Mathew B. Sims is Editor-in-Chief and has authored, edited, and contributed to several books. He has been working in the insurance industry ensuring content is accurate for consumers who are searching for the best policies and rates. He has also been featured on sites like UpJourney.

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Dan Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has been working in his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. He reviews content, ensuring that exis...

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Reviewed by Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent

UPDATED: Apr 24, 2020

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It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.

Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We partner with top insurance providers. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.

Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.

Things to remember...

  • It’s a good idea to investigate several auto insurance companies before making a final decision
  • It’s illegal to drive in most states without auto insurance
  • You should check your auto insurance company’s ratings with the major rating agencies like AM Best, Standard and Poor’s, and Fitch

Unless you’re an investigative reporter or forensic scientist we’re willing to bet that you never thought you would need to research auto insurance policies before buying one.

But if you value the assets you’re trying to protect (and let’s face it, if you didn’t value that car, you wouldn’t be paying insurance premiums to protect it – state auto insurance laws notwithstanding), you owe it to yourself to do a little research into the company which holds your financial security and peace of mind in its hands.

After all, the last thing in the world you want is to think that you’re in good hands only to find out that your auto insurance company will fumble the ball when a major disaster strikes.

Get FREE online auto insurance quotes by entering your zip code in the box above!

The Major Auto Insurance Rating Companies

You should check your auto insurance company’s ratings with the major rating agencies like AM Best, Standard and Poor’s, and Fitch.

Of course, financial stability isn’t the only thing you want in an auto insurance company (though it is the easiest to verify ahead of time). You also want exemplary customer service and handling of claims.

Fortunately, most insurance companies represent themselves very well in that respect.

Your best bet for weeding out the bad apples is to check consumer websites, which rank everything from insurance companies to automatic dishwashers. Internet-based consumer advocacy groups are especially useful in that you can check out the agent or agency you are planning to do business with in addition to the insurance company he represents.

Start comparing companies by entering your zip code into the FREE quote tool below. You’ll find online auto insurance quotes that meet your needs — and your budget — today!

References:

  1. http://ambest.com/
  2. http://www.standardandpoors.com/home/en/us
  3. http://www.fitchratings.com/index_fitchratings.cfm
  4. https://www.nationwide.com/