I just went through this exact debate myself a couple months ago when I bought my first car (a used BMW, nothing crazy but still wanted decent coverage). Ended up going with Progressive after reading a ton of reviews and talking to friends, and honestly, no regrets so far.
Funny enough, I had a similar windshield situation happen literally three weeks after signing up—talk about timing. A rock flew up on the highway and left me with a nasty crack. Called Progressive, and like you said, they were pretty chill about OEM glass. They didn't even question it, which was reassuring since I'd heard horror stories from my cousin who has Geico. He drives an Infiniti and had to practically argue with them for days before they agreed to OEM glass. Even then, he said it felt like pulling teeth.
But yeah, Progressive wasn't perfect either. The first shop they recommended was booked out for almost two weeks (guess that's just NY winters for ya...), so I did some calling around myself and found another approved place that got me in within a few days. Slight hassle, but nothing major. The quality was great though—no weird noises or leaks or anything sketchy so far.
Honestly, from what I've seen and heard, both companies are decent enough if you're proactive about what you want. But if you're picky about your car (I definitely am), Progressive seems slightly more accommodating upfront without needing to push too hard. Just be prepared to make a few calls yourself if timing matters to you.
Good luck deciding—insurance shopping is definitely not the most fun part of owning a car, lol.
Totally agree with your take on Progressive vs. Geico, especially in NY. A few quick things I'd add from experience:
- Progressive is usually smoother with OEM parts, like you mentioned. Geico can be hit or miss depending on the adjuster you get (some are chill, others...not so much).
- One thing to watch out for with Progressive: their rates can creep up after the first renewal. Not always, but I've seen it happen a few times. Just keep an eye out and don't be afraid to shop around again next year.
- Geico's app and online tools are honestly pretty great—probably slightly better than Progressive's. If you're someone who hates calling customer service (like me), that might matter.
- Also, if you bundle renters or homeowners insurance, Progressive sometimes has better discounts. Geico's bundling options aren't always as competitive.
But yeah, neither is perfect. Insurance is basically just picking the least annoying option and hoping you never have to use it, lol.
This is super helpful, thanks for breaking it down. I'm actually shopping around for insurance for the first time right now, and honestly, it's a bit overwhelming. I was leaning toward Geico because their app seems pretty user-friendly (I hate phone calls too, lol), but the OEM parts thing with Progressive sounds important... didn't even think about that. Guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and pick one soon—fingers crossed I never actually need it.
You're right to consider the OEM parts issue—it's often overlooked but can make a significant difference if you ever need repairs. I've been driving for over 15 years, and from experience, having OEM coverage can save you headaches down the line. Aftermarket parts aren't necessarily bad, but fit and quality can vary quite a bit, sometimes affecting your car's resale value or even safety.
Geico's app is indeed user-friendly; I've used it myself briefly, and it's intuitive enough that you rarely need to call customer service. Progressive also has a decent digital platform, though maybe not as polished as Geico's. Still, I'd prioritize coverage specifics over app convenience personally.
One more thing to consider: check out their claims satisfaction ratings online. A smooth claims process matters a lot when you're already stressed from an accident or damage. Good luck with your decision—insurance shopping isn't fun, but it's worth taking your time to get it right.
I was in your shoes a few months ago—first time buying insurance, and honestly, it stressed me out. Ended up going with Progressive mainly because their OEM coverage seemed clearer to me. Geico's app was tempting (heard good things), but I figured I'd rather deal with a slightly less polished app than risk issues with repairs later on.
Funny enough, I had a minor fender-bender last month (ugh), and the claims process was pretty smooth. They approved OEM parts without hassle, which was a relief. Can't speak for Geico personally, but Progressive's customer service was solid when I needed it.
Definitely agree about checking claims satisfaction ratings online though...that helped ease my anxiety a bit. Good luck—hope you never actually need to use whichever one you pick.
