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Connect provides affordable rates for basic coverage, though it offers fewer digital tools.
Connect’s tagline — “Affordable insurance options — handled with care” — promises customers low rates and great service. The provider caters to drivers who want to pay less on their premiums, though customers can expect a more basic digital experience.
As a writer for AutoInsurance.com, I like to tell drivers that Connect is a solid option if you’re on a budget. As a subsidiary of American Family, Connect has the financial stability to fulfill claims payouts. Plus, the insurer partners with Costco to offer members lower-than-average rates.
Overall, we’ve found that Connect offers solid coverage at affordable rates, along with a good number of discounts. It’s also widely available, covering drivers in 43 states. While it doesn’t have a mobile app, a robust digital experience may matter less to drivers who are looking for cheap car insurance rates.
Below, I’ll walk you through the research and my own personal experience shopping with Connect to help you decide whether it’s the right provider.
We’ve reviewed dozens of auto insurance providers in addition to Connect, including the best auto insurance for seniors, best cheap auto insurance, and the best home and auto bundles.
Lower-than-average rates
Offers a plethora of driver discounts
Extra discounts for Costco members
No mobile app
Not available in Maine, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Wyoming
No longer selling new policies in California
Data on Connect’s average rates is limited; however, Connect is a subsidiary of American Family, which costs an average of $1,785 annually for full coverage and $713 annually for minimum coverage — about 7 percent below the national average.
If you have a Costco membership, you may get lower rates by opting for a policy from Connect instead of American Family. On its website, Costco mentions that customers reported savings of an average of $595.86 during the first year they switched their car insurance to Connect. I’ll discuss this discount in more detail later, but the bottom line is that your Connect premium will most likely be affordable.
Below, you can compare American Family, Connect’s parent company, to other providers:
Company | Average annual premium for full coverage | Average annual premium for minimum coverage |
---|---|---|
National average | $1,924 | $547 |
AAA | $2,211 | $894 |
Allstate | $2,639 | $597 |
American Family | $1,785 | $713 |
Erie | $1,495 | $483 |
Farmers | $2,320 | $634 |
GEICO | $1,572 | $413 |
Nationwide | $1,805 | $613 |
Progressive | $1,891 | $481 |
State Farm | $1,697 | $482 |
Connect offers a plethora of auto insurance discounts to customers. To see exactly how much you’ll save you’ll need to get a quote.
Drivers receive discounts for the following:
Unfortunately, Connect is no longer selling new policies to potential customers in my state (California), so I can’t personally speak to the entire quote process. This is a recent development, as Connect previously offered coverage to California drivers — now, they only serve drivers in that state who already have policies with them.
Based on my experience as far as I could get in the quote process, I can say that Connect allows potential customers to select certain discounts upfront, including ones for being a good student, taking a defensive driving course, and having a college degree. It also looks like you can purchase your policy directly from their website. If you’re a Costco member, I’d recommend getting your quote through the Costco website to ensure you receive their exclusive member discounts.
Connect provides your typical car insurance coverages, including liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist, PIP, and medical payments.
When deciding on your coverages, I always recommend getting more than the state minimum requirements. If you get into an accident, higher coverage limits ensure that you won’t have to pay out-of-pocket for damages. You can consider your situation and choose coverage accordingly: for example, if you have a long commute for work and drive often, it makes sense to up your coverage limits for collision, bodily injury, and property damage. Or, if you live in an area prone to vandalism or natural disasters, it’s better to choose a policy with comprehensive coverage and lower deductibles.
In addition to the standard coverages, Connect offers roadside assistance, rental reimbursement, and GAP coverage. Both roadside assistance and rental reimbursements are useful to have and usually don’t add a significant amount to your monthly premium. Meanwhile, it’s best to opt for GAP coverage if you’ve recently purchased a new car.
Coverage type | What it covers |
---|---|
Roadside assistance | Towing, flat tires, vehicle lockout support, emergency gas delivery, and battery jump-starts |
Rental reimbursement | Pays for a rental car if you get into a covered incident that puts your car in the shop |
Gap insurance | The difference between the amount you owe and the actual cash value (ACV) of your car if you owe more than what your totaled vehicle is worth |
Since there isn’t much customer satisfaction data available from third-party sources for Connect, we referred to ratings for American Family. As Connect’s parent company, American Family’s ratings can give you an idea of what to expect as a potential Connect customer.
American Family is financially stable, so you can expect Connect to follow through on claims payouts.
The parent company received mixed scores in terms of customer satisfaction. American Family scored above average in claims satisfaction and customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power. However, its complaint index score from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners is 3.82, meaning that it received nearly four times more complaints than a company of a similar size.
Overall, customers can rely on Connect since it’s backed by a major provider. Its customer experience will differ from American Family, though you can count on its dependability at more affordable rates.
Category | American Family (Connect’s parent company) rating |
---|---|
AM Best Financial Strength Rating1 | A |
J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction2 | 882 out of 1,000 points — Above average |
J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction3 | 867 out of 1,000 points — Above average |
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)4 | 3.82 complaint index score |
If you need to file a claim, you can do it online on Connect’s website, or call its claims number.
Before filing your claim, make sure you have the following information ready:
Connect mentions on its site that its claims adjusters will reach out within one business day after you file your claim. Customers report that Connect doesn’t let them view the status of their claims online, so you’ll need to call your adjuster for updates. The insurer also doesn’t provide a general estimate of how long it takes to process claims, saying that it depends on the complexity of the case.
Connect offers fewer digital tools than most major insurers — which is important to consider if you prefer to manage your policy through an app. Connect doesn’t have a mobile app, so customers can manage their policies and claims on the website or over the phone.
Connect has been in business since 1986 and is headquartered in De Pere, Wisconsin. The company initially started as Wisconsin Employers Casualty Company of Green Bay. After acquisitions by several companies, it was purchased by American Family and renamed Connect.
To cancel your Connect insurance policy, call (888) 239-9953 to reach an agent. To arrange a cancellation, have your policy number on hand, along with your desired policy end date.
Connect no longer offers new auto insurance policies in California, though it still covers current policyholders.
Connect is owned by American Family Insurance. Formerly known as Ameriprise, Connect was acquired by American Family in 2019.
We evaluate companies using the following methodologies:
Search for a Rating. AM Best. (2024).
https://ratings.ambest.com/
Auto Insurers Manage Customer Expectations as Repair Cycle Times Double in Two Years, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2023, Oct 26).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2023-us-auto-claims-satisfaction-study
Auto Insurance Shopping and Switch Rates Reach New Highs as Premiums Surge, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2023, Apr 27).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2023-us-insurance-shopping-study
American Family Connect Prop & Cas I National Complaint Index Report. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. (2023).
https://content.naic.org/cis_refined_results.htm?TABLEAU=CIS_COMPLAINTS&COCODE=29068&:refresh