Glad to hear your experience was smooth—I wish mine had been similar. I gave a smaller insurer a shot last year because the rates were way better (I'm considered high-risk, so you can imagine how tempting those lower premiums were...). Unfortunately, when I had an accident, things didn't go as smoothly as I'd hoped.
It wasn't a nightmare exactly, but communication was definitely slower. I found myself having to follow up multiple times just to get updates, and they seemed understaffed or overwhelmed. Maybe that's just my luck, or maybe it's because smaller companies sometimes have fewer resources to handle claims quickly—hard to say for sure.
I still think smaller insurers can be a good deal, especially if you're a pretty safe driver. But if you're someone like me who might need claims processed more frequently (sadly!), it might be worth paying a little extra for a bigger company with more resources. Like you said, mileage definitely varies depending on the company and agent you get.
Yeah, I get what you're saying about smaller insurers. I've always wondered if they're really equipped to handle specialty claims, like classic cars or modified vehicles. Anyone here had experience filing a claim for something vintage or custom-built? Curious if the smaller companies are flexible enough to handle those unique situations, or if it's safer to stick with the bigger names...
Had a vintage Mustang insured with a smaller insurer once, and honestly, it wasn't terrible. Filed a minor claim for some paint damage, and they handled it pretty smoothly. But I gotta admit, for anything major or heavily customized, I'd still lean towards the bigger names. Smaller companies can be hit or miss—some are great, others might struggle with specialized appraisals or sourcing rare parts. Might be worth checking if they partner with specialty appraisal services or restoration shops, that usually tells you if they're serious about handling unique rides. Just my two cents...
Yeah, you make a solid point about specialty appraisals. Had a buddy with a '69 Camaro who went with a smaller insurer—great customer service, but when it came to sourcing original trim pieces after an accident, things got tricky. Took forever to sort out. Definitely pays to check how connected they are with restoration shops or classic car specialists beforehand. Glad your experience was smooth though, always nice when insurance doesn't add extra stress...
Had a similar issue with my old Mustang. Went with a smaller insurer thinking I'd save some cash, but after a minor fender-bender, tracking down original parts turned into a nightmare. Learned the hard way to double-check their network beforehand... Glad yours worked out better.
