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tell me about auto insurance (part of the 'how do i leave nyc?' series) - mattkime - 03-03-2017
I'm getting quotes from movers. 3 in home estimates today!
My wife and I are debating which car to get. We're well on our way.
Car insurance. I probably need it before I buy the car. Right?
I'll get quotes from the typical online places. I'll also need renters insurance (i think) as my new york policy will need replacing. Perhaps the goal is to find a place that can combine them for a discount. Also, my wife will need coverage. Pert of me is interested in a mileage based discount program but i'm not sure if anyone of them operate in Wisconsin.
Opinions? Advice?
Re: tell me about auto insurance (part of the 'how do i leave nyc?' series) - cbelt3 - 03-03-2017
Is your NYC company national ? They can 'transfer' your coverage, and will happily quote you auto insurance. And you'll be really happy at the rate reduction. Really happy. Just like the lower potential rent is probably confusing you too.
It is a good idea to have auto insurance cued up when you go shopping for cars. The rate will adjust based on what car you get, but since you're going for small SUV's your rates will not get too weird.
And... are you getting the car before your move, or after ? Road trip with the baby ! (15 hour drive, plan on breaking it into 2 days to make it restful..)
Re: tell me about auto insurance (part of the 'how do i leave nyc?' series) - JoeH - 03-03-2017
Car insurance is usually required at time of purchase/registration, but not before that. Won't hurt to do a bit of shopping around beforehand to get an idea of which insurers are good in the area you are moving to. Insurance is on the car itself, usually with regular drivers designated on the policy. Policies have provisions for what is defined as an "occasional driver", but members of a household usually are not able to be so considered under those provisions.
I have heard of discounts for having home owners and car insurance with the same company. But not in connection with renters insurance. But this may vary from state to state. Low mileage discounts also vary by state.
My advice, if you can find a respected independent insurance agency/broker in the area you are moving to, consult with them. They will know local requirements and should be able to recommend insurers who will meet them and get the best rates based on your circumstances. Independents can be harder to find these days though, the big insurance companies have been buying agencies up the past decade or so.
Re: tell me about auto insurance (part of the 'how do i leave nyc?' series) - mattkime - 03-03-2017
>>And... are you getting the car before your move, or after ?
The current plan is to go out to Madison, WI, about a month before we move and buy a car first thing and then look at apts. The car will sit at my parents place while I return to nyc to wrap things up and grab the fam.
Re: tell me about auto insurance (part of the 'how do i leave nyc?' series) - Speedy - 03-03-2017
mattkime wrote:
>>And... are you getting the car before your move, or after ?
The current plan is to go out to Madison, WI, about a month before we move and buy a car first thing and then look at apts. The car will sit at my parents place while I return to nyc to wrap things up and grab the fam.
Have your parents check to see if proof of insurance is required to title the car in Wisconsin. If it is, then line up your insurance ahead of time, perhaps through your parents' insurer. If proof is not required, test drive the car you want to your parents' home, park it, get a ride back to the dealer and sign the titling papers. Then buy insurance while you are wrapping things up.
Re: tell me about auto insurance (part of the 'how do i leave nyc?' series) - AllGold - 03-03-2017
mattkime wrote:
>>And... are you getting the car before your move, or after ?
The current plan is to go out to Madison, WI, about a month before we move and buy a car first thing and then look at apts. The car will sit at my parents place while I return to nyc to wrap things up and grab the fam.
Not a bad plan.
Do not--I repeat do not--get your insurance through a NY agent. Why? Insurance is state-regulated and state-specific. You'd basically be buying "out of state" insurance and even if a NY agent can help you, it doesn't matter if you buy from a "national" company, it will be unnecessarily complicated and fouled up.
One problem you might have is you may need a drivers license (in the state where you will reside) before you can get auto insurance.
(Just as an aside, insurance is pretty similar in every state of the U.S.--EXCEPT New York.)
Re: tell me about auto insurance (part of the 'how do i leave nyc?' series) - Ombligo - 03-03-2017
I highly recommend Auto-Owners for both auto and home insurance. It is a Michigan based company, and sold through independent agents. But still, shop around and compare. If you can get both policies from the same company, you can generally save 10%-20%. With my policy, they even threw in a $100k life insurance policy on my son at no charge.
To get an accurate insurance quote, you need to know the the make, model, and year of the car you are getting.
Re: tell me about auto insurance (part of the 'how do i leave nyc?' series) - Racer X - 03-03-2017
JoeH wrote:
I have heard of discounts for having home owners and car insurance with the same company. But not in connection with renters insurance. But this may vary from state to state. Low mileage discounts also vary by state.
Sometimes it is a multi-policy discount. I get a home/auto discount, and a multi-car discount too.
A LONG time ago, I got a renters/auto discount from USAA.
Re: tell me about auto insurance (part of the 'how do i leave nyc?' series) - digby - 03-04-2017
I'm jealous that you get to move to Madison... which is irrational, because I already live there.
We've been really happy with the State Farm agent we've had here (Kevin Lease). I got my tiny Echo T-Boned by an 18-wheeler and his office staff were very proactive (and comforting; I really should be "daid").
You'll also have a couple of good places to get a car serviced. I've got a friend who can't decide between buying a new Honda from Zimbrick or a Toyota from Smart Motors... because they both have excellent service departments. With a free ride to work or a loaner car, and great snacks while you wait (you've gotta weigh the Zimbrick espresso machine vs the Smart popcorn machine... good luck).
But if you're cheap, there are good used lots (Schoepp Motors and all the dealers), and there are also great mom 'n' pop garages... that'll fix my current clunker for a Benjamin and a six-pack. Budd's, Terry's, Hansen's, Dutch's, or Percy's if you have a vintage Bug.
Glad you stayed out east this winter... it's been crazy: almost 50º one day, snow the next, today was 20º, tomorrow back to 50º!
Re: tell me about auto insurance (part of the 'how do i leave nyc?' series) - mattkime - 03-04-2017
The bit i'm confused about is the relationship between when you buy the car and when you get insurance. Do you call up the insurance agent while you're buying the car?