Florida Car Insurance Question- Is Geico Lying?

[Ro_Laren]

I was switching car insurance companies and was on-line trying to purchase insurance through Geico. After filling out all the quote info I went to a page that said:

"The state of Florida requires vehicle inspections for automobiles insured with comprehensive and/or collision coverage. This vehicle must be inspected within 10 calendar days from 05/30/2009. Failure to complete this inspection will result in both comprehensive and collision coverage being removed from your vehicle. The inspection requirement may be waived in one of two ways:

1. If this is a new vehicle with less than 100 miles, the vehicle has not previously been titled and you provide a copy of the bill of sale within the next 20 days.
2. The vehicle is currently insured with comprehensive and collision coverage without a lapse of coverage in the past 2 years and you submit proof of continuous coverage within the next 20 days.

You will receive a package in the mail for your car that describes the type of documentation needed to waive the vehicle inspection."

Is that true?? I've never heard that before. My experience with Geico so far hasn't been very pleasant. I was chatting with a Geico employee on-line and he was less than helpful. He did say that the inspection was free and would only take 5 minutes. I don't really believe that....

Anyone else ever heard of this law???

 

[ed629]

Yep... and had to have it done in NY and here in GA too. Any time you get collision\comp on a car you need to have it checked\inspected\documented by a rep or agent for the the insurance company. It protects both you and the insurance company. Keeps you from making claims that were already existing, and keeps the insurance company from denying a claim for damage.

 

[farmkid]

I had to do this when I replaced my car last fall. The agent simply looks the vehicle over, looking for any damage. It's pretty quick and painless.

 

[JAG]

Yeah, it's very easy. Just had it done with State Farm for my in laws car. In and out in like 3 minutes, including them taking digital pictures.

As to Geico, I have been with them 18 years and never had a problem with them. I had a claim a few years ago that got taken care of quickly and easily.

 

[Data Holmes]

You have to have it done here in Jersey too.

Basically someone comes out, gives the car a once over. Takes a picture or three, and signs off.

 

[Ro_Laren]

Maybe I am just surprised because when I first got Progressive they didn't make me have any sort of inspection...

 

[tharpdevenport]

Geico charges far too much. Check out a quote from State Farm, or a local insurance agency (sometiems local companies offer lower rates to good drivers).

 

[Small White Car]

Geico charges far too much.

Prices are SO specific to the individual, this advice isn't helpful to anyone.

Check out a quote from State Farm, or a local insurance agency (sometiems local companies offer lower rates to good drivers).

Now you're halfway there, but why stop there?

The best advice is to shop around with EVERYONE. And the most critical part is to understand what they're all offering and make sure you're getting the same coverage with all the quotes you get. (Not just prices and coverage, but other perks like rental cars, road-side assistance, etc.)

Compare Apples to Apples, not Oranges. Then, make your choice after you've gathered as much info as possible.

(And yes, I work for GEICO, but notice I'm not saying "buy GEICO." I'm saying "check everyone" and "know what you're checking." This is good advice, no matter who I work for.)

 

[CaptainHawk1]

Maybe I am just surprised because when I first got Progressive they didn't make me have any sort of inspection...

I don't know how long Florida has had that law but that's pretty standard and I've had it done on every car I ever owned in NY when I got comp/collision and I had to do it with my cars here in NV as well(had to do it with my Progressive agent in NY, too). I don't get why this is such a shock.

You do understand that the reason they do this is to keep people from comitting fraud by wrecking their car, signing up for insurance and then making a claim for damage that happened to the vehicle BEFORE coverage began.

 

[Captain Ice]

CaptainHawk,

I've also had to insure vehicles in Nevada in the last decade. I've never been required to submit to an inspection for insurance purposes. Inspections prior to obtaining my NV plates (and after buying NV insurance) are another friggin' story altogether. (3 trips and 9 hours total ).

 

[Ro_Laren]

Geico charges far too much. Check out a quote from State Farm, or a local insurance agency (sometiems local companies offer lower rates to good drivers).

