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After an accident, the last thing a driver needs is the stress of arguing with an auto insurance company. That's why it's important to find the best auto insurance for claims handling. These five insurers all earn top marks for speedy and efficient claims processing. They also offer some extra perks drivers will find attractive.
Best Auto Insurance Companies for Claims Handling: Our Picks
| Offer | Best For | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|
State Farm
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Best for online claims filing | |
NJM
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Best for full coverage | |
Amica
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Best for fast claims processing | |
Erie Auto Insurance
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Best for pet owners making accident claims | |
Country Financial
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Best for a smaller, regional insurer |
A note from our Head of Product Ratings, Robin Hartill
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 insurers generally offer low costs, solid coverage, and high customer satisfaction.
Why claims handling is important
The purpose of auto insurance is to make sure the risk of loss is transferred to an insurer. After a crash, drivers don't want to have to fight to get compensation.
Motorists want to be paid quickly after an efficient claims process and get back on the road.
Unfortunately, some companies are slow to pay out claims, make lowball offers of compensation, or try to deny coverage for claims that should be paid for. Drivers should avoid these insurers and look for a company with a solid reputation for claims handling -- even if this means they must pay higher insurance premiums.
Show More [ + ]
Best for online claims filing: State Farm
2024 Award Winner
Best for online claims filingState Farm
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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- Stable company with plenty of financial backing
- Highly rated customer service
- Premiums for drivers with one accident are lower than some competitors
- Growing access to digital services
- Multiple discounts, including multiline, safe driver, and student away from home
- Coverage available for car rental and travel expenses
Cons
- Quality of service can vary based on the individual agent
- Poor credit-based insurance score drives up premium rates
Why we recommend State Farm for claims handling
State Farm received a score of 891 on J.D. Power's 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. The insurer beat competitors including Geico, Nationwide, and Liberty Mutual. One reason State Farm ranks so highly is its Easy Claims Center. This enables customers to file and track an accident claim entirely online.
State Farm doesn't just allow drivers to report accidents and get the claims process underway via desktop or mobile device. It also has one of the largest local agent networks of any insurer. This means in-person support is available if needed.
Best for full coverage: NJM
Best for full coverageNJM
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Poor
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= Fair = PoorPros
- Excellent customer service
- Customizable policies
- Affordable rates
- Bonuses for full coverage
Cons
- Limited availability
Why we recommend NJM for claims handling
NJM Insurance is only available in a few states, but it got one of the best ratings from J.D. Power -- coming in third with 900 out of 1,000 on J.D. Power's 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. NJM Insurance also gets rave reviews on Trustpilot, with an exceptional 4.7 stars.
One thing that makes NJM Insurance unique is that it offers a discount for full coverage. NJM also lets drivers bundle auto insurance with homeowners insurance or renters insurance.
Best for fast processing: Amica
Best for fast claims processingAmica
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Best
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= Excellent
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= Best
= Excellent
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= Fair = PoorPros
- High rankings from J.D. Power for customer satisfaction
- Amica offers a wide range of insurance products -- auto, home, life, renters insurance, pet insurance, and more
- Top ratings on Trustpilot
- Save up to 30% when bundling auto insurance with home, umbrella and life insurance
Cons
- Amica auto insurance is not available in all states
- Premium costs tend to be higher than national average
- Android app gets lackluster reviews
Why we recommend Amica for claims handling
Amica auto insurance earned the highest rating on the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. This car insurance company earned 909 points out of 1,000, and the award is in keeping with Amica's reputation as one of the best car insurance companies for customer service. Recent customer reviews of Amica show that customers appreciate how easy Amica makes it to talk to real humans instead of bots, and Amica has a 4.5-star rating on Trustpilot.
Best for pet owners: Erie Auto Insurance
Best for pet owners making accident claimsErie Auto Insurance
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Best
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= Excellent
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= Poor
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- Great customer service
- Rare policy features are standard
- Ridesharing coverage
- ERIE Rate Lock option
Cons
- Limited availability
Why we recommend Erie Insurance for claims handling
Erie Insurance came in a close second behind Amica in J.D. Power's 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. The insurer earned a 902 out of 1,000 customer satisfaction rating. Past reviewers also described the claims process as "extremely fast" and praised Erie's "professionalism and care."
