Many people don’t read their insurance policies or take the time to shop to determine if they’re getting the best coverage for their investment, according to Wesley Smith, California attorney and author of several consumer books. Smith and consumer advocate Ralph Nader collaborated on “Winning the Insurance Game,” published in September. Smith said the book was inspired by Proposition 103, a controversial 1988 California initiative passed by voters that, among other things, sought to inject more competition into the pricing of California auto insurance quotes premiums and to benefit good drivers.
What’s an everyday example of how to get the insurance you really need, save money, and with a modicum of investigation? Dealing with insurance and getting the right policy and saving some money cannot be done like taking a pill, and boom, it’s finished. People’s involvement to the process is crucial. Otherwise they become what Ralph Nader calls an “uh-huh” consumer, one who goes to the agent and the agent says, “This is the best policy,” and the consumer says, “Uh-huh,” and writes the check. Yet if they cross the street to another agent and brought the quote and the policy, they might find out that that guy or woman can save you $20 a month. You have to spend as much time buying your insurance as you do buying a stereo. You know how consumers buy stereos, comparing woofers and tweeters, and which one has the best service record.

Personal experience? I needed insurance for two cars. I went to the brand-name insurance companies and independent agents, and I finally got the best California auto insurance quotes I could get from Mercury Insurance of California, which had the reputation of being one of the two lowest-priced companies in the state. I got a $2,900 quote per year for two cars. And now we’re California, and we’re priced high.
But I wasn’t happy with that (quote from one agent). I went to (another) independent agent who said, `Wesley, do you own your own house?” I said, “Yes.” He said, “Terrific. For Mercury, owning your own house is a sign of stability. That means I can get you a preferred rate. I got it for $1,900. The same policy, the same limits with the same company. I’ve referred a lot of people to that agent.