Universal Auto Insurance Review (2020)

Universal Auto Insurance is a regional auto insurance company located in North Carolina. Its parent company is the Seibels Bruce Group, Inc., which offers property and casualty insurance to individuals and commercial businesses. Our Universal auto insurance review will cover all aspects of this company’s business, including their auto insurance affiliation with AAA.

You’ll mainly see Universal car insurance in NC, where it’s headquarters is located, but coverage is available in Georgia as well. Universal Insurance Company’s property and casualty products cover your home, business, vehicles, and personal property.

If you’re not sure whether or not Universal is the right company for your needs, read on. We’ll cover everything you need to know.

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Cheap Universal Insurance Company Auto Insurance Rates

When shopping for auto insurance, most people are looking for a cost-effective option. Sometimes, there isn’t a lot of readily available information about the smaller insurance providers, and potential customers have to rely on the quote process to get an idea of how much auto insurance will cost.

In this section, we’ll go over what auto insurance policyholders pay for coverage in Georgia and North Carolina, the states where Universal Insurance Company is located.

Before we move onto the rest of the section, let’s look at average auto insurance rates for Georgia and North Carolina. The table below will compare the average rates in Georgia, North Carolina, and nationwide.

This data comes from the National Association Of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Georgia has strict liability coverage requirements, which is why liability is more expensive there compared to North Carolina and the rest of the country. Collision and comprehensive coverage, on the other hand, are roughly the same price in the two states. Overall, it’s worth noting that North Carolina has the cheapest auto insurance rates in the U.S.

What is Universal Insurance Company’s availability by state?

While Universal Insurance Company is available in both Georgia and North Carolina, the main base of operations is in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Although insurance rates vary by person, everyone must have the minimum liability insurance required by their state in order to drive legally.

The video below will outline the requirements for the state of Georgia.

Liability coverage is essential for all motorists driving in the U.S. Even if a state has lenient insurance laws, auto insurance companies will suggest policyholders enroll in the minimum requirements for auto insurance.

What about the minimum insurance requirements in North Carolina? Take a look at the video below for the details.

Minimum liability coverage, regardless of the state, comes at different levels. Each level carries a higher or lower coverage limit, often referred to as coverage rules. Though it may go without saying, you will have to pay a higher insurance rate for a greater level of coverage.

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Universal Insurance Company Auto Insurance Coverages Offered

Universal’s basic auto insurance policies for individuals vary from state to state. Business coverage is similar; different businesses will have different insurance requirements. For example, a car dealership and an import/export business operating out of a dock would be looking for different types of coverage.

A business auto insurance policy for a car dealership requires general liability, as well as the following:

• Property damage liability
• Comprehensive
• Collision
• Bodily injury liability
• Multiple cars or fleet coverage
• Worker’s compensation for policyholders
• Medical Payment (Med Pay)

If the company is self-insured, it will require excess loss coverage. A car dealership will also require a huge comprehensive plan to cover weather conditions, theft, vandalism, and other incidents that may damage the inventory.

The car dealership must also be prepared for collisions that could result from a test drive.

Universal Insurance Company may be able to help you save a few dollars with the multiple cars or fleet discounts offered to dealerships and other businesses with more than four or five vehicles.

A dealership usually has more than five employees that require worker’s compensation, and a healthcare plan as part of the company’s benefits package.

Liability is always necessary when you have a business because there are a variety of occurrences that could potentially land you in court.

What are Universal Insurance Company’s bundling options?

Universal Insurance Company only offers automobile and motorcycle insurance options, despite their connection to AAA, which offers auto, home, and life insurance policies.

Any policyholder hoping for a bundle with Universal Insurance Company may be able to bundle their vehicle and motorcycle in one policy. When policyholders bundle two different insurance policies into one, auto insurance companies often give them a discount.

What are discounts offered by Universal Insurance Company?

We couldn’t find any viable information regarding discounts at Universal Insurance Company. So if you’re looking for a discount from this company, your best option is to contact one of its agents. Although there’s little information available specific to Universal Insurance Company, many providers offer discounts to policyholders who have good credit or a good driving record, and/or those who enroll in a policy with multiple vehicles.

Just about every provider offers discounts in some form or another, so make sure you ask about this when you talk to someone from Universal Insurance Company to set up your policy.

What programs are available from Universal Insurance Company?

Inland marine coverage is a commercial category of plans that cover several industries related to inland marine fisheries and import docks, as well as those that include exporting.

These types of businesses may or may not include dry dock transportation or water transport.

