- Been down this road after my wife’s fender bender last year. Here’s what I learned:
- Non-standard insurers (we tried National General) definitely get you legal, but don’t expect the “VIP experience.”
- They covered our minivan and let us tack on rental coverage, but reading the policy felt like deciphering ancient runes.
- Claims process was... let’s say “leisurely.” Not a total nightmare, but not speedy either.
- Customer service hours were weird—tried calling after dinner, got voicemail limbo.
- Price wasn’t exactly a bargain, but with points on the record, it was either that or walking the kids to school in January. Hard pass.
- Honestly, if your record’s clean-ish, stick with the big names for sanity’s sake. But if you’re in a bind, these companies do what they promise—just don’t expect much hand-holding.
- Pro tip: double-check what “full coverage” means. Ours didn’t include glass repair, which we learned the hard way when a rock nailed the windshield. Live and learn...
Insurance Headaches for Risky Drivers in NC—Stick With Big Names or Go Local?
Totally hear you on the “leisurely” claims process. That’s been my experience with a few non-standard carriers too. They’ll get you on the road, but if you’re expecting quick answers or late-night help, it’s hit or miss.
That bit about “deciphering ancient runes” made me laugh—policies are supposed to be written in plain English, but half the time I’m double-checking the fine print myself. Honestly, I think a lot of folks get tripped up by what “full coverage” actually means. Like you said:
double-check what “full coverage” means. Ours didn’t include glass repair, which we learned the hard way when a rock nailed the windshield.
I’ve seen that catch people off-guard more times than I can count. Sometimes “full” only means liability plus comp/collision, and glass is extra or just not there at all.
One thing I’d add—some local agents (even for bigger companies) can advocate for you a bit more during claims. It’s not always magic, but sometimes having someone who knows the system helps nudge things along. Not everyone wants to deal with an agent, though, and I get that.
At the end of the day, if your record’s rough, options are what they are... but yeah, read every line and ask about the weird stuff nobody thinks about until it happens.
Yeah, you nailed it—“full coverage” is one of those phrases that sounds reassuring until you actually need something specific. Been there with the glass thing myself. It’s wild how you can pay a ton, but still get surprised by what’s *not* included. I’ve found that having a local agent helped once when my claim got stuck in limbo, but honestly, sometimes it just feels like rolling the dice. Hang in there... dealing with insurance as a high-risk driver is just a whole different game.
“full coverage” is one of those phrases that sounds reassuring until you actually need something specific.
Right? “Full coverage” is such a moving target—especially if you’ve got an older or specialty car. I’ve had better luck with local agents too, but sometimes the rates are just brutal compared to the big names. Curious, has anyone actually had a big national company come through for them on a tricky claim, or is it always the locals who go to bat for you?
Totally get where you’re coming from. “Full coverage” sounded great until I tried to get a rare part replaced—turns out, not so covered. I’ve actually had a big-name insurer pay out on a vandalism claim, but it took forever and felt like pulling teeth. Local agents seem to care more, but yeah, those premiums are rough if your car’s worth a bit more or isn’t standard. It’s always a trade-off... peace of mind vs. your wallet.
