Insurance background

Submitted by kumquatrodeo t3_yl3fql in CambridgeMA

My family is just moving to Cambridge, and are confused about auto insurance.

Why are there so few national firms here? Does everyone just use their local mom-and-pop firm or am I missing some larger underlying network structure or something?

Do many people use on-line firms (e.g. the gecko one) without ever talking to a real agent in person, and without a field office in Cambridge?

When in a wreck, how does the inspection to assess damages work?

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wombatofevil t1_iux036a wrote

I believe it's a historical artifact. MA used to have stricter regs than other states on what insurance companies could charge and some of the larger companies in the past (like GEICO) didn't want to submit. I don't know what changed, but more national companies are now offering policies.

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Ill-Telephone-7926 t1_iuz9mp9 wrote

I believe this is correct. As I recall, exactly zero national insurers operated in the state prior to deregulation, which began in 2007. The regulation was really extraordinarily strict. Pricing was fully specified by the state, including the points model for moving violations etc. Discounts could be offered to affinity groups, but only to the extent that they were actually profitable.

Here's a 2009 AG report on deregulation: https://www.mass.gov/doc/autoinsuranceexecsummarypdf/download

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literary-chickens t1_iuw9b6i wrote

I've used two online firms (Progressive and Geico) and one mom-and-pop while living in Cambridge. I have no clue why there isn't a bigger national-firm presence! I can tell you that when my car got hit by a truck--a no-fault accident with serious damage--Progressive communicated directly with an in-network auto shop to assess repairs. The experience of getting in a serious accident was horrible, but my insurance experience was ok. It didn't matter to me that there was no field office. I got my car fixed & my record cleared, which is what I wanted.

I left the mom-and-pop shop, which was also fine, because this past year my insurance doubled in price for no reason. After confirming that I wasn't misinterpreting anything, I bailed for Geico. Based on the convo with the insurance agent, I think it's a tough year for the mom and pop shops, and they're getting more expensive across the board. But YMMV.

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IamUnamused t1_iuwb65h wrote

people go to a physical agency to get insurance? Liberty Mutual is a huge local insurance company. Or just do Geico, Progressive, USAA (if you can), Amica, or a hundred others. When you get in a wreck, you call them and they send out an assessment agent or you take it to one of their authorized shops

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boat_against_current t1_iux8px4 wrote

When my car insurance rate was going to increase, my broker proactively shopped around for better rates from other carriers and got me a bundled deal with condo insurance that saved me hundreds.

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boat_against_current t1_iuw98dc wrote

Go to a broker. I recommend Garrity in the Fresh Pond area.

Re: inspection with a wreck - when I had damage, I called my carrier and they sent someone to my home to assess the car. I reckon they'd send someone to wherever a vehicle is towed, if the car isn't driveable.

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tormontorcam t1_iuwgglk wrote

On Geico. I liked not having to meet with someone in person, I could do the whole thing while lying on the sofa.

Only incident I had was a chipped windshield, and that was covered as no fault with no problems and no issue getting it done.

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fun_guy02142 t1_iv07t5e wrote

I have had insurance for 30+ years on 5 houses, 7 cars, 1 boat, and 1 diamond ring and I have never set foot inside an insurance company’s office and it has been fine. You can do it!

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kumquatrodeo OP t1_iuwh7td wrote

Thanks everyone! This is helpful info. I am a bit nervous about using a new way (to me) of doing insurance and don't want to screw it up.

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IamUnamused t1_iuwz5bb wrote

*calls one of the mentioned companies*

"hi, I have a car and I need insurance"

"cool, here's how it works..."

*pays them*

*has insurance*

​

that's pretty much all there is to it

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Rosabelle334 t1_iuwp14l wrote

Sometimes your employer might have a relationship with an insurance company. It would be worth checking out.

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boat_against_current t1_iux8z0h wrote

If you're getting home or apartment insurance, you can get a bundled deal from the same carrier that will be cheaper than if bought separately.

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Hyperbowleeeeeeeeeee t1_iv4vfqr wrote

I think most of the national insurance companies are here, aren't they?

If you get into an accident, exchange insurance information with the other driver (calmly) and then call your insurance company. You make a claim with the insurance company, and then they either send an adjuster out, and/or they give you a list of preferred garages to take it to.

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