That’s a fair point—knowing your policy inside out definitely helps, but I still think some companies make it way harder than others. I had a claim last year and even with all the right questions, it felt like pulling teeth to get them to cover OEM parts for my car. Anyone else run into issues with specialty coverage, or is that just par for the course with higher-end vehicles?
I hear you—getting OEM parts covered can be a real headache, especially if your car isn’t super common. I’ve found that some insurers just don’t want to budge unless you push hard. Did you have to pay out of pocket and fight for reimbursement, or did they finally cave? I’m curious if anyone’s had better luck with local agents versus the big national companies when it comes to specialty stuff.
Yeah, I’ve run into the same wall with national companies—lots of red tape and they always want to use aftermarket parts. I did end up paying out of pocket once for an OEM bumper, then spent weeks arguing for reimbursement. Local agents seem a bit more flexible, at least in my experience, but it really depends on who you get. Some are just as stubborn as the big guys. It’s a gamble either way, but I lean local when it comes to anything specialty or rare.
Honestly, I hear you on the local vs national debate. I’ve had both, and it’s a toss-up. The last time I needed a claim, my “friendly” local agent suddenly acted like he’d never met me before—guess my premiums didn’t buy much loyalty. But at least I could walk into his office and glare at him in person, which felt better than yelling at a call center robot. Still, for anything rare or classic, I’d rather roll the dice with someone who actually knows what a carburetor is... not just reading off a script.
I get where you’re coming from—there’s something about being able to show up in person and give someone the stink-eye when things go sideways. But honestly, I’ve had just as much luck with online-only outfits, especially when my wallet’s calling the shots. Last year, I switched to a regional company after my old agent tried to upsell me on “extras” I didn’t need. Saved me a chunk, and their claims folks actually knew what a timing belt was. Guess it’s hit or miss either way, but I’ll take savings over small talk most days.
