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We love car insurance. Or, more accurately: We love helping you find the best car insurance and the best cheap auto insurance companies. To keep our recommendations current, we re-check three pillars that change frequently: A.M. Best Financial Strength Ratings (FSRs), the NAIC’s Consumer Complaint Index for Private Passenger Auto, and the latest J.D. Power satisfaction studies. Use the ratings snapshot below as a starting point, then verify any insurer’s current standing via AM Best’s live resources (Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings; Rating Distribution; Credit Rating Activity), 2024 complaint indices on the NAIC Consumer Information Source and Complaint Index explainer, and the newest J.D. Power insurance studies and press releases.
Top 22 Auto Insurance Providers
| Providers | Reviews.com Average Rating | Financial Strength Ratings in AM Best | NAIC Complaint Index | J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score | Customer Support | Coverage Options | Online Resources | Affordability Score (Discounts) | Featured on Reviews.com |
| Amica | 5/5 | A+ | 1.02 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | ★$ |
| American Family | 4.6/5 | A | 0.52 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | $ |
| Country Financial | 4.4/5 | A+ | 0.28 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | n/a |
| USAA | 4.4/5 | A++ | n/a | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | ★ |
| State Farm | 4.4/5 | A++ | 0.69 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | ★ |
| Liberty Mutual | 4.4/5 | A | 5.5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | ★ |
| Progressive | 4.4/5 | A+ | 0.95 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | ★ |
| Esurance | 4.4/5 | A+ | 1.3 | 2.5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | n/a |
| National General | 4.4/5 | A- | n/a | 2/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | n/a |
| GEICO | 4.2/5 | A++ | 0.81 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | ★$ |
| Travelers | 4.2/5 | A++ | 10.25 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | n/a |
| Auto-Owners | 4.2/5 | A++ | 0.46 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 2/5 | $ |
| Safeco | 4.2/5 | A | 1.57 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | n/a |
| AllState | 4.2/5 | A+ | 1.09 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | n/a |
| Nationwide | 4/5 | A+ | 0.43 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | $ |
| Farmers | 4/5 | A | 0.86 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 2/5 | $ |
| Automobile Club Group | 4/5 | A- | n/a | 3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | n/a |
| MAPFRE Insurance | 4/5 | A | 7.4 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | n/a |
| The Hartford | 3.8/5 | A+ | n/a | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 2/5 | n/a |
| CSAA Insurance Group | 3.75/5 | A- | 1.24 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | n/a | n/a |
| Erie | 3.6/5 | A+ | 1.25 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | ★$ |
| MetLife | 3.6/5 | A+ | 1.49 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 2/5 | n/a |
(Data as of 08/21/2020)
Important update for readers: The table above is a historical snapshot. For decisions today, verify each company’s current AM Best FSR/outlook on the live Rating Distribution and recent Credit Rating Activity pages, pull the 2024 Private Passenger Auto Complaint Index from the NAIC Consumer Information Source (1.00 = market average; see how it’s calculated), and consult the newest J.D. Power auto insurance and claims studies (scores on a 1,000-point scale).
Brand changes since 2020: Esurance has been absorbed into Allstate’s brand ecosystem, and MetLife Auto & Home has been integrated into Farmers (policies may be serviced by Farmers/Foremost entities). Always match the brand you shop with the exact underwriting company listed on the policy and check that entity’s AM Best FSR and NAIC complaint index.
★= Included in Reviews.com’s 7 Best Car Insurance companies.
$= Included in Reviews.com’s 7 Best Cheap Auto Insurance companies.
What Do These Ratings Mean?
Financial strength ratings indicate an insurer’s ability to meet ongoing obligations. AM Best categorizes A++/A+ (Superior), A/A− (Excellent), and B++/B+ (Good) as “Secure,” while lower categories are “Vulnerable.” Companies also carry an Outlook (Positive/Stable/Negative) and can be under review, which signals potential direction. See AM Best’s Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings for definitions, and use the live Rating Distribution and Credit Rating Activity pages to see where today’s carriers cluster and which ones have had affirmations, upgrades, downgrades, or outlook changes recently.
The NAIC Consumer Complaint Index compares a company’s share of closed, confirmed complaints to its share of premiums for a specific line and year. A value of 1.00 equals the market average; lower is better, higher is worse. When you compare insurers, select Private Passenger Auto and the most recent full year (2024 in 2025) in the NAIC Consumer Information Source and review the methodology. Indices can vary across lines and geographies, and very small market shares can produce volatile values (state DOIs like Texas TDI offer helpful interpretation guidance).
