Allstate Auto Insurance: Good Or Bad?

Allstate is one of the largest insurance companies in the U.S., serving more than 16 million households across the country. It offers auto, home, renters, term life, condo, motorcycle, and business insurance, as well as other coverage options. Allstate has a large network of agents throughout the country and provides coverage in all states. The company has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best.

Allstate offers a wide range of coverage options, including liability, collision, comprehensive, medical payments, personal injury protection, and uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. It also has several add-on coverage options, such as rideshare insurance, sound system insurance, roadside coverage, and rental reimbursement. In addition, Allstate offers various discount programs that can help lower policy premiums. These include multi-policy, good student, anti-lock brake, and safe driving discounts.

Allstate's auto insurance rates tend to be higher than the national average and those of its competitors. The company's average full-coverage rate is around $2,500 to $2,600 per year, while its minimum liability plan costs around $850 to $1,000 per year. However, Allstate's rates can vary depending on factors such as age, driving history, and location.

Overall, Allstate is a good insurance company, especially for drivers who want flexible coverage options and discount programs. It offers convenient and accessible coverage with several policy options and flexible add-ons. While its rates can be costly compared to competitors, Allstate provides solid customer service and has a strong financial standing.

Allstate's customer service

On Reddit, positive reviews tend to cite attentive customer service, while negative reviews mention issues with cancelling policies and dealing with the claims process.

In a 2023 survey conducted by NerdWallet, Allstate received an overall satisfaction score of 76 out of 100, with the average score among eleven insurers being 78. In the same survey, Allstate was rated 8.8 out of 10 by MarketWatch, indicating that it is a good option for drivers who want service from a local insurance agent.

Allstate's pricing

Allstate's rates vary depending on factors such as age, gender, driving record, credit history, and location. For example, a single 25-year-old male will pay a higher premium than a married 35-year-old male. Additionally, drivers with a clean record will pay lower rates than those with a speeding ticket, an accident, or a DUI on their record.

Allstate offers auto insurance coverage in three tiers: low, medium, and high. The low coverage option has an average rate of $1,772, while the medium coverage option is $1,880, and the high coverage option is $1,983.

Credit score also plays a role in insurance costs. Drivers with good credit history can expect lower rates, while those with poor credit will pay significantly more.

Allstate also offers several ways to save on car insurance rates, such as discounts for safe driving, having anti-lock brakes, being a good student, and bundling policies. The company also offers usage-based insurance programs, such as Drivewise and Milewise, which reward drivers for safe driving habits and low mileage, respectively.

In recent years, Allstate has increased its auto insurance prices in some states, including California, New York, and New Jersey. The rate hikes are reportedly due to increased costs and inflationary challenges.

Allstate's coverage options

Allstate offers a wide range of coverage options for its customers. The company provides the usual auto coverage choices plus some optional features for an extra cost. These include:

• Accident forgiveness: Your rates won’t increase because of an accident, even if it’s your fault.
• Safe driving bonus: For every six months of accident-free driving with Allstate, you can receive money back.
• Deductible rewards: For each year with no driving violations, you earn $100 off your collision deductible, up to $500. Allstate takes the first $100 off when you sign up.
• New car replacement: If your new car is totaled within the first two model years, you can get a check for a new car, not just your car’s depreciated value. Allstate also offers “newer car replacement” coverage for vehicles that are 3 to 15 years old.
• Roadside assistance: Customers can buy roadside assistance as a one-off cost, as an add-on to their auto policy, or become an Allstate Roadside member, which offers a subscription service similar to AAA.
• Rideshare insurance: Known as Ride for Hire, this coverage is for people who drive for a ridesharing service such as Uber or Lyft. Usually, rideshare companies’ full coverage applies only while you’re carrying passengers, with limited coverage in between rides. But with Ride for Hire, you’re covered the whole time your app is on.
• Gap insurance: This coverage pays out when the amount you owe on your car loan or lease is greater than the value of your vehicle at the time it’s declared a total loss.

Allstate also offers a free car-buying service, which provides information about what others paid for the same type of car, including incentives and fees.

Allstate's discounts

Allstate offers a wide range of discounts to its customers. The company does not disclose the exact discount amounts publicly, but customers can check with the customer service department or their Allstate agent to see how much they can save.

• ESmart discount: for going paperless and receiving all your documents online
• Anti-lock brakes discount
• Anti-theft device discount
• Early signing discount: for purchasing your policy at least a week before its start date
• EZ pay plan discount: for paying your premium via automatic withdrawal
• FullPay discount: for paying for your entire policy at once
• Multi-policy discount: for bundling auto insurance with a home, life, or renters policy
• New car discount: for being the first owner of a car from this year or last year
• Passive restraint discount: for having a passive restraint system such as automatic seatbelts
• Responsible payer discount: for not receiving a cancellation notice due to non-payment during the last 12 months
• Safe driving club: earn a safe driving bonus every six months you drive without accidents, plus get $100 off your collision deductible for each year without accidents (up to $500 total)
• Smart student discount: for unmarried students under 25 who attend school more than 100 miles away from their car, successfully complete the teenSMART program, or maintain a GPA of at least 2.7 (B- average)

Allstate also offers other ways to save, such as the Milewise program, which is a pay-per-mile program that can save low-mileage drivers an average of 72% annually. The Drivewise program, which monitors your driving through the Allstate smartphone app and provides safe driving discounts, is another way to save on your premium.

Allstate's claims handling

According to a 2023 NerdWallet survey, Allstate received an overall satisfaction score of 76 out of 100, which is slightly below the average score of 78 among the 11 insurers included in the survey. Allstate also received mixed ratings for consumer satisfaction with auto insurance claims.

Allstate's claims process typically involves logging into your MyClaim account on their website or mobile app, providing necessary information and photos of the accident, receiving a damage assessment and repair estimate, and getting approval for the claim. Once the claim is approved, Allstate will pay the repair shop directly, minus your deductible, or reimburse you if you prefer.

The company offers a Claim Satisfaction Guarantee, which provides a credit worth up to a six-month premium if customers are unsatisfied with how their claim is handled.

Frequently asked questions