Every time I braked hard (usually because someone cut me off), I’d get dinged. Is it really fair to judge driving that way?
Honestly, I hear you on the telematics thing. I tried one for a discount, but it felt like I was being graded for stuff out of my control—like, what am I supposed to do if a deer jumps out? As for glass coverage, that’s one “extra” I’ll never skip. Delaware gravel is brutal... learned that the hard way after a dump truck showered my hood and windshield. The fine print is where they hide the good stuff, but also the gotchas.
Telematics is such a mixed bag. I tried it for six months, thinking I’d save a chunk, but it dinged me for stuff like sudden stops—usually because someone else did something dumb, not me. Once, a squirrel darted out and I braked hard, and the app flagged it as “aggressive.” Like, what was I supposed to do, just keep going? It felt less like a fair assessment and more like a gotcha game.
On the glass coverage, I’m with you. Delaware roads are rough on windshields. Last winter, I got a chip from a rock on Route 1, and it spidered overnight. The extra coverage paid for itself right there. One thing I found buried in the fine print: some policies cover OEM glass, others only aftermarket. Didn’t realize that until I had to argue with the shop about what they’d install. Worth double-checking if you care about that kind of thing.
It’s wild how much of this stuff comes down to reading the details nobody tells you about upfront.
Telematics can be a real gamble, honestly. The tech doesn’t always get the context—like, you’re supposed to just plow through a squirrel? Not exactly fair. If you’re looking to save, sometimes old-school discounts (like bundling home and auto, or even paying in full) end up being less hassle and more predictable.
On glass, you nailed it. OEM vs aftermarket is a sneaky detail. I always tell folks: before you need a repair, call your insurer and ask what’s actually covered. Saves a lot of arguing at the shop later. Reading the fine print is boring, but man, it pays off.
Reading the fine print is boring, but man, it pays off.
Couldn’t agree more—nothing like finding out your “comprehensive” coverage doesn’t actually cover the windshield you thought it did. Been there, argued that at the shop... not fun. I’ll add: sometimes those telematics discounts look good on paper, but if you’ve got a car full of kids and a dog, your driving isn’t always “textbook safe.” I stick with bundling and paying up front—less drama, more savings (usually).
sometimes those telematics discounts look good on paper, but if you’ve got a car full of kids and a dog, your driving isn’t always “textbook safe.”
Yeah, those telematics deals are a trap for anyone with a real life. I tried one for a few months—constant alerts about “hard braking” when I was just avoiding some guy on his phone. Didn’t save a dime. For Delaware, I’ve found local agents sometimes beat the big names, especially if you’ve been with them a while. Worth checking every couple years, even if it’s a hassle. Anyone actually gotten a useful windshield claim covered here? I keep hearing mixed stories.
