- AM Best A+ (Superior) financial strength via Sentry.
- Covers high-risk drivers and files SR-22 and FR-44 forms.
- Gap insurance and special equipment coverage available.
- Motorcycle, ATV, RV and Mexico auto coverage also offered.
- Mobile app with policy management and claims filing.
- Rates above the national average for most profiles.
- Moderately high NAIC complaint index.
- Not rated in recent JD Power studies.
- Not rated in the 2026 CRASH Network Insurer Report Card.
- Not available in all 50 states.
Dairyland car insurance: Jerry’s verdict
Dairyland has been doing one thing for a long time: writing policies for the drivers that standard carriers turn away. That focus shows up in both its strengths and its limitations.
Founded in 1953 and headquartered in Sturtevant, Wisconsin, Dairyland has been a subsidiary of Sentry Insurance since 1966. It operates in 38 states and specializes in non-standard auto coverage, meaning drivers with DUIs, multiple violations, SR-22 or FR-44 requirements, lapses in coverage or histories that trigger declines elsewhere. Unlike many non-standard carriers, Dairyland carries the financial backing of its Sentry parent, which holds an AM Best Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior). That’s a meaningful distinction in a market segment where financial strength is often absent.
Compared to some non-standard peers, Dairyland’s product offering is deep. It offers gap insurance, special equipment coverage for custom parts, and non-owner policies alongside standard coverages. It also covers motorcycles, ATVs and RVs as well as files SR-22 and FR-44 forms (including for DUI violations) without routing customers to a subsidiary.
That said, Dairyland’s rates run well above the national average for most profiles. Its NAIC complaint index in recent years places it in the moderately high category on average, though it received slightly fewer complaints than expected for a company its size in 2025. It is not rated by JD Power, and neither Dairyland nor its parent Sentry were graded in CRASH Network’s 2026 Insurer Report Card (though Sentry received a C in 2025).
For high-risk drivers who need SR-22 or FR-44 filing and want a non-standard carrier with real financial strength behind it, Dairyland is worth comparing through Jerry against other options in the same segment.
Who Dairyland is best and worst for
A high-risk driver who needs SR-22 or FR-44 filing. Dairyland specializes in non-standard coverage and files both SR-22 and FR-44 forms, including for DUI violations. It’s purpose-built for drivers in this situation.
A driver with a lapsed policy or significant violations. If standard carriers have declined you due to gaps in coverage, multiple at-fault accidents or serious violations, Dairyland is specifically designed to serve that profile.
Someone who wants gap insurance or specialty coverage from a non-standard carrier. Dairyland offers gap insurance and special equipment coverage for custom parts, which are uncommon in the non-standard market. It also covers motorcycles, ATVs and RVs under the same policy umbrella.
A driver with a clean record looking for competitive rates. Dairyland’s rates run well above the national average for standard-risk profiles. Drivers who qualify for coverage elsewhere will almost always find better pricing with other carriers.
A driver who prioritizes an independent claims track record. Dairyland is not rated by J.D. Power and did not appear in the 2026 CRASH Network report. The absence of these benchmarks limits the independent data available to assess its claims experience.
A driver outside the coverage area. Dairyland is not available in all 50 states.
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Learn more: Full coverage vs. liability-only insurance
How much does Dairyland car insurance cost?
The average cost for car insurance coverage through Dairyland is $230 per month for Jerry drivers, about 17% higher than the national average.This is consistent with the elevated risk profiles of Dairyland’s customer base.
Your premium is determined by a number of factors including your age, location, the type and age of your vehicle, your driving record, other drivers on your policy and the amount of coverage you want. For high-risk drivers, the gap between Dairyland’s rates and those of standard carriers will typically narrow or reverse — the further your record is from clean, the more competitive Dairyland becomes.
Based on our analysis of 896,015 real Dairyland customers who bought through Jerry, here are the typical monthly premiums by driver coverage level:
Minimum
$86 – $174/mo
Meets state minimum liability requirements to keep costs low, but doesn’t cover damage to your own car.
Full
$203 – $418/mo
Adds collision and comprehensive coverage for your vehicle, which is often required if your car is financed or leased.
Standard
$245 – $506/mo
Includes uninsured motorist and medical payments coverage, which is especially valuable since nearly 18% of drivers nationwide are uninsured.
Preferred
$171 – $310/mo
Offers higher liability, lower deductibles and extras like towing and rental reimbursement for maximum protection.
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 Dairyland car insurance
Dairyland’s strongest benchmark is financial strength from Sentry, its parent company. Its complaint volume has been moderately elevated in recent years (though not in 2025) and independent satisfaction benchmarks are largely absent.
| Rating | Dairyland’s score |
| NAIC consumer complaint index (2025) | About average (0.94). |
| CRASH Network report card (2026) | N/A. |
| JD Power auto insurance shopping study (2025) | N/A. |
| JD Power auto insurance claims study (2025) | N/A. |
| 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
Jerry pulls up to 20 quotes from top rated carriers.
