Car insurance question--Desperate!

[La Sombra]

So I've recently gone through a divorce and in the tumult of all that, I (and ex) let our car insurance coverage lapse. It certainly wasn't intentional, we just failed to be vigilant about it and sort it out before the coverage ended.

So now we've been without coverage for just over a month, which happens to be the magic number when the insurance companies say that you have to start all over and pay extra high premiums to pay for your transgression.

I was just given a quote for 6 months and it's more than $2,000 for ONE vehicle!!!!!!

I have absolutely no idea what to do. On the one hand, I have to have insurance--both safety-wise and legally! On the other hand, I CANNOT afford to pay $2,200-something right now for car insurance. I mean I simply don't have that money.

So does anyone know what people in situations like mine DO? How on earth do I go about paying for this insurance that I *have* to have when I can in no way afford it?

TIA in advance for any suggestions!

PS-In case it wasn't clear, when I refer to ex and I as "we" I'm talking about our old policy. Of course now we are going to get coverage separately, so he is not part of this equation.

[Drummer's Wife]

Have you tried Progressive? We were able to get coverage (decently priced) after lapsing.

[sunnysandiegan]

Call around for better rates. A brief explanation with the right tone of voice and an appropriate service rep might be very beneficial.

If you have a Costco membership, they offer auto insurance through a company in certain states. It was very reasonable when I called, but our insurance is with State Farm and no other company has been able to beat it for the last 10+ years. I call 1-3 companies each year as due diligence. (Obviously, our situation is different from yours. I am just giving specific company names from my experience.)

[cappuccinosmom]

Call around.

Also, if you just can't afford "full" coverage, ask for quotes on the minimum. You'll want to save a good-sized emergency fund, because it won't cover as much damage, but it might be a good temporary measure. Ours for two cars with minimum legal coverage is about $60/month. Even if that's triple for you because of your lapse, it'll be better than the quote you got.

[HeatherAtHome]

Another vote for call around. You would not believe how much a difference there is sometimes.

[rainbowmoon]

Have you tried Geico?

My car insurance was cancelled a couple years back due to a technicality and I ended up going with Geico. It's under $40 a month for full coverage.

[BetsyS]

Originally Posted by rainbowmoon

Have you tried Geico?

My car insurance was cancelled a couple years back due to a technicality and I ended up going with Geico. It's under $40 a month for full coverage.

That's an amazing price!! We pay $60 a month for the minimum (liability only) on a 1996 car. No tickets, no accidents, this is after calling around, etc.

Don't forget that some of the variation in car insurance costs has to do with where you live. We happen to live in a zip code with pretty high rates.