- Rates significantly below the national average for most profiles.
- Exceptionally low NAIC complaint volume.
- AM Best A+ (Superior) financial strength rating.
- Broad coverage options including specialty add-ons.
- Lifetime repair guarantee at approved shops.
- Strong multi-line bundling options (auto, home, life).
- Only available in 26 states.
- No online quotes — must go through an independent agent.
- No telematics program available to all drivers.
- J.D. Power claims satisfaction score slightly below study average.
- Limited digital experience compared to large national carriers.
Auto-Owners car insurance: Jerry’s verdict
Auto-Owners isn’t a household name, but for drivers in the 26 states where it operates, it quietly delivers one of the more compelling value propositions in the personal auto market.
Founded in 1916 and headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, Auto-Owners has spent more than a century operating exclusively through a network of independent agents, with more than 48,000 of them currently operating across 26 states. It is the 11th largest auto insurer in the United States and covers nearly 3 million policyholders across personal and commercial lines. Auto-Owners holds an AM Best Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior); this is a strong indicator of its ability to pay claims, though it’s a downgrade from its prior A++ (Superior) rating, which AM Best revised in 2024 to reflect several years of elevated loss costs driven by inflation and supply chain pressures across the industry.
Where Auto-Owners consistently earns its reputation is price. Its full coverage rates are among the lowest of any major national insurer, averaging well below the national average. For standard-risk drivers who qualify, the savings are real.
The agent-only model is the defining tradeoff, as Auto-Owners does not offer online quotes. You can’t start or manage a policy without going through an independent agent. For drivers who prefer digital self-service, this is a genuine inconvenience, but for drivers who want a single point of contact — someone who knows their policy, can explain coverage options and advocates for them after a claim — it’s a selling point. The agent relationship is central to the Auto-Owners experience.
For drivers in the 26-state footprint who are eligible for standard coverage, Auto-Owners may worth the extra step of at least getting a quote. You can always compare those rates against the options Jerry finds for you to make sure you’re getting the best possible price.
Who Auto-Owners is best and worst for
A driver in one of its 26 states looking for below-average rates. Auto-Owners consistently prices full coverage and minimum coverage below the national average. For drivers who qualify, it’s among the most affordable options from a financially strong insurer.
Someone who wants to bundle auto with home or life insurance. Auto-Owners offers meaningful discounts for bundling multiple lines, and it underwrites its own homeowners, renters, condo and life insurance.
A driver who prefers the independent agent model. If you want a local agent who knows your situation, explains your coverage and handles claims advocacy on your behalf, Auto-Owners is purpose-built for that experience.
A driver with a newer or more valuable vehicle. Auto-Owners’ broad coverage menu — including gap insurance, new car replacement and a lifetime repair guarantee at approved shops — makes it a strong fit for drivers who need more than liability minimums.
A driver outside its 26-state coverage area. Auto-Owners operates in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Drivers in other states will need to look elsewhere.
Someone who needs to shop, quote, or manage their policy online. Auto-Owners does not offer online quotes. All new policies and most service interactions go through an independent agent. Drivers who want instant digital access will find the experience friction-heavy.
A high-risk driver who needs SR-22 filing. Auto-Owners generally targets standard-risk drivers. High-risk drivers — those with DUIs, multiple violations or significant lapses — will likely find better options with non-standard carriers.
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Learn more: Full coverage vs. liability-only insurance
How much does Auto-Owners car insurance cost?
Auto-Owners consistently prices below the national average for most driver profiles, making it one of the more affordable options among financially strong regional carriers. That said, your actual premium is shaped by a specific combination of factors, and rates vary meaningfully depending on your situation.
The factors that matter most:
- Your driving record is the biggest lever. A clean record gets you Auto-Owners’ best rates. At-fault accidents, speeding tickets and serious violations like DUIs will push premiums up. And because Auto-Owners targets standard-risk drivers, a significant violation history may make it harder to qualify at all.
- Credit score plays a role, as it does with most major insurers. Auto-Owners uses a credit-based insurance score in most states, and drivers with poor credit will pay more.
- Location matters more than many drivers expect. State regulations, local accident rates, weather exposure and litigation costs all affect what Auto-Owners charges in your area. Given that it operates in only 26 states, your specific state and ZIP code can have an outsized effect on your rate compared to national carriers with more uniform pricing models.
- Coverage level determines the floor. Auto-Owners’ minimum coverage rates are well below the national average, but minimum liability leaves your own vehicle unprotected. The right coverage level depends on your car’s value, your risk tolerance and whether you’re financing or leasing.
Key takeaway: To figure out the right coverage for you, start with your comfort level around risk and what your car is worth. Then let Jerry show you what each option costs in real time.
