Yeah, I’m right there with you on being skeptical about “local” agents. They’re nice enough, but when I had a not-at-fault accident last year, my agent basically shrugged and said it’s all up to the adjuster. Didn’t feel like much of an advocate, honestly. Bundling is overrated too—my “discount” barely covered a tank of gas. I keep a folder of every repair, receipt, and photo now because you never know what they’ll try to deny. In the end, it really does feel like picking the least-bad option... but I guess that’s insurance for you.
Car insurance in Wyoming: who actually treats you right?
I get where you’re coming from—there’s this expectation that a local agent will go to bat for you, but the reality can be underwhelming. I’ve seen it from both sides. A few years back, I had a client who got rear-ended at a stoplight in Cheyenne. Totally not her fault, but the claims process dragged on for weeks. She called me frustrated, and honestly, I could only do so much; once the adjuster’s involved, agents don’t have a ton of pull. It’s not that we don’t care, it’s just... the system’s set up so the adjuster calls the shots.
About bundling, I’ll admit, it’s not always the game-changer people expect. Sometimes the “discount” is more of a marketing hook than real savings. I’ve run the numbers for folks where the bundled rate was barely better than splitting policies between two companies. It’s worth checking, but yeah, it’s not a slam dunk.
Keeping a folder of everything? That’s smart. I tell people to document everything—photos, receipts, even notes about phone calls. Adjusters aren’t out to get you, but they’re juggling dozens of claims and things slip through the cracks. Having your own records can make a huge difference if something gets disputed.
Honestly, I wish there was a magic answer for finding the “right” company, but it really does come down to picking the least-bad option sometimes. Some carriers are better with claims, others with customer service, but no one’s perfect. I always tell people to look past the ads and ask around locally—sometimes word of mouth is more reliable than any online review. And if you ever feel like your agent isn’t advocating for you, it’s not out of line to push back a bit or even shop around. You’re paying for a service, after all.
