I get what you’re saying, but I’m not sure shopping around always helps. Last year, I did a deep dive into other providers after AAA hiked my rates out of nowhere. Turns out, the “grass is greener” thing didn’t really pan out—most of the quotes were even higher or had weird exclusions buried in the fine print. Like you said,
. I almost feel like it’s just the industry now. I stick with AAA mostly because at least I know their quirks by now... new companies feel like rolling the dice.the coverage details seem to shift every year, which is frustrating
I totally get the “rolling the dice” feeling with new companies. I’ve got a couple of higher-end cars, and every time I try to switch, it’s like a scavenger hunt for what’s actually covered. Last year, after AAA bumped my premium, I did a step-by-step comparison—literally spreadsheeted out the quotes, coverage limits, and all those sneaky exclusions. Like you said:
the coverage details seem to shift every year, which is frustrating
One company looked cheaper until I realized they wouldn’t cover OEM parts for repairs. Another had a “luxury surcharge” buried in the fine print. It’s wild how much you have to dig just to get apples-to-apples info.
Honestly, I’m not thrilled with AAA either these days, but at least I know what hoops they’ll make me jump through if something happens. New providers always seem to have some catch that only pops up when you actually need them... which is the worst time to find out.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’ve had the opposite experience with a smaller specialty insurer. I was nervous at first—my ‘72 Chevelle isn’t exactly “standard issue”—but they actually walked me through every detail, even stuff I hadn’t thought to ask. AAA felt like a black box by comparison. Sure, there’s always some risk with switching, but sometimes the devil you know isn’t really any better. Just my two cents...
That’s interesting—you mentioned,
I definitely haven’t had that level of attention from AAA lately. The last time I called about my policy, I felt like I was just another number. Maybe it’s different for classic cars? Do you think specialty insurers just “get” older vehicles better, or is it more about them being smaller and more focused? I’ve always wondered if I’m missing out by sticking with the big names.“they actually walked me through every detail, even stuff I hadn’t thought to ask.”
I’ve always wondered if I’m missing out by sticking with the big names.
I get what you’re saying. I used to think specialty insurers were just hype, but after my friend switched for his ‘72 Mustang, he said the same thing—way more personal attention. Still, I’m not sure it’s only about being smaller or focused. I’ve had a couple of great reps at AAA over the years, but lately it does feel more... corporate? Maybe it’s just luck of the draw with who picks up the phone, but I don’t think the big names are always a lost cause. Sometimes you just have to push for answers, which is annoying, but it can work.