I've mostly stuck with bigger insurers myself, but honestly, they're not always headache-free either. Had a claim last year—big company, huge network—but the approved shop was so backed up it took weeks just to get an appointment. Ended up going out-of-network and paying extra just to get back on the road faster. Sometimes smaller insurers can be more flexible about letting you pick your own place, even if their network is limited... guess it's all about trade-offs.
Totally agree about the trade-offs. Had a similar experience myself, and here's what I learned: if you're stuck with a big insurer, ask upfront about their reimbursement policy for out-of-network repairs. Sometimes they'll cover more than you'd expect if you explain the backlog situation clearly. Smaller insurers can be great, but always double-check their financial stability ratings—flexibility won't matter much if they're slow to pay claims or worse, struggle financially down the line...
Good points about checking financial stability, but have you ever tried negotiating directly with the repair shop instead? I've found some luxury dealerships will actually help push insurers along if you ask nicely... might save you some headaches down the road.
Negotiating directly with repair shops can definitely help, especially with luxury dealerships—they've got the clout to nudge insurers along. But honestly, from a practical standpoint, I'd first recommend checking if your insurance has a preferred shop network. Usually, these places have pre-negotiated rates and streamlined processes, which means fewer delays and less hassle overall. Sure, you might not get the same leverage as a luxury dealership pushing for you, but it's often quicker and cheaper in the long run... at least that's been my experience. Either way, always good to know your options.
I've actually done both—luxury dealership and preferred network—and honestly, the dealership route wasn't as smooth as I hoped. Preferred shops had me back on the road quicker, fewer headaches... plus, free coffee wasn't bad either. Just my two cents!
