I get the frustration with waiting, but I’ve actually had the opposite experience. My local agent in Asheville handled my deer collision claim in just a few days, and I barely had to lift a finger. Maybe it’s hit or miss depending on the agent? I like knowing I can just pop by their office if I need to, instead of sitting on hold with a giant call center. Guess it’s a bit of a gamble either way...
That’s actually really reassuring to hear. I’ve seen both sides—some folks swear by the big names, but I’ve watched neighbors get faster help from their local agents too. Maybe it really does come down to who’s running the office and how much they care. It’s kind of a toss-up, but your experience gives me hope that local can still mean personal service.
I’ve actually had both types—big national company for years, then switched to a local agent when my rates shot up after a not-so-great year. The difference was surprising. With the big guys, everything felt automated and I could never talk to the same person twice. My local agent, on the other hand, actually called me back about a claim before I even followed up. Maybe it’s just luck of the draw, but having someone who knows your name seems to make things smoother, at least in my experience. Still, I do worry sometimes if they’d have my back with a really big issue...
Still, I do worry sometimes if they’d have my back with a really big issue...
That’s a fair concern. I’ve seen both sides—big carriers have the resources for major claims, but you’re often just a number in their system. Local agents can be more responsive, but sometimes they’re limited by the policies they can actually offer. Had a case last year where a local agent went to bat for a client after a messy accident, and honestly, it made a difference in how fast things got sorted. But if it had been a multi-million dollar lawsuit? Not sure the outcome would’ve been as smooth. It’s a trade-off, really.
Had a buddy who swore by his local agent until he got rear-ended by someone with no insurance. The agent was super helpful, but the actual payout took forever and felt like pulling teeth. Meanwhile, my cousin had a big-name company handle her fender bender—she barely talked to a human, but the check showed up fast. I guess it’s pick your poison? I like the idea of someone knowing my name, but when push comes to shove, I want that big safety net. Still not sure which way to lean...
