Anyone use Geico?

So what, there is no way to get a higher limit for car insurance than the basic? Not at any price? That seems dangerous - I probably wouldn't want to own a car if that's the case.

That seems dangerous

Welcome to our world!

I hope those with umbrella policies issued by stateside insurers never have to make a claim based on a local incident, because I have no confidence that the claim would be paid.

Edited to add: Perhaps buried somewhere (the policy, insurance code, insurance law) there's fine print that says something like, "policy is valid in all US states and territories, except where prohibited by law." I wouldn't be surprised if stateside insurers will write a policy and take your money, and if you make a claim they will be "surprised" to "discover" that their coverage isn't really valid in the USVI, and they will happily return the premiums you've paid.

So what, there is no way to get a higher limit for car insurance than the basic? Not at any price? That seems dangerous - I probably wouldn't want to own a car if that's the case.

Not many of the agents offer above minimum, I do have a 50K combined limit with Marshal and Sterling, not much better but at least it will cover the cost if I get into an accident with one of those custom stereo systems on wheels.

Yes, the insurance companies have got the weaseling out of a claim to a art.
Despite their very high premiums!
Anyone know a good homeowners insurance company?
What of AARP written out of PR?
The Insurance Company I had 1st bank(formally Marium Mathis) was TERRIBLE!
And, any company that uses Crawford VI for it`s claim adjusting doesn`t any pay claims(so the insurance Companies love them!)

Well, that's not great but it's a start. Is that the name of an agent or an insurance company (and if so - who would I go to to get such a policy).

Not many of the agents offer above minimum, I do have a 50K combined limit with Marshal and Sterling, not much better but at least it will cover the cost if I get into an accident with one of those custom stereo systems on wheels.

I spoke directly with the Insurance and Banking department yesterday. They indicated Geico is not on the acceptable insurance list, and the BMV will refuse it as valid insurance, although some squeak by from time to time.

She said that Geico may bypass the VI rules by selling on the internet, but they are not overseen by the VI government, they don't pay in to any of the required pools, and the government has no recourse over complaints.

I also tried to go to the Geico site to enter a test quote. While the first thing required is zip code, it took the entry and went to the next page where it filled in Christiansted as the city. But as you enter further, when you get to the state drop down list, VI is not available. You most certainly cannot get a VI quote through the internet.

As for making a call to Geico, as I indicated in an earlier post, in April they said I had to drop the coverage, as they did not cover the island. The agent said he thought they did, and double/triple checked, but came back negative.

Sorry for us all

OK, using the mid-point I calculate about 4.5% of residents are involved in an accident yearly or stated another way a resident will average an accident every 22 years or so. If you figure maybe only 50% of the population drives (age, ownership, etc.) then you're closer to an accident every 11 years or so. I don't have actual numbers but this doesn't seem much higher than the mainland to me.

I would suspect the issue may be the perception of insurers that the USVI's courts are very pro individual and anti-corporation in most lawsuits but this should be counteracted by lower settlement amounts given lower policy limits I suspect.

In the end I can't think of a logical reason why a major insurer wouldn't write policies here other than the fact the government won't allow it because the price competition from internet business would wipe out the local insurers and agencies. This all feels like job protectionism by the government at the expense of the consumer to me.

There are 10-15 auto accidents per day on St Croix; who would want to assume that risk?

I use AARP. They sell Real Legacy Assurance. 100K Bodily Injury and 50K property insurance. 3 vehicles, one with collision and Comprehensive = $1450.

We moved here August 19, 2009. We had Geico coverage in Maryland, and they referred me to the overseas department. Once I FINALLY got hold of them, they told me they don't have coverage for 00802. However, our local insurance is FAR cheaper than Geico ever was. In Maryland we had a 1994 Crown Vic with the lowest available insurance, and our 2003 Ford Ranger with collision as well. That was running us $419 per month. Here on St. Thomas we have the same Ford Ranger (shipped) and a 2001 Chevy Cavalier, both with lowest available coverage. We paid $400 and $350 per car for the entire year of insurance!

In Maryland we had a 1994 Crown Vic with the lowest available insurance, and our 2003 Ford Ranger with collision as well. That was running us $419 per month. Here on St. Thomas we have the same Ford Ranger (shipped) and a 2001 Chevy Cavalier, both with lowest available coverage. We paid $400 and $350 per car for the entire year of insurance!

That's because "car insurance" here is really more of an annual "vehicle tax" -- if you ever need the insurance in the VI you will find it doesn't cover much.

We moved here August 19, 2009. We had Geico coverage in Maryland, and they referred me to the overseas department. Once I FINALLY got hold of them, they told me they don't have coverage for 00802. However, our local insurance is FAR cheaper than Geico ever was. In Maryland we had a 1994 Crown Vic with the lowest available insurance, and our 2003 Ford Ranger with collision as well. That was running us $419 per month. Here on St. Thomas we have the same Ford Ranger (shipped) and a 2001 Chevy Cavalier, both with lowest available coverage. We paid $400 and $350 per car for the entire year of insurance!

What are you buying for that price though? 10/20k coverage isn't doing you (or the victim you injure in an accident) much good.

As for "can you get bigger coverage" the answer is yes. I have 100/300 coverage that I purchased from Marshall and Sterling. I pay $2400 or so a year for 2 vehicles, a 2008 Honda CRV with full coverage and a 2001 Ford Focus with no comprehensive (collision only). Drivers on the policy are myself and my wife, both with clean licenses/no claims in recent history. In DC I'd probably pay around $1000-$1200 for the same thing.

Sean

I was told it isn't possible to buy more than 10K/20K, and that like home equity loans/lines, umbrella policies are not a product available here. I buy my car insurance through Tunick and have the standard Lloyd's of London underwriter.

Do you have a contact number for Tunick? I am finding out my umbrella policy won't cover me unless I have at least 250K/500K/100K coverage.

(340)776-7000, but they're on STT, not STX.

http://www.theodoretunick.com/tunick800MOZ/Contact_Us.htm

Well I know by now that Geico is not good in St Croix... And I can't use USAA, does any one know if AARP which I use in my house , can I use it for car insurance in St Croix? If not what insurance people recommend .... also I am trying to make a decision if buying a 4 door jeep in florida and transport it or buy it in the island.

Car insurance is very cheap here compared to other places. Try Guardian Insurance...very reasonable.

We are covered via AARP on STX through Real Legacy Insurance in PR....have been for a couple of years.
Had no issues obtaining the insurance nor renewing it. They send us the renewal a month before it is due.
They have an adjuster on STX who we have dealt with in the past and was very good.

Recently my wife was told AARP now offers auto insurance in the USVI. She called the AARP VI number (a person in CT answers that number) and was told yes, AARP now writes insurance in the USVI through their PR office. The PR office E-mailed us some forms which needed to be filled out and sent back before we could get a quote. We faxed them and after not hearing back for a week she called PR and was told AARP does not offer coverage in the USVI.

My point is many phone reps don't really know what their company offers or if it's available down here in the VI. The only way to find out for sure is to actually place the order and see if the company's system will process it.

I, too, would like to hear if Geico does write policies here.

why cant you use usaa-you dont qualify?

i use marshall sterling. i would not use guardian. i know someone who was in an accident, not their fault-cop saw the whole thing-guardian had to be sued to get any money from it.

Any updates on the Geico situation in STT? We are relocating and trying to figure out the auto coverage.

The answer remains the same - Geico doesn't offer coverage in the USVI. I've been insured with Theodore Tunick and Co on STT for over 30 years and highly recommend them.

Don't know if you qualify but we use USAA.