“I’ve seen folks pay for ‘top tier’ coverage and still end up feeling like they’re stuck in a maze every time something goes wrong.”
That’s the truth. I had a ‘collector car’ policy with one of the big names—figured I was covered, but when a hailstorm took out my Chevelle’s windshield, it was three weeks of back-and-forth just to get approval for OEM glass. Here’s what I do now: 1) Call the claims line before you buy, see how long it takes to get a real person. 2) Ask if they know what “agreed value” means—if they don’t, move on. 3) Get everything in writing. Don’t trust the sales pitch. It’s not about the lowest rate, it’s about who actually pays out when you need it.
I hear you on the agreed value thing—some companies just don’t get it. I’ve always wondered if it’s worth sticking with the local agents versus those online-only outfits. My last claim, I had to chase someone down for weeks about a stolen part, and nobody wanted to take responsibility. Is it just me, or do the smaller, specialty insurers actually come through more often? I’m pretty cautious these days... I’d rather pay a bit more if I know they’ll actually answer the phone when it matters.
I’m in the same boat, actually—just started looking into insurance for my first car and it’s kind of overwhelming. I figured the online-only places would be cheaper, but when I tried to get a real person on the phone with one of them, it was like yelling into the void. Ended up talking to a local agent my neighbor recommended, and honestly, it was a relief just having someone actually explain stuff without rushing me off the call.
Not sure if all local agents are like that, but paying a little extra for peace of mind seems worth it, especially after hearing stories like yours. I guess if you’re the type who likes handling everything online and never has issues, maybe those big companies are fine. For me, though, having a name and face to go with my policy feels better…I’d rather not gamble with something important like this.
- Totally get where you’re coming from—having someone local to walk you through the details is a game changer, especially when you’ve got a pricier car and don’t want to risk gaps in coverage.
- I’ve noticed some agents really push add-ons I’m not sure I need, though. Ever feel like they’re upselling just because they can see what you drive?
- Curious if anyone’s actually had a claim with one of those online-only companies. Did it go smoothly, or was it a nightmare?
- For me, I’d rather pay a bit more if it means no headaches down the road... but I do wonder if I’m just being paranoid.
Having worked with both local and online companies, I’ve got a story or two. Once had a client who switched to a big-name online insurer because the price was just too tempting. Fast forward six months—deer jumps out, car’s totaled, and suddenly she’s on hold for hours with someone in another time zone who keeps transferring her. She ended up calling me just to vent (even though I wasn’t her agent anymore). Eventually, she got paid out, but it took weeks and a ton of back-and-forth.
I get the temptation of saving a few bucks, but sometimes you really do get what you pay for. Not saying every online company is a nightmare, but there’s something about having a face to go yell at—err, talk to—when things go sideways. As for those add-ons, yeah, some agents push them too hard. It’s like they see leather seats and think you need insurance for your cupholders. Just gotta find one who listens more than they pitch.
