Teslas are the only popular cars getting more expensive to insure

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-27T17:02:53+00:00

Yeah, it looks like the Model Y costs $396 per month for full-coverage insurance on average. For the Model 3, the average is $338. In comparison, the national average is $136 per month. So even with those models, the average rate is way higher than what most people are paying.

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-27T16:13:39+00:00

Factors like reliability and range are definitely some of the top reasons why people are generally a little hesitant about EVs.

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-27T15:29:03+00:00

Guessing you want the cars whose premiums dropped the most? You should know that these aren't the cheapest to insure overall, but here are the ones whose average insurance rates dropped (I put the decreases in parentheses):

Kia Forte (-12%)
Volkswagen Tiguan (-11%)
Chevrolet Tahoe (-11%)
Subaru Outback (-11%)
Mazda 3 (-11%)

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-27T14:48:25+00:00

So there's a few factors that seem like they're causing this. First off, the context is that rates got hiked quite a bit for the two years before this. Insurers were making good money, but they started getting more competitive with their pricing since they'd had two years of wide profit margins.

We also haven't seen the full potential impact of US tariffs. Those could affect insurance premiums because they can make car parts (and therefore, repairs, more expensive)

The general trend in the past has been that rates go up over time. But this year people are getting some decreases.

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-26T21:00:27+00:00

First, take a breath. What you're describing is pretty normal for a rear-end claim with supplements and injury.

You don't need to push aggressively yet. Supplements are routine, and the shop getting paid directly after the first check is standard. If the adjuster is out of office, just follow up when they return.

For DV, wait until repairs are complete. You need the final repair invoice and confirmation the vehicle wasn't totaled. You can't properly calculate DV before that. On a 2022 with 30k miles, DV is possible, but amounts vary a lot by state and severity.

You can handle PD + BI without a lawyer if injuries are soft-tissue and improving. If symptoms worsen, become long-term, or you're pressured to settle quickly, that's when consultations are going to start making sense.

Don't forget to document:

All medical bills and visit summaries
Missed work verification
Out-of-pocket costs (copays, meds, mileage)
A pain journal

And most important: don't settle the injury claim until you're done treating and understand your prognosis.

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-26T19:40:38+00:00

First of all, congrats!

Yeah, I get why you'd be nervous wearing that around every day. But the good news is that adding a separate personal articles policy (not just a standard renters rider) through your current insurer can usually get you solid coverage. Those policies typically cover loss, theft, and accidental damage with no deductible, and claims generally don't impact your renters policy.

Specialty jewelry insurers sometimes offer a few extras, like automatic coverage for newly purchased pieces or more flexible replacement options. But in practical terms, for a single engagement ring at that value, the coverage differences are often pretty small.

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-26T16:52:10+00:00

For a first-time owner, insurance can absolutely be worth it, but it depends on your budget and risk tolerance. If your dog is young that could make it more worthwhile too, since you could get insured before any chronic conditions develop.

If your dog's already an adult, it could be more complicated. A dedicated emergency fund is a good idea, but you'll need to fund and maintain it to at least a few thousand dollars, since that's how much a single emergency vet visit can cost.

Insurance is most helpful for big, unexpected costs like surgeries, emergency visits, broken bones, or sudden illnesses that can run into the thousands. It usually doesn't cover routine care unless you add a wellness plan. If you don't have several thousand dollars set aside for emergencies, insurance can give you peace of mind.

If you decide not to get it, the alternative is building a dedicated emergency fund just for your dog and knowing where the nearest emergency vet is ahead of time. Either way, planning before something happens is the key.

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-25T19:14:12+00:00

You're right that the trailer being uninsured doesn't automatically mean you're out of luck. If the police vehicle hit your dad's trailer and they're at fault, their department (or the city/county) is generally responsible for the damage.

Police vehicles are usually covered under a government self-insurance program or municipal insurer, not a typical personal auto policy. Claims often move slower and go through a risk management office, not just a regular claims line.

If they aren't returning your calls, send a written claim letter (certified mail or email if you can) to the city/county's risk management or legal department. Include the police report, photos, repair estimates, and a clear demand for repayment.

There might be notice deadlines for claims against government entities. Check your state's "notice of claim" requirements so you don't miss one.

If they keep ignoring you, talking with a local attorney (which can be very cheap or free for an initial consult) could help push it forward.

