AutoInsurance.com Rating Methodology and Data Sources

At AutoInsurance.com, we are committed to providing accurate, unbiased, and comprehensive reviews of auto insurance providers. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions as a consumer. To achieve this, we’ve developed a rigorous methodology that evaluates insurers across four key categories:

1. Pricing
2. Claims Handling
3. Customer Experience
4. Coverage Options

AutoInsurance.com has been connecting people to car insurance providers for over 20 years, during which time we have collected millions of data points on customer transactions. We combine our own proprietary data with third-party information to assess auto insurance companies.

Pricing – 40% of overall score

Pricing is the most heavily weighted factor in our ratings because we understand that cost is a primary concern for most consumers. We evaluate:

• Average premiums for full and minimum coverage for a typical good driver
• Average costs for various driver profiles (e.g., drivers with DUIs, accidents, tickets, teens, and those with low credit scores)
• Available discounts, including popular options like bundling, good student discounts, and telematics programs

To gather this information, we use a combination of industry research, analytics, and our own proprietary data.

Claims Handling – 25% of overall score

Claims fulfillment is the core service of an insurance company. An efficient process makes filing a claim less stressful. We assess:

• The company’s track record for timely claim payments
• Customer satisfaction with the company’s claims process
• Feedback from collision repair shops on the insurer’s practices
• Financial stability, ensuring the company’s ability to pay out claims

Our primary sources for this information include:

• J.D. Power’s Claims Satisfaction Report
• CRASH Network’s annual Insurer Report Card
• Financial strength ratings from AM Best and S&P
• Real-life customer experiences (when available)

Customer Experience – 25% of overall score

We evaluate the overall customer experience, from getting a quote to managing your policy. Key factors include:

• Ease of obtaining a quote and purchasing a policy
• Quality of customer service and support
• Availability of local agents
• Online tools and mobile apps for policy management
• Accessibility of policy documents and ID cards

Our assessment is based on:

• J.D. Power’s U.S. Auto Insurance Study
• J.D. Power’s U.S. Insurance Shopping Study
• J.D. Power’s Digital Experience Study
• National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index
• Mobile app ratings from the App Store and Google Play
• Real-life customer experiences (when possible)

Coverage Options – 10% of overall score

We review the range of coverage options each insurer offers, including:

• Standard coverage types (e.g., liability, medical payments/PIP, uninsured/underinsured motorist, comprehensive and collision)
• Additional coverage options (e.g., GAP insurance, rideshare coverage, accident forgiveness)
• Customization options for policies

This information is primarily gathered directly from insurance providers.

We gather data from a variety of reliable sources to ensure our ratings are as accurate and comprehensive as possible:

• Industry research and analytics
• Our own proprietary data
• Third-party reports and studies
• Financial strength ratings from independent agencies
• Customer reviews and feedback
• Direct information from insurance providers

When possible, we also incorporate real-life customer experiences to provide a more holistic view of each insurer.

The auto insurance industry is dynamic, with companies regularly updating their offerings, prices, and customer service practices. To ensure our ratings remain current and accurate, we review and update our assessments regularly.

We are committed to providing accurate, unbiased, and comprehensive reviews of auto insurance providers to help you make informed decisions. Our editorial team, comprised of dynamic writers, editors, journalists, and researchers, holds years of experience creating high-quality auto insurance content. Our work has been featured in USA Today, MSN, Yahoo, CBS News, and other local and national publications.

While our methodology aims to provide an objective and comprehensive view of each insurer, it’s important to note that individual experiences may vary. Factors such as your location, driving history, and specific coverage needs can significantly impact your premiums and experience with an insurance provider. We encourage you to use our ratings as a starting point and to obtain personalized quotes from multiple insurers before making a decision.

By following this rigorous methodology, we strive to provide you with the most accurate and helpful information possible to guide your auto insurance decisions.

At AutoInsurance.com, our mission is to help you make smarter auto insurance decisions with confidence. We follow a strict editorial policy, rooted in principles of integrity, transparency, and accuracy. While we may earn compensation from our partners, this does not influence our assessments and recommendations. Learn more about how we make money.