In a message dated 10/23/01 12:12:02 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
vgonman@EARTHLINK.NET writes:

<< Call me paranoid, but after dropping $4000 on my TiiCo conversion I don't
 want to take any chances. I even went so far as to have my van covered for
 an extra $4000 dollars for "Additional Custom Parts Or Equipment". My
 insurance company is Progressive. They have an option in their policy
 section for this extra coverage. In my case, it raised my premium by $190
 for 6 months, but then again, I live in LA, so my insurance rates will be a
 bit higher no matter what. >>

I partially "self insure" most of my Vanagons.  Then again I don't have
anything of major value in there. Malcolm is correct in saying that most
insurance companies will not surcharge you if you make claims once in a
while. How often you can getaway with it will depend on how long you've had
your full coverage policy and how often you make a claim. This is what they
used to tell us when I worked for Allstate Insurance.

Were you aware that most insurance companies surcharge single men until they
are age 49? When women turn 25, they are considered adults. When men are not
unless they have been married or divorced and at least 25 years of age.
Otherwise, most insurance underwriters consider men higher risk until that
magic number 49. Apparently, a lion's share of accidents is attributable to
that group.

OK, so your choice to get the cheapest rates is be at least 25 and either be
a woman, or get married and stay married, or divorced.

I can only guess that those of us who have been divorced get an appreciation
of life and responsibility after the fact.  Flame on bruuthers...

BenT