Ameriprise Auto Insurance: Extended Coverage Options Examined

Ameriprise, now known as American Family CONNECT, is a popular car insurance company in the US. It offers standard car insurance coverage, including liability insurance, collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and more. Ameriprise separates itself from other car insurance companies with options like new car replacement, windshield repair without deductibles, roadside assistance, rental car coverage, and more. The company is also known for its former partnership with Costco, and its strong ratings from credit and consumer organisations.

Ameriprise's auto insurance coverage options

Ameriprise offers a range of auto insurance coverage options, including standard types of coverage as well as some additional benefits. The company was acquired by American Family Insurance in 2019 and was subsequently renamed Connect, powered by American Family Insurance.

Standard Coverage Types

Ameriprise offers the following standard types of auto insurance coverage:

• Liability insurance: This covers property damage and injuries caused to others. It also covers legal defence, settlements, and judgments if the policyholder is sued due to an accident.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage: This pays for medical bills and other expenses if the policyholder is in an accident with a driver who doesn't have insurance or doesn't have enough insurance.
• Collision and comprehensive insurance: These are optional coverage types that cover problems such as car accidents, theft, vandalism, fires, floods, severe weather, falling objects, and collisions with animals.
• Personal injury protection (PIP): This covers medical expenses and other costs, such as lost wages, for the policyholder and their passengers in the event of an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
• Medical expense insurance: This covers medical bills for the policyholder and their passengers, regardless of who is at fault in the accident.

Additional Coverage Benefits

In addition to the standard coverage types, Ameriprise offers the following additional coverage benefits:

• Accident travel expense coverage: This helps cover out-of-pocket expenses if the policyholder is in an accident more than 100 miles from home.
• Stolen-key expense coverage: This is included with comprehensive insurance and covers the cost of replacing stolen keys and locks. If the lock replacement is less than $250, the deductible will not apply.
• Glass repair deductible waiver: If a windshield can be repaired instead of replaced, the policy deductible is waived.
• Accident forgiveness: If a policyholder has been accident-free for a certain period (usually three years), they won't lose their safe driving history discount if they have an at-fault accident.
• Lifetime renewability: Ameriprise promises not to cancel or non-renew a policy, even if the policyholder has multiple accidents. This is only available for auto insurance and may not be extended to policyholders with major violations or those who fail to pay premiums.
• Towing and rental car coverage: Policies can cover the cost of towing a disabled vehicle and include roadside assistance. Rental car reimbursement is also offered if a car is being repaired due to a covered issue.

Discounts

Ameriprise offers various discounts on auto insurance, including:

• Safe driving: Policyholders who maintain an accident-free driving record for an extended period (usually three years) can receive a discount on their premium renewal.
• Vehicle safety features: If a vehicle has safety features such as anti-lock brakes, airbags, and automatic seatbelts, or if it includes anti-theft devices, the policyholder may be eligible for a discount.
• Good student: If there are younger drivers on the policy who maintain good grades ("B" average or better), a discount may be available.
• Education: Younger drivers who are in college or who have recently graduated may also be eligible for discounts.
• Multi-vehicle: Insuring more than one vehicle with Ameriprise can result in lower rates.
• Loyalty: Adding another financial level of service product to the package can lead to a loyalty discount.
• Tenure: Policyholders who stay insured with Ameriprise for a certain period (usually three years or more) may receive a tenure discount.
• Garaging: Policyholders who park their car in a garage overnight may be eligible for a discount.
• Good driver (California only): California drivers who practice safe driving habits and avoid traffic tickets and at-fault accidents can receive a discount.
• Defensive driver: Completing a defensive driving course approved by the state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or an accredited organization may qualify policyholders for a discount.
• Student away: If a student driver attends school at least 100 miles away from home and keeps their car at home while at school, their parents may receive a discount.
• Premier safety: Going four years without accidents, traffic violations, or claims can earn policyholders this discount.

Other Considerations

While Ameriprise offers a range of coverage options and discounts, it's important to note that their auto insurance rates tend to be slightly higher than competitors, and their customer service for auto insurance is considered below average. Additionally, Ameriprise does not offer rideshare insurance, usage-based insurance, or pay-per-mile insurance.

Ameriprise's auto insurance discounts

Ameriprise offers a variety of auto insurance discounts for safer driving choices and bundling with other insurance policies. Here are some of the discounts available:

Premier Safety Discount

To qualify for this discount, you must avoid accidents, traffic violations, or claims for four years. In some states, the requirement is for three years of accident-free driving. You will receive credit for driving accident-free with any previous insurer.

Vehicle Safety Features

If your car has safety features like anti-lock brakes, airbags, and automatic seatbelts, or if it includes anti-theft devices, you may be eligible for additional discounts.

Good Student Discount

If you have younger drivers who are in school and maintain good grades (a "B" average or better), you can get a discount to offset the added cost of insuring a younger driver.

Education Discount

Younger drivers who are in college or who have recently graduated from college can also apply for additional discounts.

Multi-Vehicle Discount

Insuring more than one vehicle could make you eligible for lower rates.

