stuck between Geico and Progressive in NY, thoughts?

"Curious if anyone's had luck with smaller, local insurance companies instead of the big names - maybe they're more forgiving?"

Tried a local insurer after Geico bumped my rates for a windshield chip (seriously...). Rates stayed steady, and customer service felt more personal. Might be worth checking out smaller companies in your area.

I switched from Progressive to a smaller local insurer about two years ago after a similar headache. Progressive raised my rates for what they called a "minor incident" - basically, my kid opened the car door into a mailbox. Yeah, it left a tiny ding, but come on...a mailbox? Really?

Anyway, I shopped around and found this local place I'd never even heard of before. Honestly, I was skeptical at first because their website looked straight out of 1998 (complete with spinning gifs, no joke). But I gave them a call anyway, and the lady who answered sounded like someone's grandma - super sweet, asked about my kids by name after just one conversation.

Long story short, they gave me a better rate and didn't seem bothered by the mailbox fiasco. The best part is, whenever I call now, I don't have to navigate through a maze of automated menus or listen to elevator music for 20 minutes. It's always the same grandma-type lady answering right away. She even remembered to ask how my son's driving lessons were going last time we spoke, haha.

So yeah, smaller insurers can be a hidden gem sometimes. They might not have fancy apps or commercials with talking animals, but if you want to feel like an actual human being instead of just a policy number, they're worth checking out. Just be prepared for some seriously outdated websites...

I get the appeal of smaller insurers, especially the personal touch. But just a heads-up from someone who's seen the claims side of things - make sure they're financially stable and have decent reviews for handling claims. I've dealt with a few smaller companies that were great on customer service but struggled when it came to actually paying out claims quickly or smoothly.

That said, your mailbox story cracked me up...I've seen insurers raise rates for even less. One guy had his premiums bumped because he reported a stolen hubcap (seriously). Anyway, if you're leaning toward Geico or Progressive, I'd say Geico tends to be a bit more forgiving with minor incidents, at least from what I've noticed in NY. But honestly, if you've found a local gem that's reliable and treats you like family, that's pretty hard to beat - even if their website looks like it belongs in a museum.

I've had decent luck with Geico in NY, but curious - anyone know how either handles classic cars? Progressive quoted me something ridiculous for my '68 Mustang...made me wonder if they thought it was gold-plated or something.

Geico's been pretty fair to me too, but classic cars are a whole different beast. Progressive once quoted me something insane for my '72 Camaro - like, did they think I was planning to drag race it through Times Square at rush hour? Here's what I learned the hard way:

Step 1: Regular insurers often don't get classic cars. They see "old" and think "expensive repairs," not realizing most of us baby these rides more than our own kids.

Step 2: Check out specialty classic car insurers like Hagerty or Grundy. They usually understand the value better and offer agreed-value policies, meaning you won't get lowballed if something happens.

Step 3: If you're set on sticking with Geico or Progressive, call them directly instead of relying on online quotes. Sometimes talking to an actual human can clear things up - maybe they'll realize your Mustang isn't gold-plated after all...

Honestly, as someone who's had more speeding tickets than I'd like to admit, specialty insurers have been surprisingly chill about my record. Might be worth a shot.

Had a similar experience with Progressive when I tried insuring my dad's old Corvette. Online quote was ridiculous - like they thought I was gonna use it for demolition derby or something. Called them up, and the rep basically admitted their online system doesn't handle classics well. Ended up going with Hagerty, and honestly, it's been smooth sailing since.

One thing I learned: specialty insurers actually get that you're not daily-driving these cars. They know you're probably keeping it garaged, polished, and driven only on sunny weekends. Plus, the agreed-value policy is a lifesaver. Had a buddy whose classic got totaled, and his regular insurer tried to pay him peanuts because they saw it as just an "old car." Took him months of fighting to get a fair payout.

If you're really stuck between Geico and Progressive, definitely call them directly. But honestly, specialty insurers might save you a headache down the road...

"specialty insurers actually get that you're not daily-driving these cars."

That's a good point - specialty insurers do seem more tuned into the reality of owning classics. Curious though, has anyone had experience filing claims with Hagerty or similar companies? Wondering how smooth that process really is...

I've never personally filed a claim with Hagerty, but a buddy of mine had to last year after his '68 Mustang got sideswiped at a car show (talk about a bad day...). He said the process was surprisingly painless - quick response, clear communication, and they actually understood the value of his car without him having to argue about it. So, while I can't speak firsthand, it seems like specialty insurers really do "

get that you're not daily-driving these cars

I've had decent experiences with both Geico and Progressive here in NY, but I'd lean slightly toward Progressive if you're budget-conscious. Their Snapshot program can genuinely save you money if you're a careful driver. Geico's rates are competitive too, but I've noticed Progressive tends to offer more flexible discounts. Still, specialty insurers like Hagerty do seem appealing if you've got a classic or collector car - especially since they

"actually understood the value of his car without him having to argue about it."