For some reason the quote I got from Geico was about $120 less then Progressive wanted me to renew my policy for. Seemed like a no brainer. It just scares me switching insurance companies... I almost switched to AIG before their big financial fiasco. Plus I have always received such great service from Progressive. But $120...

 

[CaptainHawk1]

CaptainHawk,

I've also had to insure vehicles in Nevada in the last decade. I've never been required to submit to an inspection for insurance purposes. Inspections prior to obtaining my NV plates (and after buying NV insurance) are another friggin' story altogether. (3 trips and 9 hours total ).

Had to to do it with my Mazda 626 (Farmers, 2003) and with my 4Runner (USAA, 2004). All they do is take a couple of pictures and it's done by the Insurer. And this is for comp/collison, BTW not basic liability and I'm not sure if it's a law in NV, regardless. I'm not even sure if it's a law in NYS. All I know is that my Insurers required it.

 

[CaptainHawk1]

Geico charges far too much.

Prices are SO specific to the individual, this advice isn't helpful to anyone.

Word to that. Different companies charge different drivers in different areas of the country differently. Tharpdevenport, Geco may charge you too much, but it doesn't mean that they charge someone else in a different state, with a different vehicle, with a different driving history "too much."

Check out a quote from State Farm, or a local insurance agency (sometiems local companies offer lower rates to good drivers).

Now you're halfway there, but why stop there?

And also understand the difference between an Insurance Agency and an Insurance Company.

The best advice is to shop around with EVERYONE. And the most critical part is to understand what they're all offering and make sure you're getting the same coverage with all the quotes you get. (Not just prices and coverage, but other perks like rental cars, road-side assistance, etc.)

Compare Apples to Apples, not Oranges. Then, make your choice after you've gathered as much info as possible.

(And yes, I work for GEICO, but notice I'm not saying "buy GEICO." I'm saying "check everyone" and "know what you're checking." This is good advice, no matter who I work for.)

I agree with shopping around, but I see all of these ads by major Insurance Companies that talk about differences in coverage and IMHO that only makes a difference when you are comparing major National Insurance Companies to smaller, more regional compaies. I haven't shopped for Insurance for 6 years but the only thing I saw different between the major companies was price. The coverage offered seemed to be identical.

OTOH there will be a difference between Jimmy's Cut-Rate Ghetto Insurance and Allstate.

 

[tharpdevenport]

Geico prices are a complaint I hear from other people with varying driving records. To me it seems they are the Winn-Dixie of insurance providers.

 

[Lookingglassman]

I hate that frakkin' lizard. It is hard to understand when it is talking! SPEAK SOME NORMAL ENGLISH LIKE US AMERICANS WHEN TRYING TO SELL TO AMERICANS AND NOT THAT ENGLISH ENGLISH!

 

[FrontLine]

Geico charges far too much. Check out a quote from State Farm, or a local insurance agency (sometiems local companies offer lower rates to good drivers).

For some reason the quote I got from Geico was about $120 less then Progressive wanted me to renew my policy for. Seemed like a no brainer. It just scares me switching insurance companies... I almost switched to AIG before their big financial fiasco. Plus I have always received such great service from Progressive. But $120...

Dont feel bad. I always switch Insurance companies. They will gladly take you for as much as they can so I feel no remorse in jumping carriers like a flea at a dog show. About the inspection all they want is for the agent to be able to look the car over to make note of any existing dings and scratches. Remember Florida does not have pro-forma state run vehicle inspections.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I've always gotten good service from USAA (for both my homeowner's and car insurance). I don't ever plan on jumping ship.

That being said, I love the Geico ads with the cavemen and even the lizard ones. I think they're hilarious. And of course the Don LaFontaine ad. "In a world...where both our cars were totally underwater..."

 

[CaptainHawk1]

I've always gotten good service from USAA (for both my homeowner's and car insurance). I don't ever plan on jumping ship.

That being said, I love the Geico ads with the cavemen and even the lizard ones. I think they're hilarious. And of course the Don LaFontaine ad. "In a world...where both our cars were totally underwater..."

I wouldn't drop USAA if they doubled my rates. I was lucky enough to inherit them when igot married and they are the best company I've ever used.