Learn more: Best car insurance companies
Industry ratings of Auto-Owners car insurance
Auto-Owners scores well across most industry measures. Its NAIC complaint index is among the lowest in this review set, and its AM Best rating reflects strong financial stability. Its JD Power claims score trails the study average slightly, and its CRASH Network grade needs 2026 confirmation.
| Rating | Auto-Owners’ score |
| NAIC consumer complaint index (2025) | Low (0.46). |
| CRASH Network report card (2026) | B. |
| JD Power auto insurance shopping study (2025) | No. 7 of 18. |
| JD Power auto insurance claims study (2025) | No. 10 of 20. |
| AM Best (2025) | A+ (Superior) |
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NAIC details
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CRASH Network details
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JD Power details
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AM Best details
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Auto-Owners car insurance coverage options
Auto-Owners offers the standard suite of coverage: collision, comprehensive, bodily injury liability, property damage liability, medical payments, personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. It also has a notably broad menu of optional add-ons:
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Rental car coverage covers a rental vehicle while yours is being repaired after a covered claim.
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Gap insurance pays the difference between your car’s actual cash value and the remaining loan or lease balance if the vehicle is totaled.
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Accident forgiveness prevents your rate from increasing after your first qualifying at-fault accident.
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Roadside assistance pays for towing, flat tire, battery jump-start and lockout services.
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Lifetime repair guarantee extends to repairs made at Auto-Owners’ approved network shops, giving them a lifetime guarantee for the life of the vehicle.
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Emergency expense allowance covers up to $500 for food, lodging and travel if you’re stranded after a covered claim far from home.
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Diminished value coverage compensates for the reduction in your vehicle’s resale value after a covered claim.
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Coverage for modified and converted vehicles includes specialty coverage for adapted vehicles, making it a strong option for drivers with disabilities.
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Diminished value coverage compensates for the reduction in your vehicle’s resale value after a covered claim.
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Coverage Definitions
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Who it pays: The other person, for injuries when you’re at fault in a crash.
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What it covers: Medical bills, lost wages and legal costs for people injured in an accident you cause.
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How it pays: Up to your policy limits, shown as two numbers. For example, 50/100 means $50K per person and $100K per accident.*
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Do you need it? Required by law in every state except New Hampshire. Your state sets a minimum, but Jerry recommends considering limits of at least 100/300.
Property damage liability (PD)
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Who it pays: The other person, for property you damage in a crash.
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What it covers: Costs to repair or replace another person’s car, fence, mailbox or other property you hit.
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How it pays: Up to your policy’s limit. For example, $50K.*
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Do you need it? Required by law in every state except New Hampshire. Your state sets a minimum, but Jerry recommends considering limits of at least $100K.
*Bodily injury liability and property damage liability are typically shown as three numbers on your policy, like 100/300/100. The first two numbers represent your bodily injury limits per person and per accident, while the third number represents your property damage limit.
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Who it pays: You, for damage to your own car.
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What it covers: Costs to repair or replace your own car after a crash with another car or object, like a guardrail or pole.
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How it pays: You pay a deductible first, then insurance covers the rest, typically up to your car’s current market value.
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Do you need it? Required if you’re financing or leasing your car. Optional otherwise, but recommended if your car is worth more than $5,000. May not be worthwhile for older, lower-value cars.
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Who it pays: You, for damage to your own car.
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What it covers: Damage from non-crash events like theft, vandalism, hail, flooding, falling trees, fire or hitting an animal.
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How it pays: You pay a deductible first, then insurance covers the rest, typically up to your car’s current market value.
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Do you need it? Required if you’re financing or leasing your car. Optional otherwise, but recommended if your car is worth more than $5,000. May not be worthwhile for older, lower-value cars.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)
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Who it pays: You and your passengers, for injuries and property damage.
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What it covers: Your own injuries and property damage when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your costs, including hit-and-runs in many states.
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How it pays: Up to your chosen limits, which often match your BI limits. There’s usually no deductible for UM, but UIM may have one.
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Do you need it? Required in some states, but Jerry recommends every driver get it, since about 1 in 8 drivers does not have car insurance.
Personal injury protection (PIP)
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Who it pays: You and your passengers, for medical bills and lost income, no matter who caused the accident.
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What it covers: Medical bills, lost wages, childcare, funeral costs and other expenses after an accident, regardless of fault.
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How it pays: Up to your policy limit. There’s usually no deductible, though this varies by state.
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Do you need it? Required in no-fault states. If available in your state, it’s worth considering.
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Who it pays: You and your passengers, for medical bills.
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What it covers: Medical expenses after an accident, regardless of fault.
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How it pays: No deductible. Pays up to your policy’s limit.
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Do you need it? Optional in most states, but can be valuable if you don’t have health insurance or have a high-deductible health plan.
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Auto-Owners car insurance discounts
Auto-Owners offers a broad discount menu, with availability varying by state. Known discounts include:
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Multi-vehicle — Insure more than one vehicle on the same policy
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Multi-policy — Bundle auto with home, renters, condo or life insurance
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Payment history — Pay premiums on time for 36 consecutive months
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📄 Paperless — Enroll in paperless billing and online payments
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Good student — Full-time student with qualifying grades
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Homeowner — Own a home, even if it’s insured elsewhere
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Pay in full — Pay the full premium upfront (six- or 12-month policy)
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Advance quote — Request a quote before your policy’s effective date as a new customer
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Student away at school — Student listed on the policy who attends school more than 100 miles from home without a vehicle
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Teen driver monitoring — Teen driver uses a GPS monitoring device or eligible mobile app
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Safe driver — Clean driving record for a qualifying period
Does Auto-Owners offer insurance based on driving behavior?
