Good points raised here, especially about the delays in repairs. Do you think insurers factor in not just the wait time but also the higher shipping costs for replacement parts when calculating premiums for islands like Maui? I've always wondered if repair logistics (like parts availability and shipping) significantly impact premiums compared to mainland areas where parts are readily accessible. Seems like that could really drive up costs for insurers—and ultimately us drivers—on the islands...
Yeah, insurers definitely factor in repair logistics when calculating premiums, especially in places like Maui. From my experience:
- Shipping delays and higher freight costs absolutely get bundled into premium calculations—insurers know they'll pay more for parts shipped from the mainland.
- Limited local inventory means longer rental car periods during repairs, another cost insurers anticipate.
- I once had a minor fender bender, and the insurance adjuster explicitly mentioned the extra shipping costs for parts as a reason my claim was pricier than expected.
All these factors combined mean higher premiums for island drivers.
Yeah, I get that shipping and logistics definitely bump up costs, but honestly, I think insurers sometimes lean on that excuse a bit too much. I've had classic cars shipped over, and parts aren't always as insanely expensive as they claim. Have you tried looking into smaller, local insurers or brokers? Sometimes they can offer better deals since they're more familiar with the local scene... might be worth a shot if you're labeled high-risk.
That's a fair point about smaller insurers; sometimes they do offer better personalized deals. But I'd caution against assuming smaller or local automatically means cheaper, especially for high-risk drivers. In my experience, smaller insurers can sometimes be more conservative—less willing to absorb the potential costs associated with high-risk policies. I've seen cases where bigger companies, despite their bureaucracy, actually have more flexibility in spreading out risk across a larger pool of customers.
Also, regarding the parts and logistics costs... while classic car parts might not always be exorbitantly priced, insurers often factor in availability and repair expertise too. In Hawaii, specialized mechanics and garages can be fewer and farther between, which can drive up repair costs indirectly. So even if the individual parts seem reasonable, the overall repair process might still justify higher premiums.
Not saying your suggestion isn't valid—just something else to consider when weighing options.
"insurers often factor in availability and repair expertise too."
That's interesting... hadn't really thought about the mechanic availability angle. Do you think insurers might lower premiums if you can demonstrate access to specialized mechanics or garages ahead of time? Like, if you're proactive and show them you've got reliable options lined up, would that help offset the high-risk label a bit? Curious if anyone's tried something like this before.
