American Family Insurance Car Insurance Review & Ratings (2024)
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Michael Vereecke
Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist
Michael Vereecke is the president of Customers First Insurance Group. He has been a licensed insurance agent for over 13 years. He also carries a Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS) Designation, providing him the expertise to spot holes in businesses’ coverage. Since 2009, he has worked with many insurance providers, giving him unique insight into the insurance market, differences in ...
Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist
UPDATED: Dec 29, 2023
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: Dec 29, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single insurance company.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on American Family insurance and related topics. In this article, we will delve into various aspects of American Family, including its coverage options, pricing, customer satisfaction, and claims process. We will also explore the importance of choosing the right insurance provider and provide valuable insights into finding the best insurance rates.
Whether you’re a new homeowner, a parent, or simply looking to protect your assets, understanding American Family insurance and comparing rates from top providers is crucial. To get started on finding the perfect insurance coverage for your needs, enter your ZIP code now and discover the best rates available.
Rating Agency
One of the most important parts of researching a company is finding out what others are saying about a company’s service.
To save you time, we’ve collected ratings from important independent reviewers.
The ratings cover everything from financial standing to customer satisfaction, so we can depict an accurate picture of every aspect of American Family.
Let’s get started.
AM Best
A top financial reviewer, AM Best assigns its ratings based on the following criteria:
- Balance sheet strength
- Business profile
- Enterprise risk management
- Operating performance
- Specific nature/details of security
Once AM Best looks at these criteria, it calculates an insurer’s ability to fulfill financial responsibilities (an insurer’s financial strength).
American Family has an A rating from AM Best.
This is the third-highest rating possible (the highest rating from AM Best is A++), which means American Family has an excellent financial standing.
Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) bases its ratings on the following factors:
- Complaint history
- Type of business
- Time in business
- Transparent business practices
- Failure to honor commitments to BBB
- Licensing and government actions
- Advertising issues
As you can see, the BBB isn’t focused on financial standing but the ethics of how a company runs its business.
If a company doesn’t have ethical business practices, it is going to receive a poor rating.
Before we take a look at BBB’s rating of American Family, we want to note that the BBB’s ratings are by area. So rather than having one rating for a company, the BBB has multiple ratings based on location.
We chose to look at American Family’s rating in Illinois, one of the states that American Family sells insurance in.
American Family has an A+ rating from the BBB.
This is the highest possible rating. It means that based on the seven rating categories, American Family scored a total of at least 97 points.
Of course, this is only the rating for American Family’s business practices in Illinois. While the rating is a good indication of how American Family operates on a whole, enter in your area at BBB to see how American Family rates near you.
Moody’s Rating
Moody’s is another financial reviewer, although American Family withdrew from Moody’s in 2008.
Before American Family withdrew from Moody’s, it had a rating of Aa3.
This rating is good, as it means American Family is financially stable and has low credit risk.
While American Family doesn’t have another Moody’s rating since 2008, it still has a good rating from AM Best, the other major credit review source.
So currently, American Family is still in good financial standing.
NAIC Complaint Index
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) collects extensive data on customer’s complaints at a company.
This data is then used to calculate a complaint index, which is the number of complaints compared to the number of customers.
In 2017, American Family had a total of 73 complaints. When these complaints were compared to American Family’s total number of customers, American Family only had a complaint index of 0.79.
This means that less than one percent of American Family’s customers submitted complaints.
The result is a low complaint ratio, which is good news.
JD Power
Let’s continue our look at American Family’s customer satisfaction with ratings from JD Power.
In 2019, JD Power surveyed over 42,700 auto insurance customers in their auto insurance study.
Each company was rated on a scale of 1,000 points and assigned a JD Power Circle rating.
- Five circles means a company is “among the best.”
- Four circles means a company is “better than most.”
- Three circles means a company is “about average.”
- Two circles means a company is like “the rest.”
Now that we know how JD Power ranks companies, let’s see what American Family scored in different U.S. regions.
