Allstate Auto Insurance Review: An Affordable Option for Low-Mileage Drivers

Allstate is a great auto insurer for drivers looking for affordable premiums and a large agent network offering in-person support. Read this Allstate auto insurance review to learn more about pros and cons of getting Allstate coverage.

Allstate premiums are less expensive than the national average for many driver profiles. However, young drivers and those with an accident on their record will find Allstate charges above-average rates.

Cost comparison

Although Allstate is competitively priced for most motorists, especially those with a speeding ticket on their record, an accident history will result in higher premiums than average. Young drivers may also want to compare quotes carefully, as Allstate policies for new motorists come with premiums significantly above the national average.

Allstate's discounts are similar to many of the best car insurance companies. Motorists whose vehicles are equipped with certain safety features can save money, as can good students or drivers who are accident free. Here are some of the ways drivers can save on Allstate premiums.

• Allstate eSmart for paperless statements
• Anti-lock brake
• Anti-theft device
• Early signing
• EZ pay plan (automated payments)
• FullPay (paying the premium annually, in full)
• Multi-policy
• New car
• Responsible payer
• Safe driving club
• Smart student

Policy types

• ATV/off road
• Auto
• Boat
• Roadside
• RV
• Snowmobile

Allstate offers all of the standard coverage options. It also offers rideshare insurance, called Ride for Hire, which is more comprehensive than other rideshare policies. It protects the driver while their rideshare app is active and after they've accepted a trip or are en route to pick up passengers.

Coverage types

• Collision
• Comprehensive
• Gap insurance
• Liability
• Medical payments
• Uninsured/underinsured
• Roadside coverage
• Personal injury protection
• Rental reimbursement
• Personal umbrella policy

Allstate's coverage options don't differ much from competitors', but the insurer does offer gap insurance, and not all competitors provide this. This pays the difference between the loan balance owed and the fair market value of a vehicle, which is what insurance covers after a total loss or theft.

Allstate received mixed reviews from customers. In the latest J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study, it scored above average in several regions but below average in others. And while the insurer has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, it received an average rating of 1.12 out of 5 possible stars across more than 1,200 customer reviews on the BBB site. Unfortunately, the insurer also received an above-average number of complaints to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

• Business
• Condo
• Homeowners
• Identity protection
• Landlord
• Life
• Phone protection
• Renters

Allstate offers many other policies including coverage for homeowners, renters, condo owners, and landlords. Life and business insurance are also on offer, and the insurer even provides identity and phone protection, which isn't offered by all insurers.

When looking for an auto insurer who offers better customer service: State Farm receives consistently higher J.D. Power rankings than Allstate. But keep in mind that State Farm does not offer gap insurance to most customers and Allstate does provide this coverage.

When looking for an auto insurer who offers cheaper premiums for young drivers: Geico's average premiums for young drivers are much more affordable than Allstate's, averaging $5,034 compared to $9,019. But keep in mind that Geico lacks the large agent network Allstate offers.

Allstate might be best suited for people who:

• Are experienced drivers with no accident history who qualify for affordable premiums
• Prioritize in-person customer support
• Are located in states such as Florida or California, where Allstate received better grades for customer service

Allstate agents are there to help those who need it, but the high number of complaints and inconsistent customer service ratings across different regions mean that drivers need to pay careful attention to the quality of their local Allstate network.

At The Motley Fool Ascent, insurers are rated on a scale of one to five stars. We primarily focus on pricing, coverage options, and customer satisfaction; however, we also take into account features like unique discounts, online and app-based experiences, and branch access. Our highest-rated auto insurances generally include low costs, solid coverage, and high customer satisfaction.