Always feels like a roulette wheel with insurance rates.
That’s honestly the best way to put it. I’ve had Geico for a while and, for me, the renewal process was pretty straightforward—no weird surprise fees, just the usual rate creep. But I’m always a little paranoid about what’ll happen if I actually need to use their roadside assistance. Has anyone actually had to file a claim with either one? Did they make it a hassle, or was it smooth sailing?
Honestly, I get what you mean about the “roulette wheel” feeling. Insurance is one of those things where you never really know what you’re paying for until you actually need it. But I gotta say, my experience with Geico wasn’t as smooth as yours. I had a minor fender bender a couple years back—nothing wild, just a parking lot scrape—and the claim process felt like pulling teeth. Lots of back and forth, and I swear every time I called, I got a different answer. Maybe I just got unlucky, but it left a bad taste.
On the other hand, I’ve heard mixed things about Progressive too. My buddy with a ‘72 Chevelle swears by them, especially for classic cars, but he’s also had to jump through hoops for roadside assistance. He said they eventually got him a tow, but it took way longer than he expected. Not exactly “smooth sailing,” if you ask me.
I’m always a little paranoid about what’ll happen if I actually need to use their roadside assistance.
That’s a fair worry. I actually ended up getting AAA for roadside stuff, just because I didn’t want to rely on my main insurance for that. It’s a little extra cash, but for me, the peace of mind is worth it. Plus, with older cars, you never know when you’ll need a jump or a tow.
One thing I’d throw out there—sometimes the smaller, local insurance companies can surprise you. I switched to a regional provider last year, and while the rates aren’t drastically lower, the customer service has been way more personal. When I had a windshield claim, it was handled in a couple days, no drama.
Not saying Geico or Progressive are bad, but I wouldn’t rule out looking at the little guys, especially in NY where there’s a ton of options. Just my two cents.
That’s interesting about the local companies—never really thought about going that route, but it makes sense if you want more personal service. I’ve always wondered, though, do those smaller providers have decent coverage networks if you travel out of state? Like, if you’re on a road trip and something happens, are you still covered the same way? I’d hate to save a few bucks and then get stuck somewhere with no help.
I’ve wondered about that too, honestly. The big names like Geico and Progressive have national networks, so if you’re traveling or even moving states, you’re pretty much set. With smaller local companies, I’d double-check how their roadside assistance or claims work outside your home area. Some partner with national networks, but not all do. Personally, I’d rather pay a bit more for peace of mind if I’m going to be on the road a lot—just seems safer, especially if you’re not familiar with the area.
I actually had a flat in Vermont last year and was really glad I had Progressive. Their roadside assistance picked up even though I was hours from home. Made me wonder if a smaller insurer would’ve been as quick... maybe, but I didn’t wanna risk it. Do you travel out of state much? That’s been the deciding factor for me.
