stuck between Geico and Progressive in NY, thoughts?

"Friend of mine swears Geico's assistance is quicker, but honestly, I'm skeptical - feels like luck of the draw in bad weather."

I think you're right to be skeptical... I've had both Progressive and Geico over the years, and honestly, response times always seemed more about the specific tow company they contracted rather than the insurer itself. Last winter, my old Mustang decided to quit on me near Albany during a snowstorm (typical!), and Geico's roadside showed up in about an hour. Decent enough, but nothing mind-blowing. I'd say focus more on rates and coverage - roadside feels like a coin toss most days.

"response times always seemed more about the specific tow company they contracted rather than the insurer itself."

This is spot-on. I've dealt with both Geico and Progressive claims in NY, and honestly, the insurer's name didn't seem to matter much when it came to roadside assistance. A couple years back, I got stranded near Syracuse during a nasty ice storm - Progressive had me waiting nearly two hours because their contracted tow was slammed with calls. Another time, Geico had someone out to me in 30 minutes flat on a sunny afternoon near Rochester. It's really just luck and timing.

I'd suggest looking deeper into their claims handling and customer service reputation instead. Roadside assistance is nice to have, but it's not something I'd base my entire decision on. Premiums, deductibles, and how smoothly they handle actual claims - that's where you'll notice real differences between insurers.

A couple years back, I got stranded near Syracuse during a nasty ice storm - Progressive had me waiting nearly two hours because their contracted tow was slammed with calls. Another time, Geico had...

Yeah, agreed. Roadside assistance is pretty hit-or-miss regardless of insurer. Had Geico once and waited forever in Albany traffic... I'd focus more on claims handling and premiums - those matter way more in the long run.

Yeah, roadside assistance can be a gamble no matter who you're with. Honestly, I'd lean toward whichever company has a better reputation for handling claims smoothly and fairly. I've heard Progressive can be pretty good about processing claims quickly, but Geico sometimes edges them out on premiums - at least in my experience. Either way, make sure you read the fine print carefully... coverage details can vary a lot, and you don't wanna find out the hard way when something actually happens.

Have you checked if either company has local preferred repair shops near you? Sometimes that makes a huge difference in how smoothly claims go. I've had both Geico and Progressive at different times, and honestly, claims handling felt pretty similar. The real question is: Which one gives you fewer headaches overall? You're smart to be cautious about the fine print, though... insurance is one of those things you don't appreciate until you really need it. Good luck figuring it out.

Totally agree on the repair shop point - that can really swing your experience one way or the other. Had a client last year who switched from Progressive to Geico because of a cheaper rate, but then her favorite local mechanic wasn't in their preferred network. Ended up causing a bit of stress when she had a fender-bender... not exactly the smoothest experience. Both companies are pretty solid overall, but checking out those local partnerships beforehand might save you some headaches later. Good luck!

Had a similar issue myself a couple years back. Switched to Geico for the savings, then realized my go-to shop wasn't covered. Ended up paying more out-of-pocket, which kinda defeated the purpose... Definitely check those details beforehand.

Went through something similar when I first got my license last year:

- Got excited about Geico's lower rates (student budget, yay).
- Didn't even think to check if my family's usual mechanic was covered.
- First fender-bender later... surprise, surprise, had to go somewhere else.
- Ended up at some random shop across town, felt like I was cheating on my mechanic lol.
- Honestly, the savings weren't worth the hassle and awkwardness.

Now I'm with Progressive - bit pricier, but at least I can stick with the shop I trust. Lesson learned: always double-check the fine print before jumping ship for a cheaper deal.

Had a similar experience a few years back - went with Geico because the rates looked great on paper. First claim I had, they pushed me toward their preferred shop, which wasn't terrible, but definitely not my usual guy. Felt weird having someone else work on my car after years of loyalty. Switched to Progressive shortly after; paying a bit more, but at least I know exactly who's handling my repairs. Sometimes peace of mind is worth the extra bucks...

Interesting to hear your take on Geico. I've been eyeing both companies myself lately, mostly because my current insurer keeps nudging up the rates every renewal (ugh). Progressive seems solid from what you're saying, but I'm curious - did you notice a big difference in customer service overall, or was it mainly about choosing your own repair shop?

Honestly, I'm usually the type who just goes with whatever saves me a few bucks each month. But your point about peace of mind got me thinking... maybe it's worth paying a little extra if it means less hassle when something actually happens. I haven't had to file a claim yet (knock on wood), but I'd hate to find out the hard way that cheaper isn't always better.

