- Honestly, I'm still skeptical about the defensive driving course being worth it financially. Sure, you mentioned it slightly outweighed the cost, but factoring in the time commitment and hassle...I'm not convinced.
- Also, does it really help keep your record clean? I thought insurers mainly look at actual tickets or accidents rather than courses you've taken.
- Not dismissing it entirely though—maybe it's more beneficial if you're already paying sky-high premiums. Just seems like there might be better ways to lower rates.
I get your skepticism—I've wondered the same thing myself. From what I've heard, insurers mostly care about actual infractions, but some do offer discounts if you've completed a defensive driving course. Still, I'm not sure if the savings justify the hassle, especially if your premiums aren't already through the roof. Has anyone here tried negotiating directly with their insurer after being labeled high-risk? Curious if that's a viable alternative to courses or switching providers...
I've been there—got labeled high-risk a few years back after a speeding ticket in my Benz. Honestly, negotiating directly with my insurer was more helpful than I expected. Worth a shot before jumping through hoops with courses or switching providers...
"Honestly, negotiating directly with my insurer was more helpful than I expected."
Interesting...but did you find they actually lowered your rate significantly, or was it more like a minor discount to keep you around? I've always wondered if insurers really budge much once they've labeled you high-risk. When I got dinged for a minor accident, my company barely moved an inch after I called them directly. Maybe it depends on the insurer or even the agent you're dealing with? Curious if anyone else had better luck with this route.
I've always wondered if insurers really budge much once they've labeled you high-risk.
I think you're onto something when you say it might depend on the insurer or even the agent. When I first got labeled high-risk (ugh, rookie mistakes), I called my company expecting nothing, but they actually surprised me. It wasn't a massive drop, but it was enough to feel like they genuinely wanted to keep me around. Maybe it's worth trying again with a different rep? Sometimes just getting someone who's having a good day can make all the difference...
