Had a similar experience with Progressive when I tried insuring my dad's old Corvette. Online quote was ridiculous—like they thought I was gonna use it for demolition derby or something. Called them up, and the rep basically admitted their online system doesn't handle classics well. Ended up going with Hagerty, and honestly, it's been smooth sailing since.
One thing I learned: specialty insurers actually get that you're not daily-driving these cars. They know you're probably keeping it garaged, polished, and driven only on sunny weekends. Plus, the agreed-value policy is a lifesaver. Had a buddy whose classic got totaled, and his regular insurer tried to pay him peanuts because they saw it as just an "old car." Took him months of fighting to get a fair payout.
If you're really stuck between Geico and Progressive, definitely call them directly. But honestly, specialty insurers might save you a headache down the road...
"specialty insurers actually get that you're not daily-driving these cars."
That's a good point—specialty insurers do seem more tuned into the reality of owning classics. Curious though, has anyone had experience filing claims with Hagerty or similar companies? Wondering how smooth that process really is...
I've never personally filed a claim with Hagerty, but a buddy of mine had to last year after his '68 Mustang got sideswiped at a car show (talk about a bad day...). He said the process was surprisingly painless—quick response, clear communication, and they actually understood the value of his car without him having to argue about it. So, while I can't speak firsthand, it seems like specialty insurers really do "
" and handle claims accordingly. Hope that helps ease your mind a bit!get that you're not daily-driving these cars
I've had decent experiences with both Geico and Progressive here in NY, but I'd lean slightly toward Progressive if you're budget-conscious. Their Snapshot program can genuinely save you money if you're a careful driver. Geico's rates are competitive too, but I've noticed Progressive tends to offer more flexible discounts. Still, specialty insurers like Hagerty do seem appealing if you've got a classic or collector car—especially since they
Regular insurers sometimes undervalue older vehicles, so that's something to consider..."actually understood the value of his car without him having to argue about it."
As someone who's had more than my fair share of speeding tickets (oops...), I gotta say Progressive was surprisingly forgiving. Geico quoted me a rate that made my eyes water after my last ticket, but Progressive's Snapshot actually helped soften the blow a bit. Granted, Snapshot did nag me every time I braked too hard or accelerated like I was auditioning for Fast & Furious, but hey, it saved me some cash in the end.
On the flip side, my buddy swears by Geico because their claims process was super smooth when he got rear-ended. But he's one of those annoyingly responsible drivers who never gets pulled over, so maybe that's why they treat him better?
If you're anything like me—someone insurance companies see as a walking red flag—Progressive might be your better bet. Just don't expect miracles if your driving record looks like mine...
