Luxury cars definitely complicate things a bit, but honestly, from my own experience as a high-risk driver, smaller companies aren't always the best bet. Yeah, some can surprise you positively, but I've also run into situations where the smaller guys just don't have enough experience handling luxury repairs or specialized claims. Had an Audi a couple years back, and when I needed repairs after a minor accident, my smaller insurer dragged their feet forever because they weren't familiar with the authorized dealerships in Hawaii. Ended up costing me extra time and headaches.
Not saying smaller insurers can't work out—just that sometimes the bigger names have established relationships with luxury brands and dealerships, making claims smoother if you're already labeled high-risk. Definitely worth doing extra homework before jumping ship.
I had a similar issue when I switched to a smaller insurer with my Lexus. Thought I'd save some money, but the claims process was painfully slow—seems like luxury brands really do complicate things for them. Maybe bigger insurers are worth the extra cost sometimes...
I've wondered about that too... do you think it's just luxury brands causing the delays, or could it also be because smaller insurers have fewer resources overall? Curious if anyone with a regular car faced similar slowdowns.
I've got a pretty standard sedan, nothing fancy, and I've definitely noticed slower responses lately. A friend of mine with a basic hatchback had to wait almost two weeks just to get a simple claim processed. I think smaller insurers might be stretched thin, especially in Hawaii where options are limited anyway. Makes me wonder if location plays a bigger role than the type of car... has anyone noticed quicker turnarounds on the mainland?
I've done a fair amount of driving both in Hawaii and on the mainland, and from what I've seen, location definitely matters more than the type of car. Hawaii's insurance market is pretty limited, so smaller insurers tend to get overwhelmed quickly. Mainland insurers typically have more resources and staff, so claims processing usually moves faster.
If you're stuck waiting around, here's what I'd suggest: first, document everything clearly—photos, dates, conversations. Next, follow up regularly but politely; being persistent can push your claim higher up the stack. If things still drag on, consider filing a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner—sometimes just mentioning this step to your insurer speeds things along.
Honestly though, if you're labeled "high-risk" in Hawaii, you might just have to brace yourself for slower responses. It's frustrating but kinda comes with the territory out here...
