Talking to my insurance company yesterday, they said the TL was classified as a high performance car and had a surcharge. Even though it was in group 17 and the BMW 530 was in group 20, the TL had slightly higher rates.

Has anyone else encountered this?

Do you know the link for the industry organization that does auto classification for insurance?

 

I haven't encountered this. My insurance cost was only $20 higher/6 mos. than my old TL, and that was quite a bargain.

 

Don't go by that, as these guys get extra for making you PAY EXTRA. FIND A GOOD AGENT THAT YOU CAN TRUST.

My ZR-1 was suppose to break me, but then I found out the special rates that were available and my agent wrote the policy that his boss originally said couldn't be done.

 

No agents involved. Customer service just looks up data in computer. All applied automatically based on VIN.

Thirty three years ago my Boss 302 was written up as a regular Mustang...can't get away with that any more.

 

Mine is $3 more, increase in OTC only, for 6-month policy, compared to my 03 TL-S (Premium Tier, lowest rates). The symbol for 04 TL is 17; while the symbols for 03 TL-S, 00 Maxima SE & 97 CL in our policy are all 18! I think the Symbol can change for a given car, it goes up if the car is in high demand, particularly if high theft rate (our 01 Civic EX went from 12 to 14).

 

Was yours marked high performance?

 

Mine is $70 more for six months than my previous 95 Integra.

 

I don't know what the heck the insurance companies use to calculate the rates. The G35 Coupe I just got was something like 30 dollars a month cheaper to insure than my wife's TL.

 

Do you have a better driving record?

 

No. I think it's how the underwriter or your agent "determines" if it is a hi-perf car. If yours is classified as hi-perf, talk to your agent of Ins Co, the "Hi-perf" cars should be those sedans with 8 cylinders & 300+ horsepowers.

 

Not really. I don't think it would matter though, because the rate is for the both of us. I just figured it was because her car is more apt to get stolen, have the HIDs jacked, or something.

 

I don't know about your state, but here in NJ, each driver's rated by points (accidents, moving violations & experience). There're 5 tiers, my wife has perfect record, therefore she's in top tier, & the most expensive car is insured under her name. The cheapest car is rated with the driver that has most points. I had to figure this out myself, the cash value of each car in policy & driving record of each driver, then tell my insurance co (agent) which car assign to which driver. Saves a LOT of Money, especially true in NJ where auto ins is highest in nation. When we got the TL, so I can give my older car to my #2 son who just got his license, insurance co automatically assumed the new car is for the new driver added (17 yr old male, in lowest tier), the premium for the TL was approx $4500; I switched it to under my wife & saved $3400, I put our oldest car (95 Integra) under my youngest son's name & dropped collision & OTC coverage, so his premium is now around $2K. Insurance Co's won't look out for your interest like this.

 

My annual premium went up $400 when I dropped a 94 Accord and added the TL. I am with USAA, but now thinking of looking elsewhere 'cause my record is spotless (although driving the TL makes me think a speeding ticket's in my future )

 

Mine went down a couple hundred $$$. Previously had IS 300 ....

 

Pug,
I'm also looking to switch insurance company, as my current company (Proformance Insurance co, not by choice, got stuck with it when my former co stopped writing auto insurance policies in NJ) is by far the worst I've ever dealt with, & I've been driving for 30+ years. If you're interested, PM me & I'll send you a chart (in Excel format) listing info on all Insurance Co's, useful for comparing purposes.

Also, just curious, how much is your premium? I insured it under my wife's name, since she also has a spotless driving record & belongs in the Premium Tier. Note, in order to be in the premium tier (top of 5 tiers), you must have no accidents (both at fault & not at fault), no moving violations & licensed 6+ yrs.

 

I have 2 cars (02 Outback H-6 and 97 Camry) in Northern NJ.
Insurance cost was $1,000 for 6mo for 2 cars w/full coverage.
I just got a quote from my ins co. it increased $150 for 6mo.
I'm married, have clean record, and 20K miles/year for 2 cars.
I feel this is reasonable because they only added $25/month from old 97 camry to brand new TL.

 

I went from a 03 TL-P to a 04 TL with Navi, and my payment went up $10 per month.

Mike Smeezy,

 

Here in PA, I went from a 02 TL-S to a 04 TLMT6/NAVI and mine went up about $60 a year. There is a note about high performance car at the bottom but I'm not sure if that ment they removed it because of the type S or added it. High performance car is determined by power to weight ratio - not if it's a V-8.