Question

So I called my auto insurance company (Progressive) and told them I'm not able to drive to work while this whole COVID virus is going around. I asked if my rate could be lower since I'm literally not driving anywhere now and her answer is "At this time we are unable to lower your premium because other people are still driving to work. " What? Lol has anyone had luck with Progressive or other larger companies?  

Answer 1

Do ya'll know how auto insurance premiums work? It IS based on other drivers in your particular area.  

Answer 2

This doesn’t make any sense that they’d lower premiums because of COVID. They still need to pay their employees and keep the business going. Unfortunately not everything in life stops.  

Comments

@inflationism760 One factor for your rate is how much you drive, though. So if you go from commuting 20 miles to work every day to not commuting at all, your premiums should go down.  

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I've seen a couple posts already where their premiums have been lowered because of this same reason. They've been smaller companies though so that's why I'm asking about large.  

Answer 3

I’m working on this also ~ I have a teen son who is costing $160 a month . trying to get him off of it ~ he’s going nowhere and honestly 2 of our cars are just sitting

Answer 4

That is absolutely ridiculous. Your insurance premium has nothing to do with anyone else still able to work. They are smoking something heavy over there.  

Answer 5

Nope! Called state farm, and while it's an option I still would have to calculate my mileage before and give them an estimate of my new estimated mileage for the rest of the year?  

Answer 6

You can’t say it cuz of covid just tell them you need to reduce your mileage usage

Comments

@hampton9 I did lol. I told them because I'm not going to work, I'm not driving my car anymore and I explained that it reduced my mileage by a lot. No luck :/

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@cummerbund are you on a mileage based policy ?  

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@hampton9 Apparently the only state that is mileage based with Progressive is Cali so no. Just learned this from another comment tho :)

Answer 7

I was thinking about calling tomorrow. I'll see what they tell me.  

Answer 8

I called Geico and they’re not offering any discounts either. They said that they won’t cancel for nonpayment but no discount. I guess better than nothing.  

Comments

Geico reduced our insurance by $30 today

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@bespatter no way?! That’s great for you! Did you speak with a supervisor? What state do you live in?  

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@crammer got my monthly lowered by Geico today (just $10/ month) but it’s something.  

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@crammer I got mine lowered as well. Email them in the contact us section

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We are in SC & they lowered same amount for us yesterday.  

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My husband called. We live in CT. The rep over the phone didn't give him issues. We put one vehicle in storage and reduced the mileage on the second vehicle

Answer 9

They expect people to drive an average of 5, 000 miles per year. If you're driving much less, it will affect your premiums.  

Comments

@fredericksburg That average seems extremely low.  

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@fredericksburg not with progressive. Unless you live in California.  

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The national average is 12, 000 miles a year

Answer 10

You can try to lower your mileage for the remainder of your policy and it may go down but your payment is not gonna go away.  

Comments

@imagism No one said anything about payments going away. Lowering the mileage is literally the whole question here  

Answer 11

Wow. Allstates planning to give 15% of my premium back for staying home more than $300 million going back to their customers. and may be more if the we have to Bunker down in May too

Comments

@guideline 600 million!  

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@jemimah15 ^this using laptop lol

Answer 12

Allstate did 15% off premiums for April and May for everyone, just had to click a button in the app. “Auto insurer Allstate Corp. on Monday said it would refund more than $600 million in insurance premiums, or up to 15% of what its customers pay in April and May. The company is covering fewer accidents as Americans stay home, and says it has tracked a 35% to 50% drop in driving mileage since states started issuing shelter-in-place and stay-at-home orders last month. ”

Answer 13

To me it’s not worth the trouble to keep switching it back and forth. I have seen some auto insurance companies are issuing checks to their customers and giving them part of their premium back because they are saving overall on claims since people aren’t driving. I will just see if my company is good enough to do that but I’m not going to bother switching everything around just for a month or two.  

Answer 14

Allstate is doing a deal if you stay home they will give you a 15 percent stay home discount

Answer 15

We dropped our collision part of the insurance

Answer 16

I am still working, but have a very short commute to my hospital, and Allstate sent me an email that I’m getting a 15% refund anyway, I didn’t even have to ask!  

Answer 17

Yes USAA will lower it even if you don’t mention COVID. Just say you work from home

Answer 18

Change it to parking/storage insurance?  

