The best auto insurance companies need to be well established and respected in most states and the District of Columbia. When you’re shopping around, compare your specific needs to what other drivers require. Your credit rating and personal finances will definitely influence which carrier makes sense for you. Get familiar with the top insurers in your state and neighboring ones too – this helps you evaluate each company’s financial strength. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Consumer Power Benchmark on auto insurance service performance is a solid guide for making your choice.
Insurance comparison websites are honestly your best starting point. These sites don’t just list the top insurers by customer satisfaction – they’ll also show you the top five for accident forgiveness policies and available discounts. Every insurer has an accident forgiveness policy that caps how many claims you can make for damages from car accidents. According to most comparison sites, the insurance company with the most generous accident forgiveness policies tends to rank among the best overall.
Another smart approach is comparing the actual coverage types each company offers. Sure, every insurer offers various coverage options, but some have much better prices in certain areas or for specific vehicle makes and models. Some companies throw in discounts for good drivers and people with clean driving records. Check out this safeco insurance review.
Good drivers consistently get better customer satisfaction ratings than those with traffic violations or accidents on their records. Most websites define the ideal safe driver candidate as someone who’s maintained a spotless record – no claims or moving violation tickets for three years or longer. The insured person also needs a clean record with zero traffic violations for at least three years. Interestingly, drivers who’ve been married for at least three years also fall into this preferred category.
United Auto Insurance Company offers something pretty cool – customers who buy new vehicles through their Insurance Exchange program get premium reductions when renewal time rolls around. USAA members who’ve stuck around for at least five years qualify for annual premium reductions. If you’re interested, contact the company directly to learn how to snag these discounts. Both J.D. Powers and Associates and A.M. Best and Company have solid reputations for measuring overall customer satisfaction.
Insurers look at several factors when they’re setting your rates. They consider whether you’re at fault in accidents, how many miles you drive annually, your deductible amount, whether you have uninsured motorist coverage, and your driving history. Here’s an example: if you have an above-average deductible but rack up high annual mileage, insurers might see you as riskier than someone with a low deductible and minimal driving. They also examine your risk level based on speeding tickets or DUI convictions. Some states like Georgia actually limit how many times you can be charged with speeding tickets or DUI citations.
Allstate Insurance Company and Progressive Insurance Company charge slightly higher rates for drivers with good grades, which seems backwards. However, drivers with good grades can still qualify for discounts, including deals for having multiple policy lines with the same insurer. Drivers under twenty-five, married folks, or those with household incomes meeting certain limits can benefit from lower rates. One of the biggest factors any insurer considers is where you live geographically.
Geico, Esurance and Progressive all provide insurance coverage across multiple states plus the District of Columbia. Geico covers thirty-two states and D.C. Esurance operates in Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Progressive covers Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, and Wisconsin. If you live in any of these states and need car insurance, definitely get quotes from these companies.
