stuck between Geico and Progressive in NY, thoughts?

"Windshield cracks are basically inevitable here, especially with all the construction debris flying around."

Yeah, learned that the hard way last winter... Progressive's separate glass deductible caught me off guard. Geico's straightforward approach seems simpler, but Snapshot's tracking still makes me uneasy. Tough call.

Haha, windshield cracks...the unofficial NY state souvenir. Had a similar surprise with Progressive's glass deductible myself - felt like a hidden boss level in a video game. Ever thought about skipping Snapshot altogether, or is the discount too tempting?

Snapshot's tempting, but honestly, the privacy trade-off bugs me. I'd rather hunt down discounts elsewhere - like bundling or defensive driving courses. Sometimes simpler is better, even if it means a slightly higher premium.

"Snapshot's tempting, but honestly, the privacy trade-off bugs me."

Yeah, totally get that. Snapshot always felt a bit too "big brother" for my taste too. If you're leaning towards Geico or Progressive in NY, here's what I've found helpful:

- **Defensive driving course**: Easy 10% discount in NY, lasts three years. Did mine online in a weekend - worth it.
- **Bundling**: Check renters or homeowners insurance combos. Geico was cheaper for me solo, but Progressive beat them when I bundled renters.
- **Payment options**: Paying upfront every six months can shave off a decent chunk. Progressive gave me a better deal here last renewal.

Honestly, sometimes the simpler route is less hassle even if it's a few bucks more. I switched from Geico to Progressive last year because their customer service was smoother for me personally... fewer headaches overall. Just my two cents.

"Honestly, sometimes the simpler route is less hassle even if it's a few bucks more."

Couldn't agree more with this. I've bounced between Geico and Progressive myself, and while Snapshot initially seemed appealing, the privacy concerns were a deal-breaker for me too. One thing I'd add - definitely look into roadside assistance coverage. Geico's roadside service saved my bacon during a flat tire incident near Albany last summer. Progressive offers something similar, but I've heard mixed reviews from friends who've used it.

Also, consider checking out their mobile apps. Progressive's app felt smoother and more intuitive to me, which matters when you're stuck on the side of the road fumbling through your phone. But honestly, both companies are pretty solid overall in NY. It might just come down to personal preference or minor perks at this point...

I've had both in NY, and honestly, Progressive's roadside assistance was fine for me. Had a dead battery last winter near Syracuse, and they showed up pretty quick. Geico might be slightly cheaper overall, but the difference wasn't enough to sway me either way...

I've been wondering about this myself lately. Good to hear Progressive's roadside assistance actually came through for you, especially in winter near Syracuse - that's no joke. I've had Geico for a couple years now, and while their rates are decent, I haven't had to use their roadside yet (knock on wood...). Curious if anyone else has experience with Geico's response times around here? Honestly, if the price difference isn't huge, I'd probably lean toward whichever has better service when you're stuck in a pinch. Saving a few bucks is nice, but not if you're freezing your butt off waiting for help. Glad Progressive worked out well for you though - makes me feel a bit better about possibly switching down the line.

"Saving a few bucks is nice, but not if you're freezing your butt off waiting for help."

Exactly - this hits the nail on the head. Geico's roadside service around here is usually decent, but I've had clients mention longer waits during heavy snow. Progressive seems a bit quicker in tough conditions, from what I've heard.

I had a similar experience last winter with Geico's roadside assistance. Got stuck in a snowbank after sliding off the road - nothing serious, thankfully - but the wait was pretty uncomfortable. It took them nearly two hours to get someone out to me, and temperatures were dropping fast. To be fair, conditions were pretty rough that night, but still...it made me reconsider how much weight I put on cost savings versus reliability.

I've heard mixed things about Progressive too, though mostly positive when it comes to response times in bad weather. Personally, I'd rather pay a bit extra for peace of mind than risk being stranded again. If you're regularly commuting or driving in areas prone to heavy snow or ice, it might be worth prioritizing quicker roadside response over minor savings. Just my two cents based on experience.

Had a similar situation myself, but with Progressive. Was commuting home from work last January when I hit some black ice and ended up halfway in a ditch - nothing major, just embarrassing as hell. Called Progressive's roadside assistance, and honestly, they were pretty quick. Took them about 40 minutes to get someone out there, which felt like forever at the time (especially with cars slowing down to stare at my sorry self), but looking back, it wasn't bad considering the weather.

I get wanting to save money - trust me, I'm all about pinching pennies - but when you're stuck on the side of the road freezing your butt off, those few extra bucks suddenly seem worth it. Not saying Progressive is perfect or anything; I've heard mixed reviews too. But from my own experience commuting daily through NY winters, I'd lean toward reliability over saving a couple bucks each month. Just my experience though...your mileage may vary (pun totally intended).

"I'd lean toward reliability over saving a couple bucks each month."

Yeah, reliability definitely counts, especially in NY winters. I've been leaning towards Geico myself, but now I'm curious - anyone had experience with their roadside assistance during bad weather? I commute daily too, and the thought of waiting around in freezing temps isn't exactly appealing...

