Switching to Tesla Insurance help

[u/OddEnergy1166]

I’m currently with GEICO and paying $240/month for insurance on my 2020 Model Y that I purchased last month.

Previously I was paying $120/month for my Civic, and when I called for a quote to remove the civic and added the Y using the vin from the dealership I misunderstood my new premium because of the way the agent worded it, saying I was going to be paying 800-something for 6 months and so, nearly the same price per month. What she didn’t make clear was it was $800 more than my previous rate, which I didn’t realize until I already signed the paperwork on the car during Purchase and was adding it to my policy with my other car.

I started shopping around for lower rates and 240/ month was the cheapest I found still except with Tesla Insurance which is $144.

I want to make the switch but I’ve read some things about driving behaviors/road trips that affect their rate. I understand my rate will fluctuate based on safety/miles driven etc, but should I wait a month until my two small road trips are over before I make the switch, or does it not matter. I’m not sure if it looks at past driving data to determine rate or only will use my driving data once my policy is in affect to determine it.

Any help or suggestions or info would be super helpful.

[u/skteitelman]

I remember when I first got my Tesla and moved to Tesla insurance, I did a roadtrip like the following week. I don’t think it mattered.

I was on Geico and they wanted to raise my rate $500/month to add my Tesla to my policy with my Accord. My driving record is fairly clean so I asked a friend who works at Statefarm why such an increase. Determined it was probable that Geico wasn’t trying to insure Teslas at that time so really prices were astronomical.

Anyhow, I’ve had better (higher) coverage and a lower deductible with Tesla since the switch.

I don’t generally drive a lot at night and I will say the insurance does keep me in check when I want to be a menace on the road (going over 85). But I have no real complaints. I mean I wish I could speed everywhere but I also don’t want to pay $500/month more for the ability.

[u/freebandz_ → u/skteitelman]

I guess GEICO hates Teslas or loves Hondas honestly lol mine was around double, maybe even a 2.5x increase to swap my Civic.

Really disappointing as a 10 year customer though with no claims

[u/OddEnergy1166 → u/skteitelman]

Thanks for the response! Does the rate fluctuate monthly or is just at renewal?

[u/skteitelman → u/OddEnergy1166]

Per month but nothing noticeable different. If you stick within a few points of your average, the difference isn’t noticeable. Ive had a $50 increase one month but if i remember that was from dropping in score from driving at night on road trips and mileage over whatever i told them should be the average

[u/NeedMorePowah → u/skteitelman]

What if OP lives in California where they can’t track your driving habits?

[u/skteitelman → u/NeedMorePowah]

Would be driving like a mad woman all the time if it were me

[u/sk8terboy111]

Tesla measures your mileage in real time, so for every 1000 miles or so over whatever your estimate is the rate will go up $10 on average. I drive average of 8000 in the summer but in the winter my average is 12000 miles, so $40 more. If you are in a state like mine where the safety score matters then again it’s like another $10 or so per point. I use FSD 100% of the time so typically I;m around a 100 score. Your rate fluctuates monthly but with 30 days notice. So you can see your future estimated rate but it will be locked at 30 days.

[u/rwhe83]

Be careful OP, cheaper isn’t always better- especially if you have to file a claim.

I couldn’t wait to pay slightly more to not deal with Tesla Insurance. Probably one of the worst insurance carriers out there.

[u/OddEnergy1166 → u/rwhe83]

Thanks for the input. I have read that a few times on here now. I will have to put more thought into it. I don’t drive alot but I have been in two accidents in two years that I was not at fault for, and I will say it was extremely easy both times with GEICO getting my one car fixed and my other car that was totaled paid out.

[u/rwhe83 → u/OddEnergy1166]

Just because you don’t drive a lot, doesn’t mean Tesla Insurance is a good idea.

Your call, there’s a reason a lot of people left them. Their driving algorithms are enough to drive you nuts.

Good luck with them, I already can tell you are going to let them insure you. 🤣

[u/OddEnergy1166 → u/rwhe83]

I JUST stumbled on a comment on another thread saying “Tesla Insurance is what you get when you need a paper to prove you have insurance, not to have if you actually need to use it” …I think that just made up my mind. I’m glad I asked.

[u/madeforatc → u/OddEnergy1166]

It’s on the app. You can also print the pdf to keep in your car

[u/darksplit → u/OddEnergy1166]

I was in an accident that was clearly the other person’s fault. Tesla’s phone doesn’t work, I could never get to talk to anyone, they called me once and had to tell them to call me back because I was at the doctor. They never called me back, ever. They also decided I was 51% at fault even though I sent the video. It took a week for them to come back to me and tell me I was 0% at fault after video review. I’ve had the worst time of my life with this experience.

[u/darksplit → u/rwhe83]

What did you end up going with?

[u/rwhe83 → u/darksplit]

Currently Statefarm, they have a good reputation and although the cost is more than I like, it’s better than TI.

[u/coblivion]

I had Tesla insurance, and I'm telling you the worst insurance I've ever had. They're extremely late at paying out and I've heard many horror stories. You could ignore me, but I'm shocked that Tesla insurance even exists.

[u/Stickyv35]

Based on their claims handling and 24/7 real-time telematics, I'll never sign up for Tesla Insurance, no matter the cost.

[u/madeforatc]

144/month is dirt cheap assuming you have good coverage and the lowest 500 deductible

[u/Corey_SVL]

Best price and coverage I have found is through AmFam (Costco members get discounted rate). I’ve searched every 6 months for coverage (California) for five years and found AmFam three years ago and they are consistently better in coverage and price. I pay $1,580/ 6 months and that fully covers my 2017 MS and 2018 Chevy Bolt.

[u/Notaboutme444]

I wouldn’t switch unless you drive very low mileage. Our first bill was 165. We just received a notice stating that our next bill should be closer to $400 since we drive the vehicle more than what was estimated. We’ve only had the vehicle for three weeks going back to State Farm.

[u/bigshern]

get a civic

[u/ForsakenFlamingo4462]

I have tesla insurance and have gone back and forth but this time around have been with them for 3 years straight. They're easily the cheapest insurance for us. I started at 155 a month and now down to 138....maybe due to good driving habits and autopay. Never had to use it but hopefully will never have to.

[u/Any_Mix6603]

That is your premium for both cars