You’ve seen the increasingly popular “So easy a caveman can do it” Geico© insurance commercials, featuring cavemen who exist in our modern day – cavemen who feel insulted by the insurance company’s claim in their advertisement that logging on to their website and getting quotes for auto insurance is so easy that even a caveman could do it. One of the cavemen angrily confronts the Geico© executive who apologizes and says, “We didn’t know you calm existed.”
The original commercial’s theme has been so popular that several other commercials for the insurance company featuring the cavemen have spun off from it. One caveman visits with his therapist, two of them meet and chat with the Geico© executive over a meal at a sophisticated restaurant (one is so disgusted he’s lost his appetite and won’t order), and then a commercial features a group of them at a party at one of their homes (in which one of them is being shunned and has upset the group by switching to Geico© for the savings.)
In each of the commercials, the cavemen are portrayed as radiant and sophisticated; they are evolved in every sense outside of their appearance, which is the comedic aspect of the advertisement.
Walt Disney’s ABC will fund the pilot and the resulting sitcom should it come to be, featuring cavemen as in the Geico© commercials. Geico©, the insurance company, will have no part in creation of the show. Says the company’s Vice President of Marketing, Ted Ward, “We sell car insurance. We don’t acquire TV shows.” But Mr. Ward is excited about the prospect of the show; “We are excited to have an opportunity to do brand extension.”
Geico© will, however, collect royalties from the use of their characters.
The blurred line between entertainment and advertising is often crossed. Product placement is a popular form of such advertising. That is a practice in which in a program a certain heed or product is shown. It seems as though now, however, advertisers and marketing executives want to take it a bit further and create forms of entertainment around advertisements for their products. Years ago the program “The Colgate Comedy Hour” was a program sponsored by the advertisers.
The prehistoric men will be struggling to deal with modern day America and the discrimination they face in it. The setting for the point to will be Atlanta, Georgia. The sitcom will simply be called, “Cavemen.”
Source: MSN Money: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/AreGeicoCavemenReadyForPrimeTime.aspx
Many senior citizens have been loyal to their auto insurance companies for years, often decades. Having the same great insurance agent and company is comforting. But the auto insurance industry has become more competitive, actively vying for the senior citizen market. It makes sense for senior citizens to gather information to compare their current rates, especially at the time of auto insurance renewal.
Getting quotes for auto insurance is an easy process. With impartial a few clicks on the computer or toll-free telephone calls, anyone can gather a list that compares auto insurance by services and rates. For senior citizens, who often are on fixed incomes, this can be a very cost-effective exercise, possibly saving them hundreds of dollars during an insured period.
Finding Comparable Rates
Buying auto insurance is like any other significant, long-term purchase. The key is to consume time to research and shop for the best deal with reliable auto insurance companies.
The following is a sample of insurance companies and insurance brokers offering auto insurance quotes on the Internet. Many have specific marketing programs targeting senior citizens.
AARP: www.aarp.thehartford.com.
AARP is an advocacy organization for seniors that promotes the interests of people over 50 years old. They offer auto insurance to members through The Hartford.
Allstate: www.allstate.com.
Allstate is a well known insurance company. Quotes can be gathered at the above website or local agents can be found in the telephone book and are available to assist in preparing a free quote.
Farmers Insurance Group: http://www.farmersinsurance.com.
Online or in person, a Farmers insurance agent can review auto insurance coverage, help identify potential gaps, and include any qualifying Farmers Auto insurance discounts.
Progressive Insurance: www.progressive.com.
Progressive will provide a quote for their company along with comparables of other auto insurance companies for easy comparisons.
Geico Insurance: www.geico.com.
This company can be accessed online or at one of their many offices. It is easy to get a quote; they offer flexible payment options and competitive rates.
Costco: www.costco.com.
Costco offers membership insurance through Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance.
Autoinsure: www.autoinsure.org.
Autoinsure has a page with helpful insurance information for senior citizens. They can provide quotes from all the major auto insurance companies.
Esurance: www.esurance.com.
A rising star among insurance companies that take pride in stating: “Esurance doesn’t just offer reliable insurance coverage, we also believe in educating consumers.” Their online quote process is easy to navigate.
US Insurance: www.usinsuranceonline.com
They will provide multiple auto insurance quotes tailored to specific needs within minutes of filling out their simple short form. It’s easy then to compare them side by side to find the best prices and coverage.
Car Insurance Rates: www.carinsurancerates.com
Their network of companies and brokers offer a variety of car insurances: Farmers, Allstate, AIG, Nationwide, AARP, Safeco Insurance, Liberty Mutual, MetLife and Mercury.
Every insurance rate: www.everyinsurancerate.com
EveryInsuranceCompany.com is a handy Internet directory to find local insurance companies, insurance quotes and discount insurance rates.
Quote Scout: www.quotescout.com.
This website will provide quotes from a long list of auto insurance companies – literally from “A” to “Z”.
Insurance.com: http://www.insurance.com.
Insurance.com works directly with 15 highly rated car insurance companies in 46 states: 21st Century, Electric Insurance, Esurance Auto Insurance, The Hartford, Infinity, Liberty Mutual, Meritplan Insurance, MetLife Auto Insurance, Newport Insurance, Permanent General Assurance Corporation (The General), Progressive, QBE Insurance, Safeco, Travelers Insurance, and Unitrin Direct.
Keeping Auto Insurance Rates Down
There are ways that senior citizens can take responsibility to control their auto insurance rates. Here are a few suggestions.
According to seniorjournal.com, most of the major auto insurance agencies provide a 5% – 10% discount to drivers beginning at the ages of 50 or 55. However, as a group, drivers 75 and older have one of the highest rates of fatal daytime accidents. Because of this, it’s important that senior drivers stay proactive and involved in keeping their driving skills sharp.
Many states offer an auto insurance discount for used drivers if a person meets a given age criteria and has taken an well-liked veteran driver safety course. Local colleges and senior centers are good resources to learn about the classes. AARP has local and on-line access to the course. Costco offers its members an online drivers’ safety training course through FirstNet: www.firstnetlearning.com.
Another way to keep auto insurance rates down is to drive a low-profile car, one that as part of a group has a lower rate due to minimum repair costs, considered safer and less likely to be stolen. Check the Highway Loss Data Institute, www.iihs.org, for the latest related data.
Examine current auto insurance needs and requirements. Changing to higher deductibles or dropping collision or comprehensive coverage for older cars may make sense.
Always ask about discounts when purchasing or renewing auto insurance.
And finally, the best long-term advice: Always drive defensively, quit alert and follow the driving laws. Maintaining a safe driving record is the best way to keep auto insurance rates down.