Erie doesn't just take care of humans after a crash. The insurer also provides up to $500 per pet for veterinary care with a $1,000 per-accident maximum. This makes the insurer an ideal choice for pet owners who want to make certain their animals receive the best treatment if harmed in a collision.
Best for a regional insurer: Country Financial
Best for a smaller, regional insurerCountry Financial
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Best
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= Excellent
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= Good
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= Fair
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= Poor
= Best
= Excellent
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= Fair = PoorPros
- Great customer service
- Affordable rates for young drivers
- Good variety of car insurance discounts
Cons
- Only available in 19 states
- Missing some popular coverage options
Why we recommend Country Financial for claims handling
Country Financial is another smaller, regional insurer that's not available in all states -- but drivers who reside within its service area should check out this auto insurance company's offerings. Per the J.D. Power 2023 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, Country Financial ranked fourth with a score of 894 out of 1,000.
What happens when drivers make an auto insurance claim?
After an accident, it's important for all involved drivers to report the collision to their respective insurers. This should be done as soon as possible. Drivers should also report the crash to the police. And they should obtain details of the accident, including the police report and the names of any witnesses. Finally, they should exchange insurance information with other motorists involved in the crash.
After a claim is made, the insurer assigns a claims adjuster to it. The adjuster will investigate to determine:
- Who was at fault for the accident
- How much repairs will cost
- What other losses will be covered by insurance
If there were multiple parties involved, insurers will determine who is at fault for the crash. In some states, accident victims recover compensation for injuries and property damage from the responsible driver's insurer. In others, damages for minor injuries are paid by each driver's own insurer, regardless of who actually caused the accident.
The insurance company responsible for paying will make an offer of compensation for car accident damage. Drivers may have the option to accept the offered settlement or to file a personal injury lawsuit against the motorist at fault for the collision.
If a driver's own insurer is paying out compensation, the driver will need to pay any car insurance deductibles. And the compensation will be capped at policy limits. Depending on how much coverage a driver had, the insurer may pay for:
- Repair of a vehicle or the car's fair market value if it is declared a total loss
- Rental car reimbursement
- Lost wages
- Medical payments
- Repayment of any remaining auto loan balance if the vehicle is worth less than the amount owed
How long does it take to complete the auto insurance claim process?
How quickly policyholders can receive a payment from car insurance after an accident will depend on several factors, including:
- Whether there are questions about who was at fault for the accident
- The severity of the damage
- The insurer's policies
In many cases, claims can be paid within 30 to 45 days or less. But if there is a dispute over who is liable for losses or whether the accident should be covered, it can take much longer.
What determines the auto claim payout?
Many different factors go into determining how much money a driver receives from insurance after an accident. These include:
- State laws: For example, payments for minor injuries may be limited in no-fault states.
- Fault for the accident: If another driver was to blame, their insurer should compensate crash victims. This can mean coverage is available for things like pain and suffering.
- The extent of the damage: Insurers should pay to either repair the car or to replace it.
- The value of the vehicle: If a car's fair market value is higher, the insurer will pay more if it is totaled.
- The types of coverage: For example, some drivers have new car replacement coverage. This ensures they can get a new vehicle replaced without depreciation being taken into account.
- The deductible: This is the amount drivers must pay out-of-pocket when their own insurer covers losses.
- Policy limits: An insurer will not pay compensation above policy limits.
Insurance adjusters work to determine an appropriate payout after a claim is made.
A recap of the best car insurance companies for claims handling
| Offer | Best For | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|
|
State Farm
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Best for online claims filing | |
|
NJM
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Best for full coverage | |
|
Amica
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Best for fast claims processing | |
|
Erie Auto Insurance
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Best for pet owners making accident claims | |
|
Country Financial
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Best for a smaller, regional insurer |
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Article sources
FAQs
-
To maximize compensation from a car insurance claim, drivers should document all damages carefully. This includes damage to the vehicle, injuries sustained, medical bills incurred, and lost wages.
Drivers who were injured by someone else in a collision may wish to consult an attorney to help them negotiate a settlement or pursue a personal injury claim.
-
Whether an insurance claim is worth it or not depends on the extent of damage and the deductible. Auto insurance premiums usually increase after a claim is made. If the insurer would pay out very little money after taking the deductible into account, it's typically not worth making a claim for compensation and risking premiums rising.
-
Common auto insurance claims include damage from rear-end accidents; glass damage; damage to parked cars; backup accidents; hail damage; vandalism; and claims arising from collisions at intersections.
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