Auto Owners Insurance Rating: Is It Worth The Money?

Auto-Owners Insurance is a mutual insurance company that offers a range of insurance products, including auto, home, life, and business insurance. The company has received high ratings for its financial stability and customer service but has limited availability, only operating in 26 states. Auto-Owners Insurance's rates tend to be lower than the national average, and the company offers various discounts and endorsement options to its customers. However, it has received lower-than-average ratings for its claims satisfaction and limited digital tools compared to other insurers. Overall, Auto-Owners Insurance is a good option for those seeking highly personalized insurance policies within its service area.

Customer service and satisfaction

Auto-Owners Insurance has received mixed reviews for its customer service and satisfaction. On one hand, it has been praised for its excellent customer service, with over 90% of surveyed customers giving Auto-Owners a score of 4 or 5 out of 5 for the ease of getting a new policy. Nearly 55% said they were "extremely satisfied" with the ability to contact customer service when needed. The company has also received multiple customer service and claims management awards.

On the other hand, some customers have expressed dissatisfaction with their experience, citing issues with unhelpful and disrespectful independent agents and claims adjusters who refused to fully cover car damages. There have also been complaints about the claims process, as the company requires people to call their agents instead of filing online, which can make the process longer and more cumbersome.

Overall, while Auto-Owners Insurance has received recognition for its customer service and has a strong focus on personal connections, there are also areas where it could improve to enhance customer satisfaction, particularly regarding the claims process and the responsiveness of its agents.

Cost and value for money

Auto-Owners Insurance offers rates that are lower than the national average, making it a competitive option for many drivers. The company's average annual premium for full coverage is $1,739, compared to the national average of $2,348. For minimum coverage, the average annual premium is $453, compared to the national average of $639.

Auto-Owners also provides a range of discounts, including for young drivers and bundling policies. The company's home and auto insurance rates are typically lower than the national average.

Auto-Owners Insurance is available in 26 states, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Claims handling

Auto-Owners Insurance is a good option for drivers looking for highly customizable coverage and plenty of discount options. The company operates through a network of independent agents, so all services are handled by a local agent, including filing a claim. This means that customers have one point of contact and can expect personalized attention.

Auto-Owners Insurance has an A++ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best, indicating that the company has been financially strong enough to pay claims, even during high-claim periods.

The 2024 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study ranked companies in 11 regions by analyzing satisfaction across five categories, including billing processes, general interaction, and policy offerings. Auto-Owners was ranked above the industry average of 878 for claims satisfaction in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, with a score of 888.

Auto-Owners was ranked second for claims handling in a U.S. News survey, with a score of 4.4 out of 5. The average company score was 4.2. Just over 57% of surveyed customers were completely satisfied with the ease of filing a claim. And 62% were completely satisfied with the updates they received and how the claim was resolved, which was higher than all but one of the companies in the survey.

Auto-Owners has excellent customer service and competitive rates. However, there are some negative reviews online that highlight issues with claims handling. Some customers have reported significant issues with claims handling, including delays, lowball offers, and denial of claims. There are also some complaints about poor communication and a lack of responsiveness from claims adjusters.

Availability and accessibility

Auto-Owners Insurance is available in 26 states, mostly in the East and Midwest. These include:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Utah
• Virginia
• Wisconsin

The company offers its insurance products through independent agents, who provide local, personalized expertise. Auto-Owners Insurance has an online presence, too, with an online portal where customers can pay premiums, review policy documents, track claims, and more. However, customers cannot buy a policy online and must contact an independent agent to get a quote. Auto-Owners also has a mobile app that allows policyholders to pay their bills, submit roadside assistance requests, and view their insurance ID cards.

Discounts and savings

Auto-Owners Insurance offers a variety of discounts to help lower your premiums. The company provides several options for discounts, especially for teen drivers. Here is a detailed list of the discounts and savings offered by Auto-Owners Insurance:

Multi-Policy Discount

You can receive premium savings when you have other qualifying policies with Auto-Owners. This includes bundling your home and auto insurance or adding another line of insurance.

Life Multi-Policy Discount

If you have a qualifying life insurance policy with Auto-Owners, you can receive premium savings on your other policies.

Payment History Discount

Auto-Owners offers discounts to customers who have consistently paid their premiums on time for the past 36 months. This demonstrates their commitment to rewarding loyal customers.

Green Discount

The Green Discount encourages customers to go paperless by enrolling in paperless billing. By choosing to receive your bills and statements online, you can earn a discount on your premiums.

Multi-Car Discount

If you insure more than one car, or specifically two or more private passenger vehicles, on the same personal auto policy, you may be eligible for a discount.

Paid-in-Full Discount

The Paid-in-Full Discount rewards customers who pay their annual policy premium in full and on time. This discount is applicable for both auto and homeowners insurance.

Advance Quote Discount

New applicants who request a premium quote before the effective date of their policy may qualify for this discount. Planning ahead can help you save money on your insurance.

Safety Feature Discount

Vehicles equipped with advanced safety features, such as anti-lock brakes, airbags, and anti-theft devices, may be eligible for this discount. Auto-Owners recognizes the added safety these features provide and passes on the savings to customers.

Favorable Loss History

Customers with a favorable loss history, meaning they have not filed an excessive number of claims, can receive lower premiums. This discount applies to both auto and homeowners insurance.

Good Student Discount

Students who excel academically with at least a "B" average or a 3.0 GPA can save on their insurance. This discount is designed to reward young drivers who prioritize their education and maintain good grades.

Student Away at School Discount

If you have a student on your policy who attends school more than 100 miles away from home without a vehicle, you may be eligible for additional discounts. This discount is ideal for families with college-aged students who don't need regular access to a car.

Teen Driver Monitoring Discount

Auto-Owners offers a discount for teen drivers when their vehicle is equipped with a permanently installed Global Positioning System (GPS) or if the teen is enrolled in an eligible smartphone app for monitoring. This discount promotes safer driving habits for young drivers.

Additional Discounts

There are even more opportunities for savings with Auto-Owners Insurance. Here are some additional discounts offered:

• Fleet Monitoring Discount for commercial auto insurance
• Farm Use Seasonal Discount for certain types of vehicles
• Water Shut-Off System Discount for homeowners insurance
• Automatic Backup Generator Discount for homeowners insurance
• Mortgage-Free Discount for homeowners insurance
• Hurricane/Wind Mitigation Discounts for homeowners insurance in select states

Frequently asked questions