Elephant Insurance Auto Insurance Review

Elephant Insurance Auto Insurance Review

Elephant Insurance has been selling auto insurance in the U.S. since 2009 as a subsidiary of the FTSE 100-listed Admiral Group Plc (Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100). As of 2025, Elephant’s footprint is focused on six states — Georgia, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia — and it promotes a Diminishing Deductible add‑on and optional 12-month coverage terms.

Coverage area note: Elephant’s consumer-facing footprint has narrowed since 2020; archived versions of its site show it actively served Illinois and Indiana at that time, which are no longer listed among current sales states (archived Illinois page; archived Indiana page).

Financial strength context: As of 2025, Elephant Insurance Company does not have a published insurer financial strength rating from A.M. Best, Moody’s, S&P Global Ratings, or Fitch; and Elephant is not included in J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Auto Insurance rankings (J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study). Admiral Group’s core insurance operations are rated A+ with a Stable outlook by S&P, per the group’s investor materials (Admiral Group – Credit ratings). Earlier third‑party coverage such as A+ from Fitch Ratings pertains to group‑level context and should not be interpreted as a standalone U.S. rating for Elephant.

Bottom line up front: Elephant offers competitive conveniences for a regional carrier (24/7 digital claims intake with status tracking and optional 12‑month terms). However, because the company is unrated by the major agencies and absent from J.D. Power’s published rankings, shoppers should also review regulator-validated complaints via the NAIC’s Consumer Information Source and recent activity on the Better Business Bureau before deciding. See NAIC CIS and the NAIC’s Complaint Index overview for how complaint levels are benchmarked.

The Claim

Elephant Insurance markets itself as “big, strong, built to last,” and “kind” and “caring,” suggesting it looks out for its “herd.”

Is it true?

Partly. Elephant is a focused regional carrier rather than a national giant, with active sales in six states today. Its service area has contracted compared with 2020 (see archived Illinois and Indiana pages). The company does not carry a standalone A.M. Best/Moody’s/S&P/Fitch insurer financial strength rating, and it is not ranked in J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Auto Insurance Study. For consumer experience, use the NAIC’s rate‑adjusted Complaint Index and the BBB profile (complaints closed in last 12 months/3 years) to assess recent patterns. Admiral Group’s strong balance sheet and S&P A+ (Stable) for core operations (source) provide parent‑level support but are not Elephant‑specific ratings.

On “kind and caring,” Elephant provides 24/7 online claims intake, documentation upload, and status tracking, which aligns with current digital expectations. That said, complaint experience varies by market and time period. Because NAIC indices are normalized by market share (1.0 = expected level), values materially above 1.0 indicate more complaints than expected; consult NAIC CIS for the latest Elephant auto index and compare it with competitors you’re considering.

Product Overview

• In business since: 2009
• A.M. Best financial strength rating: Not rated
• Moody’s financial strength rating: Not rated
• S&P Global financial strength rating: Not rated
• J.D. Power (latest U.S. Auto Insurance Study): Not ranked (Elephant is not included in the current study)
• Better Business Bureau Rating: A+ (see profile for recent complaint counts and reviews: BBB)
• States served: 6 (GA, MD, OH, TN, TX, VA)
• Pros: 24/7 online claim filing with status tracking; optional Diminishing Deductible; 12‑month term option
• Cons: Not rated by major agencies; small service area; review NAIC/BBB complaints before purchase

Features

Coverage and discounts may vary by state.

Diminishing Deductible

Elephant’s optional Diminishing Deductible program reduces your collision/comprehensive out‑of‑pocket costs if you have a covered claim. You receive $100 off your deductible upon enrollment and accrue an additional $100 for each accident‑free year thereafter, up to a $500 credit cap. Credits are applied at claim time and, per Elephant, are not wiped out by a single accident; instead, your credit remains flat the following year and then resumes accruing if you stay accident‑free up to the cap.

