I saved $516 switching FROM Geico!
Written: Mar 04 '09
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Pleasant Agents, Easy and Nice Website, 24-7 Customer Service
Cons: The Price!!! I'm sorry Geico, I did not save 15% by switching
The Bottom Line: I would recommend getting a quote from Geico and see what they can do for you based on your driver history and state-- but educate yourself first.
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| katedagreat23's Full Review: GEICO Direct |
I had recently moved to a different state, and needed to get a new auto insurance policy. I was with my old auto insurance company since the day I received that sacred laminated paper all 16 year olds dream about; So, I guess you can say shopping for car insurance was new too me. I didn’t have too much time to shop around, so I did most of my shopping online. My boyfriend and his entire family swears by Geico, so they were one of the companies I checked out first and thought of first. (And, not to mention, that every other commercial in New Hampshire is either a caveman, a lizard thing or a wad of cash with creepy eyes on top… so of course the very branded company pops in to my head easily!)
I found Geico’s Website very easy and best of all, I didn’t have to talk to a single person- or so I thought. I found that other insurance sites weren’t as easy to maneuver around. I also found that a lot of other companies gave you an estimate on what it would be, and wouldn’t let you pick and pay for a plan right online. (Also, I found finding online quotes harder because I’ve been in an accident in the past 7 years). So, when I got to Geico’s website I was relived. They gave me a quote online and then asked me if I would like to book the rate online! $800-900 for a year seemed like a good price to me, so I decided I would finish up the process. After going through about 15 minutes worth of questions, I was almost done- one page left. “If you have moved in blah blah amount of years, what is your previous drivers’ license number?” Umm, I don’t know, the RMV just took my old license today, when I switched! Unfortunately, I had no other choice to call and experience Geico’s customer service, which my boyfriend thought I should have done from the beginning anyway.
The good thing about calling Geico's Customer Service with my busy schedule is that it is open 24-7. I could buy insurance or file a claim at 2 am and talk to a person, which is nice. Anyway, I finally call to buy auto insurance, and go through the same set of questions. I liked talking to a person better since I wasn’t too confident in what I should get for coverage. The agent recommended a little higher coverage then I had with my old insurance company because I had recently become a homeowner- which I agreed would be a great idea. So, after a series of questions and barely hearing the agent because of his soft voice, I received my estimate—a few hundred dollars more than online! He said because I went with a higher coverage is the reason why it was a little more. So, I am almost done and what does he ask… the dreaded question about my old driver license number. Unlike my boyfriend’s advice that the agent could look it up, he couldn’t. He said that I would have to call my old insurance company and find it on there file. I would have to call back at a later point and give it to Geico. Luckily, at the end of our conversation, I saw the number on my old insurance plan. Woo, a future phone call avoided. I realized this after we went through the whole sha-bang and I had paid and everything. Well, what do you know, I had two speeding tickets from when I was 17 that they were going to penalize me for- adding an extra hundred or so to my coverage! My old auto insurance had forgiven me a few years ago! Geico penalizes you for accidents and tickets for a 7 year period- a lot higher than a lot of other insurance companies. At this point, I was frustrated, needed insurance badly and 99.8% finished with this 25 minute process. So, I hung up with my policy costing me over $1100 for a year.
One good thing about Geico was the billing process that I did set up with them while I was a member for less than a month. They set up my payments so it charged my credit card every month. I didn’t need to worry about a statement or a paper bill. My boyfriend also has Geico card his credit card each month, and just pays it off through his card while receiving cash back. Also, members can create online accounts and do bill pay online like most other companies these days. You can also use the traditional paper bill or pay it right off. The agent was very helpful explaining different ways to pay- and I found the monthly credit card option the best for me.
Since I felt like I was being ripped off, I decided to shop around for quotes using the exact same coverage I had with Geico. I now have new auto insurance with the exact same coverage (except I decided to get rid of my tow service adding $16 a month) and saved $516 for the same thing!
In order to cancel the policy, I had to call so they could persuade me to stay. My phone call was answered within two minutes, so I didn’t have to wait long for customer service. (The same as when I called the first time). The person was very friendly and to my surprise, didn’t press and try to woo me as much as I imagined she would. She asked the basic questions—why are you switching? Oh, for the same coverage? Yes. You do charge too much. They basically mentioned the benefits of staying with the company but did not mention lowering the price at all.
The customer service was decent- friendly and fairly helpful. The first agent, I felt like was reading more from a computer screen more than anything else, (which he probably was). He was still helpful, and he did know a few answers to my questions, so that was informative. The website was also very easy to get around. However, the biggest reason I switched because of price! I’m not paying $516 more just to talk to a pleasant person.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
katedagreat23
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Member: Kate
Location: Derry, NH
Reviews written: 5
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
I'm a new member who is getting the travel bug from reading everyone's amazing reviews!
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