"Smaller, local companies can sometimes be more flexible, especially if you have a good relationship with an agent who knows your situation personally."
That's interesting... I had a buddy who thought the same thing, but his local insurer actually raised his rates higher than the big guys after his DUI. Makes me wonder—is it mostly luck of the draw?
Yeah, it can feel pretty random sometimes... but from experience, it's usually about shopping around and being upfront about your situation. Smaller companies might be flexible, but they're not always cheaper. Just gotta keep checking till something clicks.
I get what you're saying about shopping around, but honestly, from what I've seen so far, smaller companies aren't always that flexible either. I'm new to this whole insurance game—just bought my first policy last year—and the process has been kinda eye-opening.
When I was looking around, I started with the big names thinking they'd be pricier but more reliable. Turns out, some of the smaller local places quoted me even higher rates, and they weren't exactly bending over backwards to accommodate my situation (which wasn't even complicated... just a new driver). It felt like they were almost more cautious because they're smaller and can't absorb as much risk or something.
Now, throw a DUI into the mix? I'd imagine it'd be even tougher. A buddy of mine had a similar issue in Montana—not Idaho, but close enough—and he said his rates basically doubled overnight. He tried shopping around too, but most insurers seemed pretty consistent about how they treated DUIs. He ended up sticking with his original company because switching didn't save him much at all.
So yeah... maybe it's not always about flexibility or size of the company. Could it be more about how each insurer calculates risk internally? Like maybe some companies have stricter underwriting guidelines for certain offenses regardless of their size?
I dunno, still figuring this stuff out myself. Just seems like there's gotta be more to it than just small vs big companies or being upfront.
Yeah, I think you're onto something with the internal risk calculations. From what I've seen, insurance companies—big or small—have their own formulas and risk assessments that can vary quite a bit. A DUI is considered a major violation pretty much everywhere, so it's gonna hit hard no matter who you're with.
A friend of mine here in Idaho went through this a couple years ago. His premium didn't just double—it nearly tripled at first. He did shop around, but like your buddy in Montana, he found most insurers were pretty consistent. One thing he did mention was that after about three years, the rates started dropping noticeably, especially since he kept his record clean afterward.
So, practically speaking, if someone ends up in this situation, it might be worth sticking it out with their current insurer for a bit, then shopping around again once some time has passed and the DUI isn't as fresh. Patience and keeping a clean record afterward seem to be key factors in eventually getting those rates back down to earth...
"Patience and keeping a clean record afterward seem to be key factors in eventually getting those rates back down to earth..."
Exactly this. I've seen clients bounce back surprisingly well after a few years. Staying disciplined and patient really does pay off—hang in there.