I've heard Geico's roadside can be hit or miss, especially during peak winter storms - wait times can get pretty rough. Have you considered AAA separately? Might cost a bit more upfront, but response times seem more consistent, at least from what I've seen.

I've had decent luck with Progressive's roadside bundled in, but honestly, AAA has saved me a few times during nasty NY winters. Curious though, anyone notice if Progressive's wait times hold up better than Geico's during peak storms?

I've been with Geico for a few years now, and honestly, during peak storms or those random blizzards we get upstate, the wait times have been pretty hit or miss. Last winter, I got stuck near Rochester - nothing major, just a dead battery - but it took Geico almost two hours to send someone out. Granted, it was one of those heavy snow days when everyone and their cousin seemed to need roadside help... so maybe Progressive would’ve had the same issue. Hard to say.

Funny you mention AAA though - I think they're still the gold standard when it comes to reliability in nasty weather. A buddy of mine swears by Progressive's bundled roadside assistance saying he's never waited more than 45 mins even during bad weather - but hey, maybe he's just lucky?

I guess what I'm curious about is whether bundling roadside service with insurance is worth it overall compared to standalone services like AAA. Does bundling really save enough money considering the trade-off in service quality or response times? Or is it more of a convenience thing?

I've actually found bundling roadside with insurance isn't always the best deal financially. Sure, it's convenient having everything in one place, but when I ran the numbers last year, AAA ended up cheaper overall for me - especially considering their discounts at hotels and stuff. Plus, standalone services seem more consistent during peak times. Maybe your friend's just lucky with Progressive... or maybe location matters more than we think?

"Plus, standalone services seem more consistent during peak times."

This is a good point. I've seen bundled roadside assistance struggle during busy periods - especially in winter storms or holiday weekends. Standalone providers like AAA usually have dedicated networks, so they're less likely to get overwhelmed.

But location definitely matters. In NY, especially around the city, response times can vary wildly depending on the provider's local partnerships. Progressive might have solid local contracts in your friend's area, but that doesn't guarantee it'll be the same everywhere else.

Also, keep in mind that bundling isn't always about immediate savings. Sometimes insurers offer loyalty perks or accident forgiveness if you bundle multiple policies. It's worth checking if Geico or Progressive have any hidden benefits like that before deciding purely on roadside assistance costs.

Personally, I'd run quotes separately and bundled, then factor in AAA's discounts on hotels and restaurants. Those little perks can add up surprisingly fast...

I've had both Geico and Progressive at different points, and honestly, they're both pretty solid overall. But since you're in NY, especially near the city, I'd lean toward checking local reviews or asking neighbors about their experiences. I remember one winter storm a couple years back when my bundled roadside assistance (through Progressive at the time) took forever to show up - like almost 3 hours. Not fun when you're freezing on the side of the road...

After that, I switched to AAA for roadside and kept insurance separate. AAA has been consistently quicker for me, probably because they have their own dedicated network. Plus, like someone else mentioned, the discounts on hotels and restaurants are surprisingly handy if you travel even occasionally.

But if you're really set on bundling, I'd suggest calling both Geico and Progressive directly and asking about their local roadside partnerships. Sometimes customer service reps can give you a better sense of how reliable their local providers are. Also, ask about any hidden perks or loyalty bonuses - Progressive gave me accident forgiveness after a few years, which was nice peace of mind.

At the end of the day, it's about balancing convenience, reliability, and cost. For me personally, I'd rather pay a little extra for peace of mind knowing help will arrive quickly if I'm stuck somewhere sketchy or in bad weather. But your mileage may vary (pun intended)...

I've been leaning toward Progressive myself, but your roadside story gave me flashbacks... I was driving through Queens last winter - still pretty new behind the wheel - and hit a pothole so massive it felt like I fell into another dimension. Tire was completely shredded, and I had Geico's bundled roadside at the time. They said it'd take about an hour, but after two hours of freezing my butt off in an empty parking lot, they still hadn't shown. Ended up calling my uncle to come bail me out instead.

After that mess, I've been seriously thinking about AAA too. Seems like bundling might save a few bucks upfront, but is it really worth the hassle if you're stuck somewhere sketchy late at night? Curious if anyone else has had better luck with bundled roadside assistance near NYC - or is separating insurance and roadside just the smarter move around here?

"Seems like bundling might save a few bucks upfront, but is it really worth the hassle if you're stuck somewhere sketchy late at night?"

Honestly, your Queens pothole story hits home. Last year, I got stranded on the Belt Parkway around midnight - pretty nerve-wracking spot to be stuck. Had bundled roadside with Progressive then, and they took forever too... ended up calling AAA through my friend's membership. Since then, I've kept insurance and roadside separate. Might cost a bit more, but peace of mind in sketchy situations is priceless.

Yeah, hearing these stories makes me second-guess bundling. My cousin had Geico bundled roadside and ended up waiting almost two hours near JFK... kinda defeats the purpose, right? Maybe separate is safer after all.