Hybrid Insurance

I am currently shopping for home and car insurance. I considered Traveler's, however their rates for the Prius (which I plan on buying soon) were not competitive with other providers. So I axed them. I was told they would be offering a Hybrid discount soon, which would bring their rates more in-line - but I wasn't willing to bank on that.

So, my impression is that it's not really a discount at all, it's to bring their high hybrid insurance rates back to competitive levels.

 

Two weeks ago I traded in my 05 Scion TC for a new Prius...about $10,000 difference in value by the book. Insurance went up $0.01.

 

I got rid of a 2000 GMC Sierra SLT when I purchased my 2004 Prius. My yearly AutoPac rate went down $125. Part of that was the factory immobilizer and the rest was the side/head impact airbags.

 

They probably base it on the demographics of the buyer group. 30's, professional, nerd, never broke a law or speed limit in their life.

I think a lot of the more risky groups are not the hybrid buyers, so they can do this.

 

Reading what cooljw wrote, and then what daronspicher wrote, I can't help but wonder if the Travelers' actuaries are all Hummer drivers who think we Prius drivers are an untapped pool of gullible, “will buy anything†morons.
Oooohhh, high priced “hybrid†auto insurance . . . sign me up . . . it's hybrid . . . it must be good. :wacko:

 

we have a player in the insurance market here that takes the normal rater for comparable value then cut 10%off it. Right before your eyes. They said the demographics of the normal hybrid driver was a lower risk person than normal vehicle drivers.

 

I sold my $48,000 Lexus RX330 and added the Prius to my USAA insurance. My premiums went up $600 per 6 months. I do have an under 25 driver with accidents and currently pay about $4500/year in insurance in Wisconsin. I am checking other agencies

 

I have AAA and my quote for insurance went down about 15 bucks over the insurance on my Matrix. AAA is very aggresive and my wife checks out the players about once a year. They win every time.

 

My insurance cost just about doubled with the purchase of the Prius. Before you drop from sticker shock I also had to go from minimum coverage to full coverage. My previous car was a Ford Escort station wagon(98) with over 100,000 miles no anti theft, no multi car discount, I do have safe driver credit rating. All that said I will be paying around $800 for a year of insurance, not bad here in Mass.
Marie

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Marie @ May 13 2006, 06:49 PM) [snapback]254965[/snapback]</div>

Isn't the Prius worth at least twice as much as your old Escort? How much of the increase is attributed to the collision and comprehensive portions of your coverage?

 

I just got off the phone with Traveler's, and with their hybrid discount, our insurance for two Prii, was $408. This was identical coverage to the $489 we currently pay to American Express. The $408 is right about what we were paying before for an 02 Civic plus an 03 CR-V. Progressive wanted $525, and Allstate $940! So, we did save right about 10%. We'll be switching when the current policy runs out in July. Probably wouldn't hurt to give them a call.

 

If anyone in California wants a quote, PM me, I'm in the insurance business. We have competitive rates and are a strong reliable company, and have very good service.