Fuller Insurance Blog

Win Prizes from Progressive Insurance in the Snapshot of You Sweepstakes

Progressive Insurance is giving away prizes every week through June 4 to celebrate the launch of their Snapshot Discount, which lets you save on car insurance based on how you drive. Just strike a pose and submit a snapshot to enter: http://pgrs.in/snapshotofyou.

Progressive Snapshot Discount: Save An Extra 30% On Car Insurance

Are you ready to save an extra 30% on your auto insurance? Do you want an exclusive discount? Its time you consider the Progressive Snapshot Discount.

The Snapshot device is a little gadget that you plug into your car's on-board diagnostic port (OBD) port.

The OBD port is where your mechanic plugs in their computer  to read your car's computer.  The OBD port gives your mechanic the information he needs to repair or service your car. The OBD port is usually located below the steering column. 

 

The Snapshot device records three things about your driving:

1. how many times you brake hard
2. how many miles your drive
3. when you drive

The Snapshot device sends this information to Progressive through the wireless data network (don't worry, the device does not track where you drive, only how you drive). You can view your driving log using the Snapshot tools on the internet.

After 30 days you receive an initial discount based on your driving habits. At the end of six months you receive your Snapshot Discount, which could be up to a total of 30% in addition to any other discounts you qualify for. When your six months is done, you return the device to Progressive in the same packaging, postage pre-paid.

If you are a "safe driver," now is the time to prove it and claim your additional Snapshot Discount with Progressive Auto Insurance.

Florida Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Fraud

The Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Insurance Fraud, released a report on August 7, 2009 titled Impacts of the Economy and Insurance Fraud. The report details the affects the economic downturn has had on the rate of insurance fraud. The report concludes by stating: "Insurance fraud increased significantly over the past year, indisputably as an impact of the down-turned economy."

As an insurance agent, we are generally focused on selling and servicing insurance policies for our customers (i.e., we don't focus too much attention on the issue of insurance fraud). But a recent conversation with my Progressive Insurance marketing representative led me to start thinking about this issue.

Apparently, Progressive is suffering from a severe spike in fraudulent Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claims in Florida. To slow the tide of these fraudulent claims, Progressive decided to eliminate payment plan options for new business in their non-standard and middle market tiers (the drivers with poor driving records or poor insurance history). So, if you get a Progressive Insurance Quote and are rated in one of these tiers, your only option is to pay in full. Without a monthly payment plan option, Progressive's new business applications in these tiers will come to a near stop, and thereby slow down their rate of fraudulent PIP claims.