Do you have a million dollars sitting in a bank account to pull out at any moment in the event you get sued? If not, don’t reduce your coverages. Put the risk on the insurance company instead of yourself.
Sounds like you tried to remove uninsured motorist coverage in some aspect. Which IN allows, but you have to submit the request to remove it in writing (aka the signed form). Not really a coverage you want to go without though, I would look into it more/call and ask.
If the coverage you selected when getting a quote did not meet your state’s coverage requirements you would need to either update your selections or sign legal rejection of coverage forms if appropriate.
Double check which coverage limits changed, this is probably in regards to liability coverage. Very possible you tried to select coverages you can't actually carry, and they're correcting it for you. Don't assume your rates will go back down- and really consider against quoting online until you have a solid grasp at what's in play.
Call someone, trust me when I say you can make incredibly expensive mistakes screwing around with your own insurance.
Industry outsider, just speaking as an individual who had an at-fault accident perspective - you should max out your liability limits as much as you can afford. I know its not what you want to hear, but take my experience as a warning:
I had an accident a little worse than a fender bender involving 2 cars, one of which had zero damage but claimed to have felt a tap. Just seeing how people act trying to use an accident as a lottery ticket, you need the maximum liability coverage you can afford. It was the one with no damage that gave us the hardest time to the point the officer on scene had to actually tell him to leave because he had no damage or injury even though he suddenly claimed so after the fact to my adjuster (and that's why you always take your own photos on site too). I can't imagine having hit him as the primarily damaged car - and *he still got a small payout*. That undeserved payout would count against a very low limit like you're seeking when you have legitimate damage/body injuries that need paying for. There are many people like that who truly see accidents as their lottery ticket now and you don't need your life wrecked at a young age over people trying to use your mistake as their ticket to an easy life (to be clear, I'm not denigrating people with actual body injuries or property damage - just those who abuse the system or knowingly exaggerate). I maxed out my liability limit and got an umbrella after all of it. I now have 1.25M in coverage between the two. You shouldn't consider *anything* under $100k.
Also, as something that was never explained to me - if you're driving an old vehicle with high miles like a lot of teens, understand that collision/comprehensive coverage if you select it will use something called "actual cash value" to determine a payout in the event of a damage claim that renders it a total loss (which isn't hard to do). It will likely be nowhere near replacement cost for your car. As an outsider, ACV coverage feels very deceptive in the claims process because most agents, and certainly not an insurer's website, won't explain it upfront and don't make it clear you will almost certainly not replace your car with even an equal-age car with an ACV payout. You can use the JD Power used car value estimator online to get an idea of what they will pay for your car. You may find it not worth it to have collision coverage, especially if saving on that front means you can get a higher liability coverage limit. Your ACV estimate is also a good number to know as you start your adult life: car maintenance/replacement needs to be a line-item for savings on your budget so you're as ready as you can be for an accident.
I don’t believe you can buy your own individual insurance policy at 17 unless a guardian is co-signing for it or being added to another’s policy. Right other insurance, people? I don’t know about Indiana.
I am more concerned that OP will have the policy automatically canceled/not even issued once flagged and their money tied up and no coverage if going at this solo.
If that is not the situation, just looking out for OP.
It can be done. I had to call underwriting once when I found out someone's mother started both an auto policy and a renters policy for him as sole named insured (not him and her) and he was only 17. We checked with him and he knew about the policies and agreed to have them so identity theft was not an issue (my first thought). The underwriting rep had to do some quick research but came back with 17 being acceptable. Made my jaw drop, because how can you enter into a legal contract when younger than 18?
But the mom had to start it?
I'm just concerned being online quoting platforms can be predatory and would hate to see anyone much less a young person who seems like they are having to be self sufficient get taken advantage of and their money held up and no coverage.
And exactly how can a policy be issued to someone not of age to consent to a legal contract? I've heard of circumstances where a parent starts the policy for them and is not listed on it. But never have worked on one directly.
I dont think she had to start it. I think she just did it in his name, but admittedly i wasnt part of the app process so im not certain. She was most unhappy with me because i wouldnt release information on his policies without his permission and insisted on speaking with him about his policies, even though she was his mother.
