CURE Auto Insurance, or Citizens United Reciprocal Exchange, is a New Jersey-based auto insurer that offers affordable insurance rates while focusing on safe driving and rewarding responsible behaviour on the road. Unlike most auto insurance companies, CURE bases its insurance premiums primarily on non-economic factors such as driving records rather than customers' credit history, occupation or education level. As of 2024, CURE has expanded to offer basic car insurance coverage in Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Available States | Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania |
Ideal For | Drivers with poor credit scores but not for car owners with high-risk driving records |
Insurance Type | Auto insurance |
Customer Service | Poor |
Discounts | Defensive driving, loss-free, safe parking |
Pros | Lower rates for drivers with poor credit, strong BBB rating, mobile app available |
Cons | Only available in three states, no usage-based insurance coverage listed, mixed customer reviews |
What You'll Learn
CURE auto insurance is available in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania
CURE Auto Insurance is a not-for-profit car insurance company that bases its insurance premiums primarily on driving history rather than other factors such as credit score, occupation, or education level. CURE is available in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania and is a good option for safe drivers in these states who may have a below-average credit history but minimal accidents and traffic violations on their records.
CURE was founded in 1990 by former New Jersey Insurance Commissioner James J. Sheeran and insurance expert Dr. Lena Chang. Headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, CURE was originally launched as a solution to the auto insurance crisis in New Jersey. The company's business model is unique in that it prioritises a person's driving record over their social or economic status.
CURE offers both basic and standard car insurance policies, with the basic policy being a lower-cost alternative for drivers who may not need all the features and coverage of a standard policy. The basic package includes $5,000 in property damage coverage, $15,000 in PIP medical expense coverage, and $10,000 in extended medical expense benefits coverage. Drivers can also choose to add bodily injury liability coverage and personal injury protection coverage with various deductibles and discounts. Optional coverages such as collision, comprehensive, and towing coverages are also available.
In addition to affordable rates for safe drivers, CURE offers various discounts, including a loss-free discount that increases the longer a policyholder goes without making a claim. For example, a policyholder will receive a 5% discount after two claim-free years and a 20% discount after five or more years. CURE also offers discounts for comprehensive coverage if policyholders park their cars in certain locations, such as off-street or in a secure garage.
CURE has insured over a million drivers and advocates for affordable car insurance based primarily on driving records. The company has never used education, occupation, or credit score to determine car insurance rates and believes that everyone deserves transparency and trust when it comes to their car insurance.
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It bases insurance premiums primarily on driving history
CURE Auto Insurance, or Citizens United Reciprocal Exchange, is an insurance company that bases its premiums primarily on driving history. This sets it apart from other insurance companies, which tend to factor in credit score, education level, and occupation when determining insurance rates. CURE believes that everyone deserves affordable car insurance based on their driving record, rather than socioeconomic factors.
Insurers often assess risk by looking at a customer's driving record, and if it contains examples of poor judgment and unsafe driving habits, they may view that customer as high-risk and increase their premiums. CURE, however, does not view a poor credit score or lower education level as a risk factor. Instead, it focuses on driving history, which can be a more accurate determinant of the types of claims a person will make.
A person's driving record, or motor vehicle report, includes details about their driving history in the past five years, such as total demerit points, suspensions, reinstatements, and driving convictions. Insurance companies use this information to predict the likelihood of future claims and set premium prices. For example, a driver with multiple traffic violations and collisions is considered high-risk and will likely face higher insurance costs. On the other hand, a driver with a clean record and no accidents is considered safe and may qualify for lower premiums.
CURE offers insurance in New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, and its rates are based on driving history and other individual factors, such as the make and model of the vehicle and the amount of coverage purchased. While CURE's rates may be higher than average in some cases, the company appeals to drivers with poor credit histories or lower education levels who may struggle to find affordable insurance elsewhere.
CURE also offers various discounts, such as the three-year good driver discount, where drivers with a clean record for three years can receive up to a 35% discount. Other discounts include the multi-vehicle discount, parking discount, good student discount, and low mileage discount.
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It's a good option for drivers with poor credit scores
CURE Auto Insurance, or the Citizens United Reciprocal Exchange, is a good option for drivers with poor credit scores. The company was founded in 1990 with the express purpose of providing favourable car insurance rates to drivers who may not be the most appealing to other insurance companies.
CURE does not use credit scores, occupation, or educational background as determining factors for customer auto insurance rates. Instead, CURE bases its insurance premiums primarily on a motorist's driving record. This means that customers with poor credit may find low rates with the company.
However, it's important to note that CURE is only available in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The company also has a limited number of discounts, and some customers have reported issues with the claims process and customer service.
Overall, CURE is a good option for drivers with poor credit scores who are looking for affordable car insurance.
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It offers six standard types of car insurance
CURE Auto Insurance, or Citizens United Reciprocal Exchange, is a New Jersey-based auto insurance company that offers six standard types of car insurance. CURE bases its insurance premiums primarily on non-economic factors, such as driving records, rather than customers' credit history, occupation, or education level. This makes CURE a good option for drivers who may have a below-average credit history but minimal accidents and traffic violations on their records.
The six standard types of car insurance offered by CURE are:
- Liability (BI/PD): This policy covers damages to other people and their property, including bodily injury and property damage liability.
- Collision: This covers the cost of damages to your car if you collide with another vehicle or object.
- Comprehensive: This covers damages to your vehicle that are not due to a collision, such as theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and civil disturbances.
- Medical payments (MedPay): This covers the costs of vehicle-related medical treatments for both the policyholder and their passengers, regardless of who is at fault in an accident.
- Personal injury protection (PIP): This covers medical treatment and other injury-related losses, such as lost wages from missed work days.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM): This protects you if you get into an accident with a motorist who doesn't have sufficient insurance to cover your expenses.
In addition to these standard offerings, CURE also provides optional endorsements such as roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement. CURE also offers three levels of collision coverage: broad collision, standard collision, and limited collision.
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It has a high volume of customer complaints
CURE Auto Insurance, or the Citizens United Reciprocal Exchange, is a New Jersey-based auto insurance company that offers affordable rates for safe drivers and those with bad credit. CURE bases its insurance premiums primarily on non-economic factors such as driving records, rather than customers' credit history, occupation, or education level.
While CURE's rates are appealing to drivers with poor credit histories, the company has received a high volume of customer complaints. In 2023, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) gave CURE a complaint index score of 5.16 for private passenger auto insurance. This score indicates that CURE receives five times the number of complaints expected for an insurer of its size, suggesting that a high number of customers have issues with the company.
Online reviews from customers reflect this high rate of complaints. Many customers have reported issues with CURE's customer service, with reviews describing it as "the worst" they have ever experienced. In addition, customers have noted the slow process, lack of communication, and rude customer service agents.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has also recorded 18 closed complaints against CURE Auto Insurance in the past three years. While CURE has an A+ rating from the BBB, the company is not accredited by them. This lack of accreditation could indicate that CURE does not comply with the ethical standards set by the BBB.
Overall, while CURE offers affordable rates based on driving records, the company's high volume of customer complaints suggests that customers may experience issues with their services.
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Frequently asked questions
CURE Auto Insurance, or Citizens United Reciprocal Exchange, is a not-for-profit auto insurance company that provides coverage to drivers in select states. They offer affordable insurance rates while focusing on safe driving and rewarding responsible behaviour on the road.
CURE Auto Insurance is available in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
CURE's basic package includes $5,000 property damage liability insurance, $15,000 personal injury protection insurance, and $10,000 extended medical expense benefits.
To file a car insurance claim with CURE, call their 24/7 claims line at 1-800-229-9151.