Our Car Insurance Rating System
We anchor our reviews to objective, current metrics. For financial stability, we cite AM Best’s FSRs and Outlooks (plus complementary indicators like the Issuer Credit Rating and Financial Size Category) and recheck them against AM Best’s live Rating Distribution and Credit Rating Activity. For consumer experience, we pull the NAIC’s 2024 Private Passenger Auto Complaint Index from the Consumer Information Source and interpret it using the NAIC’s Complaint Index guidance. For customer satisfaction, we use the most recent J.D. Power auto insurance and auto claims studies (1,000-point index; see methodologies, Insurance, and press releases). We then combine these with our evaluations of customer support, coverage options, online tools, and pricing to generate a Reviews.com score.
Financial strength rating
An insurer’s FSR reflects its capacity to pay claims across cycles and stress events. AM Best classifies A− and above as “Secure.” Each rating is accompanied by an Outlook, which can foreshadow directionality, and periodic actions (affirmations, upgrades, downgrades) captured on AM Best’s Credit Rating Activity. AM Best’s sector outlooks note that personal auto and homeowners experienced pressure in 2022–2023 from inflation and catastrophe severity, with profitability improving for many carriers as rate actions earn through; see Market Segment Outlooks for current context.
NAIC Ratings
Complaint ratios come from the NAIC’s Consumer Complaint Index and are specific to a line and year. Use the Private Passenger Auto view and select 2024 in the NAIC Consumer Information Source. The benchmark is 1.00 (market average); lower indicates fewer complaints than expected for a company of its size. Always compare within the same line and year, and consider complaint counts and market share to gauge stability. See the NAIC’s overview of the metric here.
Customer satisfaction ratings
There’s no real way to test an insurer’s coverage or claims process before buying — to do so would be insurance fraud. But what we can do is learn from other customers’ experiences. Did they find customer service responsive? Were claims paid fairly and on time? J.D. Power’s studies provide a comparable 1,000‑point index for auto insurance (by region/segment) and for auto claims. See the latest results on J.D. Power Insurance and in their press releases. Note that USAA often appears but may be “not rank eligible” due to membership limits.
Recent trends highlighted by J.D. Power: after steep declines during heavy premium adjustments, satisfaction has begun to stabilize as price communication improves and telematics participation grows. Claims experiences continue to hinge on repair cycle time and status visibility. See study methodology details at J.D. Power methodologies.
Featured on Reviews.com
Companies with a “★” on the table above under the Feature on Reviews.com column are our top picks for best auto insurance companies. The companies that have a “$” in this column are featured in our review of the best cheap auto insurance companies. In both cases, this means they’ve met high standards for financial strength and policy offerings and have standout coverage or discount options. Click the star or dollar icon to see why each stood out.
Next Steps
How does car insurance work, anyway?
There’s a lot that goes into building a strong car insurance policy and choosing the right provider. For a crash course in auto insurance and tips about shopping around, check out our car insurance buyers’ guide. Remember that requirements and rules vary by state. For example, California’s minimum liability limits increased effective January 1, 2025 (California DMV). States also differ in rate review speed (prior approval versus file-and-use), catastrophe modeling rules (e.g., Florida uses Commission‑approved hurricane models; see the FCHLPM), and emerging oversight around AI and data use in underwriting (see New York DFS 2024 AI circular and Colorado’s binding AI rules for insurers).
How can I save money on my car insurance?
Stack discounts and tailor coverage thoughtfully. Beyond bundling, multi‑vehicle, good student, and pay‑in‑full, consider usage‑based insurance (UBI) programs that use driving data to personalize price. Safe habits and lower mileage can earn credits, while risky patterns may reduce or negate savings; verify terms before enrolling (NAIC telematics overview). Given recent price pressure captured in the motor vehicle insurance CPI (BLS CPI), it’s worth requoting after major life changes or if you can newly qualify for discounts. See our guide to cheap car insurance for step-by-step tips.
Where can I find more information about specific companies?
You can learn more about coverage options, discounts, and standout features from the top auto insurance companies in our review of nationwide car insurance companies. You’ll also find in-depth reviews of individual providers and state-by-state car insurance reviews. When comparing carriers, cross-check the underwriting company’s current AM Best FSR and Outlook, look up its 2024 NAIC Private Passenger Auto Complaint Index, and review the most recent J.D. Power scores and commentary for service quality.
Where can I compare rates?
Get started on your shopping with our car insurance quote tool, which will point you toward popular providers in your ZIP code and help you start comparing rates.
I want even more insight into the insurance industry.
Check out Reviews.com’s millennial auto insurance report, where we break down some of the most key factors that affect millennials when purchasing auto insurance. For broader current context, see the BLS Consumer Price Index (motor vehicle insurance has posted unusually high year‑over‑year gains), NOAA’s tracker of U.S. billion‑dollar disasters affecting comprehensive losses and reinsurance costs, AM Best’s Market Segment Outlooks for insurers’ credit trends, and J.D. Power’s latest insurance studies for satisfaction shifts tied to pricing, telematics, and claims cycle time.
