The 5 Best Auto Insurance Companies According to Customer Reviews

Alice Stevens

Last Updated: May 7th, 2021

Topics:

research

If you drive, you need car insurance. You'll want to find a reliable company that offers good coverage at affordable rates.

Best Company has received over 3,200 customer reviews in the car insurance industry. We'll take a look at the top-ranked companies and how they compare to statistics for the industry overall.

Here are the top five companies on BestCompany.com:

  1. Progressive
  2. GEICO
  3. Allstate
  4. State Farm
  5. AAA

And, here are the overall statistics for the auto insurance industry:

Average User Star Rating: 4.1 /5
Customer Review Breakdown:

  • 5-Star — 57%
  • 4-Star — 21%
  • 3-Star — 8%
  • 2-Star — 4%
  • 1-Star — 10%

Total Review Count: 3,215 
Net Promoter Score: 7.6 /10
Sentiment Criteria:

  • Customer Service — 3.8 /5
  • Quality of Product or Service — 3.8 /5
  • Value for Money — 3.6 /5
  • Company Trustworthiness — 3.8 /5

Progressive

Best Company Rank: 1
Average User Star Rating: 4.1/5
Customer Review Breakdown:

  • 5-Star — 51%
  • 4-Star — 25%
  • 3-Star — 13%
  • 2-Star — 4%
  • 1-Star — 7%

Total Review Count: 270
Net Promoter Score: 7.7 /10
Sentiment Criteria:

  • Customer Service — 3.9 /5
  • Quality of Product or Service — 3.8 /5
  • Value for Money — 3.7/5
  • Company Trustworthiness — 3.8/5

comparison infographic of Progressive versus auto insurance industry summarizing article

Progressive vs. auto insurance industry

Progressive's customer review statistics on Best Company stack up well with industry averages. Progressive's star rating (4.1 /5)  is on par with the industry average (4.1 /5). 

Its review breakdown also resembles the industry's review breakdown. The 4-star and 5-star review ratings (25 percent and 51 percent respectively) are close, though slightly below what we found for the industry (21 percent and 57 percent). 

Progressive has a lower percentage of 1-star reviews than the industry, earning 7 percent 1-star reviews compared to the 10 percent earned by the industry as a whole.

It also has one of the highest Net Promoter Scores of the top five car insurers. These scores indicate the likelihood customer reviewers on BestCompany.com are to recommend Progressive to friends.

What to expect

Progressive offers the standard coverage options for personal car insurance. It also offers policies for RVs, ATVs, UTVs, golf carts, and classic cars. You can also buy Mexico car insurance, which is helpful if you're planning a road trip to Mexico. If you drive for work purposes or are a business owner with delivery services, you can buy commercial car insurance through Progressive.

Progressive stands out in the industry for the discounts it offers and its rate comparison tools. Its signature Name Your Price® Tool allows you to view policies based on how much you want to pay. Keep in mind that a lower premium usually means less robust coverage.

You can find the typical discounts like multi-policy and multi-car from Progressive. Its Snapshot® program customizes your premium rate after monitoring your driving for six months. 

Progressive also offers a unique discount for continuous insurance. This discount is available based on how long you've maintained car insurance without a lapse in coverage regardless of the insurer. Most insurers only offer a loyalty discount based on how long you've been with them.

Company insight

Progressive did not provide comments.

Review Icon

Customer Review: Ashton Rogers from Fayetteville, Arkansas

"Progressive has been my car insurance company for 3 years now and I have never had any issues with them. The customer service is great and I love the app because it is so user-friendly and modern. I was able to add my insurance cards to my Apple Wallet on my phone so that if I need to present them, they are easily accessible."

Progressive Car Insurance

Learn more about Progressive's auto insurance offerings and read customer reviews.

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GEICO

Best Company Rank: 2
Average User Star Rating: 3.6/5
Customer Review Breakdown:

  • 5-Star — 49%
  • 4-Star — 17%
  • 3-Star — 6%
  • 2-Star — 5%
  • 1-Star — 23%

Total Review Count: 724
Net Promoter Score: 6.0 /10
Sentiment Criteria:

  • Customer Service — 3.5 /5
  • Quality of Product or Service — 3.4 /5
  • Value for Money — 3.3 /5
  • Company Trustworthiness — 3.4 /5

comparison infographic of GEICO versus auto insurance industry summarizing article

GEICO vs. auto insurance industry

GEICO's star rating and review breakdown do not stack up well to industry standards. Its user star rating (3.7/5) is below the industry average (4.1/5). 

