"smooth app or not, all I cared about was how quickly they handled things."
Totally agree with this. Had a minor fender-bender last year (thankfully nothing serious), and Geico was surprisingly quick. They had someone out to inspect the damage within two days, and the whole claim wrapped up in under a week. Honestly, when you're stressed after an accident, the last thing you wanna deal with is slow paperwork or endless phone calls... I'd say whichever company has a better rep for speedy claims in your area is probably your best bet.
Geico's usually pretty solid, but Progressive's not bad either. Had a claim with them last winter—took maybe a day longer than Geico did for you, but their communication was spot-on. Honestly, either way you're probably fine...just avoid the super cheap no-name companies, trust me lol.
I've had decent experiences with Progressive too, but honestly, I'm not sure communication alone should be the deciding factor. Have you looked into how each company handles safety features or discounts for safe driving habits? I ask because I've noticed some insurers reward things like defensive driving courses or even using those apps that track your driving habits. Not everyone's comfortable with those tracking apps (myself included, haha), but if you're safety-conscious and don't mind it, it could save you a nice chunk of cash.
Also curious—did you compare their roadside assistance programs? A friend of mine had Geico's roadside and wasn't thrilled when she got stranded last summer; took forever to get someone out there. Maybe Progressive's is better in NY? Could be worth checking reviews specifically for your area...
Either way, I totally agree about avoiding the no-name companies. Learned that one the hard way years ago...never again.
I feel your friend's pain on Geico's roadside assistance...got stuck near Albany once, and let's just say I had enough time to rethink my entire life choices before help arrived. Progressive might be worth a shot if their reviews check out better locally.
Haha, reading this brought back some memories. I once waited so long for Geico's roadside assistance up near Syracuse that I ended up befriending the cashier at the gas station and learned his entire family history... Progressive might indeed be worth a try.
