I hear you about coverage details—price only goes so far when your car’s on the side of the road and you’ve got kids in the back. For me, Geico’s roadside was quick, but their claims process felt like pulling teeth. Progressive was smoother, but I’ve only had one claim. Have you compared how each handles rental cars during repairs? That was a headache for us last winter.
Rental coverage is where things get weirdly complicated, right? We had a fender bender last year—nothing major, but the car was in the shop for almost two weeks. Geico covered the rental, but only up to a certain daily limit, and of course, every rental place in our area wanted more per day than that. Ended up paying out of pocket for the “upgrade” to a minivan because apparently, three car seats don’t fit in a compact. Go figure.
Progressive’s policy looked a little better on paper when I checked, but I haven’t actually had to use it yet. Their rep told me they’d cover a higher daily rate, but I’m always skeptical until I see it in action. Insurance fine print is like reading a foreign language sometimes.
Honestly, both companies seem to have their quirks. Geico’s roadside was fast for us too, but their claims process dragged on forever—lots of back and forth, and I felt like I was repeating myself every time I called. Progressive was smoother when my neighbor used them after a deer hit, but maybe that was just luck of the draw.
If you’ve got kids and need a bigger rental, definitely double-check the daily limit and what types of cars are actually covered. Otherwise, you end up cramming everyone into a sedan with snacks flying everywhere... not my favorite memory.
At the end of the day, I’d say look at the rental coverage details closely and maybe even call both to ask about real-world scenarios. The devil’s in the details with this stuff.
“Ended up paying out of pocket for the ‘upgrade’ to a minivan because apparently, three car seats don’t fit in a compact. Go figure.”
- Been there with the car seat shuffle. Rental coverage limits are always lower than what you actually need, especially with kids.
- I’ve noticed some companies only cover “comparable” vehicles, but their idea of comparable is way off if you drive anything bigger than a sedan.
- Did either company let you pick the rental agency? Sometimes local spots are cheaper than the big chains, but I’m never sure if insurance will work with them.
- Curious if anyone’s actually gotten Progressive to pay for a full-size SUV or minivan without a fight? That’s my main hangup.
Rental coverage is such a pain with families—those “comparable” vehicle definitions are pretty generous if you ask them, but not so much for the customer. I’ve seen Progressive cover minivans in rare cases, but it usually takes some back-and-forth and proof that your daily driver really can’t be replaced with a sedan. One thing people forget: always check if your policy specifically lists vehicle types under rental coverage. If it’s vague, you’re probably stuck arguing every time. Don’t feel bad about pushing back, though—sometimes it’s the only way they’ll budge.
Honestly, you nailed it with this:
those “comparable” vehicle definitions are pretty generous if you ask them, but not so much for the customer.
It’s wild how “comparable” can mean a sedan when you’ve got three kids and a dog. I always tell folks—don’t just skim the rental section. If it doesn’t spell out minivan or SUV, expect a fight. You’re right to push back. Insurers do budge sometimes, especially if you can show your daily driver isn’t just for show. It’s a hassle, but it’s worth it if you need the space.
