Hatrack River Forum: I was two hours late for work yesterday

This is topic I was two hours late for work yesterday in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by xnera (Member # 187) on :

...because I got into a six-car accident on 294.

Don't worry; I'm fine. So is the car. I was lucky enough to be at the head of the accident. There's a small ding in my bumper, but that's it. I had the least amount of damage.

The other cars were not so lucky. [Frown]

Two of them are pretty much totalled. The rest were drivable, but have considerable dents or whatnot. Luckily, no one was seriously injured. A few people got bruised up, and one lady did elect to go to the hospital, but that was after she had already been standing around for an hour.

I got lucky. I really, really got lucky. I say this because I currently do not have car insurance. I had it up until a month ago. But I was late with my payments one too many times, and so they dropped me. I started looking for new insurance immediately, but didn't have the money to really follow through. And I kept forgetting about it. In a way, I'm almost glad this happened, because now I'm determined to get insured again quickly.

It was not very fun standing on the expressway in the sun for two and a half hours while the cops figured out exactly how it all happened. I still don't know what caused the traffic to slow down initially. I was able to stop in plenty of time, but I looked in my rearview mirror and knew there was going to be an accident. I pretty much watched the whole thing happened within a matter of seconds.

And I admit I was worried I would get a ticket or lose my license for not being insured. But hey, it's the law, and I would not have complained. In fact, when the cop asked me for my insurance card, I politely explained that I recently lost insurance and that if he needed to give me a ticket, that was fine. And I told him I stuck around because I knew it was the right thing to do. I have never, never left the scene of an accident, and never will. Heck, one time I hit a car in the parking lot, and left a note on their windshield.

Anyway. Does anyone have any recommedations for car insurance? I was with State Farm before. I tried getting a quote from Geico, but was surprised to find they were more expensive than State Farm was (I've been with State Farm forever, and had my condo insurance through them as well). My manager recommended Prudential. I think I might try Progressive.com and see what it finds. Anyone tried that?

You know, I wanted more excitement in my life, but this isn't really what I had in mind. *grin*

Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :

[Eek!]

I'm glad you're ok.

I have always found Geico and Progressive to be very expensive, despite their slick commercials claiming the opposite. I have always done well with Nationwide, though. If you can avoid it, don't go with a no-name discount company. I did for years, and got adequate service too, but when I moved and they were no longer available, and I went with a legitimate insurer, I got penalized for having been with a discount insurer despite my spotless driving record.

Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :

Oddly, I've found Geico to be the LEAST expensive. I'll be danged. [Wink]

Jebus, xnera.

Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :

Wow, xnera. I'm so glad you're safe. Unfortunately, that's the only thing I have to contribute to this thread. All I know about insurance is that mine's due in a week... [Grumble]

Posted by Zevlag (Member # 1405) on :

I'm so glad you are ok Xnera!

I'm with Bear River Mutuual, but it is a very exclusive group, extremely tight about who the keep, only the best of the best lowrisk types.

[ September 11, 2003, 12:30 AM: Message edited by: Zevlag ]

Posted by tonguetied&twisted (Member # 5159) on :

(((((xnera)))))

I know nothing about insurance. Well, except in NZ, which in all probability isn't helpful to you. So I shall refrain from commenting. Oh wait... [Razz]

Glad you're ok.

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

Wow, I'm glad you're okay, too! What a fright!

Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :

I've had insurance with The Hartford (although the rates were good, they had some serious customer service issues), Austin Agency (they were good), and am currently with USAA (which is the best I've ever seen so far, but is exclusive to people in the military, and their offspring).

((xnera)) I'm sorry you got in an accident, but you really were fortunate that it was no serious damage to you or your vehicle. [Smile]

Good luck finging insurance. Do you know an independant insurance agent (meaning they don't work for any insurance agency - and their commission is paid by the insurance company, not you) who could help you find a good deal for you? One of our family friends is an independant insurance agent and he is fabulous. Too bad you're not in AZ, or I'd hook you up with him.

Posted by Ralphie (Member # 1565) on :

I'm also relieved you're okay.

Man.

Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :

I'm sorry you got into a car accident.... I love the title of this thread, though, for remembering how long you were unemployed and seeing you talk about being late for work...it just kind of makes me smile, happy that you have work to be late for.

Glad you're okay.

edited to clarify the thought since it could have been interpretted differently than I meant it.

[ September 11, 2003, 12:24 PM: Message edited by: jeniwren ]

Posted by Amka (Member # 690) on :

Oi, xnera. Even when those aren't serious for you, it leaves you all freaked out for the next little while. I'm glad you didn't get hurt, I hope you feel better.

Posted by Lime (Member # 1707) on :

*Reaches for an expletive that hasn't been used yet*

Hizzango, Xerna, I'm glad you're safe! Accidents on highways suck...a good friend of mine actually had his first car totaled on 294 a few years ago.

I'm with Allstate right now, and they're pretty good. They've got good response in their claims department, and their rates are pretty darn good (it helps a bunch if you ensure a hunk o' junk, too [Wink]

) But their rates for full coverage for Vána's 5 year old car aren't too bad, either.

Posted by Dead_Horse (Member # 3027) on :

I'm glad you and your car had minimal damage...

I like Allstate, but right now I have State Farm. American Family was good, too. Progressive and GEICO were expensive, and GEICO did NOTHING when I was hit by someone else.

Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :

I was with State Farm until I was able to get a group discount rate with Met through my work. But State Farm was great. Working with a local agent meant service that the toll-free phone line customer service Met will never match.

Edit: I've never had to make an insurance claim. I've never gotten a ticket, and I've never been in an accident. So I may not be the most reliable source. [Smile]

[ September 11, 2003, 06:01 PM: Message edited by: advice for robots ]