That’s honestly been my experience too—big companies promise peace of mind, but when you actually need help, it’s a maze of automated menus and hold music. I’ve tried both national and local insurers, and neither one seemed fully prepared for the kind of stuff that happens on RI roads. Had a fender bender last year, and even with “premium” coverage, it was weeks of back-and-forth. At this point, I’m convinced the best defense is just being hyper-aware behind the wheel... and maybe parking as far from other cars as possible.
At this point, I’m convinced the best defense is just being hyper-aware behind the wheel... and maybe parking as far from other cars as possible.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from. After my last claim, I started parking way out in the lot too—less chance of getting dinged, even if it means a longer walk with groceries. Insurance is supposed to help, but half the time it feels like more hassle than it’s worth. Just gotta do what you can to avoid needing them in the first place.
I hear you about being hyper-aware and parking far away, but in my experience, that only gets you so far. I’ve had my fair share of “bad luck” moments—like someone sideswiping my car in an almost empty lot, then just taking off. Didn’t matter how careful I was or where I parked, honestly. Sometimes it feels like no amount of caution can keep you out of the insurance mess if you drive in Rhode Island long enough.
What’s worked better for me is investing in a dash cam and always snapping a quick photo when I park (just in case). It sounds paranoid, but after getting burned a couple times, I’d rather have proof than rely on someone else’s honesty. Hyper-awareness helps, sure, but there’s just too much out of your control these days. Just my two cents...
What’s worked better for me is investing in a dash cam and always snapping a quick photo when I park (just in case).
I get where you’re coming from. I used to think parking far away was enough too, but after my ‘68 Mustang got dinged at a car show—yeah, a car show—I realized it’s pretty much a gamble anywhere. Dash cams are a game changer, though. Wish I’d started using one sooner. It’s wild how much you have to cover your own back these days, even when you’re doing everything “right.”
I get the appeal of dash cams, and I’ve seen plenty of claims where they’ve helped clear things up. Still, I wonder how much they actually help with incidents that happen when you’re not in the car. Like, if someone sideswipes you in a parking lot and your dash cam’s off, or it doesn’t have motion detection, are you really any better off? I’ve had clients come in with footage that’s too grainy or just misses the moment entirely. It’s frustrating, especially when you’re trying to prove you weren’t at fault.
It’s wild how much you have to cover your own back these days, even when you’re doing everything “right.”
That’s the part that gets me. You can do everything by the book—park far away, take photos, install cameras—and still end up in a mess. I’ve seen people rely so much on tech that they forget the basics, like checking their coverage or making sure they know what their policy actually protects. Sometimes, folks assume a dash cam will magically fix everything with insurance, but if the footage isn’t clear or doesn’t show what happened, it might not help much in court or with adjusters.
Honestly, I’d say it’s worth double-checking what your policy covers for hit-and-runs or vandalism. Some carriers are stricter than others about what evidence they’ll accept. And then there’s the headache of actually getting footage off the camera—more than a few people have realized too late their memory card was full or the battery died.
Not saying dash cams aren’t useful (they can be!), but I wouldn’t put all my eggs in that basket. Sometimes old-school habits—like jotting down plate numbers if you see something sketchy or just being super aware of your surroundings—are just as important. Technology’s great, but it’s not a cure-all, especially with how unpredictable parking lots and traffic courts can be.