How it compares: The structure aligns with annual‑accrual programs from larger carriers. For example, Nationwide Vanishing Deductible typically grants $100 immediately and $100 per safe year (cap $500), and Allstate Deductible Rewards offers $100 day‑one plus $100 per accident‑free year (cap $500). By contrast, 6‑month cadence programs build credits twice per year: Progressive’s Deductible Savings Bank, Travelers’ Decreasing Deductible, and Farmers’ Declining Deductible each typically accrue $50 every six months up to $500. Availability and reset rules vary by state and carrier; if you carry both collision and comprehensive, verify which coverages the credit applies to before enrolling.

Online claim filing

Elephant supports 24/7 online claim intake with guided steps, photo/document upload, and status tracking via its claims portal. These features align with current best practices in auto claims, where carriers are expanding AI‑assisted triage/estimating, low‑touch processing for minor damage, and real‑time transparency (CCC Crash Course; Deloitte 2025 Insurance Outlook). Elephant has not publicly announced advanced capabilities like instant digital payouts or AI photo estimating; if available, they are not highlighted on its public site. Industry‑wide, communication cadence and repair cycle transparency remain key drivers of claims satisfaction (J.D. Power Auto Claims Study).

12-month term option

Most auto insurers re-rate every six months. Elephant offers an optional 12‑month term, which can lock in a favorable rate for longer. This is useful in volatile pricing environments, though eligibility and pricing vary by state and driver profile.

Possible drawbacks

Higher-than-average complaints

Use regulator-validated sources to gauge complaint levels. The NAIC’s Complaint Index standardizes complaints by market share (1.0 = expected level); values above 1.0 indicate more complaints than expected. Check Elephant’s latest private‑passenger auto index in NAIC CIS and compare it to alternatives. Also review the BBB complaint history (complaints closed in the last 12 months and last 3 years) alongside the BBB letter grade and customer review trends for recency and resolution patterns.

Billing errors

Consumers have reported billing and premium‑change concerns to public forums for many insurers, including erroneous charges after cancellation or unexpected renewals. Since 2024–2025, several federal rules aim to reduce billing friction and improve resolution speed across industries: the FTC’s updated Negative Option Rule mandates clear consent and simple “click‑to‑cancel” for subscriptions (FTC), while payments modernization is enabling faster, traceable disbursements that insurers can adopt for refunds and claims (FedNow insurance use case). Before you buy, confirm Elephant’s current billing practices, cancellation options, and refund timelines, and cross‑check recent BBB complaint themes.

The Competition

*Customer complaints are registered by the NAIC and measured relative to the company’s market share.

Elephant Insurance FAQ

What do I need to get an auto quote from Elephant Insurance?

You can get a quote online in about 10 minutes. Have your driver and vehicle information ready, plus details on current coverage if you’re insured. Pricing and discounts vary by state and risk profile.

Do I lose my Diminishing Deductible credit if I have an accident?

Unlike many competitors, Elephant will not wipe out your existing Diminishing Deductible credit after a covered accident; your credit holds steady for the following year and then resumes accruing if you remain accident‑free, up to the $500 cap. Credits apply at claim time and must be selected at purchase or renewal; availability can differ by state.

How quickly does Elephant Insurance process claims?

Elephant enables 24/7 online FNOL so the process can start immediately. Cycle time depends on loss complexity, parts/repair availability, and whether you use Elephant’s Repair Assistance Program (preferred network and direct payment can streamline steps). Industry studies show communication cadence and repair timelines are the biggest satisfaction drivers (J.D. Power). Elephant has not published specific average cycle times or instant‑payout options on its site.

The Bottom Line

Elephant provides useful value‑adds for a regional carrier—24/7 digital claims intake with status tracking, an optional Diminishing Deductible, and a 12‑month term option—across six states (GA, MD, OH, TN, TX, VA). Weigh those against the fact that, as of 2025, Elephant is not rated by A.M. Best/Moody’s/S&P/Fitch and is not ranked in J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Auto Insurance Study. Admiral Group’s core operations carry an A+ (Stable) from S&P (source), which offers parent‑level context—not a U.S. Elephant rating. Before purchasing, review NAIC’s complaint index for Elephant in NAIC CIS and the BBB profile, then compare quotes with at least two national carriers.

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