I see your point, but honestly, AAA's size can also work against you sometimes. I've been with them for years without any claims, but when I finally had one minor fender-bender, it felt like pulling teeth to get a straightforward answer or personalized help. Felt like just another number in their giant database.
My brother switched to a smaller insurer last year after having a similar experience, and yeah, he pays slightly more now—but he's actually happier because they treat him like an actual person. When he calls, they remember him and his situation. Of course, that's anecdotal and everyone's mileage may vary (literally haha), but bigger isn't always better when it comes to customer service or flexibility... especially if you're cautious by nature like me and don't have a ton of claims anyway.
You're spot-on about AAA. Big insurers often bank on their name recognition, but when push comes to shove, personalized service can get lost in the shuffle. Smaller companies usually hustle harder for your business... might be worth paying a bit extra for peace of mind.
Had a fender-bender last year, and dealing with AAA felt more like navigating a maze than getting help. Switched to a local insurer afterward—slightly pricier, but the difference in attention and follow-up was night and day. Worth every penny for less stress...
Had a similar experience myself a couple years back—AAA used to be my go-to, mostly because of their roadside service bundled in. But after a minor scrape-up, I found myself spending more time on hold and chasing down callbacks than actually getting my car fixed.
A few things I noticed:
- AAA has expanded a ton over recent years, and sometimes that growth means customer service takes a hit. They're juggling way more claims than before, which probably explains the maze-like experience you had.
- Local or smaller insurers often have fewer clients per agent, so you get quicker responses and more personalized attention. Yeah, they might charge a bit more, but you're paying for convenience and less headache when something does happen.
- One thing to consider though... not all local insurers are created equal either. I've heard some horror stories from friends about smaller companies dragging their feet too. Always good to check reviews or ask around locally before making the switch.
Glad your new insurer is working out better for you though. Peace of mind is worth paying extra for—especially when you've already got enough stress from the accident itself. And honestly, it sounds like you made the right call switching over...
I've noticed the same thing about AAA lately. Used to swear by them, especially with kids in the car—roadside assistance was a lifesaver more than once. But after a fender bender last year, it felt like pulling teeth just to get someone on the phone who knew what was going on. Ended up switching to a smaller local insurer, and so far it's been night and day.
But here's something I've been wondering about: does anyone have experience with how these smaller insurers handle bigger claims? I mean, it's one thing to deal with a minor scrape or windshield replacement, but what about something more serious—like a major accident or theft? I'd hate to find out the hard way that they're not equipped for the bigger stuff. Guess I'm just cautious by nature, but peace of mind matters a lot when you're hauling your family around town...
