must ... not... get... more.... tickets....

[heftyhips.livejournal.com]

hello, davis square.  I just moved here and need to get on this whole process of getting a resident's parking permit.  just wanted to take an informal poll of those of you with cars--what auto insurance carrier do you use, and are you happy with them?  oh, quirky Massachusetts.

I would be most grateful for the info.

thx

Laurel

Comments

[ifotismeni]

commerce, and not really.

[ron_newman]

This subject has occasionally come up before, though not recently. I tagged your post "cars" and "insurance".

A year-old post on this subject.
An older one, from 2005.
One more from 2005.

[heftyhips.livejournal.com]

thanks for the links. that top link gave me lots of leads!

ever gratefully yours,
heftyhips

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Commerce, and not really.

[lissie930.livejournal.com]

We use the Premier and they're fine. Not sure how they compare price-wise but when we've needed to make claims, they've paid them without issue. :)

[veek.livejournal.com]

Amica, and I like them. (I used them in RI too, and was satisfied with them there as well.)

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

seconded, we use amica for car and homeowner's insurance, and have been happy with them.

[turil.livejournal.com]

The Conservation Law Foundation has a deal with some insurance company that encourages people to drive their cars less, and they are working to create a prorated insurance rate where you save money if you leave your car at home most of the time. And you can get a discount on the insurance if you are a member of MassBike. That's what my husband does.

Here...

[turil.livejournal.com]

Conservation Law Foundation's Car Insurance (http://www.clfventures.org/eia.htm)

[billswasted.livejournal.com]

When I lived in Somerville I used Christo Insurance (on Broadway in Teele Square) - great rates, very happy with them, and run by my old landlord.

[pandaposse.livejournal.com]

Thirded -- Amica is like one of 2 car insurance companies that work both in and out of Massachusetts, FYI. And the renter's/homeowner's insurance is pretty good.

[rainbow-spork.livejournal.com]

I used to have Metropolitan (MetLife) and I *hated* them. Just switched to Premier, but I haven't had them long enough to say one way or another what they're like. But definitely stay away from MetLife. I don't think I've ever spoken to anyone there who knows their ass from their elbow.

[ah42.livejournal.com]

I'm currently with Plymouth Rock (https://www.prac.com/)... and I have no idea, haven't had to call them on anything yet.

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

Amica does something similar ... my BF has Amica, and is on a discounted plan b/c he only drives ocassionally. He's also now telling me that they used to have a plan that gave you further discounts if you could prove that you took some kind of public transportation to work. They may still have it, he just can't remember at the moment.

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

As of the end of last year, all I had to do was mail in 11 months of T passes to get the public transportation discount. I'm not sure how it'll work this year with the new CharlieCards, but as far as I know that discount is still active. I did also get money back for driving less than a certain number of miles in a year (not sure what that magic number is). Amica is great, no complaints here!

[turil.livejournal.com]

I believe that the discount for people who take the T regularly (see Wildflowersoul's comment up there) is state mandated. In other words, I think all automobile insurance companies have to offer that discount. Which is cool!

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

Just fyi regarding "not sure how they compare price-wise": here in Massachusetts, car insurance rates are set by the state, and thus every insurance company will offer you the same rate based on your age and driving history and so forth. The only way you'll get different rates from different companies is if you get other insurance from them (life, homeowner's, etc.) and they offer you a discount for that. So, it's not really meaningful to talk about the rates you get from different carriers in MA. The only differences that might make you prefer one over another would be their customer service, how they resolve claims, how annoying or helpful they are when you have a problem, and so forth.

[eeyorecol.livejournal.com]

I don't have insurance advice, but are you simply parking on the street without any sort of permit? The Somerville parking office offers temporary (month-long) parking passes as well. I have used them in the past on rental cars or when visitors are staying for a week. A friend of mine used one on her car that he had while her brother was serving in Iraq (her original car was totaled; he loaned her the car before he left). You may be able to get one of those permits until you can get your insurance and registration switched. Bring your car info and a copy of your lease and they may be able to help you out (I can't find info on those permits on the website; you could also probably call and ask). The permit costs $10.

[lissie930.livejournal.com]

Interesting, I didn't know this! "My" car came with my husband :), so we've just kept the same insurer that he had.

[heftyhips.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much. that is an excellent tip and actually will help me out a lot to just give me some breathing room. I'm so freakishly busy during the week (doing a 1-year masters degree) that it's hard to imagine how I will fit in all this running around during business hours....

thanks again, to all who responded. there is some great information here now