topic Re: Anyone else increase/decrease auto insurance coverages seasonally? in SmorgasBoard

Anyone else increase/decrease auto insurance coverages seasonally?

boxmover — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 10:04:15 GMT

I get a bit nervous in the first snow storm of the year because a lot of drivers are new and/or have forgotten how to drive on snow/ice with our 9 month pause each year, including me. We're supposed to get hit with a pretty harsh snow storm in the next few days, and then have another one predicted to start after that one ends.

Last winter the first time it really snowed there were 4 vehicles off the road and 1 in the ditch on the way to work over a 500' elevation section of road. I turned around & went home & put in paid time off for work. I'll do the same next time the universe sends a sign like that, but just in case I'm the first to slide & glide off I pay extra ~3 months when we have a bad winter.

I use the state's DOT traffic map cameras app that updates images every 5 minutes to see if the roads look safe, what kind of traffic there is ( commuters vs. snow plows) and have a very flexible schedule for commuting, so try to be prepared. Am I over-reacting with adjusting insurance coverages?

As soon as i saw up to 9" of snow forecasted I opened up my insurance app, raised the coverages & lowered the deductibles. Is this normal or does it look fishy to auto insurance companies? It's about a $400/6 month increase. I don't need all that during the summer, so it feels cheaper this way - not sure if it really is or not. I still went out and got a new set of snow tires last year

Re: Anyone else increase/decrease auto insurance coverages seasonally?

Gunnerboy — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 20:56:08 GMT

Just my opinion. It doesn't look fishy. Indecisive, maybe. If you do this too often, it might raise a red-flag for a manual-review. Worst case, maybe your premiums go up.

Fishy would be something like adding comprehensive coverage, then filing a claim for stolen-vehicle not too long after.

Re: Anyone else increase/decrease auto insurance coverages seasonally?

markbeiser — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 21:18:45 GMT

@Gunnerboy wrote:

Fishy would be something like adding comprehensive coverage, then filing a claim for stolen-vehicle not too long after.

How long after adding comprehensive coverage before a vehicle fire wouldn't look fishy?
Asking for a friend.

Re: Anyone else increase/decrease auto insurance coverages seasonally?

Gregory1776 — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 14:17:28 GMT

The best insurance for winter driving is your tires. Snow tires preform dramatically better in the snow AS WELL AS COLD (20°) than the (typical, usually cheap) all seasons people tend to equip, run to 3/32"s and are optimized for long life (making it a harder tire) over than excellent traction.

if you live somewhere that's consistently cold and or gets a good bit of snow, make the investment.

I would, however I cannot justify it because it is frequently very warm (S NJ) and I don't travel to where it's cold yet.

yes, I am quite the tire enthusiast

Re: Anyone else increase/decrease auto insurance coverages seasonally?

boxmover — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 15:52:51 GMT

@Gregory1776 absolutely agreed 100%, "The best insurance for winter driving is your tires."

I finally did that last year, 4 snow tires, the difference I don't know how to adequately describe how incredibly impressive it was. Suffice to say, I'm sold on the importance and performance of winter tires, much better than studs - I had no idea what I was missing all those years, figured I just needed a 4 wheel drive, was wrong. Side benefit was they're fantastic in the rain, too. Never experienced such reliable traction in winter weather until 2024. I'm in my 50s, took me too long!

Re: Anyone else increase/decrease auto insurance coverages seasonally?

Thomas_Thumb — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 16:45:16 GMT

@markbeiser wrote:
@Gunnerboy wrote:

Fishy would be something like adding comprehensive coverage, then filing a claim for stolen-vehicle not too long after.
How long after adding comprehensive coverage before a vehicle fire wouldn't look fishy?
Asking for a friend.

Is there a 90 day rule? Just curious.