A business like this needs policy inclusions such as:

• Cargo protection
• Surety bonding management
• Damage liability
• General liability
• Basic auto coverage
• Boat coverage
• Worker’s compensation

Depending on size, this type of business may or may not offer a group healthcare plan to its workers. Smaller businesses often do not.

Many insurance companies such as Universal Insurance offer specialty coverage as well as standard coverage. Specialty coverage provides classic auto insurance within a niche for antique vehicles, hot rods, and other similar vehicles.

Owners of specialty vehicles usually drive them infrequently, to trade shows or other special events, or on the occasional Sunday drive.

Therefore, they can opt for coverage intended for vehicles driven fewer than 25,000 miles per year. Insurance for these vehicles places emphasis on comprehensive coverage rather than liability coverage.

Canceling Your Universal Insurance Company Auto Insurance Policy

Policyholders pursue cancellation for many reasons. Auto insurance companies will do what they can to keep you enrolled, such as informing you of any discounts you may be eligible for. Canceling your policy while under contract or while your policy is ongoing could be complicated. What is Universal auto insurance company’s policy on cancellations? Let’s take a closer look at the cancellation process.

Is there a cancellation fee with Universal Insurance?

There’s always a possibility that you could be required to pay a cancellation fee when you cancel an auto insurance policy, and you may be bound by the terms of the contract you signed. For example, if you agreed to a six-month policy, you may have to pay for the policy in full before you get another policy at another company.

Is there a refund after canceling a Universal policy?

You may be entitled to a refund if you prepaid for an auto insurance policy. An auto insurance provider will have to refund you money for auto insurance that you didn’t use. If you have questions about getting a refund from Universal Insurance Company, call them at their toll-free number: 1-800-258-0143.

How do you cancel a Universal Insurance Company policy?

Universal Insurance Company customers may be able to cancel online by entering their policy number in the dialog box on the website. The best way to cancel with Universal Insurance Company is by calling the toll-free phone number above.

Be sure to have your policy number and vehicle information handy when you call. Keep in mind that some policies can’t be canceled right away, and if you are able to cancel immediately, it may take several days for a cancellation to finalize.

When can I cancel my Universal Insurance Company policy?

Anyone can cancel their policy at any time; however, there may be penalties if you cancel before finishing the policy you agreed to. There can be a lot of gray areas when canceling, so be sure to ask about the cancellation policy with any auto insurance company you consider doing business with.

What about canceling auto insurance after you’ve made a claim? This video will explain the details.

Every situation is different, and auto insurance providers are prepared to handle all eventualities. But if you’re going to cancel your policy, be sure to have another policy lined up to replace it.

How to Make a Universal Insurance Company Auto Insurance Claim

Universal Insurance Company claims can only be filed online by policyholders who are logged into the claims area. The only way to access the claims area is to have a policy number with AAA. There are three ways Universal Insurance Company policyholders can file a claim.

• By phone: 1-800-258-0143
• Online: File a Claim webpage
• In person with an agent

The sooner you file your claim after an accident or other incident, the better.

Do you still want to reach the “file a claim” area on the website? Here’s how you can do it. First, navigate to the Universal Insurance Company website.

Click on “File a Claim” to get to the Manage My Policy page.

This is where you’ll need to enter your policy number so you can proceed to the next page and file your claim.

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How to Get a Universal Insurance Company Auto Insurance Quote Online

The website doesn’t list any resources that show the visitor how to receive a quote online. All quotes from the Universal Insurance Company go through AAA Insurance’s quote generator. The best way to get a quote is to contact an agent by phone or meet them in person at their office. You can also use the Universal Insurance contact number found at the top of this page.

Universal Insurance Company: Auto Insurance Ratings

This company’s A.M. Best rating is B+ (good), which indicates that the company is solvent. Solvency gives customers the reassurance that their premiums are in financially stable hands. It’s important to stay aware of your insurance company’s rating, especially if you’re about to renew your policy or sign a new one.

This insurer’s rating was recently downgraded, based on A.M. Best’s outlook for its future. Most recently, the company’s underwriting decisions have come into question. These decisions resulted in huge surplus losses for 2010.

Under the Better Business Bureau, Universal Insurance Company has an A+ rating, despite some poor reviews on the site.

It’s important to note that this company’s reviews should not be confused with Universal Insurance company of North America reviews, or the Universal Insurance Company of North America BBB page, as that is a different company.

Universal Insurance Company: Auto Insurance History

Universal Insurance Company is an auto insurance company that serves as a private passenger and commercial firm. They offer auto and motorcycle insurance. Also, Universal Insurance Company provides accessory, liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured, and underinsured insurance coverages.

