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stuck between Geico and Progressive in NY, thoughts?

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charlesmusician172

Totally agree with prioritizing claims handling - especially in NY traffic, where fender-benders and cracked windshields are practically routine. Had Geico for a few years myself, and they've always been pretty quick about repairs. Progressive wasn't terrible, but they did seem to drag their feet when my Accord got sideswiped near Brooklyn. IMO, paying a little extra for smoother, faster claims service is definitely worth the peace of mind...especially if you're commuting daily through city chaos.


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astronomer69

While I understand the appeal of prioritizing claims handling, especially given the chaos of NYC traffic, I'm not entirely convinced that paying extra always guarantees smoother service. I've had experiences with both Geico and Progressive, and honestly, my experience with Progressive wasn't as sluggish as yours. When my Civic got rear-ended near Queens last year, Progressive handled it pretty efficiently - maybe not lightning-fast, but definitely reasonable.

Also, it's worth considering that claims handling can vary significantly depending on the specific adjuster or even the repair shop you choose. I've heard stories from friends who've had wildly different experiences with the same insurer just because they went to different body shops. So, while Geico might have been quicker for you, it doesn't necessarily mean they'll always outperform Progressive across the board.

Another point to consider is customer service beyond just claims. I've found Progressive's online tools and mobile app to be more intuitive and user-friendly than Geico's. For someone commuting daily and juggling a busy schedule, having easy access to policy details, roadside assistance, or even just quick billing updates can be a lifesaver. Sometimes convenience and ease of use can outweigh minor differences in claims processing speed.

Ultimately, I think it's less about paying extra for peace of mind and more about finding the right balance between cost, convenience, and reliability. Both companies have their strengths and weaknesses, so it might be worth looking beyond just claims handling speed when making your decision.


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sophiepilot

"claims handling can vary significantly depending on the specific adjuster or even the repair shop you choose."

That's what makes me hesitant... I'm leaning toward Geico because their quote came in cheaper, but the app convenience point about Progressive is tempting. Guess I'll flip a coin soon lol.


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I've been wondering about this myself - does the app convenience really matter that much in practice? When I had a minor fender bender last year, Geico handled my claim pretty smoothly, but I gotta admit, the adjuster made a huge difference. He was into classic cars too, so we ended up chatting more about my '69 Mustang than the actual damage, lol. Maybe ask around locally about adjusters or repair shops people trust? Might give you a better feel than flipping a coin...


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krunner50

I've used both Geico and Progressive in NY, and honestly, the app convenience is pretty minor compared to how smoothly claims go. Progressive was decent, but Geico seemed quicker with repairs. Still, your mileage may vary depending on the adjuster you get...


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I've been driving in NY forever and had both at one point or another. Honestly, here's how I'd break it down: First, forget the apps - everyone hypes them but they're all pretty similar. Second, claims are key. Geico was quicker for me too, but Progressive wasn't exactly slow either. Third, call both and ask specifically about your car model and zip code - rates vary wildly by neighborhood here. Bottom line, don't overthink it...pick the cheaper quote and move on.


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rayh20

Had Geico for a while, switched to Progressive last year cuz they gave me a better deal at renewal. Honestly, claims-wise they're both decent - had a minor fender bender with Progressive and it was pretty painless. But yeah, the zip code thing is no joke...my cousin lives like 10 mins away and pays way less than me. Just grab whichever saves you cash, insurance is such a toss-up anyway.


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"But yeah, the zip code thing is no joke...my cousin lives like 10 mins away and pays way less than me."

Yeah, the zip code lottery is real - I've seen folks literally across the street paying noticeably different rates. Both Geico and Progressive are pretty solid overall, but one thing I'd add is to double-check coverage details beyond just price. Sometimes a slightly cheaper premium means a sneaky deductible increase or less comprehensive coverage. But honestly, if your experience with claims has been painless, you're already ahead of most people I talk to...count your blessings there, haha.


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geo896

Man, tell me about it...my buddy two blocks away saves enough on his insurance to buy pizza every weekend. But yeah, if your claims have been smooth sailing, you're already winning at the insurance game, haha.


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birdwatcher83

I've dealt with both Geico and Progressive a fair bit through work, and honestly, they're both pretty solid options in NY. Geico tends to be pretty straightforward with claims - usually quick processing times and decent customer support. Progressive, on the other hand, can sometimes edge them out on price depending on your specifics (car model, driving history, zip code, etc.), but their claims handling can vary a bit more. Not saying they're bad at all, just a touch less consistent from what I've seen.

Funny you mention pizza savings - one of our regular customers switched to Progressive last year and joked he was saving enough every month to fund his Netflix and pizza habit, haha. But then again, another guy I know swears by Geico because when he had a fender bender last winter, they had him sorted out in no time - rental car and all. He said it was the smoothest insurance experience he's ever had.

If your claims experience has been good so far, that's definitely a win. People often underestimate how much hassle a bad claims process can be until they're stuck dealing with it. I'd say if you're mainly after savings and your record is clean, Progressive might be worth a shot. But if you value predictability and a smoother experience when things go sideways (fingers crossed they don't), Geico could be your safer bet.

Either way, pizza every weekend sounds like the real goal here... priorities, right?


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I've had experience with both too, and honestly, for a luxury car, I'd lean Geico. Here's why:
- Claims handling is consistently smooth - less hassle if something happens.
- Rental car process was seamless when someone backed into my Audi last year.
- Progressive might save a few bucks, but the peace of mind with Geico was worth it for me.

