Had a similar issue with aftermarket headlights—total waste of time and money. Between Geico and Progressive, honestly, they're about the same. But yeah, if you're driving something nice, definitely spring for OEM coverage. Learned that lesson the hard way myself... NY roads are brutal enough without worrying about cheap parts messing up your ride.
"NY roads are brutal enough without worrying about cheap parts messing up your ride."
Couldn't agree more. Recently had a minor fender-bender in Queens, and Progressive covered aftermarket bumpers—fitment was off, gaps everywhere. Definitely worth paying extra for OEM coverage if you care about details...lesson learned.
Just went through this myself—first time buying insurance and spent hours comparing. Ended up leaning toward Geico for OEM coverage after reading similar stories about aftermarket headaches. NY streets are unforgiving enough without stressing about fitment issues... Appreciate you sharing your experience; makes me feel better about paying a bit extra upfront for peace of mind. Hope your ride gets sorted soon.
Went through this dance myself a few months ago—Geico vs Progressive, the eternal NY insurance showdown, lol. Couple quick thoughts from someone who's seen behind the curtain a bit:
- You're spot-on about OEM coverage. Aftermarket parts can be a total gamble. Had a client once whose aftermarket bumper didn't line up right, and the body shop had to reorder twice. Total headache, especially when you're already stressed from an accident.
- Progressive isn't bad either, though. Their Snapshot program can save you some decent cash if you're a careful driver. But fair warning: if you drive like you're auditioning for Fast & Furious (no judgment, we've all been there), Snapshot might not be your friend.
- Geico tends to have slightly better customer service ratings in NY, especially when it comes to claims handling. Progressive isn't terrible, but Geico usually edges them out slightly in satisfaction surveys here.
- One thing people overlook: rental reimbursement coverage. If your car's in the shop, having a decent rental allowance is a lifesaver. Geico's standard rental coverage is usually pretty generous, but double-check your policy limits.
- Also, NY potholes are legendary. Make sure whichever you pick has solid roadside assistance coverage. Flat tires and bent rims are practically a rite of passage here.
At the end of the day, paying a bit extra upfront for peace of mind is almost always worth it. Trust me, nothing ruins your day faster than realizing your insurance skimps on coverage right when you need it most. Good luck getting your ride sorted—NY streets wait for no one...
Totally agree on the OEM parts issue—seen way too many headaches from aftermarket parts myself. But have you thought about how each company handles glass coverage? Windshield cracks are basically inevitable here, especially with all the construction debris flying around. Geico usually offers pretty straightforward glass coverage, but Progressive sometimes has a separate deductible for glass claims. Definitely worth double-checking that detail.
Also, curious if you've considered accident forgiveness options? Progressive tends to push theirs pretty hard, and it can be useful if you're worried about rate hikes after a minor fender-bender. Geico offers something similar, but it's usually an add-on rather than standard. Might be worth weighing that against your driving habits.
And yeah, Snapshot can be great—but do you really want your insurance company tracking your every move? Some clients love the savings, others feel it's a bit too "Big Brother." Just something else to think about...