Region | Overall Score (Out of 1,000) | Power Circle Rating |
---|---|---|
Central | 823 | About Average |
North Central | 820 | About Average |
Northwest | 825 | Better than Most |
Southwest | 826 | About the Average |
As you can see, American Family is only in a few regions. It only scored above average in the Northwest, although average isn’t a terrible rating.
Let’s look deeper into customer satisfaction with JD Power. Below are the scores for customers’ satisfaction with claims at American Family.
Factors in Claim Process | Rating (out of 5) |
---|---|
Claims Servicing | 3 |
Estimation Process | 3 |
First Notice of Loss | 3 |
Overall Satisfaction | 3 |
Rental Experience | 2 |
Repair Process | 3 |
Settlement | 3 |
American Family didn’t score very well in claims either. It received a two in rental experience and threes in the rest.
Consumer Reports
Since American Family only scored okay at JD Power, we want to take a look at few more customer satisfaction sites.
The first one we want to take a look at is Consumer Reports’ rating.
The table below shows ratings for American Family’s claim process.
American Family Customer Service | Consumer Report Score |
---|---|
Ease of Reaching an Agent | Excellent |
Simplicity of the Process | Very Good |
Promptness of the Response | Very Good |
Damage Amount | Very Good |
Agent Courtesy | Excellent |
Timely Payment | Excellent |
Freedom to Select a Repair Shop | Very Good |
Being Kept Informed of Claim Status | Very Good |
Consumer Reports scored American Family’s claim process better than JD Power did.
American Family has excellent or very good in every category, which are the two highest scores at Consumer Reports.
Consumer Affairs
We want to also take a look at Consumer Affairs rating of American Family.
Out of the 30 reviews left within the last year, American Family has an average of 1.4 stars (out of five).
This is a poor rating, but remember that it’s only based on 30 reviews.
Thirty customers only make up a tiny percentage of American Family’s customers. The negative rating is therefore created from a small group of angry customers and isn’t reflective of American Family’s customer service as a whole.
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American Family History
Nearly a century ago, American Family was founded by Herman Wittwer. Originally, Wittwer created the company to serve farmers, as he saw a need for better service.
As a result, American Family’s original name was Farmers Mutual Insurance Company (not related to Farmers Insurance today).
In 1930, the company began to expand beyond insurance for farmers. After a few name changes as the company grew, the company settled on the name American Family and is now one of the top insurers in the U.S.
As well, American Family now offers property and business, life, and health insurance in addition to vehicle insurance.
So why are we talking so much about American Family’s history? Looking at American Family’s history will give us a picture of American Family’s values and standing (compared to other companies).
Keep scrolling to learn about everything from American Family’s market share position to employee reviews. Let’s begin.
American Family Market Share
The more market share a company has, the more competitive it is. The NAIC has recorded years worth of data on insurance companies’ market share.
Let’s take a look at American Family’s market share over a four-year period.
Year | American Family's Market Share |
---|---|
2015 | 1.85% |
2016 | 1.87% |
2017 | 1.89% |
2018 | 1.9% |
American Family has had a slight increase in its market share. While less than 2 percent of the market may seem small, it is actually a significant portion of the market.
As well, American Family doesn’t even sell in all 50 U.S. states, so a 1.9 percent market share is impressive.
All in all, the increase bodes well for American Family and shows it’s staying competitive in the insurance market.
American Family’s Position for the Future
We’ve covered a few ratings already, and we want to take a moment to see how American Family’s past ratings inform its future.
Some of the positives are:
- American Family has strong financial ratings. AM best gave American Family an A rating, and Moody’s gave American Family an Aa3 rating in 2007.
- American Family has a good market share. It has managed to increase its market share slightly over the years, which is a good sign.
However, some of the negatives are:
- American Family has poor customer satisfaction reviews. JD Power and Consumer Reports gave American Family poor ratings.
- American Family has limited availability. It isn’t available in all states, which means it will lose customers who move to other states.
Bottom line?
