American Family car insurance review 2023
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
BLUEPRINT
Updated 10:41 a.m. UTC Nov. 1, 2023
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American Family
Pros
- Very low number of consumer complaints compared to other auto insurance companies insurers we evaluated.
- Some of the lowest car insurance rates for DUIs.
- Wide range of coverage options, including gap insurance and vanishing deductible.
- KnowYourDrive usage-based insurance program can help good drivers save.
Cons
- Good drivers may find lower car insurance rates elsewhere.
- Mediocre rates for young drivers, senior drivers and teens on a parent’s policy.
- American Family car insurance is only available in 19 states.
Why trust our insurance experts
Our team of insurance experts evaluates hundreds of insurance products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology.
- 780 companies analyzed.
- 7,800 rates reviewed.
- 5 levels of fact-checking.
Does American Family have good car insurance?
American Family scores a top spot in our best car insurance company ranking, thanks to its high customer satisfaction, extensive product offerings, customizable coverage and wide range of discounts.
American Family may not be able to compete with the rates of the best cheap car insurance companies like Geico and Auto-Owners, but if customer service holds any weight in your decision, American Family should be on your radar. American Family has the lowest volume of customer complaints of any of the major car insurance companies we analyzed.
You can choose from an abundance of coverage options with American Family, including a pay-per-mile insurance plan (MilesMyWay), gap insurance and rideshare insurance. American Family also offers a diminishing deductible, new car replacement coverage, accident forgiveness and SR-22s, if you need one. In fact, though American Family’s prices fall somewhere in the middle for the average driver, the insurer offers some of the cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI.
The one caveat about getting car insurance through American Family: It’s only available in 19 states.
American Family compared to other top car insurance companies
| Company | Our rating | Average annual cost | Complaint level | LEARN MORE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Family | 5.0 stars | $2,176 | Very low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Auto-Owners | 5.0 stars | $1,628 | Low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Nationwide | 5.0 stars | $2,041 | Very low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| USAA | 5.0 stars | $1,412 | Average | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Geico | 4.5 stars | $1,716 | Average | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Travelers | 4.5 stars | $1,852 | Very low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Westfield | 4.5 stars | $1,759 | Very low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Allstate | 3.5 stars | $3,000 | Low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Farmers | 3.5 stars | $2,381 | Low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Progressive | 3.5 stars | $2,157 | Low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| State Farm | 3.5 stars | $1,959 | Low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Erie | 3.0 stars | $2,144 | Low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Safe Auto | 1.0 stars | $2,647 | Very high | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners |
Types of car insurance offered by American Family
- Liability car insurance.
- Collision and comprehensive car insurance.
- Gap insurance.
- Personal injury protection.
- Medical expense coverage.
- New car replacement.
- Pay-per mile insurance.
- Rental reimbursement.
- Rideshare insurance.
- SR-22.
- Emergency roadside assistance.
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
- Usage-based insurance.
- Accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
Other insurance products offered by American Family
American Family also offers other insurance products worth considering. We especially recommend looking into American Family home insurance to bundle with your auto policy. AmFam offers one of the best auto and home insurance bundles available, with a discount of up to 18% when you bundle both policies.
Here’s a full look at all the insurance products you can explore with American Family:
- ATV insurance.
- Boat.
- Business.
- Condo.
- Farm & ranch (cattle & livestock coverage; tractor & equipment coverage).
- Homeowners insurance.
- Landlord insurance.
- Life insurance.
- Manufactured home.
- Motorcycle.
- Personal property.
- Pet insurance.
- Renters insurance.
- RV & camper.
- Snowmobile.
- Travel insurance.
- Umbrella insurance.
American Family car insurance reviews
American Family earns such high praise for its auto insurance policies largely because its customers are relatively satisfied. Per data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), AmFam generates a below average number of customer complaints when compared to the average car insurance company. It also has the fewest complaints of any major insurer we analyzed.
AmFam has a C+ grade from the CRASH Network, which surveys how well car repair pros think insurers handle claims, including the quality of parts used and repairs made as well as the overall repair process.
A C+ grade isn’t as bad as it sounds. Other top insurers, including State Farm, Farmers, Progressive, USAA, Nationwide and Allstate, each received lower scores.
Methodology
Our insurance experts evaluated top car insurance companies in the nation to determine which offer the best auto insurance based on average rates, coverage features, collision claims process and consumer complaints.
Each car insurance company was eligible for up to 100 points, based on its performance in the following key categories:
Cost: 50 points. We analyzed rates from Quadrant Information Services based on seven driver profiles for a policy with 100/300/100 in liability coverage, uninsured motorist coverage and comprehensive and collision coverage. We awarded up to 50 points based on insurers’ average rates for:
- Drivers in various age groups.
- Drivers with bad credit.
- Good drivers.
- Drivers with infractions, such as speeding tickets, an accident or a DUI on their record.
Consumer complaints: 30 points. We collected complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which shows the volume of car insurance consumer complaints against each company. When a consumer lodges a complaint to their state’s department of insurance — often about an insurance company’s claims process, delays, denials or settlements — these complaints are logged and tracked.
Car insurance coverage features: 15 points. Car insurance policy features can help make coverage more affordable both before and after an accident or covered incident. We evaluated car insurance policies offered by each insurer and awarded points to insurers that offered these valuable benefits:
- Accident forgiveness (5 points).
- New car replacement (5 points).
- Vanishing deductible (5 points).
SR-22 availability: 5 points. After a major traffic violation, some drivers must provide proof that they have the type and amount of coverage required by their state. Proof of coverage is obtained through an SR-22 filing, but not all insurers offer SR-22. Insurance companies that offer SR-22s were awarded points.
Why some companies didn’t make the cut
Insurance companies with rates significantly higher than the national average, or with a substantial number of customer complaints, did not make our list of the best car insurance companies.
Companies that lack car insurance policy options, such as new car replacement or accident forgiveness, may also have been excluded, depending on how well they scored in other categories.
American Family is good at paying auto insurance claims. The company maintains an A rating from AM Best, signaling its financial strength in paying out claims. Further, J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study found that American Family has above-average claims satisfaction (although just barely above average).
American Family has fewer complaints to state insurance departments than any other top car insurance company we analyzed, per data from NAIC.
American Family car insurance is moderately priced, compared to other car insurance companies. The average good driver pays $2,176 a year for full coverage. Notably, American Family is one of the cheapest car insurance companies if you have poor credit or have gotten a DUI. You’ll still pay a steeper premium — but it’s not as much as you’d pay with most other insurers.
Though American Family offers some of the best car insurance policies available, it’s only available in 19 states. If you live in one of the following states, you’ll be able to apply for a policy:
- Arizona.
- Colorado.
- Georgia.
- Idaho.
- Illinois.
- Indiana.
- Iowa.
- Kansas.
- Minnesota.
- Missouri.
- Nebraska.
- Nevada.
- North Dakota.
- Ohio.
- Oregon.
- South Dakota.
- Utah.
- Washington.
- Wisconsin.
You can buy American Family car insurance online or by contacting a local agent. You can also call the company directly at 1-800-692-6326. American Family also offers online car insurance quotes as well quotes for homeowners insurance and other types of coverage you may need.
You can file a car insurance claim with American Family multiple ways:
- Submitting a claim via American Family website.
- Submitting the claim in the American Family claims app.
- Contacting a claims expert by phone at 1-800-MYAMFAM.
- Reaching out to your agent directly.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
