http://www.stolten.us/~nick/pictures/street_racing-2.jpg
http://www.stolten.us/~nick/pictures/street_racing-1.jpg

I had to post this. Now I'm convinced insurance agents are retarded. Parents, make sure you know how to spot those pesky turbo boosters and strut bars!

Seriously, I'm not condoning street racing, but come on![???:)]

jeez, whoever wrote that article must think the average human mind is retarded.

Geico has also helped put countless radar and laser units into the hands of law enforcement as well. Unlike reducing fraud, or warning parents which you could argue lowers the cost to their customers, that seems to be directly related to driving up insurance costs for their customers. My insurance is not with them.

Ed

Funny how baby boomers wax nostalgic about the hot rods they built and raced in their teens - my dad was one of them. However, these activities are too dangerous for their children. My dad later became a State Farm agent, but never stopped speeding everywhere he went. Today he is retired and driving a dangerous Harley - sometimes with no hemet on.

I used to ride dirt bikes as a teenager, and rode in many enduro races along the Rio Grande in West Texas. It was dangerous, but so much fun.

The point is - few things really fun or thrilling are safe. The goverment is passing laws these days more for insurance companies than the citizens. I am still against the seatbelt law - not because I don't believe people should wear them, but because I do not believe we need the government mandating their use. If you are 18 years old, you are old enough to die for your country. You should also be old enough to drink and be responsible for your own safety.

Now - about street racing specifically. Even I have to admit it is a growing problem in some areas. But rather than trying to ban it, local communities should accept it and make areas available for it away from public traffic areas. I would rather have a kid drag racing than taking drugs anyday, but they need a designated track area to do it safely (well, as safely as possible).

Originally posted by Kneel
Funny how baby boomers wax nostalgic about the hot rods they built and raced in their teens - my dad was one of them. However, these activities are too dangerous for their children. My dad later became a State Farm agent, but never stopped speeding everywhere he went. Today he is retired and driving a dangerous Harley - sometimes with no hemet on.

I used to ride dirt bikes as a teenager, and rode in many enduro races along the Rio Grande in West Texas. It was dangerous, but so much fun.

The point is - few things really fun or thrilling are safe. The goverment is passing laws these days more for insurance companies than the citizens. I am still against the seatbelt law - not because I don't believe people should wear them, but because I do not believe we need the government mandating their use. If you are 18 years old, you are old enough to die for your country. You should also be old enough to drink and be responsible for your own safety.

Now - about street racing specifically. Even I have to admit it is a growing problem in some areas. But rather than trying to ban it, local communities should accept it and make areas available for it away from public traffic areas. I would rather have a kid drag racing than taking drugs anyday, but they need a designated track area to do it safely (well, as safely as possible).

Agreed.

I completely understand where they are coming from. They don't care about most people's lives and property, only the fact that they get their money and they don't have to shell any out. That being said, I have never nor will ever make a claim on my insurance if I'm at the track and something happens. I don't believe in insurance fraud.

Still, these morons are too busy with what their bosses put under their noses to see the big picture. I mean, if they were really as informed as they claim they are, don't you think they would have actually gotten some of the terminology correct? Or maybe they would have written the article to someone with more than a 4th grade education...

Either way, I'm astonished. I need reality checks like this from time to time so I don't forget how stupid the average person is.

I like how they call the turbochargers, "turbo boosters." Uh, okay, is this Knight Rider? Can I hit the "Turbo Boost" button on my console and make my Focus leap over obstacles like K.I.T.T. can? Gimme all you got K.I.T.T.!! [rolleyes]

Anywho, yeah, kids racing/driving fast isn't exactly new - the article tries to make it sound like this is some growing problem or something, but obviously anyone with half a brain knows that kids have been doing this pretty much since cars were invented (or at least, cars fast enough to actually race, were invented).

BTW my dad is an insurance adjuster (not for Geico [:D]) and he tries to be as fair as possible when evaluating someone's claim, but if it does look suspicious, he will report it. It's only fair to the rest of us, you shouldn't wreck your car doing something blatantly illegal and dangerous, and then expect your insurance to cover it. If you take the risk, you should pay.

"AUTO TAG"????