American Family’s financial future is stable, but this stability depends on American Family’s service. So if American Family’s customer satisfaction levels drop, it could be in some trouble.
To make sure American Family can continue to grow, it needs to work on making its customer satisfaction rate is above average.
American Family’s Online Presence
Like other companies in today’s technology-driven world, American Family has a strong online presence.
You can find American Family at the following online sites:
-
- Facebook (@amfam)
- Instagram (@amfam)
- Mobile App (MyAmFam)
- Twitter (@amfam)
- Website at www.amfam.com
- YouTube
American Family’s website also offers the option to search and find a local agent. If you would rather talk to a representative directly instead of surfing the web for information, this is a good option.
American Family’s Commercials
American Family’s commercials stand out from the usual crowd of humourous advertisements.
While other companies use humor to get their messages across, American Family uses more sentimental messages.
The commercials focus on helping the community and making customer’s dreams come true.
American Family also uses celebrities in its commercials, such as football player JJ Watt.
While American Family’s commercials won’t make you laugh, they will probably make you smile.
All in all, American Family has a clever marketing strategy that focuses on inspirational stories of those helped by American Family.
American Family in the Community
American Family’s commercials show its customers helping in the community, such as helping to end hunger or clean up rivers, but what is American Family doing to help?
Well, American Family has a number of charity and volunteer programs in place. Take a look at them below.
- American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation: Offers financial support and volunteers to help out the community.
- AmFam Championship: An event that raises money for charities.
- DreamBank: Centers offering free classes and focusing on providing resources to support the surrounding communities.
These are just broad generalizations of the programs. American Family’s community work involves multiple areas of education and empowering communities.
All this community work helps strengthen the underlying message that American Family will be there to support the community like family.
American Family’s Employees
Employees have inside information on a company, making their opinions a valuable resource when researching a company. Let’s take a look at American Family’s employee ratings on Glassdoor.
User Prompt | Rating (out of 5) |
---|---|
Overall Rating | 3.3 |
Culture and Values | 3.3 |
Work/Life Balance | 3.5 |
Senior Management | 2.8 |
Compensation and Benefits | 3.6 |
Career Opportunities | 3.0 |
These ratings aren’t bad, but they could be better. In addition to the ratings above, only 56 percent of employees would recommend American Family to a friend.
As well, 68 percent approve of the CEO, and only 42 percent think American Family has a positive business outlook.
Finally, Glassdoor didn’t honor American Family with any awards, probably because of these poorer ratings.
Now that we know what employees think on Glassdoor, let’s look at one more employee review site to make sure the Glassdoor rating is on par.
On Payscale, American Family has 3.7 stars out of five.
This is a little better than American Family’s rating on Glassdoor, and the rating is based on the following categories:
-
- Appreciation
- Company Outlook
- Learning and Development
- Manager Communication
- Manager Relationship
- Pay Policy
- Pay Transparency
American Family scored the best in the categories of company outlook and manager relationship.
It did the worst in the categories of fair pay and pay transparency. This is typical of most companies — the pay could always be better.
American Family Awards and Accolades
We know what customers and employees think of American Family. Now we want to see what other organizations think of the company.
- 2017 Green Master Company (for companies that practice environmental sustainability)
- 2017 Ranked 315 on the Fortune 500 list
- 2018 President’s Award from PGA TOUR Champions
Despite being around almost a century, American Family has a shortlist of awards. However, individual agents at American Family have multiple awards for their work at the company.
As well, American Family is a smaller insurer that isn’t in every state. This means that it may have been passed over for awards in favor of larger companies.
Cheap Car Insurance Rates
Now that we’ve explored American Family’s ratings, we want to see what it charges for its policies. Often, customers’ first question is how much an insurer costs. If you aren’t sure if American Family’s rates will fit your budget, keep reading.
In this section, we will go in-depth into American Family car insurance discounts. We will look at what changes its basic rates, from gender to driving record as well.
All of the following data in this section is from our partnership with Quadrant, bringing you the most complete and accurate data available. Let’s begin.
