| Luckily, there are certain steps you can | | | | know which companies are particularly slow in |
| follow to ensure that you select an auto | | | | processing claims. Another important source |
| insurance company that will meet your needs. | | | | of information is J.D. Power and Associates, |
| | | | which rates insurance companies in terms of |
| When choosing an insurance carrier, | | | | variety of coverage, rates, claims processes, |
| reputation carries a great deal of weight. | | | | and customer service. In recent years, Amica |
| For instance, Allstate, Nationwide, and State | | | | and Erie have posted the best rankings with |
| Farm are well-known companies that have | | | | J.D. Power. These two companies have earned |
| managed to hold onto some clients for years. | | | | raves for finding ways to cover claims, when |
| For additional guidance, you can consult your | | | | at all possible. You might also want to |
| state's department of insurance website. The | | | | consider an insurer's financial strength by |
| website might offer consume complaint ratios | | | | checking out ratings from A.M. Best and |
| which indicate exactly how many complaints an | | | | Standard and Poor's. These ratings determine |
| auto insurance company has received for every | | | | an insurance company's ability to pay claims. |
| 1,000 claims filed. This information can help | | | | Still, you should be aware of the fact that |
| you to better evaluate companies so that you | | | | most well-known carriers are considered to be |
| have some idea how their customer service | | | | financially sound. |
| rates. You can then compare the list of | | | | |
| companies with low complaint ratios with the | | | | Finally, you might select your insurance |
| list of companies with low premiums and see | | | | company based upon the professionalism of an |
| if you can come up with any matches. Those | | | | individual agent. Since you will have to work |
| companies that combine stellar customer | | | | closely with your agent, it is important to |
| service with low rates offer you the best | | | | find one that you can trust. You might |
| deal for your money. | | | | consider consulting a relative or friend to |
| | | | find out the names of some particularly |
| If for some reason you cannot locate | | | | efficient agents. |
| complaint ratios for your state, try looking | | | | |
| at the complaint ratios for other states. | | | | In the end, you may not find out just how |
| While an insurance company's operations may | | | | responsive your insurance company is-until |
| vary from state to state, if a company posts | | | | you are faced with an accident. However, if |
| a high complaint ratio in a number of states, | | | | you conduct extensive research before |
| you should consider that to be a warning | | | | selecting an insurance company and agent...if |
| sign. It is best to simply cross off your | | | | you pay close attention to complaint |
| list any insurance company with consistently | | | | ratios...and you ask plenty of questions, |
| high complaint ratios. | | | | chances are good you will find insurance |
| | | | coverage you will be happy with. |
| Another technique you can use when evaluating | | | | |
| insurance carriers is to determine which | | | | Elbert Hamilton writes for where you can |
| insurers body shops in your area recommend. | | | | find out more about car insurance and other |
| Because body shop managers must deal with a | | | | topics. |
| number of insurance adjusters, they can | | | | |
| provide you with an inside look at insurance | | | | Elbert Hamilton writes for where you can |
| companies. The managers will know, for | | | | find out more about car insurance and other |
| instance, which companies offer the most | | | | topics. |
| convenient claims procedures. They'll also | | | | |