Had a client once who got a flat in the middle of nowhere—no cell signal, GPS just spinning. She ended up walking to a gas station to call Progressive’s roadside number from a payphone (which I didn’t even realize still existed). Took longer than usual, but they still managed to get someone out to her. Makes me wonder if we’re all a bit too reliant on our gadgets. Sometimes old-school works better, or at least, it’s good to have a backup plan tucked away somewhere.
Funny thing, I’ve actually had a couple of claims where folks got stuck in dead zones and the “call from a payphone” trick saved the day. It’s wild how we just assume our phones will always work, but there are still those pockets where you’re basically off the grid. I’m a bit skeptical about relying on tech for everything—seen too many situations where batteries die or apps glitch out at the worst possible time.
One time, a guy told me he keeps an old printed map in his glove box, just in case. At first I thought it was overkill, but after hearing stories like yours, maybe he’s onto something. Makes me wonder—do most people even remember how to use a paper map anymore? Or is that skill pretty much gone now?
I totally get keeping a paper map in the car—honestly, I do the same. GPS is great until it isn’t, and I’ve lost signal in more places than I can count. It’s funny, though, last time I tried to fold one of those big maps back up, I made a mess of it... guess I’m a little rusty. Still, better to have it and barely remember how to use it than be stuck with nothing. Tech’s awesome but having backup just makes sense.
last time I tried to fold one of those big maps back up, I made a mess of it... guess I’m a little rusty.
Haha, I feel this on a spiritual level. I swear those maps are like origami puzzles designed to make you look ridiculous in a parking lot. I just got my first car insurance policy and went with Progressive mainly for the roadside help—because knowing my luck, I’ll end up lost in the boonies with my GPS buffering and that map crumpled in the back seat. Backup is key... even if it’s just for moral support while you wait for the tow truck.
I’ve totally been there—last time I tried to fold one of those maps, it looked like I’d wrestled a paper octopus. Progressive’s roadside service actually bailed me out when my battery died at a trailhead. The wait felt way less stressful knowing help was on the way, even if my map skills were a lost cause.