Hello, new member, been reading this forum for a couple of weeks since I've wanted a Camaro since I got my license fourteen years ago...and was so disappointed when Chevy stopped making them before I could afford one :(
One thing that has been bothering me about the quotes people are listing in this thread is that there is way too much background information left out to determine if it's a good rate or not.
1) What coverage did you select? I usually carry $100g/$300g/$100g, $10g's medical, $100g/$300g uninsured motorist bodily harm,
as well as $500 deductibles (upped it to $1000 last summer) and that's about it for the more expensive options. These options play a large role in your final price.
2) What is on your driving record the past three years (some insurance companies go back five)? Tickets? Accidents?
3) Where do you live? Big city or rural B.F.E.?
4) How long have you had your license?
5) Education?
6) Credit score? Although CA makes it illegal for insurance companies to use credit scores in determining premiums most people don't live in CA. Lower credit = higher premium, fact, although car insurance doesn't use your FICO score but instead use an adjusted credit score similar to when you go to a car dealership.
These factors can account for a wide range of quotes...1, 2, and 6 should be listed at a minimum (although 6 should not be specific...just mid 600's, low 700's, high 700's, high 500's, etc...and if you don't check your credit score prior to buying a vehicle you're ALMOST asking to get screwed). I realize some may not want to list their score out of secrecy, paranoia, embarrasment, etc but it still plays a major factor. 3 could be a decent factor with the others, 4 and 5, playing a lesser role.
Anyway...I currently have Progressive and nothing but good to say about them until I recently checked quotes at other companies thanks to this thread. I was hit in the right rear quarter panel of my current car (04 grand prix gt1...base model, other vehicle was a newer Dodge Ram...nary a scratch from it) going through an intersection because people here don't know traffic laws very well, especially the obscure one that dictates you must turn in to the nearest lane available when turning on to a multi-lane street. Anyway, I was wrongfully cited as failure to yield (long story, not going in to it) and the other driver was cited for improper right turn...I paid my $500 deductible and my car was fixed in a matter of weeks (body shop had delays in getting some tail lamp parts) and looks great. A couple months later they also sent me a refund check for 75% of my deductible, I am assuming it is because they settled with the other insurance company for 25% of the accident responsibility.
I have always been able to talk direct to an agent in less than a minute if not immediately, never been harassed, never felt cheated, nothing...my rate went up a year or so after the accident when they reviewed my DMV record even though Progressive did their own investigation and deemed me as "not at fault". Whatever...it falls off my record in March as it happened in 2006 but Geico and Esurance both quoted me 30% cheaper even with the accident so since I've been with Progressive for three years I'm going to call and ask them to reduce it immediately. If not they'll be down one customer.
Oh...and for the record, Progressive was not forceful at all in trying to make me take it to one of their shops. They said take it anywhere I wanted and they'd send the check direct to the shop. I know a lot of people like to receive the check, but that's also where a lot of people don't do what they're supposed to with it...not that it really matters as the insurance co. does not care if you actually fix the vehicle.
I did not get a quote for the Camaro yet as I'm not sure this is the best time to buy one...not with the financial issues GM is having and is going to keep having unless something drastic changes, not with it being the first year production model (let them work out the kinks...then there's the GTO's, the second year runs received a larger engine), and not until I get to see/drive one in person. I'm not a big fan of most vehicle interiors but GM's aren't near the top of my list either. So, for the time being I'll be living vicariously through all of you who ARE buying one
Sucks that I'm moving to CO in a year or so (hopefully, I miss the snow and mountains of Alaska) since I'll have to be concerned with true winter driving.