Poor yaris gets smashed

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by bronsin

Historically I don't get in accidents either. But Ive managed 2 in the past three years

Same here

and Progressive raised my rates after the 2nd one.

After I got rear ended in my '07, I called my insurance company (AAA) because that was one of the steps in the instructions included on the proof of insurance card. Being pretty unfamiliar with Texas law re insurance and accidents, I thought it best to follow the instructions to the letter. When I called AAA, they noted my call but told me I only needed to call if I needed to make a claim. Of course they don't put that tidbit on the card because they want every potential risk uncovered, even if the customer is being prompted to do something that isn't required . Same as with Progressive, 1st accident = no rate raise. Of course I had to call in October of last year re the minted a few weeks prior 16 year old Expedition driver who launched toward a merge and then stopped, causing me to rear end. That would have been accident #1 if I hadn't called on the Camry rear ending me. The declaration page for my homeowner's insurance was in the last batch of mail I had forwarded. Rate up 5%. I have yet to receive the declaration page for my auto policy (usually trails by a few weeks). I have a feeling opening that envelope won't be fun .

So I went shopping for another insurance company. I mean, they say you can save hundreds, right?

Nope its all a lie! I explained to the All State agent how historically I don't have accidents but am down on my luck recently. I offered him a chance to get a client who wont be making any claims. They could make a lot of money if they took me on.

Of course I would expect a substantial discount over what I was paying Progressive.

Not a chance! They wanted MORE than P!

When I retire I might join the other 40% of New Jerseyians who don't have insurance!

40% with no insurance..... Long ago in California, people who were broke, irresponsible, or both would get insurance around registration time, and then drop insurance after registration....insurance was only checked at registration. In Texas, if your registration goes out of effect at any time after registration, the insurance company notifies the state, and I believe there is a consequence (temp hold on DL ?). Are there no consequences in New Jersey re ability to drive/driving privilege if you drive without insurance?

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

Are there no consequences in New Jersey re ability to drive/driving privilege if you drive without insurance?

All you have to do is write in a policy # upon registration and show proof of insurance every two years for the "check CEL only" inspection. So its very easy to obtain and cancel insurance just for those occasions.

Its estimated 40% of drivers in Philly/ South Jersey dont have insurance.

Years ago an oncoming driver fell asleep and crossed the center line on me coming to work. I swerved and beeped as I desperately swerved right into the curb. The guy woke up from the horn but as it was we passed drivers side to drivers side inches atart. I had a flat front tire and dammaged rim. He kept going! I went after him and forced him off the road is spite of the flat. Neighbors called the cops. The car didnt belong to the driver, he had no lisence, no registration, and only an expired insurance card.

They let him go!

You do NOT want to get in an accident here in SJ!

[Kar98]

Originally Posted by bronsin

All you have to do is write in a policy # upon registration and show proof of insurance every two years for the "check CEL only" inspection. So its very easy to obtain and cancel insurance just for those occasions.

Its estimated 40% of drivers in Philly/ South Jersey dont have insurance.

Years ago an oncoming driver fell asleep and crossed the center line on me coming to work. I swerved and beeped as I desperately swerved right into the curb. The guy woke up from the horn but as it was we passed drivers side to drivers side inches atart. I had a flat front tire and dammaged rim. He kept going! I went after him and forced him off the road is spite of the flat. Neighbors called the cops. The car didnt belong to the driver, he had no lisence, no registration, and only an expired insurance card.

They let him go!

You do NOT want to get in an accident here in SJ!

I have no interest in ever visiting the entire state of NJ.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by Kar98

I have no interest in ever visiting the entire state of NJ.

NJ: plenty of water, not too cold in winter not too hot in summer, no tornadoes, no floods, no earthquakes, no forest fires, hurricanes not a problem if you dont live near the shore...

I may go without insurance when I retire!

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by bronsin

NJ: plenty of water, not too cold in winter not too hot in summer, no tornadoes, no floods, no earthquakes, no forest fires, hurricanes not a problem if you dont live near the shore...

I may go without insurance when I retire!

Parts of NJ are quite pretty. However...."not too cold in winter"........perhaps compared to parts of New England or the Great Lakes states .

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

Parts of NJ are quite pretty. However...."not too cold in winter"........perhaps compared to parts of New England or the Great Lakes states .

Right! I grew up in upstate Ny and just about every winter we had 2 weeks or a month where the thermometer never got above 0 degrees. To me SJ is like FL.

North Jersey is just like upstate NY and Freehold NJ is all million dollar horse farms. THey got more money in their fences than I have in my house...

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by bronsin

To me SJ is like FL.

North Jersey is just like upstate NY

I used Maple Shade as a base for exploring your side of the river, Philadelphia, and the Atlantic City area. Then (on that trip), instead of taking the Turnpike, I drove to North Jersey on 206 to Princeton and then beyond....but I must admit, most of the time I've spent in Jersey has been in North Jersey.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Kar98

I have no interest in ever visiting the entire state of NJ.

. Generally, I've enjoyed my visits. However (no offense intended, Bronsin ), I wouldn't want to live there.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by bronsin

All you have to do is write in a policy # upon registration and show proof of insurance every two years for the "check CEL only" inspection. So its very easy to obtain and cancel insurance just for those occasions.

Its estimated 40% of drivers in Philly/ South Jersey dont have insurance.

Very interesting. Sad. SMH.

Years ago an oncoming driver fell asleep and crossed the center line on me coming to work. I swerved and beeped as I desperately swerved right into the curb. The guy woke up from the horn but as it was we passed drivers side to drivers side inches atart. I had a flat front tire and dammaged rim. He kept going! I went after him and forced him off the road is spite of the flat. Neighbors called the cops. The car didnt belong to the driver, he had no lisence, no registration, and only an expired insurance card.

They let him go!

You do NOT want to get in an accident here in SJ!

About a week ago I pulled out of a driveway in a mixed residential and business area into the right lane. I proceeded a few feet and heard a crash. An Expedition with 20+" rims was in the far left (only turn) lane and hit (front to front) a sedan that was attempting to turn onto the street the Expedition and my Yaris were on going the same direction. A few blocks later I heard a sound behind me and saw the expedition, smoking and steam pouring out, rapidly approaching me. I pulled off to the left into an only turn lane that had a red light. While that light was red, I heard a siren and a cop in hot pursuit of the Expedition was rapidly approaching. The cop went through the intersection while he still had the green and I still had a red so I could see the cop pass my stopped car at a high rate of speed. I'd imagine the Expedition was either stolen, the driver didn't have a DL, was uninsured, had an outstanding warrant, or some combination of these circumstances.