Comments

@bryant9 that’s what you have to request not COVID.  

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We're trying to reduce mileage though. It'd be my luck for someone to hit me going to the Walgreens a block away lol.  

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@cummerbund that’s fair. So they wouldn’t even change your policy to recreational?  

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@bryant9 No, she wouldn't change anything for me lol. I just gave up. It was awkward  

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@cummerbund call back another day and hope you have someone better on the phone, I wish you luck!  

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@bryant9 you have no idea how progressive bases their premium. Unless you live in the state of California your mileage does not change your policy premium or you drive commercially or for business

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@rizzi not sure if you meant to tag me or not as I am not the one trying to change mileage. I actually live in Canada so no idea on anything regarding Progressive as we don’t have them here or at least it’s not very common. But that is why I suggested changing policies, not mileage.  

Answer 19

I did this from the USAA app! Saved me a couple hundred a year (obviously, I will change mileage back to reflect accurately when quarantine ends).  

Comments

@automata how did you change it?  

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@interrogator at the bottom of my app’s home screen it shows my auto policy. I clicked “view auto policy” and the bottom of that screen it has an option to update usage and mileage. I’ll include a pic.  

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@automata thanks I’m gonna do it now

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@automata I just updated mine with USAA and saving about $88 every six months. My husband already worked from home and I work less than five minutes from home so i didn’t lower it much so im assuming those that work far will be saving a lot!  

Answer 20

Allstate is reducing

Answer 21

I also tried with Progressive and had no luck. I don't think I've driven more than 10 miles in the past 3 weeks.  

Comments

@gelderland518 Right, sad that we still are paying full price.  

Answer 22

We “stored” my husbands vehicle, and dropped my Mileage way down (could have even gone lower) and it saved us $85 a month. We did it all online

Comments

@alida With Progressive?  

Answer 23

Same here but the rep made it sound like it’s a Florida thing (rate isn’t based on mileage).  

Answer 24

I left a message with State Farm just now - curious what they’ll do. Usually they have 0 offers to ever decrease anything  

Comments

@dangerous right?  

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@dangerous lol I was just about to ask about State Farm Idk why I’ve been with them so long ‍♀️

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I’ve had to file 3 claims in the 12 years I’ve been with them and they’ve all gone seamlessly. Only reason I stay!  

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Update: he said that since I’m enrolled in the Drive Safe and Save, it’ll track how many miles I’m driving. If it’s extremely low my discount will increase. Otherwise they offer no discounts for this.  

Answer 25

Allstate all the way!  

Answer 26

Premiums are based on everyone in your area. I pay a hell of a lot extra in New Mexico because we like 25% uninsured, or under insured.  

Answer 27

Progressive does not base their premium on mileage, unless you live in California. Pleasure and commute are rated the same way. Vehicle use is only 1 small part of how your premium is determined. My boyfriend sold insurance and serviced it for them for 4 years.  

Comments

@rizzi Thanks for the explanation!  

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@cummerbund you’re welcome  

Answer 28

Allstate just sent us an email stating they were giving us a discount (~15%) for April and May.  

Answer 29

As stated above you could put your vehicle in “storage” but I wouldn’t suggest it unless you aren’t driving it at all. Currently I put one of my vehicles in storage(not due to COVID) and it cut my insurance cost in half. Then before I go to use it I just have to call my insurance company to let them know it’s going back on. It’s pretty simple, but again I wouldn’t do it unless you aren’t driving your vehicle at all.  

Comments

@tael19 @fredericksburg Gutierrez Thank you, I'm thinking about doing that and maybe just walking to the store if I need to go. Its only a block away.  

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@cummerbund It’s honestly a great option. They usually suggest(at least Geico does) to keep the coverage that protects against natural disasters but they take off everything else. Only thing to note is they might require it be “stored” for at least 30 days but they typically have similar options for if it’s being stored for a shored amount of time. Just try to get a good customer service rep on the phone and they should be able to walk you through it  

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@tael19 @fredericksburg Gutierrez Thanks for the advice! :) I would definitely keep natural disaster insurance in case of hail haha

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@cummerbund I was told putting it in “storage” meant I had to surrender the plates. They did let me lower my annual mileage and I’m saving over $100 a month doing that. I can adjust it again when we start driving again. He told me they won’t come check the odometer or anything either lol

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@cummerbund Robinson Nope no surrendering of plates any of the times I’ve done it. You’re not completely taking it off of insurance, just marking it as basically unused. Overall though, laws may be different for different states when it comes to that.  