Read more: American Family Know Your Drive Car Insurance Discount
American Family Availability and Rates by State
As we mentioned earlier, American Family is not available in every U.S. state.
It is only available in 19 states, which means it is in less than half of U.S. states. This could be problematic if you move, as you’ll have to change insurers if you move to a state not covered by American Family.
Now that we’ve covered American Family’s availability, let’s take a look at what American Family’s rates are in the 19 states.
State | Average by State | American Family Annual Premium | Compared to State Average (+/-) | Compared to State Average (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alaska | $3,421.51 | $4,153.07 | $731.55 | 21.38% |
Colorado | $3,876.39 | $3,733.02 | -$143.37 | -3.70% |
Idaho | $2,979.09 | $3,728.79 | $749.70 | 25.17% |
Illinois | $3,305.48 | $3,815.31 | $509.82 | 15.42% |
Indiana | $3,414.97 | $3,679.68 | $264.71 | 7.75% |
Iowa | $2,981.28 | $3,021.81 | $40.53 | 1.36% |
Kansas | $3,279.62 | $2,146.40 | -$1,133.22 | -34.55% |
Median | $3,660.89 | $3,698.77 | $37.88 | 1.03% |
Minnesota | $4,403.25 | $3,521.29 | -$881.97 | -20.03% |
Missouri | $3,328.93 | $3,286.90 | -$42.03 | -1.26% |
Nebraska | $3,283.68 | $2,215.13 | -$1,068.55 | -32.54% |
Nevada | $4,861.70 | $5,441.18 | $579.48 | 11.92% |
North Dakota | $4,165.84 | $3,812.40 | -$353.44 | -8.48% |
Ohio | $2,709.71 | $1,515.17 | -$1,194.54 | -44.08% |
Oregon | $3,467.77 | $3,527.28 | $59.51 | 1.72% |
South Dakota | $3,982.27 | $4,047.47 | $65.20 | 1.64% |
Texas | $4,043.28 | $4,848.72 | $805.44 | 19.92% |
Utah | $3,611.89 | $3,698.77 | $86.88 | 2.41% |
Washington | $3,059.32 | $3,713.02 | $653.70 | 21.37% |
Wisconsin | $3,606.06 | $1,513.27 | -$2,092.80 | -58.04% |
Read more: Washington Car Insurance Discounts
The median rate that American Family has is slightly over the average rate. However, how economical American Family’s rates are do depend on the area.
American Family’s rates are well below the state average in Wisconsin, Ohio, Nebraska, and Kansas.
This isn’t always the case, but American Family’s rates tend to be close to the state averages.
Comparing the Top 10 Companies by Market Share
We shared how American Family’s rates compare to the state average, but how do American Family’s rates compare to other companies?
Let’s start by taking a look at the average rate by state for the top 10 companies.