Anyone else have experiences with either company in NY specifically? Wondering if location makes much of a difference here...

I've been wondering about this too, especially since I'm driving a luxury car - do either Geico or Progressive handle high-end vehicle claims better in NY? I'd hate to get stuck with subpar repairs just to save a few bucks...

Yeah, totally get where you're coming from. I'm in the same boat - just bought my first policy and went with Progressive mainly because friends mentioned their claims process was pretty smooth. But honestly, luxury cars might be a different story...heard Geico can be hit or miss depending on the body shop they partner with. Maybe check if either lets you choose your own repair place? That could make a big difference in quality.

I've had both Geico and Progressive in NY, and honestly, neither was perfect. Progressive was decent with claims, but my rates jumped pretty quick after a speeding ticket. Geico was cheaper upfront, but yeah, their repair shop network was kinda limited. Had a minor accident once, and the shop they recommended did an okay job - not great, just okay. If you're driving something high-end, I'd definitely double-check if you can pick your own repair place. Might cost a bit more, but worth it if you're picky about quality. Also, keep an eye on how each handles rate hikes after claims or tickets...that stuff adds up fast.

I've actually found that going with a smaller, regional insurer can sometimes be better in NY. They often let you choose your own repair shop without hassle, and rate hikes after minor incidents aren't as steep. Worth checking out before committing to the big names...

Have you checked if those smaller insurers have decent roadside assistance coverage? I agree they're usually more flexible, but sometimes their add-ons can be hit or miss... Still, good point about the repair shops - definitely worth considering.

Good point about the smaller insurers - I've seen some decent roadside assistance packages, but yeah, they're definitely not all created equal. Had a client once who went with a smaller company because the premium was lower, but when she got a flat tire on the Taconic, the roadside assistance took forever to show up. She wasn't thrilled, to say the least...

Between Geico and Progressive, both are pretty solid in NY. Progressive tends to have a slight edge with their network of repair shops, but Geico's roadside assistance is usually reliable and straightforward. I'd lean toward whichever gives you better peace of mind - saving a few bucks isn't worth it if you're stuck waiting on the side of the road at night. Just my two cents.

Gotta say, roadside assistance is nice and all, but honestly, I wouldn't make that the deciding factor between Geico and Progressive. Here's why:

- Roadside assistance is handy, sure, but I've had AAA for years and it's never let me down. Flat tire, dead battery, locked keys in the trunk (don't ask) - AAA always showed up pretty fast. Plus, AAA membership comes with a bunch of random discounts at hotels, restaurants, and even auto parts stores. Can't complain about saving a few bucks on spark plugs or wiper blades.

- As someone who's into classic cars, I've found that insurance companies' repair networks don't always matter much anyway. A lot of us classic guys have our go-to mechanic or specialty shop we trust with our babies. Progressive's network might be solid, but if you're particular about who touches your car (like I am), you might not even use their recommended shops.

- Geico and Progressive are pretty close in terms of rates and customer service, but one thing to consider is how they handle claims. Had a buddy with Progressive who said their app and online claims process was super smooth. Geico's decent too, but I've heard mixed reviews from friends who've dealt with them after an accident - some smooth experiences, some headaches.

- Also worth mentioning: Hagerty. If you're driving something older or collectible, Hagerty specializes in classics and enthusiast vehicles. They understand the value of your ride better than most mainstream insurers. Their rates aren't always the cheapest, but their coverage and claims process are top-notch for vintage iron.

Bottom line, I'd say pick based on claims experience and overall customer satisfaction rather than roadside assistance alone. You can always supplement with AAA or another standalone roadside service. And if you're rolling around in anything remotely classic or collectible... definitely give Hagerty a look before pulling the trigger on one of the big guys.

Good points all around. As a new driver who's been digging into this stuff lately, I appreciate the heads-up on Hagerty - I hadn't even considered specialty insurers. Also, totally agree about not getting hung up on roadside assistance. AAA saved my butt already (battery died in the school parking lot... embarrassing). Claims handling seems way more important, especially for someone inexperienced like me who might actually need it someday. Thanks for laying it out clearly.

Have you compared their apps yet? I was leaning Progressive but heard Geico's app is way smoother for managing claims. Might matter more than you'd think, especially if you're new to this stuff...

Have you actually had to file a claim before? I've used Progressive for years, and the app was fine enough, but honestly when I had an accident last winter, smooth app or not, all I cared about was how quickly they handled things. Maybe focus more on claim turnaround times?