Partially. Auto-Owners does not offer a general-population telematics program. It does offer a teen driver monitoring discount for young drivers who install a GPS device in the vehicle they drive most often or enroll in an eligible mobile app. It functions like a telematics discount, but is limited to teen drivers.
Drivers looking for a broad usage-based program open to all policyholders should look at carriers like Progressive (Snapshot) or Nationwide (SmartRide).
Jerry helps you bundle home and auto for less in just minutes.
Filing a claim with Auto-Owners
Auto-Owners offers multiple ways for filing a claim and managing it once filed.
File through your agent or by phone
Auto-Owners’ claims process runs through its independent agent network. You can also file a claim by calling 1-888-252-4626, which is available 24/7 for after-hours reporting. Once your claim is filed, you can track its status online or in the Auto-Owners mobile app.
Get assigned an adjuster
After filing, Auto-Owners assigns an adjuster to assess the damage. The agent relationship is a practical advantage here: your agent is a known point of contact who can help you navigate the process and advocate on your behalf if delays occur.
Repair authorization and lifetime guarantee
Auto-Owners will issue a repair estimate, which you can take to any licensed shop. Repairs completed at an approved network shop carry a lifetime guarantee for as long as you own the vehicle.
Repair and rental
If you have rental coverage, Auto-Owners will authorize a rental vehicle or reimburse transportation costs while your car is being repaired.
Settlement or payout
For total losses, Auto-Owners settles based on your vehicle’s actual cash value (ACV). Drivers with new car replacement or gap coverage may be eligible for more than ACV depending on their situation.
Customer reviews of Auto-Owners
Only a handful of Jerry customers have reviewed Auto-Owner’s auto insurance, though they gave this carrier positive feedback.
Is Auto-Owners a good insurance company?
For drivers who live in one of its 26 states and are willing to work through an independent agent, Auto-Owners is one of the strongest options in the personal auto market. Its rates are consistently below the national average, its complaint volume is among the lowest of any carrier in this review set and its coverage menu is deeper than most. The AM Best downgrade from A++ to A+ in 2024 is worth noting, but A+ (Superior) still reflects a financially sound insurer with a strong track record of paying claims.
The tradeoffs are real but manageable. If you want to shop for a quote online at midnight, Auto-Owners isn’t your carrier. And if you live outside its 26-state footprint, it isn’t an option at all. Plus its JD Power claims score trails the study average, offering a reminder that the agent model doesn’t automatically guarantee a smooth claims experience.
But for the drivers it serves, Auto-Owners earns its reputation.
See coverage options for your car.
How to contact Auto-Owners
Auto-Owners sells and services all policies through independent agents. It does not offer online quotes. To get a quote, you’ll need to contact an independent agent licensed to sell Auto-Owners in your state.
- Claims tracking: Available via autoowners.com or the Auto-Owners mobile app (iOS and Android)
- Find an agent: Visit autoowners.com to locate a licensed independent agent near you
- Customer service: 1-800-346-0346
- Claims (24/7): 1-888-252-4626
Related guides
FAQ
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What are the pros and cons of Auto-Owners car insurance?
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Is Auto-Owners available in my state?
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Can I get a quote from Auto-Owners online?
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Does Auto-Owners file SR-22s?
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What happened to Auto-Owners’ AM Best A++ rating?
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How do I file a claim with Auto-Owners?
Drivers who switch with Jerry save an average of $54/mo on car insurance.
Methodology
We looked at over 400,000 actual policies quotes from real Jerry customers during 2024 across 24 different insurance companies. The pricing data included both those with clean driving records as well as those with a violation.
How we rate car insurance companies
Jerry’s team of car insurance expert writers and editors analyze real customer ratings and industry reports to get a holistic view of an insurer’s performance. Our rubric emphasizes the shopping and claims experiences, customer complaints and reviews, repair shops’ evaluations of insurers, policy and quote pricing, and state availability.
We regularly reassess insurers’ star ratings and fact-check these reviews to ensure they’re accurate and up-to-date.
These individual factors roll up into one weighting system as follows:
20% Financial strength.
20% Complaints.
20% Industry ratings.
20% Customer ratings.
20% Cost and discounts.
Stephanie Colestock is a professional writer, CFEI®, and licensed insurance agent specializing in personal finance. With over 14 years of experience, she crafts insightful and accessible content on a wide range of financial topics, including insurance, loans, credit/debt, investing, retirement planning, and banking.
Her bylines appear in top-tier publications such as TIME, Fortune, MSN, Business Insider, USA Today, Money, Fox Business, and CBS. Stephanie’s deep understanding of complex financial concepts and her ability to communicate them clearly have made her a trusted voice in the industry.
When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys SCUBA diving, reading a good book, and traveling the world with her family.