State | Allstate | American Family | Farmers | Geico | Liberty Mutual | Nationwide | Progressive | State Farm | Travelers | USAA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alaska | $3,145.31 | $4,153.07 | - | $2,879.96 | $5,295.55 | - | $3,062.85 | $2,228.12 | - | $2,454.21 |
Colorado | $5,537.17 | $3,733.02 | $5,290.24 | $3,091.69 | $2,797.74 | $3,739.47 | $4,231.92 | $3,270.77 | - | $3,338.87 |
Idaho | $4,088.76 | $3,728.79 | $3,168.28 | $2,770.68 | $2,301.51 | $3,032.19 | - | $1,867.96 | $3,226.29 | $1,877.61 |
Illinois | $5,204.41 | $3,815.31 | $4,605.20 | $2,779.16 | $2,277.65 | $2,711.81 | $3,536.65 | $2,344.88 | $2,499.76 | $2,770.21 |
Indiana | $3,978.81 | $3,679.68 | $3,437.55 | $2,261.07 | $5,781.35 | - | $3,898.00 | $2,408.94 | $3,393.75 | $1,630.86 |
Iowa | $2,965.86 | $3,021.81 | $2,435.72 | $2,296.16 | $4,415.28 | $2,735.44 | $2,395.50 | $2,224.51 | $5,429.38 | $1,852.57 |
Kansas | $4,010.23 | $2,146.40 | $3,703.77 | $3,220.65 | $4,784.42 | $2,475.59 | $4,144.38 | $2,720.00 | $4,341.43 | $2,382.61 |
Median | $4,532.96 | $3,698.77 | $3,907.99 | $3,073.66 | $5,295.55 | $3,187.20 | $3,935.36 | $2,731.48 | $3,729.32 | $2,489.49 |
Minnesota | $4,532.01 | $3,521.29 | $3,137.45 | $3,498.54 | $13,563.61 | $2,926.49 | - | $2,066.99 | - | $2,861.60 |
Missouri | $4,096.15 | $3,286.90 | $4,312.19 | $2,885.33 | $4,518.67 | $2,265.35 | $3,419.14 | $2,692.91 | - | $2,525.78 |
Nebraska | $3,198.83 | $2,215.13 | $3,997.29 | $3,837.49 | $6,241.52 | $2,603.94 | $3,758.01 | $2,438.71 | - | $2,330.78 |
Nevada | $5,371.62 | $5,441.18 | $5,595.56 | $3,662.09 | $6,201.55 | $3,477.14 | $4,062.57 | $5,796.34 | $5,360.41 | $3,069.07 |
North Dakota | $4,669.31 | $3,812.40 | $3,092.49 | $2,668.24 | $12,852.83 | $2,560.35 | $3,623.06 | $2,560.53 | - | $2,006.80 |
Ohio | $3,197.22 | $1,515.17 | $3,423.01 | $1,867.19 | $4,429.74 | $3,300.89 | $3,436.96 | $2,507.88 | $3,135.16 | $1,478.46 |
Oregon | $4,765.95 | $3,527.28 | $3,753.52 | $3,220.12 | $4,334.55 | $3,176.83 | $3,629.13 | $2,731.48 | $2,892.19 | $2,587.15 |
South Dakota | $4,723.72 | $4,047.47 | $3,768.80 | $2,940.29 | $7,515.99 | $2,737.66 | $3,752.81 | $2,306.23 | - | - |
Texas | $5,485.44 | $4,848.72 | - | $3,263.28 | - | $3,867.55 | $4,664.69 | $2,879.94 | - | $2,487.89 |
Utah | $3,566.42 | $3,698.77 | $3,907.99 | $2,965.57 | $4,327.76 | $2,986.57 | $3,830.10 | $4,645.83 | - | $2,491.10 |
Washington | $3,540.52 | $3,713.02 | $2,962.00 | $2,568.65 | $3,994.73 | $2,129.84 | $3,209.52 | $2,499.78 | - | $2,262.16 |
Wisconsin | $4,854.41 | $1,513.27 | $3,777.49 | $3,926.20 | $6,758.85 | $5,224.99 | $3,128.91 | $2,387.53 | - | $2,975.74 |
Compare American Family’s rate to other providers’ rates to make sure you’re getting the best deal on car insurance in your state.
If you don’t feel like scrolling through the rates above, take a look at the table below to see how the overall average rate of each company compares.
Company | Median Average | Higher/Lower (+/-) | Higher/Lower (%) |
---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $4,532.96 | $834.19 | 18.40% |
American Family | $3,698.77 | $37.88 | 1.03% |
Farmers | $3,907.99 | $247.10 | 6.75% |
Geico | $3,073.66 | -$587.23 | -16.04% |
Liberty Mutual | $5,295.55 | $1,634.66 | 44.65% |
Nationwide | $3,187.20 | -$473.69 | -12.94% |
Progressive | $3,935.36 | $274.47 | 7.50% |
State Farm | $2,731.48 | -$929.41 | -25.39% |
Travelers | $3,729.32 | $68.43 | 1.87% |
USAA | $2,489.49 | -$1,171.40 | -32.00% |
As you can see, American Family is definitely not the most expensive company. However, it is still not cheaper than average, like USAA and State Farm.
