The best car insurance is not always the one with the lowest premiums.  Price is not the only determining factor when looking for the best car insurance.

Sometimes the best car insurance is based on the insurance company itself.

Before you buy, you should compare auto insurance companies based on many different factors other than just price.   You should compare the stability of the company plus the extra value that auto insurance company can provide for you.

To determine if you are getting the best, compare auto insurance companies based on their years in business, size, rating, claim service and complaint history.

Comparing Auto Insurance

Years In Business

• The number of years an auto insurance company is in business will tell you the experience of that company.
• A brand new insurance company is different from a spin-off.
• Brand new insurance companies are rare; spin-offs can be common.

Size of Company

• The size of the auto insurance company helps to determine the amount of reserves they have.
• You want to buy insurance from a company that has large reserves; large reserves are good.
• The best car insurance companies have reserves large enough to cover all claims.

Ratings

• An insurance company’s rating shows the company’s financial stability.
• A rating is important in getting the best car insurance in that a financially stable company will still be in business when you need them.

Claim Service

• Claim service is a key component when you compare auto insurance companies to determine if you are getting the best car insurance.
• You buy car insurance to cover you for damages if you ever have an accident.
• So if you do have an accident, you want that claim service right there for you.
• An insurance company is only as good as its claim service.
• Claim service is what separates good insurance companies from average or poor insurance companies.
• Does the insurance company offer 24/7 claim service.  In other words, can you make a claim 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.   Part of getting the best car insurance is knowing your auto insurance company is available to help you through a claim any time of day or night.   Even if you never have to use that 24/7 claim service, just knowing that the service is available will give you peace of mind.

• You want to make sure the insurance company provides guaranteed claim repairs.  In other words, are the repairs made by their claim partners guaranteed for as long as you own the car.

Complaint History

• Has the car insurance company had a lot of complaints.
• Complaints can be about claims service, or claim adjusters.
• Complaints can be on premiums.
• There can be complaints about agents of the company.
• Customers can complain about anything, so be careful when you evaluate complaint history.    Some of the complaints may be relevant, some may not be; use your best judgement.

Shop your car insurance at least once a year and shop for the best.