Honestly, threatening to switch doesn’t always work the way people think. Some companies will bend over backwards to keep you, but others just let you walk—especially if you’re new and don’t have a long history with them. I’ve seen folks get better deals by just asking about discounts that aren’t advertised, like for having certain safety features or even being part of certain organizations. The deductible thing is a gamble, though. I get the moose worry (seen it happen more than once), but sometimes the savings aren’t huge unless you really crank it up. Just gotta weigh the risk versus the reward, I guess.
Yeah, I’ve tried the “I’ll switch” move and honestly, it didn’t do much for me either. What actually helped was mentioning my defensive driving course—wasn’t even a big deal to take, but it knocked a chunk off my rate. Still, with my record, I’m just happy when they don’t laugh me off the phone... Deductibles freak me out too, especially after that one time a moose totaled my old truck. Not sure I’ll ever risk cranking it up again.
Man, I hear you on the deductibles—after my cousin’s Subaru had a “run-in” with a caribou, he swore off high deductibles forever. One thing that actually surprised me was asking about mileage discounts. I barely drive in winter (because, you know, snowbanks taller than my mailbox), and they knocked a bit off for that. Not huge, but every little bit helps. Still haven’t found a trick to make them forget about that fender bender from ’19 though...
Mileage discounts are a lifesaver if you can swing it, but as someone clocking in 60+ miles a day, I just get a sympathetic look from my agent. Tried bundling with home insurance once—saved me enough for an extra coffee a week. As for that old fender bender, I’m convinced insurance companies have memories like elephants... no luck there either.
That’s rough, clocking that many miles every day. I used to commute about 45 miles each way for a job out in Palmer, and I swear my insurance agent would just sigh when I called. Mileage discounts really do seem like a unicorn for folks like us—nice in theory, but not so much in practice if you’re racking up the odometer just trying to get to work and back.
Bundling was about the same for me. It knocked a few bucks off, but nothing earth-shattering. I remember thinking, “Well, that’s one less fancy coffee this month,” which is better than nothing, I guess. Still, it always feels like the big discounts are reserved for people who barely drive or have a spotless record.
About those old fender benders—yeah, insurance companies don’t forget. I had a minor scrape with a moose (well, more like the moose scraped me) and even though it wasn’t technically my fault, it still showed up on my record for years. Every renewal they’d bring it up like it happened yesterday. Makes you wonder if they keep a scrapbook or something.
One thing I did notice: some companies will give you a tiny break if you take one of those defensive driving courses online. It’s not much, but after my moose incident, I figured every little bit helps. Plus, I picked up a couple of tips that actually made me feel safer on those icy stretches.
I’ve also heard whispers about certain credit unions offering better rates if you’re a member—haven’t tried that myself yet, but maybe worth poking around if you haven’t already? Sometimes it feels like you have to dig through layers of fine print just to find anything worthwhile.
Anyway, hang in there. Alaska driving isn’t for the faint of heart and neither is dealing with insurance companies... but at least we get some good stories out of it.
