stuck between Geico and Progressive in NY, thoughts?

I've had both Geico and Progressive here in NY, and honestly, they're both pretty solid. Geico was definitely cheaper upfront for me too, but I switched to Progressive last year because of the Snapshot thing. Figured I'd give it a shot since I'm a pretty cautious driver (gotta protect the ride, right?). Anyway, it did save me some cash - around 15% off after the first six months. Not life-changing, but hey, savings are savings.

One thing to keep in mind though: Snapshot tracks stuff like hard braking and late-night driving. So if you're someone who likes to cruise around town at midnight or has a heavy foot at stoplights, it might not be worth the hassle. For me, it was fine since I mostly commute during normal hours and drive pretty chill.

Overall, I'd say it's not a gimmick, but it's also not gonna cut your bill in half or anything. If you're already leaning towards Progressive and you're a decent driver, might as well give it a try. Worst case scenario, you switch again next year...

I've dealt with both companies quite a bit, and honestly, Snapshot can be a mixed bag. Had a client once who was super excited about it - thought he'd save big because he drove like a grandma (his words, not mine). Turns out, he worked late shifts and drove home around 2 AM most nights. Progressive dinged him pretty hard for that late-night driving, even though he was probably the safest driver I've ever met. He ended up switching back to Geico after six months because the savings just weren't there.

On the flip side, another client of mine - a younger guy who admitted he had a bit of a lead foot - actually benefited from Snapshot. It made him more aware of his driving habits, and he toned down the aggressive braking and speeding. Ended up saving around 10%, which surprised both of us.

Personally, I think Snapshot is decent if you're already disciplined behind the wheel and your schedule aligns with what Progressive considers "safe" hours. But if your lifestyle doesn't match their criteria perfectly, it might not be worth the hassle or potential privacy trade-off.

One thing I'd be curious about though: has anyone here tried Geico's DriveEasy program? Heard mixed reviews about it being overly sensitive to phone usage - even if you're just using GPS or streaming music. Wondering how it stacks up against Snapshot in real-world use...

- Tried DriveEasy for a few months - honestly, wasn't a fan.
- It flagged me constantly for "phone use" when I was just skipping songs or checking GPS at red lights.
- Snapshot sounds picky about driving hours, but Geico's app felt overly sensitive about phone handling.
- Ended up ditching it because the tiny discount wasn't worth the constant nagging notifications...
- Curious if anyone else had better luck with it though.

- Tried DriveEasy for a few months - honestly, wasn't a fan. - It flagged me constantly for "phone use" when I was just skipping songs or checking GPS at red lights.

I've been following this thread because I'm in a similar boat - first time buying insurance on my own, and honestly, the whole snapshot/DriveEasy thing makes me a bit uneasy. I get that it could save money, but reading your experience about the constant notifications and false flags for phone use kinda confirms my worries. I tend to glance at GPS or switch playlists at stoplights too, and I'd hate to be penalized for normal stuff like that.

Also, I've heard from friends that Progressive's snapshot can ding you if you drive late at night, even if you're just heading home from work or hanging out with friends. That seems a bit unfair to me since not everyone has a 9-5 schedule. Geico's upfront pricing does look tempting, but I'm still cautious about hidden fees or sudden rate hikes after the first year. Honestly leaning toward Geico right now just to avoid the hassle of being monitored constantly...but still undecided.

I've had both Geico and Progressive over the years. Snapshot was okay at first, but yeah, the late-night driving penalty got annoying fast - I bartended for a while, so my schedule was all over the place. Geico's DriveEasy seemed even pickier about phone use. Honestly, if you're worried about monitoring, I'd say skip both apps and just go with whoever offers you the best straightforward rate. Less hassle overall.

I've handled claims involving both companies, and honestly, the monitoring apps can be a mixed bag. Snapshot's late-night penalty does seem a bit arbitrary - especially for shift workers or bartenders like yourself. DriveEasy is indeed stricter about phone use, but from what I've seen, it can encourage safer habits overall. Still, if the monitoring feels intrusive or doesn't match your lifestyle, you're probably better off just comparing standard rates and coverage options directly. Less stress in the long run...

"Still, if the monitoring feels intrusive or doesn't match your lifestyle, you're probably better off just comparing standard rates and coverage options directly."

Yeah, totally agree with this. When I was shopping around for my first policy last year, I initially thought these tracking apps would save me money. But honestly, after reading about Snapshot's weird late-night penalties (which makes zero sense for anyone not working a 9-5), I decided it wasn't worth the hassle. Ended up just comparing regular policies directly - found a solid deal without all the app drama. Less headache overall...

