Tom Moths
Traveler's Insurance

Dear Tom,

With independent insurance agent Jim Schrader's help, we moved from Allstate to Traveler's thanks to the hybrid vehicle discount. We have done business with Allstate for decades and they have been good to us. But when I had to replace my '91 Camry with no option to repair it, a lot of good will went away. I bought a used, 2003 Prius hybrid and a couple of months later, learned that your company was going to offer a hybrid-electric discount. That made this switch possible for both cars today and shortly, the house.

I have found that driving a Prius encourages conservative, alert habits because we want to save gas. I get better mileage by taking a shorter, more direct route further saving gas and avoiding high speed traffic. The 2003 Prius has greatly improved safety features and excellent performance. That Traveler's recognizes the unique characteristics of hybrid electrics and their owners is just icing on the cake. But even with the hybrid discount, Traveler's was not the least expensive offering.

You have my business because of Traveler's recognition of the valuable role hybrids play in our nation's future. It is my small recognition and admiration for your doing the right thing. Thank you for leading the way and I look forward to a long and successful association.

Yours,
Robert J. Wilson "Bob"

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

If they say its a discount, but its not actually cheaper than the competition, is it really a discount? Or just a fancy marketing scheme?

If the discount is off of their standard policy quote then it is a discount of the Traveler's product. However, the fact that it is a discount doesn't necessarily mean it's a good deal for the consumer. It all depends on what Traveler's competitors, without the discount, are offering and the relative quality of service that Traveler's provides. However, if Traveler's is recognizing a lower cost of serving hybrid customers, it's a wise business decision that will eventually push other insurance companies to compete.

Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent ~ Isaac Asimov

Now that I agree with!

Hi,

Which is why a copy of this letter will go to our Allstate agent. It does no good to do something on principle if it is not shared.

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

Bob,

That is an excellent idea. I will say that the Traveler's policy interested me because they were offering a discount for hybrid owners. Unfortunately, Travelers doesn't offer a plan where I'm located so I stuck with my old insurer. But hopefully, Traveler's will push Geico to factor in hybrid ownership as well. I can only hope.

Norris

Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent ~ Isaac Asimov

Exactly. You need to take your exact current coverage to other agents in order to get an oranges-to-oranges comparison. And if you're getting a discount from your current insurer for having home & car policies with them, you need to factor the loss of that discount into the equation.

Awesome! Great way to take a stand.

*** Retired after 65,000 outstanding miles ***

Not available in NJ.

-Charlie...

I have a Progressive policy I got through AAA, but after a deluge of TV commercials and junk mail from other insurers I decided to call around and see if I really could get a better rate.

What I found is that I'm pretty sure the agents just make up the quotes out of thin air. For the same exact coverage Progressive gives us, companies would charge anything from a few hundred to a thousand dollars more every six months.