Its 4-star and 5-star review percentages (17 percent and 49 percent respectively) and lower than those for the industry (21 percent and 57 percent). Although these percentages are lower than the industry's, it is promising that a majority of GEICO's reviews are positive.

Despite earning a majority of positive reviews, 23 percent of GEICO's reviews are 1-star. This percentage is more than double that for the industry overall (10 percent). Read through both positive and negative reviews to learn more about what to expect when choosing GEICO.

What to expect

GEICO offers several online tools to help you assess your coverage needs and compare quotes. If you prefer, you can also work with one of GEICO's agents. 

The company offers all the standard coverages for car insurance policies and allows you to customize your policy to your needs.

Like most insurers, GEICO offers many discounts. These include discounts for seniors, insuring more than one vehicle, and having more than one policy from the company. GEICO stands out for its military and federal employee discounts.

GEICO is dedicated to good customer service. It's Auto Repair Xpress® Program makes getting your car repaired after submitting a claim a convenient process. You'll drop off your car, get a rental, and be updated on your car's repair status.

Company insight

GEICO Communications Team

"GEICO continually develops technologies and processes that individualize customers’ experiences. Our customer-first approach allows people to conveniently reach us through the channel they most prefer, whether that’s online or mobile, by phone, or meeting with one of our more than 250 GEICO local agents across the country."

Review Icon

Customer Review: Brodie from Smithfield, Utah

"We have used Geico for car insurance for many years. Filing claims is so easy and the app makes it easy to always have my insurance cards."

GEICO Car Insurance

Learn more about GEICO's auto insurance offerings and read customer reviews.

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Allstate

Best Company Rank: 3
Average User Star Rating: 4.1/5
Customer Review Breakdown:

  • 5-Star — 50%
  • 4-Star — 30%
  • 3-Star — 11%
  • 2-Star — 3%
  • 1-Star — 6%

Total Review Count: 282 
Net Promoter Score: 7.9 /10
Sentiment Criteria:

  • Customer Service — 3.8 /5
  • Quality of Product or Service — 3.8 /5
  • Value for Money — 3.5 /5
  • Company Trustworthiness — 3.8 /5

comparison infographic of Allstate versus auto insurance industry summarizing article

Allstate vs. auto insurance industry

Allstate's reviews and ratings are better than the auto insurance industry's. It's star rating (4.2/5) is slightly higher than the industry's (4.1/5).

Allstate's 4-star and 5-star reviews percentage combined (30 percent and 50 percent respectively) are also slightly higher than the industry's (21 percent and 57 percent). It's a good sign that 80 percent of Allstate's reviews are positive. 

Allstate's percentage of 1-star reviews (6 percent) is just over half of the percentage received by the industry (10 percent).

What to expect

Allstate is competitive in the industry because it offers the standard coverage options for personal car insurance. You can also find coverage for collector or classic cars. 

Allstate's Mexico Tourist Auto Insurance gives you coverage while traveling in Mexico. If you're a rideshare driver, you can close your coverage gap by purchasing Allstate's Ride For Hire® coverage.

Choosing Allstate, you can benefit from many savings options, including multi-policy, safety device, and participating in Allstate's safe driving program Drivewise®. 

Through Drivewise®, you'll get feedback and earn points for safe driving. These points can be redeemed for gift cards, subscriptions, travel, and more. You can earn cash back or policy credits after your first 50 trips. 

The reward flexibility offered through Drivewise® is distinct from what is offered at other insurers. Allstate also stands out for its Early Signing Discount®, responsible payer, and new car discounts.

Company insight

Allstate did not provide comments.

Review Icon

Customer Review: MikeD from Denver, Colorado

"Their customer service is awesome! They took care of everything through the entire process when my wife was in an accident. Would highly recommend."

Allstate Car Insurance

Learn more about Allstate's auto insurance offerings and read customer reviews.

