Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Zaria32]

Now that I am back in the US I must obviously buy a car. When I left the US, I was paying about $650 per year for automobile insurance.

I haven't had a ticket in about 10-15 years, and no accidents for longer
than that, and I've never had a chargeable accident. But because I had
no automobile insurance while I was in Korea (as I had no car) the
cheapest quote I've received is $2600 for the year. Yikes!

[warren pease]

Buy a motorcycle.

[Join Me]

I am fully expecting this...which is why I don't intend to return to the US to be screwed by insurance companies for a very long time. They are a big part of the reason why I left and desire to start a business somewhere in Asia. Insurance companies and lawyers have ruined the "American Dream" in America but I will find it elsewhere.

[moosehead]

that's funny because I returned in 2006 and bought an old pick up truck (yes I did!) and insured it for the minimum - it was to be a project truck but when gas went up I sold it - at any rate, there was no huge increase on my insur -

OP what state are you in ?? some states have different rules and regs - NY for instance, and NJ -

[Join Me]

[sjrm]

[driftingfocus]

My money is on Massachusetts.

[Mr. Pink]

I probably should have shopped around for insurance companies. I was paying about 1.2mil won a year for car insurance. In Canada I am paying about 1900 a year for my car. My friend who got insurance in BC said they recognized the Korean insurance and hence got a discount. I got no such luck at my insurance company. Though I did get free renters insurance (a $200 value) with my insurance company.

Living in a first world country has benefits and these cost money. Living in Korea...let's face it it is only in the past 5 years that a lot of people have started buying expensive and trendy cars. In North America, a lot of people have cars they could never afford due to leasing or financing. So there are a lot more expensive cars on the road, hence insurance premiums are higher. I don't have to worry just about my car, but the other person's car as well. It sucks, but the insurance companies got people by the balls on that.

[buster brown]

I ran into the same exact problem several years ago in Texas. I sold my personal car because I had a company-supplied vehicle for about 3 years. When I changed jobs and bought another car, I had to pay relatively steep rates for the first year. As I recall, the best rates were either through State Farm or Geico.

You can try getting a family member to "buy" the car from you and put you on their policy. It ought to be significantly cheaper than any other option.

[Zaria32]

For those of you betting on the state...all are wrong. The state is North
Carolina.

[hogwonguy1979]

yup that sounds about right, our State Farm agent in Texas told us when we came back to Korea in 2002 that if we didnt maintain a policy that when we came back we would be considered "high risk" because we would of had no previous insurance even though we could prove we were out of the country. So for 4 years we paid $25/month for a "non-owner" liability policy that wouldnt of even covered a rental car there which stunk big time. Now we keep a car at my m-i-l's house and have a min liability policy, runs us $40/month

friggin greddy a$$ insurance companies.

[Missihippi]

OP, several factors could play a part in this perceived increase of your insurance:

1) age of car
2) safety ratings of car
3) inflation since last time having insurance

I suggest price shopping. Check geico, safeco, progressive, etc..

However, if you are getting full coverage on a vehicle newer than 2001 expect to pay 2k+ per year. If you are getting only liability on an older car, expect to pay <1k per year.

[bassexpander]

That's why I use AIG insurance for my car in Korea. I'll have proof of insurance here.

[Zaria32]

Missihippi, I think you're a bit off on your estimates. And for those who
asked, the car is a 2004 Volvo wagon...I'm told full coverage would be way less than $1000 were it not for "no insurance" during the time I was
in Korea.

Geico, and some other companies, will not cover someone who did not have insurance (even if because out of the country.) The insurance
company in question is USAA, one of the cheaper ones around, military
affiliation required.

[cheeseface]