The FIRST person to tag my bumper, my foot is gonna tag thier ass. This artical is plain retarded.



You know that the strut bars add about 75 whp. DAMN those things are dangerous!

^^^^agreed.

[idea]has anyone noticed that the horsepower wars are back on, only this time it's caddy's bmw's lexus well you get the ideal [ohcrap]what do you think someone is going to do with a 440hp supercharged sts? [wiggle] get to the office fast right?

Holy crap folks does this mean that my insurance company might not renew my policy because i have my TEIN stickers on my car? I better take my strut tower bars off beforei ever report any kind of claim.

Jeff

State Farm started denying homeowners applications if the owners had any large "dangerous" dog - like a Doberman, Rottweiler, or Pit Bull.

Check out this drag race - Corvette engine blows up.
Click > Blows Up (http://www.wimp.com/blows/)

Yeah, even though my dad works for an insurance company, I gotta say having insurance is like a "damned if you, damned if you don't" type thing sometimes. My favorite fish store that's been a local institution for 18 years, went out of business last month because *gasp* they filed an insurance claim. That was it, they filed a claim, and because they actually used their insurance, their insurer dropped them, and they couldn't get anyone else to insure them. [rolleyes]

Originally posted by SVT4ME
Yeah, even though my dad works for an insurance company, I gotta say having insurance is like a "damned if you, damned if you don't" type thing sometimes. My favorite fish store that's been a local institution for 18 years, went out of business last month because *gasp* they filed an insurance claim. That was it, they filed a claim, and because they actually used their insurance, their insurer dropped them, and they couldn't get anyone else to insure them. [rolleyes]

Stories like that seem more and more common these days with insurance companies.

hey don't forget to check you kids trunk for the spray that conceals license plates I agree we need a place for our kids and us to be able to race in a safe matter. But now for the question who is going to pay for this. Our goverment has more importent things to spend our tax money on than this like a war to help people in another country only cost us 8 billion dollars so far. Also the federal goverment cut back school funding so all the schools around me are really hurting to provide buss service and basic school needs. The feds also cut funding to all 88 countys in our state for law enforcement. Thats what we need less cops and more citizens well hope were not too busy when needed. Well back on subject this is a subject that has been around for a long time and will never go away. Geico will never get my business now

Originally posted by focusin
"AUTO TAG"????


The FIRST person to tag my bumper, my foot is gonna tag thier ass. This artical is plain retarded.



You know that the strut bars add about 75 whp. DAMN those things are dangerous!
Thats freakin funny I was thinking the exact same thing

They should make a Dr Scholl's commercial about it. .............Hey sorry about your car dude, I thought you were playin tag, my bad. .....It's ok son It's just my brand new BMW 765i. ..........Wow you must definately be Gellin............

Originally posted by Redphoakis
..It's ok son It's just my brand new BMW 765i. ..........Wow you must definately be Gellin............

LOL

yes, lets be a good, law-abiding insurance company and warn people of the dangers of drifting! But lets also forget to mention that some of these items we put on the car are for safety. Like the strut bars: better handling= safer car.
or the 5-point racing harnesses and racing seats which are designed for high speeds.
oh, and the upgraded brakes so we can stop our cars.

f'ing punks. If they really wanted to help, they could spend the money they use investigating([rolleyes] ) these race phenomenons, and build some tracks to get us off of the flippin' streets. But, no. they could care less about our safety, they just want our freakin money.

I'm kinda surprised I didn't see this listed under the warning signals.

"Look under the hood for a large diameter chrome pipe attatched to the engine. This indicates that an intake has been installed on the car. This is used to give added power when drag racing." [rolleyes]

Originally posted by GAfocusZX3
they could care less about our safety, they just want our freakin money.