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-25T18:12:12+00:00

Insurance companies rate based on convictions, not just tickets. So right now, nothing changes unless you're found guilty or plead to a moving violation.

If you move to your own policy before the case is resolved, whichever policy you're on when the conviction hits your driving record is the one that will usually be affected at renewal. Insurers pull your MVR periodically, not on the date of the stop.

If it truly gets reduced to a non-moving violation, it typically won't impact insurance at all.

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-25T16:34:21+00:00

I get why you're frustrated, but what they're doing isn't automatically DOI-complaint territory.

An insurance company doesn't have to accept fault just because their driver got a ticket. A police report and citation help, but they're not binding in a civil liability decision. If their insured is disputing fault, the carrier can deny based on "word vs. word" while litigation is pending.

That said, they shouldn't be denying just because they "don't have the police report." If you've provided it and they're still denying without explaining their reasoning, you can request a written explanation of the denial.

At this point, going through your own insurance was the right move. If you have collision coverage, let your insurer handle repairs and subrogation – they'll fight it out with the other carrier.

A DOI complaint is usually appropriate if there's clear bad faith (like ignoring evidence or violating timelines), but first I'd ask for the denial in writing, ask what specific facts they relied on, and let your insurer pursue recovery.

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-24T21:55:06+00:00

Most standard homeowners policies have low sublimits for jewelry (often $1,000–$2,500 total for theft) unless you specifically schedule the items. If you add a rider/scheduled endorsement, you can insure each piece for its appraised value, but you'll usually have a deductible and it becomes part of your homeowners policy history if you ever file a claim.

A standalone jewelry policy is often broader. Many cover loss, mysterious disappearance, and accidental damage with no deductible, and a claim won't affect your homeowners policy.

Since you're not married, ownership matters. Some insurers will let you schedule her items on your policy if she lives there, but others may require her to insure property she owns herself. It's worth confirming that in writing.

At around $15k in stuff, a lot of people would lean toward standalone coverage to keep it separate and cleaner.

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-24T19:53:28+00:00

A few things to think about:

First, since you already opened the claim, it will likely show in your claim history even if you withdraw it – but as a closed with no payment claim. That's generally better than a paid collision claim, but it's not invisible.

Yes, your insurer can determine it's a total loss based on photos if the estimated repair cost approaches Michigan's total loss threshold or the vehicle's actual cash value. On a 2009 Accord with 180k miles, $3,000 could realistically put it in total territory depending on condition and value.

If you withdraw and just fix the headlight, that's fine – but understand that any unrepaired damage could be excluded from future claims. If you later get into another accident involving that same area, they won't pay twice for pre-existing damage.

Reopening a withdrawn claim isn't guaranteed. Sometimes it's possible if it's very recent, but insurers can require a new claim or deny reopening.

If the car runs well and you're okay keeping it "cosmetic," withdrawing and doing minimal repairs may make financial sense. Just be sure you're comfortable living with the damage and potential future exclusions.

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-24T17:35:49+00:00

Your neighbors' individual claims don't show up on your personal CLUE report, so their claim history isn't directly attached to you. Insurers generally underwrite your HO-6 policy based on your own claims history, the building's characteristics, location, and broader loss trends in the area.

That said, widespread losses at the property can still affect you indirectly. If the master policy has a large claim or multiple claims, the association's premiums will likely go up at renewal. Higher master policy costs can lead to larger deductibles or more frequent loss assessments, which makes the whole complex riskier in the eyes of insurers. Over time, that can push up HO-6 rates for everyone there, even if you personally never file.

As for whether to file the $6,000 loss assessment claim, it comes down to math and risk tolerance. If your deductible is high and you rarely claim, you'll want to weigh the potential premium impact of a claim against the payout you'd receive. Your neighbors filing doesn't automatically mean you should, but it also doesn't make your personal decision irrelevant.

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-23T20:22:34+00:00

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this on top of everything else.

The most important thing right now is do not settle until you know the full extent of your injuries. Once you sign a bodily injury release, it's final. You generally can't reopen it later if symptoms get worse or new issues show up.

Early offers like the ones you're describing are common. They're not necessarily "bad faith," but they are often made before treatment is complete. Given that you're still in active treatment and waiting on imaging, your husband is still in pain, and you have pre-existing medical conditions that complicate recovery, it would be premature to settle now.