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@cummerbund I highly suggest keeping comp coverage on the vehicle if you store it! It protects against fire, wind, hail, theft. It does depend on what state you live in. I'm sure they are all different. I'm in Illinois

Answer 30

Were they even listening to you lol that makes no sense lol

Answer 31

Anyone try with AAA?  

Answer 32

I have Progressive and got it lowered just today! Your rate is calculated by how many miles you drive per year. Call them back and tell them how many miles you are currently driving. I guessed 2000 miles a year. Lowered by $32/month.  

Comments

@sapor do you live in California?  

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@sapor because California is the ONLY state that Progressive mileage changes your premium. It is something the state of California mandates across all companies.  

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@rizzi Yes.  

Answer 33

My car insurance company says that they don’t have anything available during these uncertain time. I’m livid!  

Answer 34

Allstate emailed me and told me I was entitled to a refund! And they're offering free identity theft protection for the rest of year

Answer 35

Switch companies. You have the power -

Answer 36

Geico lowered mine $27/month

Comments

@editor how? I called and they wouldn’t change mine.  

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I have Geico as well. Maybe there are different factors that will dictate the premium to be lowered.  

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My husband has a work van he commutes with so he only drives his truck a few times a week. I’m working from home now so barely drive my car as well. They immediately lowered my premium and told me all the calls they were getting was about this.  

Answer 37

You need to go with Allstate! I just got this email today saying they are sending me a check in the mail because of the COVID-19 and they realize most people aren't driving.  

Answer 38

That’s bs.  

Answer 39

I have progressive and I pay $107/month for two cars. That’s with the Snap Shot. Go on their website and mess with the options. It will tell you how much you save. And if you haven’t gotten the snapshot, ask if you can get that because it automatically gives you a discount. Once they track your driving for 6 months or less they will possibly lower it further.  

Comments

@cymar4 I forgot Snapshot existed! Thanks  

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No problem. Hopefully that brings it down a good amount for you. But also go on that website and mess with the other parts of the policy. I got rid of uninsured motorist and it brought the premium down from $150 to $107. I also had good luck speaking with someone on the phone to help me tweak it. That’s how I found out my state doesn’t require uninsured motorist coverage. (I’m in FL)

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@cummerbund I’m an insurance agent and was going to suggest this as well as you want to change your vehicle usage from work/school to pleasure use. That should lower the premium amount some. If you have any questions please let me know!  

Answer 40

I just got off the phone with them and I think it’s the luck of the draw. Sometimes they were helpful, sometimes they are rude. Tonight the lady helped me drop from $202 to $139. I was shocked.  

Answer 41

Allstate is giving a percentage back to customers

Comments

@hurricane have you gotten the percentage back yet? Our allstate REp said they are still working on rolling it all out.  

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@removed not yet. they just announced Monday I thought. I haven’t seen anything. Ours said they would just deposit back into bank account through our app

Answer 42

I just kind of lowered my insurance yesterday! I have Florida Farm Bureau. It was only a few dollars to lower the 100/300/100k so i kept that and just upped my deductible but it took it down $12/mo. I’ll take anything right now.  

Answer 43

I haven't had an problems with Progressive, but we did use the snapshot device which lowered our monthly bills by about $30. My husband is not currently driving and I don't have my license so it only shows that we've driven like 5 minutes, 4 times. just to keep the battery happy. Try looking into that if you can't get anywhere with a supervisor over the phone?  

Answer 44

We switched from limited liability coverage with Progressive for $140 a month to comprehensive coverage with roadside assistance and a $500 deductible for $68 with Geico.  

Answer 45

I literally just called Geico to tell them I have since stopped using my car for work purposes and my premium was lowered down to $84. I usually pay 169, now I'll be 150. It's something, right?  

Comments

@caen2551 Every penny helps!  

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@cummerbund yes, it does

Answer 46

Allstate is working on rebates

Answer 47

Anyone with farmer's?