BINGO


That is the magic phrase[clap]

I know that at Qulacomm stadium when there are no events going on the parking lot is opened for kids to race. From what I know you actually have to be under 21 to participate, and you cannot be a professional racer. It provides a relatively safe and monitored area for the kids to go race. Also the Q has events during the day on weekends to race around cones on the parking lots. I haven't looked into it too much. but I know it happnes from time to time. The police even show up to watch.

hey don't forget to check you kids trunk for the spray that conceals license plates I agree we need a place for our kids and us to be able to race in a safe matter. But now for the question who is going to pay for this. Our goverment has more importent things to spend our tax money on than this like a war to help people in another country only cost us 8 billion dollars so far. Also the federal goverment cut back school funding so all the schools around me are really hurting to provide buss service and basic school needs. The feds also cut funding to all 88 countys in our state for law enforcement. Thats what we need less cops and more citizens well hope were not too busy when needed. Well back on subject this is a subject that has been around for a long time and will never go away. Geico will never get my business now


I saw nothing wrong with the article. I have seen plenty of kids in there riced out cars doing very stupid things. Sorry.. but a youngster new to the game of driving has accidents. compound that with high horsepower and the accidents increase. Why should I pay for some punks idiodic behavior? Face it.. the more insurance claims that are processed, the higher the insurance rate is for everyone. I am 43, haven't had a ticket in more than 10 years, and my insurance is $125 a month for full coverage of my focus, and basic insurance on my ranger. That is crazy. And it is because of dipshit drivers acting the fool. Sorry.. but high school kids have no right to high hp vehicles. I know.. I know.. I was there. When I was in high school I had a 1972 ranchero with a 351 cobra jet engine. I played sure.. but I never thought of doing anything stupid to hurt my baby. (I payed for every thing on it) Now days parents buy the car and the kids think WTF.. mommy will buy me another.

Tahts not what I am saying yes there are allot of kids out racing and bringing up our insurance costs. But you know just haveing these on your car dosen't mean you are out drifting and racing around town at night. It boils down to the parents teaching our kid the responsibility of owning and driving there cars. I for one will help my kids do what ever mods they want but as a parent I will have one of those recorders in there car and will monitor it regulary. I will be taking them to the track and teach them to race responsible that is what is needed. Untill then it will never change. The reason I will not use Geico is not the article but the way it was written was steriotyping all people who customize there cars and the efforts they have done to make it easier for them to not pay in the event of a accident just because someone had a turbo boster.

This is AMERICA, and we can do whatever we want to our cars with the money we earned. If they don't like it, MOVE TO CHINA.

James Dean lost control? Yeah, when a middle-aged farmer in a '40 Ford pulled out in front of him at a yield sign...

I think the point here is that geiko is trying to pass laws that make it legal for them to deny any claim and drop any person if they suspect anything...
They can say teenager=deny all your claims (but still please pay your premiums)
Nice car= you must race, no insurance sorry!
ooops sticker = you can't blame this old lady for t-bonig you, you must have been racing, ect...
blah blah blah

My state farm agent actualy told me that there is a law in the works that makes it illegal to sue an insurance agent for dealing unfairly with your claim. A similar law recently went into effect protecting gun makers from suits regarding their products. These laws are designed to protect these companies from the large amount of fraudulent lawsuits they get. Unfortunatily they also make it legal for them to screw anyone they want. An insurance agent will be able to deny your claim because you are *fill in the blank* (black, young, old, funny looking, to poor, too rich, or you have a fast looking sticker). You will have no legal recourse... Tadaa! insurance has just been rendered useless! Horay we can keep collecting premiums (since the law states you must have insurance) But we don't have to pay out any settlements! (because the law states we can't be sued if we treat our clients badly) woohoo free money!

Yeah, Geico is an ass of an insurance company. I was late by 2-3 days on my payment (not on purpose mind you) and they cancelled my insurance! And now theyre pulling out the "do as i say not as i do" card (old people were young and did stuff to their cars too).....Glad I didnt go back to them after that.

Insurance companies are allready craptastic too. A lady rear ended me a year and a half ago in my 02 focus se when i stopped for someone in the crosswalk. she wasnt looking and plowed right into me, and my insurance has me listed as at fault...... about a year ago i hydroplaned going around a turn on the highway with the same car. Cop tried to give me a ticket, but the judge threw it out because he saw it as bogus, and the insurance company put me as at fault! Dont see how they can get much worse....

but I may have to give up my carbureator if I lose my street race....funny I've never seen a modern sports car with a carb....hmmm...someone out of touch and full of BS writing this article....to busy hugging trees to keep up??? James Dean??.. Rebel without a cause??? What kind of bandwagon is this idiot on???

