"Did you check their reviews for claims handling at all?"
That's definitely the right question to ask. I've handled claims for years, and honestly, smaller insurers can be hit or miss. Some are surprisingly efficient because they're eager to build a good rep, but others...well, let's just say I've seen my share of headaches. I'd suggest checking independent review sites or even state insurance department complaint records—those can be pretty revealing. Saving money is great, but not if you're stuck fighting for coverage when you really need it.
Good points there. I'd also add:
- Reviews can be helpful, but take 'em with a grain of salt—people mostly post when they're ticked off.
- State complaint records are gold, though...harder for companies to hide behind marketing fluff.
- Honestly, sometimes you just gotta roll the dice and hope you don't end up in claims purgatory.
"State complaint records are gold, though...harder for companies to hide behind marketing fluff."
This is spot on. I spent hours digging through the California DOI complaint records before picking our current insurer. It's a dry read for sure, but you get a clear picture of recurring issues and how quickly (or slowly) companies respond to complaints. One thing I noticed: some insurers have relatively low overall complaint numbers but a high percentage of unresolved complaints. Those unresolved ones are the real red flags, IMO.
Also, while reviews can be biased toward negative experiences, I've found forums like this one pretty balanced. People here tend to share both good and bad experiences without going overboard. When we had our last claim (someone rear-ended us at a stoplight), I was bracing myself for claims purgatory, but surprisingly it went smoothly—probably because I'd done my homework beforehand.
One question I still have though: has anyone here had experience switching insurers mid-claim or right after an accident? Curious if there's any downside or complications in doing that...
I agree that unresolved complaints are the real warning signs. I once had an insurer with great reviews overall, but when it came to actually resolving my claim after a minor accident—it dragged on forever. Wish I'd checked those complaint records first...
"has anyone here had experience switching insurers mid-claim or right after an accident?"
I haven't switched mid-claim myself, but I'd be concerned about complicating things or causing delays. Curious if others have tried it without issues?
Haven't switched mid-claim either, but as a first-time buyer, that sounds like a headache waiting to happen. I'd probably ride it out and then jump ship after everything settles... less messy that way. But hey, maybe someone else had luck?
