In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of auto insurance providers to formulate rankings of the best insurers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
Industry Standing
When rating insurance providers, we look at how long a company has been in business. We also factor in ratings and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), as well as its financial strength rating from AM Best and the market share according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The AM Best rating tells us about a company’s ability to pay claims.
Availability
Not all insurance providers offer coverage in every state. To determine an availability score, we look at where the company operates and what restrictions it may place on eligibility. We don’t weigh this factor as heavily in the final score, as some regional providers offer excellent coverage and customer service.
Coverage
We score providers on the kinds of insurance coverage they offer. All insurance companies offer the six main types of insurance, but what makes an insurer stand out are its optional coverages. Some of these include:
- Roadside assistance
- Rental car reimbursement
- Gap insurance
- Accident forgiveness
- Trip interruption
- Telematics insurance
Cost And Discounts
We highlight cost data in this article, which we get by analyzing rate averages generated by Quadrant Information Services. Since we’re discussing the average car insurance rates by age, we look at costs associated with profiles for drivers aged 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 65, and 75. We examine the average costs for various age groups from different providers and look at the average costs by age and state. State data includes 100 zip codes.
Car discounts vary from provider to provider, so it’s up to you to determine which works best. We look at some of the most pertinent discounts offered for age groups that pay the most for car insurance.
Customer Service
For this score, we reviewed our customer survey, in which we asked nearly 8,000 respondents to rate their satisfaction with their car insurance company. We also look at customer reviews left on the BBB and Truspilot, including the average star rating those customers give. The number of complaints logged on the BBB and NAIC websites factors in as well. We also look at the following J.D. Power studies in this category:
- J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study℠
- J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠
- J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study℠
Technology
To assess a company’s technology score, we first check to see if it offers auto insurance quotes online. We also check to see if the company has an app in which the customer can get information, file claims, or talk to a representative. Whether the company offers a usage-based insurance app also factors into our score. Finally, we check the star ratings customers give these apps.
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