Keep in mind I'm 39 and do not condone street racing, but this article is idiotic!

As bad as it's getting, it wouldn't suprise me if one day most insurance companies won't cover certain cars, PERIOD ( cobra's, viper's, eclipses, subaru's, etc). They'll stereotype you and say that the fact that you bought a supercharged v8, therefore you race illegally!!! Gee, if you didn't like racing, why would you buy one? That'll be their logic.

BTW, I guess no one should buy a saleen or rousch focus, cuz they come with body kits, exhaust, and larger brakes!!

Originally posted by SVT03
As bad as it's getting, it wouldn't suprise me if one day most insurance companies won't cover certain cars, PERIOD ( cobra's, viper's, eclipses, subaru's, etc). They'll stereotype you and say that the fact that you bought a supercharged v8, therefore you race illegally!!! Gee, if you didn't like racing, why would you buy one? That'll be their logic.

BTW, I guess no one should buy a saleen or rousch focus, cuz they come with body kits, exhaust, and larger brakes!!

What you are talking about has already been suggested... Scary huh, ?! This is why we all need to support organizations like SEMA and places that support them..

Insurance companies in some provinces of Canada already do this sort of thing. If you file a claim with an aftermarket part on your car, too bad, so sad, hope you can cover it. It is only a matter of time before companies down here start doing it too.

Geico can go $%$ themselves. Just because I have aftermarket parts on my car doesn't mean I street race. And auto tag? What kind of moron would do that?

Anyone have a carburetor for sale? That damn Brian Earl Spilner won mine. Cheatin' SOB. But it's ok, I got some NOS to beat him next time.

You realize, Geico is one of, if not THE worst enemies of auto enthusiasts.
They would very much like if we were all running around in Aveos....and nothing else.
This is fairly well documented on the internet and in Auto mags.

FWIW, do yourself, and all other enthusiasts a favor.
If for whatever reason you have Geico insurance...CANCEL IT...and move on.

OT:
Originally posted by Demon4545
Anyone have a carburetor for sale?
Um, actually I do.
670cfm Holley Street Avenger. Brand new, still in box.
Includes Ford AT tranny kickdown linkage, off-road needles and seats, extended vent baffles.
^^^Sorry, I couldn't resist. I had to get that in^^^[;)]

Originally posted by WD40
You realize, Geico is one of, if not THE worst enemies of auto enthusiasts.
They would very much like if we were all running around in Aveos....and nothing else.
This is fairly well documented on the internet and in Auto mags.

FWIW, do yourself, and all other enthusiasts a favor.
If for whatever reason you have Geico insurance...CANCEL IT...and move on.

OT:
Originally posted by Demon4545
Anyone have a carburetor for sale?
Um, actually I do.
670cfm Holley Street Avenger. Brand new, still in box.
Includes Ford AT tranny kickdown linkage, off-road needles and seats, extended vent baffles.
^^^Sorry, I couldn't resist. I had to get that in^^^[;)]

I'll cancel my policy if you'll make up the difference[;)]

Seriously, I only went with Geico because when I moved to Houston, my rates more than doubled (Houston is the second most expensive car insurance market in the country). They were willing to overlook my only speeding ticket which occured over 2.5 years ago at the time. So, they saved me OVER $800/6 months.

Now, when I move back home in June, I'll most likely go back to Allstate...

dam i know how this feels. i got wrecked in street racing and the insurance aint paid shit.

when i hit a deer with my car, i was guess i was lucky. the insurance company didn't say i was racing him.[rolleyes]

i'm curious about this though, do old people have higher insurance? around 80% of the accidents i've personally seen involve at least one person over 65.

Here in NJ, at least with State Farm, people over 50 gets VERY LOW premiums.

Originally posted by djSlimQ
dam i know how this feels. i got wrecked in street racing and the insurance aint paid shit.


... You ARE joking, right ??

They are always looking for ways to get more money out of you, or not give what is yours.

Yep the older you get your premiums go down, and it also is a matter of how long you have been insured too. an 80 year old that got his DL that same year would not realy have a great insurance rate.
But the rates do increase for each accident, so it can work out somewhat in the end.