Had a similar experience with Progressive's bundled roadside last winter—got stuck near Yonkers with a dead battery and waited almost 90 mins. Not as bad as your cousin's JFK ordeal, but still frustrating enough to reconsider bundling. Makes me wonder if these insurance companies outsource roadside assistance to the same overloaded providers anyway... maybe separate services really do respond quicker? Curious if anyone's had better luck going independent.
Yeah, I hear you about the bundled roadside thing. Had a similar wait myself last year—flat tire on the Taconic and it took forever. Honestly, I think you're onto something with the outsourcing theory... feels like they're all pulling from the same stretched-thin pool of tow trucks. I've since switched to an independent roadside service (AAA), and so far it's been smoother. Costs a bit more, but peace of mind is worth it for me, especially since I drive a lot and can't afford to be stranded again.
Had a similar experience with Progressive's roadside last winter—battery died in a parking lot, and it took them nearly two hours to show up. I get the appeal of AAA, but honestly, I'm still hesitant about paying extra when I might only need it once every few years. Curious if anyone's had luck just using local tow companies directly when things go south? Might be cheaper overall, but then again, convenience counts too...
I've actually recommended clients try local tow services directly, especially if they're not frequent roadside users. If you're only calling for help once every few years, paying out-of-pocket occasionally might still be cheaper than annual AAA fees. Plus, local companies often respond faster since they're nearby and rely heavily on reputation. But convenience does matter—if the thought of finding a reliable tow at midnight stresses you out, AAA might be worth the peace of mind...
Good points about local tow services. I've seen plenty of claims where people waited forever for roadside assistance through insurance companies—especially late at night or in bad weather. But honestly, if you're stuck between Geico and Progressive, I'd focus more on their claims handling and customer service rep. Have you checked out reviews specific to NY? Sometimes one company is great in one state and meh in another...insurance is weird like that.
