Any consumer would be right to view with skepticism advertisements that promise big savings for low effort. But in the case of auto insurance, there's truth to the claims: most Chicago area drivers actually can save hundreds of dollars-over $1,000 in some cases-by simply switching auto insurers. And you don't have to forsake service for a better rate. We break down your options, including ratings of insurers for price and service, and also advise you on which coverage options are and aren't worth the cost.

Read our article and findings (available exclusively to CHECKBOOK subscribers)

Back to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK Table of Contents.

Sample Subscriber Comments/Reviews About Auto Insurance Companies

CHECKBOOK provides subscriber comments on their experiences with the firms they use. Please remember that individual subscriber comments are informal. Subscriber comments may give you insight into the types of features and problems that exist in a service field, but are not the best basis for selecting or rejecting a specific firm. To assess the quality of a firm's performance, we recommend that you give more weight to the percentages of favorable ratings. Those percentages are generally based on much larger numbers of consumers' ratings (the number of consumer ratings is noted above).

As You Can See Below, Some Auto Insurance Companies Get High Praise from Their Customers. Some Others Don't. So Choose Carefully.
Here Are a Few Samples of the Thousands of Comments CHECKBOOK Has Collected on Hundreds of Different Auto Insurance Companies.

• Subscriber from DES PLAINES, IL wrote Another Insurer: The major problem has been getting the claim representative to apply pressure to the body..........
• Subscriber from LISLE, IL wrote Another Insurer: Stu Johnson in Lisle is the agent I have used for 20 plus years........
• Subscriber from SOUTH BARRINGTON, IL wrote Another Insurer: I've had many carriers, chubb is the most customer focussed. Their premiums are not the..........
• Subscriber from RIVERSIDE, IL wrote Another Insurer: I've used the Susan Moore agency in Buffalo Grove for 10 years and I am..........
• Subscriber from CHICAGO, IL wrote Another Insurer: The problem I had was more the fault of the agency, I believe, than the..........
• Subscriber from CHICAGO, IL wrote Another Insurer: Uninsured motorist was at fault and I have not heard from the company that they..........
• Subscriber from WEST CHICAGO, IL wrote Another Insurer: Excellent communication during the entire claim process........
• Subscriber from SKOKIE, IL wrote Another Insurer: been with this office for 25 yrs mike monaghan.......
• Subscriber from MAZON, IL wrote Another Insurer: I had a claim on my vehicle insurance, and the local agent did all the..........
• Subscriber from SKOKIE, IL wrote Another Insurer: TOO VERY HIGH INSURANCE RATES. IT IS BECOMING TO VERY UNFORDABLE FOR THE SENIORS, WO..........
• Subscriber from BUFFALO GROVE, IL wrote Another Insurer: I want to one of Liberty Mutual's concierge body shops, and the whole process could..........
• Subscriber from N RIVERSIDE, IL wrote Another Insurer: Excellent customer service.......
• Subscriber from NAPERVILLE, IL wrote Another Insurer: State Farm office in River Forest helped me through the aftermath of an accident in..........
• Subscriber from WOODRIDGE, IL wrote Another Insurer: I have not gotten a new bill yet so can not answer on whether they..........
• Subscriber from CHICAGO, IL wrote Another Insurer: Fast, collision on Friday, check on Tuesday. Excellent customer service........
• Subscriber from GLENVIEW, IL wrote Another Insurer: raised rates for a minor claim. First claim for driver of 29 years.......
• Subscriber from ROSELLE, IL wrote Another Insurer: Large claim and handled quickly, but have been a faithful customer for over 2 decades..........
• Subscriber from OAK LAWN, IL wrote Another Insurer: State Farm assigned 100% of the blame to one insured, while it was clear the..........
• Subscriber from EVANSTON, IL wrote Another Insurer: In a not-at-fault collision, Travelers paid for repair and said they would try to recover..........
• Subscriber from LINDENHURST, IL wrote Another Insurer: My daughter was in an accident clearly not her fault (a diabetic driver hit her..........
• Subscriber from CHICAGO, IL wrote Another Insurer: I have been with my Allstate insurance agent (Lynn Webber of Highland Park) for 28..........
• Subscriber from HARWOOD HEIGHTS, IL wrote Another Insurer: NO NOUBT / W/O A DOUBT!.......
• Subscriber from ARLINGTON HTS, IL wrote Another Insurer: Service from insurance company was fine except for an aggravating lack of promptness. They did..........
• Subscriber from CHICAGO, IL wrote Another Insurer: Long time customer. Great service every time I've needed it........
• Subscriber from CHICAGO, IL wrote Another Insurer: My car needed repairs to due damage from a major storm. Not only were State..........
• Subscriber from SCHILLER PARK, IL wrote Another Insurer: State Farm has been my insurance company for over twenty years. I have been very..........
• Subscriber from LAKE VILLA, IL wrote Another Insurer: Explained that I can't be reached before 6pm as I'm at work, they called at..........
• Subscriber from HINSDALE, IL wrote Another Insurer: re: 5 and 6: Too early to tell as renewal hasn't yet occurred.......
• Subscriber from WILMETTE, IL wrote Another Insurer: I've been with Liberty Mutual for 25 years now and they've always answered promptly when..........
• Subscriber from PARK RIDGE, IL wrote Another Insurer: Also got my deductable for me from other party's insurance company. Great job of repairs..........
• Subscriber from NORTHBROOK, IL wrote Another Insurer: My claim against a Hartford policy holder was handled in a prompt, courteous manner. The..........
• Subscriber from GLEN ELLYN, IL wrote Another Insurer: AARP Hartford did simply an outstanding job when I was rear ended by a driver..........
• Subscriber from NORTHBROOK, IL wrote Another Insurer: Had a serious accident for which I was found at fault. Settled quickly and more..........
• Subscriber from DEERFIELD, IL wrote Another Insurer: They seem skilled at giving you an offer just high enough that it isn't worth..........
• Subscriber from ANTIOCH, IL wrote Another Insurer: Love them, would never change!.......
• Subscriber from CHICAGO, IL wrote Another Insurer: Paid a claim that was bo;gus and raised my rate 33%.......
• Subscriber from GLEN ELLYN, IL wrote Another Insurer: This was the company that denied my claim because their insured lied to them about..........
• Subscriber from BARTLETT, IL wrote Another Insurer: Very responsive to all calls and questions. Very understanding about my situation and needs and..........
• Subscriber from ROUND LK PARK, IL wrote Another Insurer: The platinum standard for superior customer service!.......
• Subscriber from AURORA, IL wrote Another Insurer: Don't know yet how this will impact my renewal but the claims experience was pleasant........
• Subscriber from CHICAGO, IL wrote Another Insurer: my state farm agent office was the weakest link, no help. claim center much better..........
• Subscriber from PALATINE, IL wrote Another Insurer: A person insured by the Travelers backed into my car and the Travelers refused to..........
• Subscriber from DOWNERS GROVE, IL wrote Another Insurer: First and only experience was great.......