Tenure Discount

If you stay insured with Ameriprise for three years or more, you may earn a tenure discount.

Safe Driving Discount (California only)

This discount is for drivers who have an accident-free driving record for three years. Even being in an accident for which you weren't at fault can prevent you from getting this discount.

Garaging Discount

You could qualify for a discount if you park your car in a garage overnight. This discount is not available in all locations.

Multi-Product Discount

You can get a discount if you buy other types of insurance from Ameriprise, such as condo, home, renters, business, or umbrella insurance.

Student Away Discount

If your student driver attends school at least 100 miles away from home and keeps their car at home while at school, you could get a discount.

Member Discount

If you are an Ameriprise Financial services client, you are eligible for an exclusive discount by choosing Ameriprise auto and/or home insurance. This discount is not available for drivers in Massachusetts, New York, or Tennessee.

Loyalty Discount

Adding another financial level of service product to your package could qualify you for a loyalty discount. The multi-policy discount can net you a reduction of up to 14% on your premium. This discount is not available to drivers in Alabama, California, Georgia, Hawaii, North or South Carolina.

Ameriprise's auto insurance customer service

Ameriprise offers a full range of insurance products, including auto insurance. In 2019, American Family Insurance acquired Ameriprise Auto & Home (AAH), which was then renamed Connect, powered by American Family Insurance, in 2020.

Connect offers various types of car insurance coverage, including liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist, collision and comprehensive insurance, personal injury protection, and medical expense insurance.

Ameriprise Auto Insurance Customer Service

Ameriprise Auto Insurance can be contacted via phone, email, and mail. The general service number for Ameriprise is 1-800-862-7919, but customers can also call 1-800-842-3344 for quotes. The customer service email address is [email protected], and the sales email address is [email protected].

The company also provides a fax number (1-920-330-5607) and a mailing address for general correspondence:

> Ameriprise Financial

> 70100 Ameriprise Financial Center

> Minneapolis, MN 55474

Connect also has a policy manager on its website, where customers can update their payment methods, download documents, update their personal information, and add or remove drivers, vehicles, and leasing or financing companies.

Ameriprise's auto insurance rates

Ameriprise auto insurance, now known as Connect, offers standard coverage types with some additional perks. The rates are slightly higher than competitors, but with a good financial strength rating, customer reviews, and satisfaction ratings.

Connect is underwritten by American Family Insurance, which acquired Ameriprise Auto & Home in 2019 and was renamed Connect in 2020. Connect is headquartered in De Perce, Wisconsin, and offers car insurance in 44 states and the District of Columbia.

Connect offers a range of insurance coverage, including liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist, collision and comprehensive, personal injury protection, and medical expense insurance.

Connect also provides additional coverage benefits such as accident travel expense coverage, which helps pay for out-of-pocket expenses if you get into an accident more than 100 miles from home, and stolen-key expense coverage, which is included with comprehensive insurance and pays to replace stolen keys and locks.

Ameriprise auto insurance quotes are generally cheaper than average. The average rate for full coverage is $140 per month, which is 5% less than the average of many of the largest companies in the country. Ameriprise also offers bundling discounts for combining auto insurance with homeowners and umbrella policies.

Ameriprise offers a variety of auto insurance discounts for safer driving choices and bundling with other insurance policies. These include the premiere safety discount, vehicle safety features, good student discounts, multi-vehicle discounts, tenure discounts, and safe driving discounts (only in California).

Ameriprise also provides extra benefits that can be added to your policy, such as towing and rental car coverage.

In summary, Ameriprise auto insurance rates are slightly higher than competitors, but the company offers a range of coverage options, discounts, and additional benefits that may make it a good choice for some customers.

Ameriprise's auto insurance complaints

Ameriprise auto insurance, now known as Connect, has received a number of complaints from customers. The company has a higher level of auto insurance complaints than the industry average, with customers reporting issues with billing, policy cancellations, and a lack of notification regarding policy changes.

One common complaint is unexpected rate hikes and billing issues. Customers have reported sudden and significant increases in their auto insurance premiums, with some stating that the company was unable to provide a clear explanation or justification for the hikes. Others have reported issues with unexpected charges and billing errors, which have resulted in their policies being cancelled without their knowledge.

In addition, some customers have complained about the company's notification policies. For example, a customer reported that their policy was cancelled due to non-payment, but they only received two letters in the mail and no phone calls or emails. This left them driving without insurance coverage for several months, which could have had serious consequences.

There have also been complaints about Connect's claims process. One customer reported that their vehicle was totalled in an accident and that Connect failed to provide timely and satisfactory communication and resolution. The customer also claimed that Connect illegally moved their vehicle to an unsecured location, resulting in further damage.

Another complaint involved a customer who was forced to add their daughter to their policy, despite initially refusing consent. The customer stated that the company lied about it being a legal requirement and that they felt harassed and intimidated by the company's actions.

Overall, while Connect offers a range of auto insurance products and discounts, the higher-than-average number of complaints may be a cause for concern for potential customers.

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