Auto-Owners car insurance review 2023
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BLUEPRINT
Updated 1:33 p.m. UTC Nov. 2, 2023
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Auto-Owners
Pros
- Second cheapest rates for drivers found to be at fault for a collision.
- Coverage options include accident forgiveness, diminishing deductibles, gap insurance and new car replacement.
- Pay-in-full discount can save you 14% on average.
- Above average claims processing score from CRASH Network.
Cons
- Less competitive rates for drivers with poor credit, when compared to other insurers in our review.
- Above average rates for drivers with poor credit.
- Average rates for adding a teen driver to parent’s policy.
- SR-22 not available.
Why trust our insurance experts
Our team of 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 below.
- 780 companies analyzed.
- 7,800 rates reviewed.
- 5 levels of fact-checking.
Does Auto-Owners have good car insurance?
Yes, Auto-Owners insurance is a good option for many drivers. Based on our analysis of the best car insurance companies, Auto-Owners offers competitive rates for most drivers, including those with a collision on their record. However, drivers with poor credit may want to look elsewhere, as rates are less competitive when compared to other insurers we evaluated.
Auto-Owners also offers a range of coverage options and features, such as accident forgiveness, diminishing deductibles and new car replacement. It does not offer SR-22s, so Auto-Owners is not a good option for drivers who need proof of insurance after a DUI or other major traffic violation.
Auto-Owners has a very low number of consumer complaints when compared to other insurers we analyzed, which can indicate overall satisfaction among policyholders. It also has a strong claims processing score from CRASH Network.
Coverage through Auto-Owners is limited to only 26 states:
- 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.
Auto-Owners 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 coverage offered by Auto-Owners
Auto-Owners offers a wide variety of coverage options, including:
Types sold:
- Liability insurance.
- Collision and comprehensive car insurance.
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
- Gap insurance.
- Nonowners insurance.
- Accident forgiveness.
- New car replacement.
- Vanishing deductible.
- Usage-based insurance.
- Medical payments.
- Personal injury protection.
- Additional expensive coverage (rental reimbursement).
- Road side assistance.
- Diminished value coverage.
Other insurance products from Auto-Owners
In addition to car insurance, Auto-Owners offers a variety of other insurance products, including:
- Flood insurance.
- Homeowners insurance.
- Pet insurance.
- Renters insurance.
- Term life, universal life and whole life insurance.
- Umbrella insurance.
- Annuities.
- ATV and off-road vehicle.
- Boat.
- Business.
- Condo.
- Disability.
- Farm.
- Mobile home.
- Motorcycle.
- Property and valuables.
- Rental dwelling.
- Trailer.
Auto-Owners car insurance reviews
Auto-Owners Insurance has a very low level of customer complaints according to data provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). NAIC complaints often stem from claims issues, including how long it takes to resolve a claim, claim denials and unsatisfactory settlements. A low level of customer complaints can indicate a higher satisfaction level among customers.
Auto-Owners also ranked 16 out of 29 on the CRASH Network’s 2023 Honor Roll. The CRASH Network evaluates and grades 86 car insurance companies by asking collision repair professionals a series of questions about a company’s claims handling policies, payment practices, quality repairs and customer service.
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.
Car insurance companies with a lack of policy options, such as new car replacement or accident forgiveness, may also have been excluded, depending on how well they scored in other categories.
Yes, Auto-Owners offers a multi-car discount if you insure more than one vehicle. You can also lower your rate by bundling your home and auto insurance, or other eligible coverages.
Auto-Owners does not offer a specific windshield or glass repair coverage, but it does have a Glass Repair Program. Through this program, you can have eligible glass repair work completed at the shop of your choice. Auto-Owners glass repairs are typically handled by Safelite Solutions or Quest Claim Services.
Windshield repairs may be covered under your Auto-Owners car insurance policy depending on the type of coverage you have.
- If the damage is caused by an accident and you’re not at fault, the other driver’s liability insurance will cover repairs. If you are at fault, collision coverage can cover the repairs, if you have it.
- If your windshield or vehicle glass is damaged during a non-collision event, such as by a rock or a falling tree limb, comprehensive car insurance can cover repairs if it’s included in your existing policy.
No, Auto-Owners does not offer free towing, but you can purchase its Road Trouble Service, which is roadside assistance coverage that includes towing, jump starts and flat tire repairs. This service will also help you if you lock yourself out of your vehicle or if you run out of gas or oil.
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.
