Loyalty discounts are a joke, but sometimes being “high risk” means you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Man, I feel this. My “loyalty discount” is basically a pat on the back and a reminder my rates could be worse. Ever tried those telematics gadgets? I did one for a month—turns out they don’t love my “creative” merging. Does Illinois even have any real protections for high-risk folks, or are we just outta luck until our records clear up?
My “loyalty discount” is basically a pat on the back and a reminder my rates could be worse.
That’s exactly how I feel—like, what’s the point? I’m shopping for my first policy and it seems like “discounts” are just tiny crumbs. And those telematics things? I was tempted, but if they ding you for every little thing, what’s the upside unless you drive like a robot? Illinois doesn’t seem to have much in place for people who aren’t perfect drivers. It feels like we’re just expected to suck it up until our records magically improve... which could take years.
Yeah, those “loyalty discounts” are a joke. I’ve been with the same company for years and barely see a difference. Telematics? Tried it once—felt like I was being watched 24/7. Honestly, just hang in there. Rates do get better, eventually... painfully slow, though.
- Gotta say, I’ve actually had a different experience with telematics. Yeah, it’s a little weird at first, but after a few months, I noticed my rates dropped more than any “loyalty” discount ever did.
- For older cars (I’ve got a ’72 Chevelle), most companies won’t even offer telematics, so I get that it’s not for everyone.
- Loyalty discounts really are minimal—like, single digits at best. I’ve found shopping around every couple years actually saves more, even if it’s a hassle.
- Illinois rules are all over the place, but one thing I noticed: classic/collector policies are way cheaper if you don’t daily drive your car. They don’t advertise that much, but it’s worth asking about if you’ve got an older ride.
- Not sure rates always get better just by waiting. Sometimes you gotta nudge them or threaten to switch. Had an agent suddenly “find” a better rate when I mentioned leaving... funny how that works.
- Just my two cents—sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the grease, you know?
Sometimes you gotta nudge them or threaten to switch. Had an agent suddenly “find” a better rate when I mentioned leaving... funny how that works.
That’s been my experience too. Last year, I called about a weird bump in my premium and just casually mentioned I was comparing quotes elsewhere. Suddenly, they “discovered” a discount for bundling with my home policy. It’s kind of wild how you have to push for it. For anyone juggling family cars, here’s what’s worked for me: every renewal, I check rates online, then call my agent with the numbers in hand. It’s a hassle, but I’ve saved a few hundred bucks this way. Not glamorous, but it adds up over time.