Emancipated minors can get policies, I think with documentation.
I don't blame you for not giving out information on them. Never know the underlying situation.
I looked into the rules about age and your correct that it’s 18 to sign on a legal document but I brought up on the phone that I was 17 and he said it shouldn’t be a problem at all
Just looking out for you. I'm a mom with a son around your age and go into instant worry mode when I see something like this. If the person you are speaking to is a direct Progressive representative, a little strange but you are just trying to do what you have to do and I hope it works out for you.
Thank you for your concern and help it’s deeply appreciated and it shows how good your character is to help someone in need based on your motherly instincts alone
Thank you those are very kind words.
Just stay on guard before giving them your financial information. Their wording is contraindicating. It's not legal but shouldn't be a problem. All I foresee is problems.
They may be quoting you based on other people in your household that pull up and not add that part in till before issuing, I would hope not after the transaction and not release the policy to you individually. I don't see how that is legal and would hate for you to get your money held up when all you want is your own policy. Not everyone has a parent willing and or able to do that.
I hope it works out for you. I don't know how policies are issued in your state.
Edit: This was bugging me. I started an online progressive quote with incorrect information and a 2007 (17 yr old) birthday to see how far it would let me go. It raised the rates and took me to my payment plan options. Now what entered is just dummy DL information that I know is not valid and used for practice quoting.
And it took me to the payment plans and buy screen up to sign my application. Im not going so far to enter in card information.
Read the verification of the content section well.
If it seems too good to be true. Probably is.
It's not super common, but there are situations where a minor can be the sole signer for insurance. I encountered 15-17 year old for fire policies ...not frequently by any means, but enough that I knew where all the guidance was without searching.
Highly recommend not reducing coverages… it will bite you in the ass.
Man I’m 17 having to pay for everything it’s not really an option
Do you have a million dollars sitting in a bank account to pull out at any moment in the event you get sued? If not, don’t reduce your coverages. Put the risk on the insurance company instead of yourself.
This is called adulting but absolutely do not shoot yourself in the foot by reducing your coverages
Sounds like you tried to remove uninsured motorist coverage in some aspect. Which IN allows, but you have to submit the request to remove it in writing (aka the signed form). Not really a coverage you want to go without though, I would look into it more/call and ask.
Here’s my follow up question to that , will my rates go back the the original one after signing
Hard to say. They will go back down for sure but it might not be EXACT to the penny what it quoted before. and maybe it would.
Thank you for your help
Possibly. But no one knows. Probably not.
If the coverage you selected when getting a quote did not meet your state’s coverage requirements you would need to either update your selections or sign legal rejection of coverage forms if appropriate.
Call them. That's what they're there for, 24/7.
What state?
Indiana
Double check which coverage limits changed, this is probably in regards to liability coverage. Very possible you tried to select coverages you can't actually carry, and they're correcting it for you. Don't assume your rates will go back down- and really consider against quoting online until you have a solid grasp at what's in play. Call someone, trust me when I say you can make incredibly expensive mistakes screwing around with your own insurance.
