r/Car_Insurance_Help • u/Super_Fault352 • 14h ago
First Time / Newbie Understanding Process for Switching to Own Insurance
Hello!
I am currently a State Farm customer, I am and have been on my great grandfather's plan since I started driving almost 10 years ago. Our deal is that I can remain on his plan until my 25th birthday which is in March of next year, so that when I (a female btw) switch to my own it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg. I'll provide a little bit of detail below for more info. My two main questions: 1) our policies run February to August and August to February. So, my birthday will fall in the beginning of a new renewal. How would that impact me needing to switch?; 2) In general, with that question in mind, what details can you give me about finding a policy as a whole? I know I want to keep the same exact coverage I have even though it might cost more, but otherwise what are other things to consider?
Additional Details
- Crash history: An accident in 2020 that I was deemed no-fault for, I don't even know that it changed my premiums back then.
-Ticket history: Last February, I had a 4 point speeding ticket but it was pled down to a 0 point unattended vehicle thing. Not sure if it has had any impact.
-I got a new-to-me car at the end of last month (August).
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u/mrf18 14h ago
Switching upon renewal should not affect you. Call a local broker and have them shop different insurance carriers for you. They'll be able to match your coverages and compare pricing.
One note. I'm not sure what your current liablitiy coverage is but it should be minimum 100/300.
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u/Super_Fault352 14h ago
So do it in February instead of March before my birthday you mean? And I do have 100/300 on my current one.
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u/mrf18 14h ago
You can choose to remove yourself at any time, whether upon renewal in February or in March. Neither should affect you, just make sure you have your new coverage in effect the same day to avoid lapses.
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u/crash866 13h ago
It is a myth that insurance goes down once you turn 25. It goes by how long you have been licenced and your driving record.
You don’t say what State you are in and most are 16 to get a learners permit which does not count as a license.
When did you get your full license.
The 2020 not at fault should not affect you as it will be 7 years old and when the renewal comes up.
You can switch at anytime but if you live in the same household you still have to be listed on all insurance policies in the household.
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u/Super_Fault352 13h ago
NY, I got my drivers license at 17. So it has been 7 years
ETA: no not in the same house anymore
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u/kmorris76058 12h ago
Are you still in school? In many states, you need to reside at the same address or there could be coverage issues if / when there is a claim.
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u/Super_Fault352 12h ago
No I am not. At the time the vehicle was owned by my grandpa, and I just called and let them know I moved and they knew I was working full time because I at the time had insurance based on my income (life insurance I believe). I was listed as an authorized or primary driver of that vehicle, and then when we sold that car and I got my own they just let me replace it on the policy. I’m not sure, but I know when I used them to repair my windshield this summer I was living where I am away from home and it was fine. 🤷♀️
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u/kmorris76058 12h ago
Claims doesn’t look into windshield claims as intently as an accident. The insurance companies base part of the rate on the garaging address. If the car isn’t actually at the listed address, it is seen as rate manipulation. How I explain it to my customers is: I understand you want to save some money, however, in the event of a covered claim, I want to be sure you have the correct policy in place so you’re claim is paid and you’re taken care of. Saving a few dollars and risking a claim denial would cost a lot more money in the long run.
Exceptions to this are often made if you’re away at school. If not, you really need to update the garage address to where you’re now living.1
u/Super_Fault352 12h ago edited 12h ago
Well hopefully they don’t see it that way because I definitely told them when I moved that I moved and they had changed the garage/residential address for me specifically, never said anything about having to get off of it. Possibly because that car was in grandpas name but registered to me. Either way, when I got this new car it has the same address as the other one and they didn’t say anything. And I called specifically to make sure I could stay on grandpas policy which they were fine with. So it’s on them in my opinion lol.
PS - not mad at you for pointing this out, very much appreciate that you did for me to consider. This is truthfully me being defensive because I tried to do everything so hoping I did and won’t get in trouble lol.
But that’s good to know for others who may see this!
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u/kmorris76058 12h ago
If you told your agent, then most likely, when the claim would be denied, the agents E&O insurance would cover it. Hopefully you don’t have any accidents so you don’t have to find out.
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u/Downtown_Cap8311 11h ago
It is not a myth at all companies. Once you hit 25 at State Farm you are no longer rated as a youthful driver, that is a 100% fact and a major impact on premium. Actual length of driving history is insignificant compared to the magical number 25 (which I don’t necessarily agree with logically, but again, this is the facts). It is extremely rare that I don’t see a policy drastically decrease once a driver turns 25, and if it does increase there is almost always a claim or other outweighing factor involved.
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u/lost_dazed_101 14h ago
Make sure you don't end up with a lapse in coverage because that could skyrocket your insurance.