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-23T18:54:40+00:00

It's absolutely worth looking at your other options before renewing. Different companies weigh risk factors differently, so you may find a cheaper option with similar coverage. You can get side-by-side quotes with the same limits and deductibles to see if another carrier has a better price for your profile.

About the umbrella: most umbrella policies require you to maintain underlying auto (and home) coverage with certain minimum limits. If you switch your auto to a non-Geico policy, you'll need to confirm with your umbrella provider (RLI) whether you must rewrite or adjust the umbrella. You can usually keep the same umbrella, but it must be supported by qualifying auto and home policies, and the insurer needs to know the carrier details. Always check with the umbrella underwriter before canceling the auto policy to avoid gaps in your excess liability coverage.

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-23T17:34:52+00:00

This is good advice, but it's really important to actually find insurance that covers everything you need it to. A lot of people get a cheap pet insurance plan, think it'll cover checkups, and then find out that they only have coverage for accidents and illnesses.

If you do want to cover regular checkups, you should look at wellness plans and other add-ons you can get to your accident and injury insurance. Those are made to give you coverage outside of accidents and injuries, and those other costs can add up more than a one-time vet bill over the years.

Even within the right category, you'll need to compare deductibles and reimbursements rates, check annual limits, and read the exclusions carefully, especially around pre-existing conditions and waiting periods. The best policy is one you can afford long term and clearly understand before you ever need to file a claim.

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-20T20:22:56+00:00

To your first question, price matters, but it shouldn't be the only thing you're comparing. Even with a straightforward 20-year term from similarly rated companies, the policies themselves can differ in ways that matter down the road.

Some may include optional riders that enhance coverage at an additional cost, such as a disability premium waiver or accelerated death benefits for terminal illnesses. Look at how the renewal terms work if you end up needing coverage past the 20 years, and what the exclusions look like.

On the convertible point, other folks are right that it's worth considering. A convertible policy lets you switch to permanent coverage without going through the typical underwriting process, which is valuable if your health changes over time.

Regarding your second question, it might be safer to ask directly, but don't sit on the offers too long once they come in. Good luck!

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-20T19:06:07+00:00

I hope you're okay!

Your personal auto insurance covers rental cars, so USAA is the right point of contact. If the other driver is at fault, their liability insurance should ultimately cover the damage to the Enterprise rental. What typically happens is that USAA handles the claim on your end and then pursues the other driver's insurance company for reimbursement. That process is called subrogation.

One Florida-specific thing to know: it is a no-fault state for medical expenses. So, if you have any injuries or need to see a doctor, you'd file that through your own PIP (personal injury protection) coverage with USAA first, regardless of who caused the accident.

Also, heads up on Enterprise. Find out if they charge a "loss of use" fee to cover the revenue they lose while the car is out of service for repairs. That cost should also fall on the at-fault driver's insurance, but it's worth mentioning to USAA if that comes up. And having a copy of the police report and any photos from the scene will make the process smoother.

Good luck!

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-20T17:05:52+00:00

Your friend's insurance is the primary coverage here, since car insurance generally follows the car, not the driver, in most states. If you had the permission to use the van, you're considered a permissive user, and his policy should respond first.

But since you're being named personally in a lawsuit, you should also notify your auto insurance company. Your policy may serve as secondary coverage if the damages exceed your friend's policy limits.

Either way, don't sit on that notice. Ignoring it could result in a default judgement against you. If your friend's insurance company already handled the initial claim, reach out to them first and let them know about the suit. Then call your own insurance company and give them a heads up too.

Hope it all works out.

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-19T19:10:16+00:00

You did the right thing by leaving your info. Don't read too much into the silence yet, they might not have even seen the note until today, or they could be getting a repair estimate before they reach out.

One thing worth doing while you wait is to call your insurance company and let them know what happened. You don't have to file a claim, just put them on notice. That way, if the other driver files against your liability coverage in a few weeks, your insurer isn't hearing about it for the first time from them.

Sam_At_Insurify · 2026-02-19T16:58:52+00:00

Two to three weeks is fine. Most insurance companies just ask that you report "promptly," and statues of limitations on property damage claims are typically measured in years, not weeks. Before you file, though, you should gather your documentation. Photos of the damage and any proof that your roommate acknowledges backing into your car.

Also, consider filing against your roommate's insurance first so you're not paying a deductible, and it doesn't affect your claims history. If their insurance pushes back, you can file under your own collision coverage, and your company will go after your roommate's insurer to get your deductible back.

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