Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing with both Geico and Progressive here in NY. The concierge stuff sounds great on paper, but when you actually need it, it’s a toss-up whether it’ll make your life easier or just add another layer of red tape. I had a claim with Geico last year and even though they talked up their “network” shops, I still had to chase down updates and push for OEM parts. Felt like I was doing half the legwork myself.
Honestly, the shop you pick makes a huge difference. If you find one that’s used to dealing with insurance runaround, they’ll fight for you and know how to get things approved faster. My neighbor swears by this one local body shop—he says they basically handle the whole process and just call him when it’s done. If you have a shop you trust, sometimes that’s worth more than which company you’re with. Just my two cents, but I’d focus more on finding a good repair place than expecting miracles from either insurer.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had the opposite experience with network shops—at least with Progressive. My car’s a bit higher-end, and their preferred shop handled everything, including fighting for OEM parts. I barely had to lift a finger. Maybe it depends on the shop, but I’d say don’t write off the insurer’s network just yet. Sometimes it’s less hassle, especially if you’re not super familiar with local shops or just want things done by the book. Just my take, but I’d weigh both options before deciding.
Stuck Between Geico And Progressive In NY, Thoughts?
Maybe it depends on the shop, but I’d say don’t write off the insurer’s network just yet. Sometimes it’s less hassle, especially if you’re not super familiar with local shops or just want things done by the book.
That’s actually been my experience too—sometimes using the network shop can save a ton of headaches. I’ve owned more than a few cars over the years (from basic sedans to a couple of “fun” weekend cars), and honestly, I’ve seen both sides of this coin.
Back when I had an old Accord, I went outside the insurer’s network because I knew a guy who ran a small body shop. He did great work, but man, getting the paperwork squared away with Geico was a pain. Lots of back-and-forth calls, and I had to chase down updates myself. It worked out in the end, but it was definitely more hands-on than I expected.
Fast-forward to a few years ago, my wife got rear-ended in her newer SUV. This time we just let Progressive handle everything through their recommended shop. The process was surprisingly smooth—no arguing about parts or repairs, and they even kept us updated automatically. It was honestly a relief not having to micromanage every detail.
I get why some folks are wary of network shops—sometimes you hear horror stories about shoddy work or aftermarket parts being pushed. But like you said, it really seems to come down to the specific shop and maybe even the adjuster you get. If you’re not super picky about every little thing or just want your car back without jumping through hoops, sticking with the insurer’s network isn’t always a bad move.
At the end of the day, there’s no perfect answer here. Each option has its trade-offs. Just wanted to chime in and say you’re not alone in feeling torn—there’s no shame in picking whatever makes your life easier, especially if dealing with car repairs isn’t your favorite pastime.
It’s totally normal to feel torn between the two, especially in NY where both Geico and Progressive have pretty strong networks. In my experience, neither is perfect, but you’re right—sometimes sticking with the insurer’s recommended shops just saves you a lot of hassle. I’ve seen claims drag on forever when folks try to go outside the network, even if the shop does great work. At the end of the day, peace of mind and a smooth process can be worth more than squeezing every last detail out of a claim. You’re weighing the right factors.
Honestly, I’ve seen both sides of this—using the insurer’s shop can make life easier, but sometimes you just trust your own mechanic more. The network shops usually handle paperwork and billing directly, which is a relief if you’re busy. But if you’re picky about repairs, it’s worth double-checking the shop’s reviews, even if they’re in-network. Either way, in NY, both Geico and Progressive have solid options, so you’re not likely to get stuck with a terrible shop. Just make sure to ask about warranty on repairs, too... sometimes that gets overlooked.