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State Farm

Best Company Rank: 4
Average User Star Rating: 4.2/5
Customer Review Breakdown:

  • 5-Star — 56%
  • 4-Star — 23%
  • 3-Star — 11%
  • 2-Star — 4%
  • 1-Star — 5%

Total Review Count: 491
Net Promoter Score: 8.1/10
Sentiment Criteria:

  • Customer service — 3.9/5
  • Quality of Product or Service — 3.9/5
  • Value for Money — 3.6/5
  • Company Trustworthiness — 3.9/5

comparison infographic of State Farm versus auto insurance industry summarizing article

State Farm vs. auto insurance industry

State Farm exceeds the industry's ratings and review breakdown. It edges about the industry's high user star rating with a 4.2/5 compared to 4.1/5.

Its proportion of 4- and 5-star reviews (23 percent and 56 percent respectively) also surpass the industry's proportion (21 percent and 57 percent). State Farm also has half the proportion of 1-star reviews (5 percent) than the industry overall (10 percent). 

State Farm also has the highest Net Promoter Score of the top five companies on BestCompany.com. You can be confident when choosing State Farm because of its high performance in customer ratings and reviews.

What to expect

State Farm is a well-respected insurer and has earned high financial strength ratings. It offers all of the standard coverage options for personal car insurance. You can also find coverage if you're a rideshare driver, need commercial auto insurance, or own an antique or classic car.

State Farm is also competitive with the discounts it offers. Like other insurers it offers good driving, safety feature, and bundling discounts. Its Drive Safe and Save™ program monitors your driving and customizes your premium rate based on your performance. 

Company insight

Kelly Pargett, State Farm Public Affairs Specialist

"We deliver value to our customers through competitive prices, top customer service, and personalized coverage opportunities like Drive Safe & Save, which puts customers in the driver’s seat. DSS gives policyholders an opportunity to save up to 50 percet on their auto insurance premium just by being a good driver. Every customer is unique and has specific insurance needs. State Farm offers a variety of discounts that can help a customer save money."

Review Icon

Customer Review: Nicole Layer from Lincolnwood, Illinois

"Been a customer of State Farm for over 20 years and they've always been excellent. Great service, great coverage, great value."

State Farm Car Insurance

Learn more about State Farm's auto insurance offerings and read customer reviews.

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AAA

Best Company Rank: 5
Average User Star Rating: 4.1/5
Customer Review Breakdown:

  • 5-Star — 63%
  • 4-Star — 17%
  • 3-Star — 4%
  • 2-Star — 2%
  • 1-Star — 14%

Total Review Count: 424
Net Promoter Score: 7.2/10
Sentiment Criteria:

  • Customer service — 3.9/5
  • Quality of Product or Service — 3.9/5
  • Value for Money — 3.8/5
  • Company Trustworthiness — 3.9/5

comparison infographic of AAA versus auto insurance industry summarizing article

AAA vs. auto insurance industry

AAA does well when compared to the auto insurance industry. Its user star rating (4.2/5) edges out ahead of the industry's (4.1/5).

The company has also earned a higher percentage of 5-star reviews, 63 percent compared to the industry's 57 percent. When looking at 4-star and 5-star reviews combined, AAA has 80 percent compared to the industry's 78 percent.

It's encouraging that AAA has earned such a positive response from customer reviewers. However, its proportion of 1-star reviews is 14 percent, 4 percent higher than the industry's 10 percent.

Although AAA measures up well in reviews and ratings, it's important to note that many of AAA's reviews on Best Company focus on their roadside assistance services.

What to expect

AAA has high financial strength ratings, which indicates its financial stability as an insurer. It offers the standard options for personal car insurance. AAA stands out with its new car added protection rider that covers repairs or replaces your car without depreciation according to the policy terms. This option is especially valuable if you've recently purchased a brand new car.

AAA offers many discounts, including those common to the industry like multi-policy and multi-vehicle. It stands out for its AAA membership and membership loyalty discount that is available to AAA members. This discount is in addition to an auto insurance loyalty discount.

Company insight

Ellen Edmonds, spokesperson for AAA

"Insurance protects your financial well-being, and can help make things right when life goes wrong. AAA works with you to meet your unique needs by offering insurance coverage that is backed by more than 100 years of financial strength and stability, and a top-notch customer service experience of insurance agents available nationwide. AAA also offers exclusive products and discounts that reward loyal Members."

Review Icon

Customer Review: Mo from Windham, New Hampshire

"They’re great insurance, very helpful and on top of things. Towing is helpful and value is good. Discounts as well are good"

AAA Car Insurance

Learn more about AAA's auto insurance offerings and read customer reviews.

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Note: Data is as of November 2020.

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