But hey, if pizza money's the deciding factor...can't blame ya there.


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jparker17

"Progressive might save a few bucks, but the peace of mind with Geico was worth it for me."

Yeah, I get where you're coming from on the peace of mind thing. But honestly, I've seen both sides - clients who've had smooth sailing with Geico and others who've had headaches. Progressive isn't exactly a nightmare either; their Snapshot program can be pretty decent if you're not driving like you're auditioning for Fast & Furious.

That said, luxury cars do tend to fare better with insurers who streamline claims handling. Audi repairs aren't cheap (ask me how I know...), so having fewer hoops to jump through is definitely a plus. Still, I'd say don't completely rule out Progressive just yet - sometimes their local adjusters in NY are surprisingly efficient.

And hey, pizza money adds up...especially in NYC.


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"Audi repairs aren't cheap (ask me how I know...), so having fewer hoops to jump through is definitely a plus."

Haha, can confirm - Audi repairs are no joke. Had a client last year who swore by Geico for exactly that reason; claims were quick and straightforward, especially with higher-end cars. But honestly, I've also seen Progressive step up their game lately, particularly in the city. Snapshot can be hit or miss though - great if you're cautious, but if you brake hard once or twice (hello, NYC traffic...), your rates might not thank you.

Also worth mentioning: Geico's mobile app is surprisingly good for tracking claims and getting updates. Progressive's isn't bad either, but Geico just feels a bit smoother in my experience.

Bottom line? Both can work well, but if you're leaning toward convenience and fewer headaches with luxury car repairs, Geico might edge it out slightly. Still, wouldn't hurt to get quotes from both and compare apples to apples. Saving a few bucks never hurts - especially when your landlord inevitably hikes the rent again next year...


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jonbrewer

Had an Audi A4 a few years back and can totally vouch for Geico's claims process. Hit a pothole (thanks, Brooklyn...) and bent the rim - Geico had it sorted surprisingly fast, no hassle or endless calls. Never tried Progressive myself, but friends say Snapshot's a mixed bag, especially if you're navigating city chaos daily. Probably best to skip that if you're prone to sudden braking like me, lol.


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crypto313

"Never tried Progressive myself, but friends say Snapshot's a mixed bag, especially if you're navigating city chaos daily."

Snapshot definitely has its quirks, but honestly, it wasn't too bad for me. I commute daily through Queens and Manhattan - talk about stop-and-go madness - and while Snapshot dinged me occasionally for sudden braking (hello, jaywalkers...), the discount still ended up decent. Geico's claims sound solid, but Progressive's app and customer service were surprisingly smooth when I had a minor fender-bender last year. Might be worth reconsidering Snapshot if you're generally cautious behind the wheel.


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I've been following this thread closely since I'm looking into insurance for the first time myself. Snapshot sounds interesting, but honestly, driving around Brooklyn has me worried - lots of sudden stops and unpredictable traffic. Curious if anyone noticed their driving habits actually improving after using Snapshot, or did you just end up feeling stressed about every little braking incident? Not sure I want to feel judged every time I tap the brakes...


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law_susan

I've been using Snapshot here in Queens for about a year now, and honestly, at first I was super aware of every little brake tap. Felt like I had someone watching over my shoulder, lol. But after a couple weeks, it actually became second nature - I found myself anticipating stops better and easing into braking more smoothly. Didn't feel stressed, just more mindful. Plus, it did shave a decent chunk off my premium, so I'd say it's worth giving it a shot even in Brooklyn traffic...


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I've bounced between Geico and Progressive myself - Brooklyn driver here, so believe me, I get the hesitation. Snapshot felt kinda intrusive to me at first too, like someone was judging my every move. But honestly, after a few road trips upstate and dealing with city stop-and-go traffic daily, I realized it actually helped me drive smoother without even trying. It's like it nudged me into safer driving habits without being pushy about it.

Premium-wise, I ended up saving more than I expected. Geico was decent when I had them, but Snapshot's discounts were noticeably better for my situation. Also, Progressive's app felt a bit easier to navigate - less hassle when checking my policy updates or roadside assistance options. Might be worth giving Snapshot a try even just temporarily...worst case scenario, you switch back after a few months if you're not feeling it.


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"Snapshot felt kinda intrusive to me at first too, like someone was judging my every move."

Felt the same initially, but honestly, Snapshot's data isn't as creepy as it seems. Just drive normally, don't stress about it, and see if the discount's worth it. If not, easy enough to switch back.


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I totally get where you're coming from with Snapshot feeling intrusive. When I first started using it, I was hyper-aware of every little thing - like braking too hard or accelerating a bit too quickly. Felt like having a driving instructor silently judging me from the passenger seat, haha.

But honestly, after a week or two, I kinda forgot it was even there. Once you stop thinking about it, your driving habits just naturally settle back into normal. And the data they collect isn't as detailed or personal as it might seem at first glance. It's mostly about general stuff like braking patterns, mileage, and time of day you're driving - not exactly Big Brother-level surveillance.

Plus, the discount can be pretty decent if you're generally cautious behind the wheel. For me, as a student driver still figuring things out, it actually helped me become more aware of my habits without stressing me out too much. But if you find it's not worth the hassle or anxiety, switching back is straightforward enough.

Insurance in NY is already pricey enough as it is...so if Snapshot can shave off a few bucks without making you feel overly self-conscious, might be worth giving it a shot. Either way, don't sweat it too much - it's just insurance after all.


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