"Maybe it's more about the agent than the company itself?"
Yeah, honestly, this hits the nail on the head. I've seen claims go super smooth or turn into a nightmare depending on who's handling it. Luxury repairs can be tricky—some adjusters get it, others... not so much. Haven't personally dealt with Geico on high-end cars, but I've heard mixed things from colleagues. Might be worth checking if they have preferred shops for luxury brands in your area—that usually makes a big difference.
When I was shopping around for insurance the first time, I noticed the same thing—it's less about the big-name company and more about who's actually handling your claim. Had a friend who swore by Progressive because her adjuster was super responsive and helpful, but my cousin had a totally opposite experience with them. I'd say check reviews locally and maybe even call up a couple of repair shops directly to see who they prefer working with...could save you some headaches down the line.
"I'd say check reviews locally and maybe even call up a couple of repair shops directly to see who they prefer working with...could save you some headaches down the line."
This is honestly solid advice. Reminds me of a client I had last year who was convinced Geico was the way to go because of their commercials (I mean, who doesn't love a talking gecko?). Anyway, he ended up having a minor fender-bender and the adjuster was apparently harder to reach than my teenage nephew when it's his turn to do dishes. On the flip side, another client swears by Geico because their adjuster practically became his new best friend after an accident.
Point is, it's definitely less about the brand and more about who's on the other end of that phone call when things go sideways. Checking with local repair shops is genius—those guys have seen it all and usually aren't shy about sharing their opinions. Plus, if you're lucky, they'll toss in a good story or two about the craziest claims they've handled...always entertaining.
Gotta admit, never thought about calling repair shops directly...seems obvious now that you mention it. I've always been skeptical about relying on big-name commercials—flashy ads don't fix your car when you're stuck waiting for callbacks. Might actually give this a shot next renewal. Worst case scenario, I'll at least get some amusing stories out of it. Thanks for the tip.
I get the skepticism about flashy commercials—those ads are everywhere, and honestly, they don't tell you much about how the company actually handles claims. But I'm not sure calling repair shops directly is always the best way to gauge insurance quality. Here's why:
First, repair shops might have their own biases. Some shops have preferred relationships or contracts with certain insurers, so their recommendations might not always reflect the average customer's experience. It's not necessarily shady or anything, just business relationships at play. So, while it's a good idea to get their perspective, I'd take it with a grain of salt.
Second, as someone who just went through the whole first-time insurance buying process myself, I found that checking out customer reviews online—especially local ones—gave me a clearer picture. Sites like Yelp or even local Facebook groups can be surprisingly helpful. People tend to be brutally honest when they've had a bad experience, and you'll quickly see patterns emerge if a company consistently drops the ball on claims or customer service.
Also, don't underestimate the value of directly comparing policy details. Geico and Progressive both have pretty user-friendly websites where you can customize your coverage and see exactly what you're paying for. I know it's tedious, but spending an hour or two comparing deductibles, coverage limits, and optional add-ons can save you headaches down the road. I ended up going with Progressive because their online tools made it easier for me to understand exactly what I was getting, but your mileage may vary.
Bottom line, calling repair shops is a neat idea, but I'd definitely supplement it with some independent research and direct policy comparisons. Good luck with your decision—insurance shopping isn't exactly fun, but at least you'll feel confident you're making an informed choice.
