Insurance quotes for smart in Michigan

SharonRB · 03-05-2008, 08:51 AM

What have people been quoted for insurance on their smarts here in Michigan? I know we have higher rates than a lot of other states (other than places like NJ and NY, etc.), so I don't want to assume what I was quoted from AAA to be outrageous. I've seen other people on the forum getting crazy low rates like under $300 for six months and I guess I was hoping I'd get a low rate like that. Maybe they live in states with low rates. I don't know if any of them have cabriolets, which cost more to insure.

I checked with AAA this morning ** we've had our insurance with them forever and have a multi-car discount and a homeowners insurance discount. They quoted me $1140 for the year on my cabriolet (which I don't have yet). I'm paying $1195/year for my Lexus and really thought it would be a lot cheaper for the smart. I have an excellent driving record and am 58 years old.

Up to this point, I've leased my cars and will have to buy the smart since they're not leasing them. I wonder if I can change any of my coverages since I'm not leasing and don't have to abide by the minimum requirements for insurance on a leased vehicle.

mismart · 03-05-2008, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SharonRB

What have people been quoted for insurance on their smarts here in Michigan? I know we have higher rates than a lot of other states (other than places like NJ and NY, etc.), so I don't want to assume what I was quoted from AAA to be outrageous. I've seen other people on the forum getting crazy low rates like under $300 for six months and I guess I was hoping I'd get a low rate like that. Maybe they live in states with low rates. I don't know if any of them have cabriolets, which cost more to insure.

I checked with AAA this morning ** we've had our insurance with them forever and have a multi-car discount and a homeowners insurance discount. They quoted me $1140 for the year on my cabriolet (which I don't have yet). I'm paying $1195/year for my Lexus and really thought it would be a lot cheaper for the smart. I have an excellent driving record and am 58 years old.

Up to this point, I've leased my cars and will have to buy the smart since they're not leasing them. I wonder if I can change any of my coverages since I'm not leasing and don't have to abide by the minimum requirements for insurance on a leased vehicle.

Sharon,

See this post
ISO Symbols are in on Smarts!
regarding insurance rating symbols. The cabrios are rated a little higher than the coupes. Rates are base on a lot of factors, but that AAA quote seems high. I have my cabrio (and all my other vehicles and homeowners) with State Farm and my rate is $269 per 6 months.

Regarding leasing, there are other institutions that will lease besides smartUSA. Some credit unions will as well as independant lessors. Talk with me on Saturday at the meeting.

SharonRB · 03-05-2008, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mismart

Sharon,
See this post
ISO Symbols are in on Smarts!
regarding insurance rating symbols. The cabrios are rated a little higher than the coupes.

I saw that thread yesterday, so I knew the cabrios were higher. I just wondered what kind of quotes others in Michigan were getting and if anyone else had a quote for a cabrio. I'm trying to figure out if that $1140/year sounds about right or if I should shop around a little. I'd hate to leave AAA after so many years, and if we kept my husband's car and homeowners there, we'd lose the multi-car discount.

I really thought I'd save several hundred dollars for the year, not $50.

Jacki · 03-23-2008, 08:03 PM

Sharon

I'm with State Farm too and like mismart, my rate is reasonable. $225 every 6 mos on the passion coupe. I also have my homeowners and two other vehicles with them, so when getting quotes make sure you have them include everything. Also, I have a teenage kid and found them pretty reasonable for insurance on her car too compared to most of the others.

spdickey · 03-23-2008, 08:33 PM

Check with Liberty Mutual. www.libertymutual.com/smart I'm in California (another hight cost state) and got my best quote from them.

stuberman · 03-23-2008, 10:57 PM

I am paying $369 6/mos with comprehensive and $500 deductible from USAA (100K/200K). This does not include the $62.58 MCCA assessment.

(I also have homeowner's and another car insured with them.)

Bob_Parr · 03-23-2008, 11:12 PM

I am paying $840 a year from AAA for a Passion. I have 500 deductibles and basic (not broad) collision.

If my credit score was lower, my auto insurance would be lower. Seems there is misinformation on my credit report :-( I am trying to get that fixed.

All my cars and house are insured with AAA. I also get "about 20%" discount for being a credit union member.

Mark aka Bob_Parr

SharonRB · 03-24-2008, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob_Parr

I am paying $840 a year from AAA for a Passion. I have 500 deductibles and basic (not broad) collision.

If my credit score was lower, my auto insurance would be lower. Seems there is misinformation on my credit report :-( I am trying to get that fixed.

All my cars and house are insured with AAA. I also get "about 20%" discount for being a credit union member.

Mark aka Bob_Parr

I quoted it with broad collision, which is probably part of the reason it was so high ** $1180, I think it was for the year. Also, I've got a cabrio coming and the insurance is higher than for the hardtop. Given those two factors, maybe the $1180 isn't so bad compared to the $840 you're paying ** a $340 difference for the year, which is only about $30 a month. I may price it with basic instead of broad, but I feel a bit safer having broad on it.

Seems like your insurance would be higher, not lower, if your credit score was lower. Better credit = higher score = lower insurance rates.

We also have another car and our homeowner's insurance with AAA and pay through the credit union with the discount.

Bob_Parr · 03-24-2008, 04:23 PM

Yes you are correct. I wrote incorrectly. I have a lower credit score, just outside of being the best, enough to affect my insurance and any loans.

Look at getting Basic Collision, I have figure that if I don't have an accident for 2 years I can save almost $400.

And with Basic, if you are not more 50% at fault, you can sue for the in small claims court. Either way you go, you should have mini tort coverage.

Example: If you hit me, and the accident is determined to be more than 50% at fault, I'll be taking you to small claims court to recover my deductible. If you had mini tort coverage, your insurance company will pay my deductible. Then no need for small claim court.

SharonRB · 03-24-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob_Parr

Yes you are correct. I wrote incorrectly. I have a lower credit score, just outside of being the best, enough to affect my insurance and any loans.

Look at getting Basic Collision, I have figure that if I don't have an accident for 2 years I can save almost $400.

And with Basic, if you are not more 50% at fault, you can sue for the in small claims court. Either way you go, you should have mini tort coverage.

Example: If you hit me, and the accident is determined to be more than 50% at fault, I'll be taking you to small claims court to recover my deductible. If you had mini tort coverage, your insurance company will pay my deductible. Then no need for small claim court.

When I spoke to AAA they explained that to me. I'm just so used to having broad collision. I'd like to try to convince my husband to switch both cars to basic to save more $$$. I think it's going to be hard to convince him, but we'll see what happens when it actually comes time to take care of it.