"Definitely worth the 10-minute call every renewal or so."
That's been my experience as well. Even though it feels tedious, I've found that insurers often count on customer inertia—assuming most people won't bother to shop around. Mentioning competitor rates gently disrupts that assumption and can prompt them into offering better terms. However, I've noticed diminishing returns if you do it too frequently; they seem to catch on if you push every renewal. Spacing it out strategically seems to yield the best long-term savings.
I've had similar luck spacing things out. Last time I called, the rep actually chuckled and said, "Ah, doing your biennial price check, huh?"—guess they're onto me! But seriously, it's surprising how just casually mentioning another quote can suddenly unlock a "special discount" they didn't mention before. Makes me wonder how many hidden deals are floating around that we never hear about unless we ask...
I've noticed that too—it's almost like a hidden menu at a burger joint: you won't know what's available unless you specifically ask. Whenever I'm renewing, I usually follow a little routine: first, get a quote or two from competitors (doesn't take long), then casually mention those offers when I call my current insurer. Surprisingly, they almost always "discover" some discount they forgot to mention before. Skeptical as I am about these tactics, it does pay off...guess it never hurts to politely nudge them a bit.
That's pretty much my experience too. I used to just renew automatically, thinking loyalty would count for something, but turns out insurers don't really reward sticking around unless you push a little. Learned that the hard way after years of paying more than I probably needed to.
Funny enough, last summer before my big road trip up the coast, I did exactly what you described—got a couple quotes from competitors and then called my insurer. They magically found a "long-term customer discount" they'd somehow overlooked for three years straight. Makes me wonder how many other hidden discounts are floating around out there...
Have you ever had luck negotiating coverage specifics too, like roadside assistance or rental coverage? I'm always cautious about skimping on those extras because I've seen friends get stranded in the middle of nowhere without proper coverage (not fun). Curious if insurers budge on those details as easily as they do on price.
I've had mixed luck negotiating those extras, honestly. Price-wise, insurers seem pretty flexible, but when it comes to roadside assistance or rental coverage, they're usually pretty firm. I tried once to tweak my roadside coverage before a big desert trip, and they basically said "take it or leave it." Ended up just getting AAA separately—felt safer anyway. Sometimes peace of mind beats saving a few bucks...
