I had Geico when I first started driving in NY, and honestly, their claims process wasn't bad at all. Had a minor accident—nothing serious, just a scrape in a parking lot—but I was pretty stressed since it was my first time dealing with insurance. Geico's app made things straightforward: took some quick photos, uploaded them right there, and got a call back within a day. The whole thing wrapped up quicker than I expected, maybe about a week total?
That said, Progressive does have a solid rep for speed and ease of claims, so if you're really anxious about that part, it might be worth the extra peace of mind. Pricing-wise, Geico was definitely cheaper for me at the time (student discounts helped), but not by a huge margin—maybe $20-30/month difference. Not insignificant on a tight budget, but not exactly life-changing either.
One thing to keep in mind: sometimes cheaper premiums can mean higher deductibles or less coverage overall. Make sure you're comparing apples to apples when looking at quotes. Saving a few bucks monthly isn't worth it if you end up paying way more out-of-pocket after an accident.
Either way, both companies are pretty reputable. Just make sure you read the fine print carefully before committing.
Yeah, Geico's app is pretty convenient—I've used it myself after a fender bender. But being a high-risk driver, I found Progressive's Snapshot program kinda helpful. It tracks driving habits, and if you're careful (or at least try to be), you might save a bit. Just a heads-up though, if your driving isn't great...it can actually raise your premium. Definitely something to consider if you're in the same boat as me.
Honestly, Snapshot sounds good in theory, but relying on an app to monitor your driving habits isn't always the best move. First off, it can make you overly cautious—like braking too early or hesitating at intersections—which ironically can cause more issues. Instead, I'd suggest looking into defensive driving courses. They're straightforward: you take the class, get a certificate, and usually snag a decent discount without worrying about an app judging every move you make. Just my two cents...
I've been with Progressive in NY for about five years now, and here's my take:
- Snapshot sounded tempting at first, but honestly, I skipped it. Didn't want the stress of an app critiquing every quick stop or acceleration—felt like it'd mess with my driving rhythm.
- Defensive driving courses are definitely worth it. Took one online last year (took maybe 5-6 hours total?), and the discount was immediate and pretty decent. No anxiety about being monitored either.
- Geico was competitive when I shopped around, but Progressive edged them out slightly price-wise at renewal time. Still, it's always good to check both periodically—rates fluctuate a lot in NY.
- Also, consider bundling if you have renter's or homeowner's insurance; that saved me more than I expected.
Bottom line: Snapshot might save a few extra bucks, but for peace of mind and practicality, defensive driving and occasional rate checks worked best for me. Just something to think about...
"Snapshot sounded tempting at first, but honestly, I skipped it. Didn't want the stress of an app critiquing every quick stop or acceleration—felt like it'd mess with my driving rhythm."
I get your point about Snapshot, but honestly, I found it helpful. It made me more aware of my driving habits without feeling overly intrusive...though I admit, it took some getting used to.
