Yesterday, our office took a call from a frustrated driver who had recently purchased a vehicle and wanted to shop his insurance. He felt his current carrier, was overcharging him — so he went online, entered his information into several quoting sites, and immediately got buried under a wave of high-pressure sales calls from quoting mills. None of them could get him to the “magic number” he wanted: $35 per month for full coverage.
When he called our local office, Jane explained what information we’d need (VIN, driver’s license, date of birth) to give him an accurate quote. He wasn’t thrilled, but he gave us enough to run the numbers. He also assumed Jane was making a 50% commission — she calmly explained that she’s on salary, not commission. That means our recommendations are fair and objective, not influenced by a sales quota.
We shopped him across multiple companies, and here’s what happened:
- Some carriers declined to offer coverage altogether due to his driving history.
- Others came back higher than what he was already paying.
- In the end, GEICO through Wilson Insurance offered the lowest rate: $550 for six months of full coverage.
That works out to about $92 per month — far from $35, but still a solid value compared to the competition.
Was $35/Month Ever Real?
Yes — but not the way people think. The national average auto premium in 1981 was about $408 per year. That breaks down to just $34 per month.
But here’s the catch:
- That was 44 years ago. Ronald Reagan had just been elected president. The Oldsmobile Cutlass was the best-selling car in America starting at $8,025.
- Adjusted for inflation, $408 in 1981 equals about $1,468 today.
So if you’re paying around $1,100–$1,300 annually for full coverage in Arizona, you’re actually doing better than the long-term historical average once inflation is considered.
By pivoting his policy to our agency, we actually outperformed 1981 pricing. Pretty rad, if you ask us.
Why Insurance Feels Expensive Now
Even though inflation explains a lot, there are other factors that drive rates higher than people expect:
- Rising repair costs for today’s vehicles packed with sensors and electronics.
- Increased price for new and used autos since 2020 which effects pricing.
- Medical inflation, which makes injury claims more expensive.
- Arizona’s rapid population growth, which means more drivers, more accidents, and more claims.
- Distracted driving, which has increased both accident frequency and severity.
All of this adds up to a market where $35/month full coverage is simply a myth in 2025.
What Makes Us Different
At Wilson Insurance, we don’t promise gimmick rates. We do something better:
- We shop multiple carriers for you.
- We explain the differences between quotes so you understand your options.
- We don’t get paid more for recommending one company over another.
- And when the best option really is to stay put, we’ll tell you that straight.
Because at the end of the day, we’d rather earn your trust for the long haul than sell you something unrealistic.
Final Thought
If you’re tired of anonymous websites that sell your data or pushy agents calling nonstop, try something different. Call your local neighbor instead. We’ll treat you fairly, explain your options, and give you honest answers — even if the answer is “you’re already in the right spot.”
You can reach Jane at 480-964-2400 or [email protected].
