"Plus, standalone services seem more consistent during peak times."
This is a good point. I've seen bundled roadside assistance struggle during busy periods—especially in winter storms or holiday weekends. Standalone providers like AAA usually have dedicated networks, so they're less likely to get overwhelmed.
But location definitely matters. In NY, especially around the city, response times can vary wildly depending on the provider's local partnerships. Progressive might have solid local contracts in your friend's area, but that doesn't guarantee it'll be the same everywhere else.
Also, keep in mind that bundling isn't always about immediate savings. Sometimes insurers offer loyalty perks or accident forgiveness if you bundle multiple policies. It's worth checking if Geico or Progressive have any hidden benefits like that before deciding purely on roadside assistance costs.
Personally, I'd run quotes separately and bundled, then factor in AAA's discounts on hotels and restaurants. Those little perks can add up surprisingly fast...
I've had both Geico and Progressive at different points, and honestly, they're both pretty solid overall. But since you're in NY, especially near the city, I'd lean toward checking local reviews or asking neighbors about their experiences. I remember one winter storm a couple years back when my bundled roadside assistance (through Progressive at the time) took forever to show up—like almost 3 hours. Not fun when you're freezing on the side of the road...
After that, I switched to AAA for roadside and kept insurance separate. AAA has been consistently quicker for me, probably because they have their own dedicated network. Plus, like someone else mentioned, the discounts on hotels and restaurants are surprisingly handy if you travel even occasionally.
But if you're really set on bundling, I'd suggest calling both Geico and Progressive directly and asking about their local roadside partnerships. Sometimes customer service reps can give you a better sense of how reliable their local providers are. Also, ask about any hidden perks or loyalty bonuses—Progressive gave me accident forgiveness after a few years, which was nice peace of mind.
At the end of the day, it's about balancing convenience, reliability, and cost. For me personally, I'd rather pay a little extra for peace of mind knowing help will arrive quickly if I'm stuck somewhere sketchy or in bad weather. But your mileage may vary (pun intended)...
I've been leaning toward Progressive myself, but your roadside story gave me flashbacks... I was driving through Queens last winter—still pretty new behind the wheel—and hit a pothole so massive it felt like I fell into another dimension. Tire was completely shredded, and I had Geico's bundled roadside at the time. They said it'd take about an hour, but after two hours of freezing my butt off in an empty parking lot, they still hadn't shown. Ended up calling my uncle to come bail me out instead.
After that mess, I've been seriously thinking about AAA too. Seems like bundling might save a few bucks upfront, but is it really worth the hassle if you're stuck somewhere sketchy late at night? Curious if anyone else has had better luck with bundled roadside assistance near NYC—or is separating insurance and roadside just the smarter move around here?
"Seems like bundling might save a few bucks upfront, but is it really worth the hassle if you're stuck somewhere sketchy late at night?"
Honestly, your Queens pothole story hits home. Last year, I got stranded on the Belt Parkway around midnight—pretty nerve-wracking spot to be stuck. Had bundled roadside with Progressive then, and they took forever too... ended up calling AAA through my friend's membership. Since then, I've kept insurance and roadside separate. Might cost a bit more, but peace of mind in sketchy situations is priceless.
Yeah, hearing these stories makes me second-guess bundling. My cousin had Geico bundled roadside and ended up waiting almost two hours near JFK... kinda defeats the purpose, right? Maybe separate is safer after all.