I get your point about the tracking apps being intrusive, but honestly, I found Snapshot pretty helpful. Maybe it's because my family's driving habits are fairly predictable and cautious (we rarely drive late at night anyway), but we ended up saving a decent chunk on our policy. It definitely depends on your routine and comfort level with data sharing, though... everyone has their own threshold for privacy vs. savings.

Snapshot can definitely be a solid deal if your driving habits line up nicely, but have you checked out Geico's DriveEasy too? Curious how their discounts stack up against Snapshot in NY. Personally, I've seen some clients pleasantly surprised by the savings from tracking apps, while others found the privacy trade-off just wasn't worth it... Guess it boils down to how much you're willing to share about your midnight snack runs, huh?

"Guess it boils down to how much you're willing to share about your midnight snack runs, huh?"

Haha, true enough... but privacy aside for a sec, has anyone looked into how these tracking apps handle claims situations? Like, if the app flags you as a "safe driver," does that actually help smooth things out when filing a claim, or is it strictly just for discounts? I've seen situations where clients assumed their good driving record from Snapshot or DriveEasy would speed up claims processing or even boost credibility in disputes, but in practice, it didn't really factor in much. Discounts are great and all, but when push comes to shove and you're dealing with an accident or repairs, does being tracked really make any difference at all? Curious if anyone's had firsthand experience with this...

From what I've seen, the tracking apps are pretty much just discount tools. Had a minor fender-bender last year, and my "safe driver" status didn't really come into play during claims. Nice savings, but wouldn't count on it beyond that...

Yeah, that's pretty accurate. Those tracking apps mainly help with upfront discounts rather than claims handling. From my experience, Progressive tends to edge out Geico slightly in NY for budget-friendly rates, but coverage-wise they're pretty comparable...worth comparing quotes directly.

I've had both Geico and Progressive over the years, and honestly, I'd lean slightly towards Progressive in NY. Geico was decent price-wise, but when I had a minor fender-bender last winter (icy roads...ugh), Progressive's claims process felt smoother and quicker. Also, as someone who worries about coverage gaps (family car here, gotta be careful), Progressive seemed clearer about exactly what I was getting. But yeah, definitely run your own quotes - insurance is weirdly personal. Good luck deciding!

Totally get the struggle - I'm currently stuck in insurance-quote limbo myself. Your icy-road story reminded me of my first winter driving experience... picture me, fresh license, confidently sliding right into a snowbank. Good times. 😅 Anyway, it's reassuring to hear Progressive was smooth about claims; that's honestly my biggest fear as a newbie. Thanks for sharing your experience - it helps hearing real stories instead of just reading reviews online. Fingers crossed I can make a decision before my brain melts from info overload...

"Anyway, it's reassuring to hear Progressive was smooth about claims; that's honestly my biggest fear as a newbie."

Yeah, Progressive's claim handling is pretty solid from what I've seen, but honestly, Geico isn't bad either. Had a minor fender-bender last year (parking lot drama 🙄), and Geico sorted it out quickly without any hassle. But one thing I wonder about - has anyone compared how much rates jump after a claim with these two? That's the real kicker for me...

From experience, both Geico and Progressive handle claims pretty smoothly, but rate increases afterward can vary quite a bit. A couple things to consider:

- Progressive tends to be forgiving for first-time minor incidents - your rate might jump less initially.
- Geico often has lower starting premiums but can be quicker to bump rates after a claim, even minor ones.

Honestly, your best bet is running quotes with hypothetical scenarios to see the difference firsthand... tedious, I know, but worth it.

I've had both in NY and your points are spot on. Progressive was definitely more forgiving after a minor fender-bender I had (parking lot incident, ugh...). Geico started cheaper but jumped noticeably after a windshield claim. If you're cautious about potential claims, Progressive might give you more peace of mind. Either way, running those hypothetical scenarios is annoying but really does help clarify things.

Had a similar experience here. Geico was definitely cheaper upfront, but the price hikes after claims can sting.

"Progressive was definitely more forgiving after a minor fender-bender I had (parking lot incident, ugh...)"

Yeah, Progressive seems better about not punishing minor mishaps too harshly. Also, their online tools for tweaking coverage details are pretty user-friendly - makes running those annoying hypotheticals slightly less painful. If you're detail-oriented and cautious about potential claims, Progressive might be the safer bet overall.

Had a similar dilemma recently. Geico's initial quote was tempting, but here's what I'd do:

1. Get quotes from both, then run a hypothetical scenario - minor claim or ticket - and see how much each spikes.
2. Check Progressive's online tool like you mentioned, it's actually pretty decent for quick comparisons.
3. Factor in your driving habits realistically (city parking, tight spaces...). If minor bumps are likely, Progressive might save you headaches later.

Good luck deciding, insurance shopping is honestly the worst...