Curious if anyone’s tried bundling with a smaller local insurer instead of the big names? Sometimes they fly under the radar but have better service, at least in my experience with auto policies.
Tried bundling with a regional carrier once, actually—service was excellent, but they just couldn’t match the coverage specifics I needed for a higher-end vehicle. The bigger companies have their headaches, but I’ve found their claims process (at least for auto) more streamlined, especially when it comes to specialty parts. The billing quirks are annoying, though. I always keep a close eye on statements after any policy change... just too easy for things to slip through the cracks.
The billing quirks are annoying, though. I always keep a close eye on statements after any policy change... just too easy for things to slip through the cracks.
Totally agree with this—had a weird double billing thing with Progressive after I swapped cars last year. Took a couple calls to sort out, but at least they fixed it quick. Honestly, I’ve stuck with the bigger names mostly for convenience and the online tools. Thought about trying a local, but with kids and all, I just want as little hassle as possible when stuff goes sideways.
Honestly, I get the appeal of the big names, but I’ve had fewer headaches with a local agent. Yeah, their apps aren’t as slick, but when my car got sideswiped on a road trip, I called my agent and she handled everything—no endless phone trees. The “convenience” of online tools only goes so far when you’re stuck waiting for a claim to process. Just saying, sometimes the personal touch is worth it, especially in NY where stuff gets complicated fast.
The “convenience” of online tools only goes so far when you’re stuck waiting for a claim to process.
That’s honestly the part folks don’t think about until they’re in the thick of it. With Geico or Progressive, you’ll get the fancy app and quick quotes, but when you’re actually dealing with a claim—especially in NY, where paperwork can get wild—having someone local who knows the ropes can be a lifesaver. I’ve seen people save hours (and headaches) just by having a real person to call. If you value that, it’s worth factoring in, even if the tech isn’t as shiny.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from with the “convenience” thing. The apps are slick, and it’s hard not to be impressed when you can get a quote in like two minutes while half-watching Netflix. But then you hit that wall when something actually happens and suddenly it’s like, “Wait, who do I even talk to?”
I’ve seen people get tripped up by the NY paperwork maze more times than I can count. It’s not just about submitting a claim—it’s all the follow-up, the weird forms, sometimes even dealing with DMV stuff if it gets messy. That’s where having someone local can make a difference. Like you said:
. I’ve had clients call me in a panic because they got some letter from Albany and had no clue what it meant. Sometimes it’s just a quick phone call to clear things up, but if you’re stuck in an online queue or waiting for an email response... yeah, that “convenience” starts to feel pretty inconvenient.having someone local who knows the ropes can be a lifesaver
That said, I don’t want to totally knock Geico or Progressive either. Their tech is genuinely good for basic stuff—policy changes, ID cards, whatever. And for some folks who never have claims (or just don’t want to talk to anyone), that might be enough. But if you’re the type who likes having a go-to person—especially in NY where insurance rules are their own special flavor of confusing—it’s worth thinking about.
Funny story: my neighbor switched to one of the big online companies because of the price and loved it... until his car got sideswiped in Brooklyn. He spent more time on hold than he did actually driving that week. Ended up switching back after that whole ordeal.
Guess it comes down to how much you value having someone in your corner versus just wanting things fast and digital. Both have their place—just depends on your luck (and patience) when things go sideways.
