I've always wondered how much weight to put on those online reviews though... seems like people mostly write them when they're really annoyed or super happy. Kind of makes me skeptical about their accuracy. Anyone have experience where the online reviews were totally off-base compared to what you actually got from the insurer? Curious if that's common or just me overthinking things...
Honestly, online reviews can be pretty hit or miss. A few things I've noticed:
- People usually only bother reviewing when they're either super ticked off or pleasantly surprised—rarely in between.
- Insurance experiences vary a ton based on individual circumstances (claims, driving history, even the rep you get on the phone).
- I've seen clients swear by companies with terrible online ratings and others disappointed by insurers praised everywhere.
Bottom line... take reviews with a grain of salt and maybe lean more on personal recommendations or your own gut feeling.
"Insurance experiences vary a ton based on individual circumstances (claims, driving history, even the rep you get on the phone)."
This is spot-on. As someone who's considered high-risk (couple tickets and one minor accident), I've found Progressive slightly more forgiving in NY. Geico quoted me cheaper initially, but their rates jumped significantly after my first claim. Progressive's been steadier for me, plus their customer service reps seemed more patient explaining coverage details. Definitely run quotes with your exact situation—don't just trust general reviews.
Interesting perspective, but I'm wondering if Progressive's stability in rates is consistent across the board or just specific to higher-risk drivers? I'm a first-time insurance buyer with a clean record (knock on wood...), and when I ran quotes recently, Geico actually came out cheaper by quite a bit. Progressive wasn't outrageous, but definitely pricier for me.
Also curious about customer service experiences—do you think the patience and clarity you mentioned from Progressive reps might vary depending on who picks up the phone? I've read mixed reviews online about both companies' customer service, so maybe it's more luck-of-the-draw than anything else?
Another thing that's been bugging me: does anyone know if either company tends to hike rates significantly after the initial policy period, even without claims or tickets? I've heard some insurers offer attractive initial quotes to get you onboard, then quietly bump up prices at renewal time. Would be helpful to hear if that's been anyone else's experience with Geico or Progressive specifically.
Honestly, choosing insurance feels like navigating a maze right now—so many variables and personal factors involved. Seems like running personalized quotes is essential, but even then, how reliable are those initial numbers long-term...?
I've been with Progressive for a couple years now as a high-risk driver (unfortunately...), and honestly, their rates have stayed pretty stable for me. Geico quoted me cheaper initially too, but after one renewal, they jacked up my premium significantly—even without new tickets or claims. Customer service-wise, it's definitely hit-or-miss with both companies. I'd say Progressive reps have generally been clearer and more patient in my experience, but yeah, luck of the draw is probably accurate. Insurance is always a gamble, sadly.
