I get where you’re coming from about the value of peace of mind, but I’ve actually had the opposite experience with local agents here in Delaware. The last time I had to file a claim—admittedly not a huge one—I ended up getting bounced between the local office and the main claims department anyway. Maybe I just hit a bad week, but it felt like I was doing just as much chasing as I would’ve with a big national carrier.
It’s not always about the lowest price... sometimes peace of mind is worth more.
That’s fair, but I’ve found that some of the online-based companies are surprisingly responsive, especially if you’re comfortable handling paperwork digitally. For me, the extra cost of a traditional agent doesn’t always translate into better service, at least not consistently. I guess it depends on how much hand-holding you want—or how much time you’re willing to spend on hold. I still shop around every couple years, just in case something better pops up... Old habits die hard, I guess.
Totally get what you mean—I've tried both the local agent route and a couple of the big online guys. Honestly, my last claim with a digital-first company was smoother than I expected. Less small talk, more action. Maybe it’s just Delaware luck?
I get the appeal of digital-first companies—quick responses, less chit-chat, and everything handled online. But I’ve actually had the opposite experience a couple of times. When I had a not-so-straightforward claim (rear-ended by an out-of-state driver, lots of back-and-forth), the online company’s process felt a bit too automated. It was hard to get a real person on the phone who understood Delaware-specific quirks, like the PIP rules or how local body shops operate. Maybe I just hit a rough patch, but I ended up switching back to a local agent after that.
I guess it comes down to what you value more: speed and convenience, or having someone who knows the ins and outs of the area. For me, the peace of mind from a local expert outweighs the extra small talk. But I can see why the digital route works for a lot of folks, especially if your claims are pretty straightforward. Delaware luck or not, I’d say it’s worth weighing both sides before jumping in.
That’s a really fair point about local expertise—Delaware’s PIP rules can be a headache if you’re not used to them. I’ve seen folks get tripped up by things like the $15,000 minimum or how medical payments are handled. Digital-first is great for simple stuff, but once you’re dealing with out-of-state drivers or weird local shop policies, it gets messy fast. Have you ever tried a hybrid approach, like using an online company but still having a dedicated agent? Curious if that actually bridges the gap or just adds more confusion.
I totally get where you’re coming from—Delaware’s PIP rules aren’t exactly user-friendly. I’ve seen people get stuck on the $15k minimum too, or not realize what counts as a “covered” medical expense. I’ve actually had a few clients who like the hybrid setup: they use an online platform for quotes and paperwork, but still have a go-to agent for the weird stuff. It can work, but only if the agent’s actually responsive and knows the local quirks. Otherwise, yeah, it just adds another layer of confusion.