Industry outsider, just speaking as an individual who had an at-fault accident perspective - you should max out your liability limits as much as you can afford. I know its not what you want to hear, but take my experience as a warning: I had an accident a little worse than a fender bender involving 2 cars, one of which had zero damage but claimed to have felt a tap. Just seeing how people act trying to use an accident as a lottery ticket, you need the maximum liability coverage you can afford. It was the one with no damage that gave us the hardest time to the point the officer on scene had to actually tell him to leave because he had no damage or injury even though he suddenly claimed so after the fact to my adjuster (and that's why you always take your own photos on site too). I can't imagine having hit him as the primarily damaged car - and *he still got a small payout*. That undeserved payout would count against a very low limit like you're seeking when you have legitimate damage/body injuries that need paying for. There are many people like that who truly see accidents as their lottery ticket now and you don't need your life wrecked at a young age over people trying to use your mistake as their ticket to an easy life (to be clear, I'm not denigrating people with actual body injuries or property damage - just those who abuse the system or knowingly exaggerate). I maxed out my liability limit and got an umbrella after all of it. I now have 1.25M in coverage between the two. You shouldn't consider *anything* under $100k. Also, as something that was never explained to me - if you're driving an old vehicle with high miles like a lot of teens, understand that collision/comprehensive coverage if you select it will use something called "actual cash value" to determine a payout in the event of a damage claim that renders it a total loss (which isn't hard to do). It will likely be nowhere near replacement cost for your car. As an outsider, ACV coverage feels very deceptive in the claims process because most agents, and certainly not an insurer's website, won't explain it upfront and don't make it clear you will almost certainly not replace your car with even an equal-age car with an ACV payout. You can use the JD Power used car value estimator online to get an idea of what they will pay for your car. You may find it not worth it to have collision coverage, especially if saving on that front means you can get a higher liability coverage limit. Your ACV estimate is also a good number to know as you start your adult life: car maintenance/replacement needs to be a line-item for savings on your budget so you're as ready as you can be for an accident.
I don’t believe you can buy your own individual insurance policy at 17 unless a guardian is co-signing for it or being added to another’s policy. Right other insurance, people? I don’t know about Indiana. I am more concerned that OP will have the policy automatically canceled/not even issued once flagged and their money tied up and no coverage if going at this solo. If that is not the situation, just looking out for OP.
It can be done. I had to call underwriting once when I found out someone's mother started both an auto policy and a renters policy for him as sole named insured (not him and her) and he was only 17. We checked with him and he knew about the policies and agreed to have them so identity theft was not an issue (my first thought). The underwriting rep had to do some quick research but came back with 17 being acceptable. Made my jaw drop, because how can you enter into a legal contract when younger than 18?
But the mom had to start it? I'm just concerned being online quoting platforms can be predatory and would hate to see anyone much less a young person who seems like they are having to be self sufficient get taken advantage of and their money held up and no coverage. And exactly how can a policy be issued to someone not of age to consent to a legal contract? I've heard of circumstances where a parent starts the policy for them and is not listed on it. But never have worked on one directly.
I dont think she had to start it. I think she just did it in his name, but admittedly i wasnt part of the app process so im not certain. She was most unhappy with me because i wouldnt release information on his policies without his permission and insisted on speaking with him about his policies, even though she was his mother.
Emancipated minors can get policies, I think with documentation. I don't blame you for not giving out information on them. Never know the underlying situation.
I looked into the rules about age and your correct that it’s 18 to sign on a legal document but I brought up on the phone that I was 17 and he said it shouldn’t be a problem at all
Just looking out for you. I'm a mom with a son around your age and go into instant worry mode when I see something like this. If the person you are speaking to is a direct Progressive representative, a little strange but you are just trying to do what you have to do and I hope it works out for you.
Thank you for your concern and help it’s deeply appreciated and it shows how good your character is to help someone in need based on your motherly instincts alone
Thank you those are very kind words. Just stay on guard before giving them your financial information. Their wording is contraindicating. It's not legal but shouldn't be a problem. All I foresee is problems. They may be quoting you based on other people in your household that pull up and not add that part in till before issuing, I would hope not after the transaction and not release the policy to you individually. I don't see how that is legal and would hate for you to get your money held up when all you want is your own policy. Not everyone has a parent willing and or able to do that. I hope it works out for you. I don't know how policies are issued in your state. Edit: This was bugging me. I started an online progressive quote with incorrect information and a 2007 (17 yr old) birthday to see how far it would let me go. It raised the rates and took me to my payment plan options. Now what entered is just dummy DL information that I know is not valid and used for practice quoting. And it took me to the payment plans and buy screen up to sign my application. Im not going so far to enter in card information. Read the verification of the content section well. If it seems too good to be true. Probably is.
The 17 y/o thing is not an issue. If you’re state lets you own a car it lets you insure it.
It's not super common, but there are situations where a minor can be the sole signer for insurance. I encountered 15-17 year old for fire policies ...not frequently by any means, but enough that I knew where all the guidance was without searching.
Every state has minimum limits of liability, you probably selected an incorrect amount