As someone who's had more than my fair share of speeding tickets (oops...), I gotta say Progressive was surprisingly forgiving. Geico quoted me a rate that made my eyes water after my last ticket, but Progressive's Snapshot actually helped soften the blow a bit. Granted, Snapshot did nag me every time I braked too hard or accelerated like I was auditioning for Fast & Furious, but hey, it saved me some cash in the end.

On the flip side, my buddy swears by Geico because their claims process was super smooth when he got rear-ended. But he's one of those annoyingly responsible drivers who never gets pulled over, so maybe that's why they treat him better?

If you're anything like me - someone insurance companies see as a walking red flag - Progressive might be your better bet. Just don't expect miracles if your driving record looks like mine...

I feel you on the Snapshot nagging...mine kept dinging me for "hard braking" every time I stopped for coffee on road trips. Like, sorry Progressive, but caffeine stops are non-negotiable. 😂 Geico was decent when I had them, but after one speeding ticket (just ONE!), my rate jumped like crazy. Progressive's been kinder to my wallet since then, even if it judges my driving habits a bit too harshly sometimes.

"Progressive's been kinder to my wallet since then, even if it judges my driving habits a bit too harshly sometimes."

Haha, yeah, Snapshot can be pretty unforgiving. Here's the deal if you want to keep your sanity and your savings intact:

1. Accept that Snapshot will judge you - it's just the price you pay for a better rate.
2. Master the art of "gentle braking" for coffee stops. I'm serious, ease into it like you're approaching a sleeping cat.
3. Remember Geico's rate hikes after tickets are brutal, so Progressive's nagging might actually be worth it.

Hang in there...coffee stops are sacred.

Honestly, Snapshot drove me nuts after a month. Sure, gentle braking sounds nice in theory, but have you tried that in NYC traffic? Good luck with that. Geico's hikes can sting, yeah, but at least they're predictable and not judging every little move you make. I'd rather pay a bit extra than have my insurance constantly nagging me like a backseat driver... just my two cents.

Fair point about Snapshot being picky in city driving...but have you looked into how Geico handles claims in NYC? Heard some mixed things about their response times lately - anyone experience delays or hassles firsthand?

"Heard some mixed things about their response times lately - anyone experience delays or hassles firsthand?"

Yeah, I've heard similar stories from friends in Brooklyn. One buddy had a minor fender bender last summer, and Geico took forever to get back to him - like weeks of radio silence. But then again, another friend in Queens swears by them, says they've always been quick and helpful. Seems like it might depend on the adjuster or maybe just luck? Either way, it's smart you're checking into this stuff now...NYC traffic is no joke.

Agree with the mixed bag assessment - I've seen similar inconsistencies with Geico myself:

- Had a client last year who waited nearly three weeks just to get an initial callback after a minor accident. Pretty frustrating, especially in a city like NY where you need your car sorted ASAP.
- On the flip side, another client had their claim processed and paid out within days, no hassle at all. It really does seem like luck of the draw with adjusters or maybe how busy they are at the time.
- Progressive isn't perfect either, but from what I've seen lately, their response times in NY have been a bit more consistent. Not flawless, but fewer extremes.
- Honestly, both companies have their pros and cons. I'd suggest looking beyond just response times - check out their online tools, ease of filing claims digitally, and even customer service reviews specific to your borough. Those little things can make a huge difference when you're dealing with NYC traffic headaches...

"Progressive isn't perfect either, but from what I've seen lately, their response times in NY have been a bit more consistent."

Interesting, my experience has actually been the opposite. Had a fender-bender last winter and Progressive took nearly two weeks just to assign me an adjuster. Maybe holiday season chaos played a part? Either way, it made me cautious about relying solely on claims speed. I'd say dig deeper into coverage specifics and hidden fees - those can sneak up on you in NYC traffic.

Had a similar issue with Geico a couple years back. They were quick to assign an adjuster, but the actual follow-up and communication afterward was pretty spotty. Felt like I had to chase them down for updates constantly. Honestly, both companies seem hit-or-miss depending on timing and luck. I'd definitely second the advice about checking coverage specifics - NYC driving is unpredictable enough without worrying if you're covered for every weird scenario. Also, maybe check out customer reviews specific to your borough or neighborhood? Sometimes local offices handle things differently, and that can make a big difference when you're stuck dealing with a claim.

Had a similar runaround with Progressive a while back... communication was decent at first, but once things got complicated (classic car, specialized parts), it turned into phone-tag hell pretty fast. Agree with you that it seems like luck of the draw depending on who you get handling your claim. Coverage specifics are huge, especially in NYC - had a buddy whose parked car got sideswiped overnight in Brooklyn, and the fine print on his policy left him paying way more out-of-pocket than he expected.

Definitely second the recommendation to dig into local reviews or even ask around neighborhood groups online. Sometimes a company might be great in Astoria but awful in Park Slope, weirdly enough. Also, if you're driving something vintage or even just not-so-common, double-check their policies on replacement parts and repairs. Learned that one the hard way...

- Interesting, but I've had the opposite experience with Progressive - super smooth claims process even with my Benz. Maybe it's more about the agent than the company itself? Curious if Geico handles luxury repairs any better... anyone dealt with them on higher-end cars?