[Envy]

Unless you are dealing with the agent/company you currently have a policy with...chances are you received a bogus quote. It is a common tactic for auto insurance companies to give you a very low quote and once they receive payment to start the policy they will come back with an adjusted higher amount for coverage. Plus it's very important to make sure that you're comparing similar policies that offer the same coverage. Often that great quote they give you is for a policy with only half the coverage you had before and possibly not even enough to meet your state's minimum requirement.

I've had USAA insurance for a very long time...but I got screwed by auto insurance carriers every way possible when I was much younger and less wiser. Recently (because I was seeking some insurance for my niece) I was offered an unbelievably low rate by Allstate. I was very suspicious so I inquired about it since I know USAA offers some of the best rates available. After I questioned the agent I determined that the rate was based on a policy that had only 1/5 of the monetary coverage I currently have and the policy did not meet the Texas state minimums.

They knew good and well what the state requirements are in Texas...but here's the scam: Once you put money down on a policy...it will never be fully refunded (like they tell you it can be)...even if you cancel it before the coverage begins. They will keep a sizable portion for underwriting and fees so that you're stuck with them for the next year unless your willing to blow off the money already paid. But they are more than willing to apply the money you already paid to that newer policy with the higher price. When this happened to me...I would inquire why the higher rate and was given lame excuses like "Oh, we missed that ticket on your record" or "That policy didn't meet your state's minimum coverage requirement". Sadly...some lessons have to be learned the hard way.

I can't stress this enough...when it comes to auto insurance...especially when you're dealing with a company for a new policy and you've never been insured by them before...IT'S ALWAYS A BUYER BEWARE SITUATION. And never make the mistake of assuming that the big named "trusted" companies (e.g., Allstate, State Farm, Geico, etc) are beyond such business practices.