Step 5: Sigh loudly, eat a biscuit, and accept your fate.
This is painfully accurate. I swear, the only thing my insurer cares about is whether my alarm system could win a Nobel Prize for security. I once faxed (yes, faxed) eight pages of receipts for all my “extra” gadgets—response was basically “nice try.” Maybe we’re just building the world’s most boring scrapbook? At least your “tank” probably scares off half the would-be thieves on sight... does that count for nothing?
Honestly, I’ve started to think the more “extras” you list, the less they care. My last agent acted like my steering lock was just a fancy paperweight. I get wanting proof, but at some point it feels like they’re just looking for reasons not to give you a break. Maybe if we wrapped our cars in bubble wrap and parked them in a vault, they’d finally be satisfied... or maybe not.
I hear you on the “extras” thing. I tried to get a discount for my old-school kill switch and the agent just shrugged like I’d told him I keep my car safe by wishing on a star. Doesn’t matter if you’ve got wheel locks, steering locks, or even a GPS tracker—unless it’s on their little checklist, they act like it doesn’t exist.
I get that they need proof, but sometimes it feels like they’re just ticking boxes and not actually thinking about what keeps a car safe. My neighbor has a ‘72 Beetle and he literally parks it in his locked garage, covers it, and has cameras pointed at it. Still pays through the nose because it’s “high risk.” Meanwhile, my daily driver sits out on the street and costs half as much to insure. Makes zero sense.
I’ve started focusing more on what actually lowers the premium instead of what *should* lower it. Like, I switched to a policy with a higher deductible and dropped some of the extras I never use. Saved me a chunk each year, even if it means I’m on the hook for more if something happens. Not ideal, but better than arguing with agents about how my steering lock isn’t just for show.
Honestly, sometimes I wonder if the only way to get a break is to just drive something nobody wants to steal... but then what’s the point of having a vintage ride?
Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve got an older Mercedes coupe, and it’s the same story—doesn’t matter how many anti-theft gadgets I throw at it, the insurance company just wants to know if it’s got an alarm and where I park it. I even showed them receipts for a tracker and a fancy immobilizer, but nope, not on their list, so it’s like it doesn’t count. Kind of makes you wonder if they even care about actual risk or if it’s just about sticking to their formula.
I tried the higher deductible route too, and yeah, it helped a bit, but sometimes I feel like I’m just playing their game instead of actually protecting my car. The weirdest part is, my friend’s old Lexus sedan gets a lower rate than my coupe, even though he leaves his keys in the ignition half the time. Go figure.
Honestly, I keep the car because I love driving it, not because it’s practical. If I wanted cheap insurance, I’d just get a beige Camry and call it a day... but where’s the fun in that?