I totally get that feeling—just started looking for my own policy and wow, it’s like every little fender bender from years ago pops up. I always thought being loyal would help, but the quotes I’m getting for “first-time” insurance are actually better than what my parents pay after decades with the same company. Kinda weird, but maybe switching really is just how it works now.
Title: Finding affordable car insurance after 65 in kansas—anyone else struggling?
I always thought being loyal would help, but the quotes I’m getting for “first-time” insurance are actually better than what my parents pay after decades with the same company. Kinda weird, but maybe switching really is just how it works now.
That’s been my experience too, and honestly, it still feels backwards. My folks stuck with the same company for 30+ years—never missed a payment, barely any claims, and yet their rates just kept creeping up. I remember when I helped them shop around last year (after a not-so-minor sticker shock moment), and the new quotes were hundreds less for the same coverage. It’s like loyalty points don’t exist in insurance land.
I’ve got a couple of fender benders on my record too, nothing wild, but every time I get a quote it’s like they happened yesterday. One agent even brought up a parking lot scrape from 2015... I mean, come on, that car’s probably scrap metal by now. Doesn’t seem to matter.
Funny thing, my neighbor down the street—he’s 68, drives a Camry like it’s made of glass—swears by switching every couple years. Says he treats insurance like cable or internet: “If you don’t threaten to leave, they forget about you.” There’s probably some truth to that, even if it feels a little exhausting.
I do wonder if Kansas is just weird about this stuff, or if it’s like this everywhere. The only thing that’s really helped us is bundling home and auto, but even then, you gotta watch out for those “intro rates” that jump up after a year. It’s almost like playing whack-a-mole with your wallet.
Anyway, you’re not alone in thinking loyalty should count for something. I guess the new trick is to be loyal to your own bank account instead.
- 100% agree, it’s wild how loyalty just doesn’t seem to matter with insurance anymore. I’ve watched my dad stick with the same company for decades, thinking he was getting some kind of “good customer” deal, but nope—his rates just kept climbing for no real reason.
- The whole “switch every couple years” thing feels like a hassle, but honestly, it’s the only way I’ve seen people save real money. I get why folks don’t want to bother, but the savings can be huge.
- Those old dings on your record? Yeah, I’ve had agents bring up stuff from forever ago too. Feels like they’re just looking for any excuse to bump up the price. Not sure if Kansas is worse than other places, but it sure feels like we get the short end sometimes.
- Bundling helps a bit, but you’re right—gotta watch those intro rates. They’ll reel you in and then jack it up later. It’s exhausting.
- At the end of the day, you’re not crazy for thinking loyalty should count. But in this game, seems like you gotta look out for yourself first... even if it means shopping around more than you’d like.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually seen loyalty work out for a few folks, especially if they’ve got a local agent who’ll go to bat for them. Not saying it’s common, but sometimes those long relationships can help when you need a favor or a claim handled fast.
That said, I do agree with this:
“gotta watch those intro rates. They’ll reel you in and then jack it up later.”
The bait-and-switch is real. It’s like you finally find a decent rate, and then—surprise—it jumps after six months. Makes you wonder if switching constantly is just as much of a hassle as sticking it out.
I’ve had that same thing happen—switched for a lower rate, then six months later, it crept up for no obvious reason. I tried sticking with my old agent once, thinking the loyalty would pay off, but honestly, they didn’t really fight for me when my premium jumped. What’s worked best for me is making a checklist each year: I compare rates, double-check what’s actually covered, and ask about every discount (safe driver, low mileage, etc). It’s a hassle but less stressful than getting surprised by a big bill. Still feels like a gamble either way...
