Had a claim with State Farm last year—rear-ended at a stoplight. Here’s what stood out:
- Adjuster was polite but stuck to their software’s numbers, even though my car had aftermarket parts.
- Had to send photos and receipts twice before they’d budge on the payout.
- Took about three weeks total, mostly waiting for them to review docs.
Honestly, if you’re organized and push back a little, it’s manageable. But yeah, don’t expect them to just take your word for anything...
Had a similar run-in with State Farm a couple years back—hail damage, nothing major. I noticed the same thing with their adjusters sticking to whatever their system spit out, even when I had receipts for recent work. Took some back-and-forth and a lot of patience. Out of curiosity, has anyone dealt with USAA for claims? I’ve heard they’re quicker but not sure if they’re any more flexible when it comes to aftermarket stuff or customizations. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just the industry standard to make you jump through hoops...
Sometimes I wonder if it’s just the industry standard to make you jump through hoops...
Honestly, it kind of is. I’ve dealt with both—USAA was a bit faster, but when it came to aftermarket parts, they still tried to lowball me. Adjusters seem glued to their checklists no matter who you’re with. It’s frustrating, but you’re not alone. Just keep pushing back and don’t let them wear you down. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, even if it takes a few extra calls.
Yeah, I’ve been through both too and honestly, it’s just a lot of back and forth no matter who you’re with. State Farm kept bouncing me between reps, and I swear I had to explain my situation three times. USAA was quicker but still tried to get away with the cheapest parts. I just kept all my receipts and pushed for what I thought was fair, but man, it’s never as simple as their ads make it sound...
Honestly, the trick is to document everything and don’t assume they’ll remember your story. I tell people: keep a running log of who you spoke with, what was said, and any promises made. If they try to lowball you on parts, push back—politely but firmly. Most folks don’t realize you can negotiate those details, especially if you’ve got receipts or estimates from reputable shops. It’s never as smooth as the commercials make it look, but being organized gives you a leg up.
