"Insurance is definitely a lesser-of-evils situation...but sometimes paying a bit more upfront saves headaches down the line."
Couldn't agree more with this. As someone who's currently shopping around (student driver here, so budget is tight), I've noticed Progressive and Geico both offer tempting rates initially, but I've heard mixed reviews about their claims handling. State Farm does seem pricier, but reliability matters a lot—especially if you're new to driving. Might also be worth checking out local agents; sometimes smaller companies offer competitive rates and better customer service.
I've dealt with both Geico and Progressive claims in NY, and honestly, experiences vary a lot. Progressive was pretty smooth when I had a minor fender-bender, but a friend of mine had a rougher time with Geico—it took forever to get things sorted. State Farm's pricier, true, but I've heard they're solid. Curious if anyone's tried Erie or Travelers around here...sometimes smaller names surprise you with better service.
Had a similar experience here—Geico dragged their feet with my claim, kept asking for extra paperwork. Progressive was quicker, but raised my rate afterward. Anyone have insight on Erie? Heard they're decent but don't know anyone personally who's used them...
"Anyone have insight on Erie? Heard they're decent but don't know anyone personally who's used them..."
I've had Erie for about three years now in upstate NY. Thankfully haven't had to file a claim yet, but their customer service has always been responsive and straightforward whenever I've reached out with questions. Rates stayed pretty stable too, even after a minor speeding ticket (my bad...). But I do wonder how they handle claims compared to Geico or Progressive. Has anyone here actually gone through the claims process with Erie? Curious if they're as smooth when things go wrong as they are when everything's fine.
I had Erie a few years back when I lived in PA. Had one claim after a fender-bender (not my fault, thankfully), and honestly, they handled it pretty smoothly. Adjuster was quick to respond, and the repair shop got paid without any hassle on my end. Can't speak for NY specifically, but overall my experience was positive... definitely less stressful than when I dealt with Progressive previously. Hope that helps!