Universal Insurance Company is available in Georgia, some parts of South Carolina, and North Carolina.

How is Universal Insurance Company’s online presence?

There isn’t much information available on Universal Insurance Company. The company appears to be an affiliate of AAA Insurance. Universal Insurance Company operates its website through AAA’s web services. Although AAA has several programs and services available to its clients, a policyholder under Universal Insurance Company may find a limited amount of resources they can pull from regarding auto insurance.

Does Universal Insurance Company have commercials?

Universal Insurance Company does not have any commercials, but its parent company, AAA, does. Let’s look at one of AAA’s commercials.

This general commercial is something most would expect from an insurance provider — a brief description of the service available and the perks one might receive from doing business with this company. Although it may be behind some of the biggest companies, AAA seems to be doing okay. As an affiliate, Universal Insurance Company shares the benefits of its parent company.

The second commercial displayed below focuses on texting and driving. Watch the video to get an idea of what AAA has to say on this subject.

Distracted driving laws have been implemented across the U.S. and AAA and its affiliates, like Universal Insurance Company, want to treat texting and driving like a DUI/DWI offense.

Is Universal Insurance Company involved in the community?

Because the company is an affiliate of AAA, most likely all of its community involvement is done through its parent company. Universal Insurance Company may do some philanthropy in communities where it operates; most smaller companies do.

What do Universal Insurance Company employees have to say?

Universal Insurance Company has offices in Georgia and North Carolina. You may be able to apply online for your position of choice. This insurer has positions in the following fields: administration, finance, customer service, legal, actuary, underwriting, and management

Universal Insurance Company representatives will help you navigate the career application process.

A person in an entry-level position with the company could further their career while maintaining their position with the company. Universal may even offer tuition reimbursement.

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Design of Universal Insurance Company Auto Insurance Website/App

As mentioned before, Universal Insurance Company’s online presence operates through AAA’s web interface. Here’s a screenshot of the design of Universal Insurance Company’s webpage.

The design of the website is simple and responsive, which means it can be easily accessed on any device that hosts a web browser.

Universal Insurance Company: The Bottom Line

Universal Insurance Company did well enough in the last few years to receive a B+ rating with A.M. Best and an A+ rating with BBB. There’s not much a potential customer can find online, but if you’re interested in learning more, you can call the toll-free number or meet with a Universal Insurance Company agent in person. Since the company is an affiliate of AAA, you may be able to get more information through them as well. Leave your Universal direct review below.

Universal Insurance Company FAQs

There are only a few details about Universal Insurance Company available online. It appears to have been around for over 40 years but may have gone through acquisitions or other business changes in that time. To wrap up the article, we’ll answer some general questions about auto insurance you may still have after reading the guide.

#1 – Where can I find a Universal agent in my area?

Whether you are looking for an agent for Universal Insurance Company in Raleigh, NC, or in Atlanta, the main company contact number can point you in the right direction. You may want to read some Universal Insurance agency reviews to decide which agent is best for you.

#2 – Is AAA a good auto insurance company?

AAA has a lot of brand name recognition and is considered to be a solid company. They are among the largest insurance companies in some states, including California. Is Universal Direct a good insurance company? Well, they have solid ratings and are backed by a good company, which gives them a good reputation.

The question of what makes a good insurance company depends on a lot of factors, including your needs and where you live. Is Auto-Owners a good insurance company? What about State Farm, or Geico? You can look at reviews and ratings, but at the end of the day your individual experience may vary.

#3 – Can Universal Insurance Company bundle home insurance?

Based on what we’ve seen from Universal Insurance Company, you will not be able to get home insurance through them. However, they are affiliated with AAA. They may be able to refer you to their parent company.

#4 – Does Universal Insurance Company provide additional liability coverages?

It depends on the requirements of the state, but policyholders will likely have the option of additional liability coverages like personal injury protection and medical payment (Med Pay) coverage on their auto insurance.

#5 – What’s the difference between collision and comprehensive coverage?

There is a difference between collision and comprehensive auto insurance. Collision coverage pays for property damage regardless of who is at fault during an accident. Any damage done to a vehicle that does not involve a collision is covered by comprehensive coverage. Therefore, damage from vehicle theft, a falling object, fire, or storm would be considered comprehensive damage.

#6 – Should I be worried about Universal Property and Casualty denying claims?

Not if you’re a Universal Insurance Company customer. The two are different companies.

#7 – What is the rating for auto owners insurance?

Auto-Owners is rated A++ (Superior) by the AM Best Company.

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