It’s wild how much your zip code can jack up your rate, even more than a couple of tickets sometimes. I moved literally ten minutes down the road and my premium shot up by like $200 a year—same car, same job, just a different mailbox. Military discount barely made a dent after that. I’ve also noticed some of those “smaller” companies will actually look at your recent driving, but it’s hit or miss. It’s like a weird lottery where you hope your address and last year’s driving don’t team up against you.
It’s like a weird lottery where you hope your address and last year’s driving don’t team up against you.
I get what you’re saying, but I’ve actually had the opposite experience with my last move. My rate dropped when I switched zip codes, even though it was just a few miles away. I think it really depends on the insurer’s risk models. The military discount helped a bit, but honestly, shopping around made a bigger difference for me than the discount itself.
Honestly, I wish moving worked out that way for me. My rates shot up after my last ticket, and even with a military discount, it barely made a dent. Maybe it’s just my luck, but every insurer I tried seemed to care way more about my driving record than my zip code or any discounts. Shopping around helped a bit, but not enough to offset the “high-risk” label. Guess it really is a roll of the dice depending on your situation...
Man, I hear you—tickets stick to your record like glitter after a craft project. Ever try those defensive driving courses to knock some points off? Curious if they actually helped anyone’s rates or if that’s just insurance folklore...
Man, defensive driving courses are like the kale of the insurance world—everyone swears they're good for you, but I can't always tell if they're actually doing anything. I took one after a little "oops" with a stop sign, and my rate dropped a bit, but honestly, it could've just been the passage of time or my agent having a good day. Hard to say.
As for military discounts, my cousin's in the Navy and he says his rates are way better than mine, but he's also got a spotless record and drives like he's chauffeuring the Queen. Maybe it's a combo of the discount and just being... you know, responsible. Meanwhile, I'm out here dodging potholes and praying my coffee doesn't spill during my commute. So yeah, defensive driving might help, but I think the insurance gods just spin a wheel sometimes.
