I agree to a term of 801/ 6 months that must be honoured as well? Hoping someone can help me out, if you know the laws or could get me in touch with someone that would be greatly appreciated, as otherwise I might have to lose the collision . Anyways sorry for the novel, and thanks in advance.

[Smarty39]

Re: Insurance Rates?

I am sure that if you REALLY wanted to fight it....they will probably honour the 6 month term, and then charge you out the @ss after that. Unfortunately, there is not much support out there for young male drivers in "new" vehicles. Make sure you give Meloche Monnex and Blue Cirlce a call, they might be a little bit lower.

On a side note, it does get better.....as you age. I'm only 23, but my insurance has gone down about 130/month in the last 2 years.

[R_Ethug]

Re: Insurance Rates?

yea the insurance on my audi is now 111/mo!! it went down this spring as my term came up plus i turn 25 this summer.. and i'll be hitched next year so it'll go down more

[Road Runner]

Re: Insurance Rates?

I took some advanced business law during my undergrad in unviersity and companies revising prices like that is actually a bit of a grey area. When something is mislabelled or misquoted, sometimes it has to do with just simple good business practice, and sometimes there actual a certain degree of legality to it, hence the grey area. Honestly I'm not sure where your case falls because insurance and retail can be pretty different things, insurance being the more serious of the two.

Where I know that you CAN get them is the fact under Alberta legislation they CANNOT base your insurance rates on your demographics. RAtes are now based on how long yo've been driving, and your driver's abstract. They aren't supposed to be on whether you are male/female, married/single, old/young etc etc. This legislation came into affect Jan/05 I think, I can get more info on it if you like.

I've heard a lot of bad things about State Farm so I agree with Smarty39, try Meloche Monnex, I'm 22 with a 2002 GTI, clean abstract paying 120 now I think a month with them.

[RedMile04]

Re: Insurance Rates?

Where I know that you CAN get them is the fact under Alberta legislation they CANNOT base your insurance rates on your demographics. RAtes are now based on how long yo've been driving, and your driver's abstract. They aren't supposed to be on whether you are male/female, married/single, old/young etc etc. This legislation came into affect Jan/05 I think, I can get more info on it if you like.

I've heard a lot of bad things about State Farm so I agree with Smarty39, try Meloche Monnex, I'm 22 with a 2002 GTI, clean abstract paying 120 now I think a month with them.

Monnex was actually who I was with before I got this GTI, as State Farm could beat them by $2000 I obviously had to switch. Yes if you could look into that legislation or simple find me some links for me to check, that would be hugely appreciated.

[Khyron]

Re: Insurance Rates?

Insurance for young males is not cheap - I was paying 3K a year for just PLPD. That's why so many of them have beaters, and I would never recommend a car that requires you to carry collision.

Canadian Direct, and Dyck insurance (broker) are 2 others to try. But accept the fact that your insurance for driving a new car is going to be bloody expensive!

Khyron

[R_Ethug]

Re: Insurance Rates?

when i was a young lad when i bought my jetta.. i used RBC and they beat the crap out of everyone! i still use them and they are awesome

[James]

Re: Insurance Rates?

rbc slayed everyone else for my mortgage but wanted 1k/yr more than AMA did for my car insurance..have you checked with AMA? They have surprisingly good rates

(was 20 when i got my jetta and it was like 159/mo with collision, 109/mo jsut plpd)

edit: Thats after 4 years and 3 cars with a clean slate (no tickets at that time, no claimed accidents, took drivers ed)..if its your first car expect to pay a shitload

[Stonewall]

Re: Insurance Rates?

Run run very very fast away from meloche monnix, I am currently with them until my accident is settled then I am dropping them faster then you cna lose your eyesite from looking at a naked Rosanne Bar. I have had nothing but problems with them and their adjusters since my accident and I might even go as far to talk to my lawyer about legal action. They are a useless company that has emplyee's that don't care and will treat you like utter crap.

[R-Audi]

Re: Insurance Rates?

Retail stores do not have to honor price mistakes if they are truly mistakes. There is a catch if the price is close enough for someone to actually think its real (Bait and Switch) but typically if someone dos honor the mistake it is their personal choice.

Somewhat related.. with Allstate I had a certain rate living in McKenzie, then when I moved downtown I got a letter saying they were doubling it, I called and apparently they are not allowed to raise rates after you have already signed off on them.. might want to check on that..

[The_Stig]

Re: Insurance Rates?

I would just call and ask to talk to some one on the higher end, tell them the story and say its unfair and its there mistake not yours so you shouldent have to be the one to pay the price. Just be firm about it, cuz there going to up your rate no problem if u dont say anything. ask them if they would rather lose your business and have you spread the word that they are unreliable, or have them keep your rates as they are and have u as a happy paying customer.
My gf is queen at doing this, she complained to rogers when they messed up on her phone bill, and they ended up giving makingher phone plane free for a year, and sent her a dvd player haha. Just be firm but and never take no for an answer. my 2 cents anyways.

[nordex]

Re: Insurance Rates?

Actually In canada the Canadian Retail Council has setup a program to protect consumers. Almost all major stores like Futureshop, safeway, IGA, Sobeys etc will honour the price by giving you the first item which was scanned wrong for free (up to 10 dollars). And again most major companies have this policy and have it stated at each till. Nice t hing to know! http://www.retailcouncil.org/members...racy02_eng.asp