Dairyland car insurance coverage options
Dairyland offers the standard suite of personal auto coverage alongside a deeper-than-average menu for a non-standard carrier.
Standard coverage includes:
- Bodily injury liability. Covers injuries to others when you’re at fault in an accident.
- Property damage liability. Covers damage to another person’s property when you’re at fault.
- Collision. Covers damage to your own vehicle from a collision with another vehicle or object.
- Comprehensive. Covers damage from non-collision events such as theft, weather or vandalism.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Covers your injuries and damages when the at-fault driver lacks adequate insurance.
- Medical payments (MedPay) / personal injury protection (PIP). Covers medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of fault.
Notable add-ons are:
- Gap insurance pays the difference between your car’s actual cash value and the remaining loan or lease balance if the vehicle is totaled. Uncommon in the non-standard market.
- Special equipment coverage covers custom parts and aftermarket equipment such as stereos, rims and other modifications not covered by standard collision or comprehensive.
- Rental reimbursement covers a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired after a covered claim.
- Roadside assistance for towing, flat tire, battery jump-start and fuel delivery.
- SR-22 and FR-44 filing; Dairyland files these certificates on behalf of policyholders who require them, including for DUI violations.
- Non-owner policy provides coverage for drivers who don’t own a vehicle but need liability insurance.
- Mexico auto insurance offers coverage for driving in Mexico, available in select states.
Beyond auto, Dairyland also offers motorcycle, ATV and off-road vehicle, RV and renters insurance.
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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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Dairyland car insurance discounts
Dairyland’s discount menu is smaller than standard carriers but covers the most practical savings opportunities for its customer base:
🚘🚗
Multi-vehicle. Insure more than one vehicle on the same policy.
🏠
Homeowner. Own a home, even if insured elsewhere.
🔒
Anti-theft device. Vehicle equipped with a qualifying anti-theft system.
🛡️
Defensive driving. Complete an approved defensive driving course.
💳
Payment frequency. Pay quarterly, every six months or annually rather than monthly.
📅
Advance quote. Request a quote at least one week before you need coverage to start.
🔁
Transfer discount. Switch to Dairyland after at least six months with another carrier.
Does Dairyland offer insurance based on driving behavior?
No. Dairyland does not currently offer a telematics or usage-based insurance program.
Jerry helps you bundle home and auto for less in just minutes.
Filing a claim with Dairyland
Dairyland offers multiple ways for filing a claim and managing it once filed.
File online, by phone or through the app
Claims can be filed online at dairylandauto.com, through the Dairyland mobile app or by calling 1-800-334-0090. The claims line is available 24/7
Work with a claims representative
After filing, Dairyland assigns a representative to assess the damage and manage the process. The company will arrange repairs at a preferred shop and set up rental coverage if your policy includes it. Dairyland encourages filing as soon as possible after an incident. Given the moderately elevated NAIC complaint volume, documenting every interaction from the moment you file is advisable.
Repair and rental
Dairyland will provide a repair estimate that you can use for any licensed shop. If you have rental reimbursement coverage, Dairyland will authorize a rental vehicle or reimburse transportation costs while your car is repaired.
Settlement or payout
For total losses, Dairyland settles based on actual cash value (ACV). Drivers with gap coverage may be eligible for additional payout if they owe more on their loan than the ACV.
Customer reviews of Dairyland
Hundreds of Jerry customers have reviewed Dairyland auto insurance and have given the company a good overall score. Beyond price, Jerry customers most frequently praise Dairyland for its customer service support and mobile app functionality
Is Dairyland a good insurance company?
For its target customer, Dairyland delivers on its core promise. It covers high-risk drivers when standard carriers won’t, files SR-22 and FR-44 forms without steering policyholders to a separate entity, and backs policies with the A+ financial strength of its parent company (Sentry). It also offers gap insurance and special equipment coverage, add-ons that are harder to find in the non-standard market.
But its limitations are worth noting, too. Rates run above average and independent benchmarks are thin, though NAIC complaints have trended down recently. For drivers who qualify for standard coverage, there are almost certainly better-priced options. For drivers in the non-standard market, Dairyland earns a genuine recommendation alongside carriers like The General and National General.
See coverage options for your car.
How to contact Dairyland
You can compare Dairyland against other carriers and get a quote through Jerry. To manage an existing policy or file a claim, contact Dairyland directly.
- App: Dairyland Insurance (iOS and Android)
- Customer service: 1-800-334-0090
- Claims (24/7): 1-800-334-0090
- Website: dairylandauto.com
Related guides
FAQ
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What are the pros and cons of Dairyland car insurance?
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Does Dairyland file SR-22s?
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Does Dairyland offer gap insurance?
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What states does Dairyland operate in?
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Does Dairyland offer usage-based insurance?
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How do I file a claim with Dairyland?
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.
