Easy Money: Most Chicago Area Consumers Can Save Hundreds by Changing Auto Insurance

Subscribe | Login
Sunday, November 22, 2009

Who Rates Best (& Worst) in the Chicago Area? Now You'll Know.

Automobiles--Insurance

	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. From Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK Magazine
	Read our article and findings (available exclusively to CHECKBOOK subscribers)	Back to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK Table of Contents.


		Subscribe to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK for ratings, articles, and more. CHECKBOOK magazine tells you the best-rated auto repair shops, plumbers, veterinarians, banks, dentists, carpet cleaners ... and much more. CHECKBOOK's special health guides provide you with critical ratings and reports on doctors and hospitals.. Click here to subscribe.		ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER? Click here to sign in.

	Name	Number of ratings	Checkbook's top rating for quality ()	What percent of customers rated firm "adequate" or "superior" on our survey for "Not unreasonably raising premium as a result of claim(s)"	What percent of customers rated firm "adequate" or "superior" on our survey for "Not unreasonably cutting coverage as a result of claim(s)"
1.	AAA/Auto Club	33 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
2.	Affirmative		Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
3.	AIG	24 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
4.	Allstate	336 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
5.	American Family	66 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
6.	Amica Mutual	25 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
7.	Chubb	12 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
8.	Country	94 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
9.	Farmers	112 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
10.	GEICO	71 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
11.	Illinois Farmers	36 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
12.	Kemper		Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
13.	Liberty Mutual	42 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
14.	Mercury	12 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
15.	Metropolitan	30 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
16.	Nationwide	36 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
17.	Pekin		Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
18.	Progressive	20 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
19.	QBE/General Casualty	13 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
20.	Safeco	27 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
21.	State Farm	1023 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
22.	The Hartford	101 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
23.	Travelers	32 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
24.	USAA	105 ratings	Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.
25.	West Bend		Available exclusively to Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK subscribers Subscribe now for ratings, articles and more.

Subscriber Comments/Reviews

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).

Subscriber from WEST CHICAGO, IL wrote about STATE FARM, , on 09/15/09: Excellent communication during the entire claim process........

Subscriber from SCHILLER PARK, IL wrote about STATE FARM, , on 09/11/09: State Farm has been my insurance company for over twenty years. I have been very..........

Subscriber from WOODRIDGE, IL wrote about AAA/AUTO CLUB, , on 08/14/09: I have not gotten a new bill yet so can not answer on whether they..........

Subscriber from BARTLETT, IL wrote about COUNTRY, , on 08/07/09: Very responsive to all calls and questions. Very understanding about my situation and needs and..........

Subscriber from ARLINGTON HTS, IL wrote about AMERICAN FAMILY, , on 08/04/09: Service from insurance company was fine except for an aggravating lack of promptness. They did..........

Subscriber from SOUTH BARRINGTON, IL wrote about CHUBB, , on 08/04/09: I've had many carriers, chubb is the most customer focussed. Their premiums are not the..........

Subscriber from BUFFALO GROVE, IL wrote about LIBERTY MUTUAL, , on 07/21/09: I want to one of Liberty Mutual's concierge body shops, and the whole process could..........

Subscriber from VERNON HILLS, IL wrote about STATE FARM, , on 07/11/09: My winter ice mishap was one of the few times we have entered a clain..........

Subscriber from AURORA, IL wrote about TRAVELERS, , on 07/01/09: Don't know yet how this will impact my renewal but the claims experience was pleasant........

Subscriber from ROUND LK PARK, IL wrote about USAA, , on 06/29/09: The platinum standard for superior customer service!.......

Subscriber from DOWNERS GROVE, IL wrote about THE HARTFORD, , on 06/23/09: First and only experience was great.......

Subscriber from CHICAGO, IL wrote about USAA, , on 01/08/09: Fast, collision on Friday, check on Tuesday. Excellent customer service........

Subscriber from CHICAGO, IL wrote about STATE FARM, , on 09/11/08: The problem I had was more the fault of the agency, I believe, than the..........

Subscriber from HINSDALE, IL wrote about AAA/CHICAGO MOTOR CLUB, , on 09/10/08: re: 5 and 6: Too early to tell as renewal hasn't yet occurred.......

Subscriber from WILMETTE, IL wrote about LIBERTY MUTUAL, , on 08/25/08: I've been with Liberty Mutual for 25 years now and they've always answered promptly when..........

Subscriber from GLENVIEW, IL wrote about MERCURY, , on 08/23/08: raised rates for a minor claim. First claim for driver of 29 years.......

Subscriber from CHICAGO, IL wrote about AMICA MUTUAL, , on 08/16/08: Uninsured motorist was at fault and I have not heard from the company that they..........

Subscriber from PARK RIDGE, IL wrote about USAA, , on 08/13/08: Also got my deductable for me from other party's insurance company. Great job of repairs..........

Subscriber from CHICAGO, IL wrote about ALLSTATE, , on 08/13/08: I have been with my Allstate insurance agent (Lynn Webber of Highland Park) for 28..........

Subscriber from CHICAGO, IL wrote about STATE FARM, , on 08/11/08: My car needed repairs to due damage from a major storm. Not only were State..........

Subscriber from CHICAGO, IL wrote about GEICO, , on 08/04/08: Long time customer. Great service every time I've needed it........

Subscriber from DES PLAINES, IL wrote about STATE FARM, , on 07/28/08: The major problem has been getting the claim representative to apply pressure to the body..........

Subscriber from ROSELLE, IL wrote about STATE FARM, , on 07/18/08: Large claim and handled quickly, but have been a faithful customer for over 2 decades..........

Subscriber from LISLE, IL wrote about STATE FARM, , on 07/14/08: Stu Johnson in Lisle is the agent I have used for 20 plus years........

Subscriber from NAPERVILLE, IL wrote about STATE FARM, , on 06/25/08: State Farm office in River Forest helped me through the aftermath of an accident in..........

See more comments at Chicago Consumers' CHECKBOOK.

Boston · Chicago · Philadelphia · San Francisco · Seattle · Twin Cities · Washington, DC · Patient Central

CarBargains Home CHECKBOOK Home Privacy Security About Contact Us

Copyright 2009 Center for the Study of Services. All Rights Reserved.
CHECKBOOK is a trademark and service mark of the Center for the Study of Services and is registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office.