Stuck Between Geico And Progressive In NY, Thoughts?
Man, NYC traffic is a whole different beast. I tried Progressive’s Snapshot thing for a few months last year, thinking I’d save some cash. It was honestly more stressful than the actual driving. Every time I had to slam on the brakes because someone cut me off (which is like... every other block), I’d get that little “hard braking” ding. After a while, I started worrying more about what the app thought than what was actually happening on the road. Not great.
I get why people like the idea of those discounts, but it just didn’t fit with city driving for me. Maybe if you’re out in the ‘burbs or somewhere with less chaos, it’d be different? But here, it felt like I was being penalized for stuff that wasn’t even my fault.
Switched over to Geico after that. The rate was a bit higher than what Progressive *said* I could get with perfect driving, but at least it’s predictable. No more second-guessing every yellow light or pothole. Plus, their customer service has been decent so far—nothing fancy, but they pick up when you call.
One thing though: Geico did bump my rate a little after my first renewal. Not by much, but still annoying. Guess that’s just insurance in NY though... everything creeps up eventually.
Anyway, just my two cents. If you’re not into micromanaging your driving habits or getting judged by an app, Geico feels less stressful. But hey, maybe someone out there has cracked the code on making those telematics work in city traffic? If so, props to them—I couldn’t do it.
I hear you on the Snapshot thing. Tried it myself for a bit, and honestly, it felt like I was being punished for just surviving NYC driving. You can’t control when some delivery guy cuts you off or when a cab stops dead in front of you. I got dinged for “hard braking” so many times, but what’s the alternative—rear-ending someone? Not worth the stress.
Geico’s been more chill for me too, though that rate creep is real. I guess they all do it, but it still stings. I’d rather pay a steady rate than have an app judge every move I make behind the wheel.
Curious if anyone’s actually seen real savings with those telematics in the city, or is it just marketing hype? Or maybe it works better if you drive late at night when the roads are empty... but who wants to plan their life around an insurance app?
Yeah, those telematics apps sound great on paper, but in NYC? It’s like they expect you to drive like you’re in the suburbs. I’ve seen a handful of folks get small discounts, but usually not enough to justify the hassle and stress. Honestly, steady rates with Geico or Progressive often end up being less of a headache, even if they creep up over time.
Honestly, steady rates with Geico or Progressive often end up being less of a headache, even if they creep up over time.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I tried one of those telematics deals with Allstate a while back, and it dinged me for every hard brake—which in NYC is like, every other block. I keep wondering if the small discount is worth the stress of having to drive “perfectly” in city traffic. Maybe it works better for folks in quieter areas, but here? Not so sure. At least with Geico or Progressive, you kinda know what to expect, even if the rates inch up.
Honestly, that’s the main reason I steer folks away from those “safe driver” trackers in the city. The idea sounds good, but in reality? City driving just isn’t predictable enough—someone cuts you off and you’re penalized for reacting. Between Geico and Progressive, I’ve noticed Progressive sometimes offers better perks if you bundle, but Geico’s customer service tends to be a bit more straightforward. Has anyone actually seen a big rate difference between the two after a claim? That’s where I’d be worried about surprises.