Average American Family Male vs. Female Car Insurance Rates
Since experience is directly related to age, drivers are often aware that their age is used to determine rates.
However, a demographic factor that often surprises people is that their gender is also used to determine rates.
The law bans insurers from using gender as a demographic factor in the following states: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Montana, Pennslyvania, North Carolina, and parts of Michigan.
In states where gender is allowed to be a factor, insurers look at their accident data to determine rates. Most insurers end up charging males more.
Why? A number of studies have shown that males get into more accidents than females.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that males are more dangerous drivers than females as males engage in more risky behaviors.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at American Family’s rates by age, gender, and marital status.
Demographic | Average Premium |
---|---|
Married 60-year old female | $1,992.92 |
Married 60-year old male | $2,014.38 |
Married 35-year old female | $2,202.70 |
Married 35-year old male | $2,224.31 |
Single 25-year old female | $2,288.65 |
Single 25-year old male | $2,694.72 |
Single 17-year old female | $5,996.50 |
Single 17-year old male | $8,130.50 |
As you can see, males pay more on average than females, even if it’s only $20.
Age is also a major factor, as rates decrease the older drivers become.
Read more: People Over 50 Car Insurance Discounts
Average American Family Rates by Make and Model Last Five-Year Average
It’s easy to imagine why a sports car would be more expensive to insure than a minivan. When insurers base rates on car make and model, they consider the following factors:
- Safety rating: How safe is a car in a crash? The less safe a car is, the more insurers will have to pay for injury costs after an accident.
- Repair costs: How much do the parts for your car cost? If they are easy to find and cheap, insurers will charge less. But if your car needs special, imported parts, insurers will charge more.
Now that you know why insurers charge based on make and model, take a look at what cars are the most expensive to insure at American Family.
Make/Model | Average Premium |
---|---|
2015 Honda Civic Sedan: LX with 2.0L 4cyl and CVT | $3,178.82 |
2015 Toyota RAV4: XLE | $3,326.18 |
2015 Ford F-150: Lariat SuperCab with 2WD 6.5 foot bed and 2.7L V6 | $3,447.30 |
2018 Ford F-150: Lariat SuperCab with 2WD 6.5 foot bed and 2.7L V6 | $3,487.91 |
2018 Toyota RAV4: XLE | $3,496.99 |
2018 Honda Civic Sedan: LX with 2.0L 4cyl and CVT | $3,721.32 |
Read more: Ford Car Insurance Discount
There is a $540 difference between the most expensive and least expensive cars on this list. That is a fairly significant price increase, about 1/4th of the price of an average car insurance policy.
Read more: Toyota Car Insurance Discount
Average American Family Commute Rates
The more you drive, the more likely you are to get into an accident of some kind. Because of this small added risk, insurers sometimes add more onto a premium for long commutes.
Commute and Annual Mileage | Average Premium |
---|---|
10 miles commute | 6,000 annual mileage. | $3,401.30 |
25 miles commute | 12,000 annual mileage. | $3,484.88 |
An average price increase of about $80 isn’t bad. It is on the lower end of most insurers’ price increases for commute distance.
Average American Family Coverage Level Rates
How much an insurer charges for different coverage levels is important. Because high coverage (or at least medium) is best, you’ll want to find an insurer whose rates are economical.
Take a look at American Family’s average rate increases below.
Coverage Level | Low | Medium | High |
---|---|---|---|
Average Annual Premium | $3,368.49 | $3,416.40 | $3,544.37 |
American Family’s rates are fairly economical. The upgrade from low to high coverage only costs $170.
This is cheap. Most insurers charge over $1,000 for an upgrade from low to high coverage. So take advantage of American Family’s low price increase and purchase medium or high coverage.
Average American Family Credit History Rates
While factors like commute distance and car make and model do matter to insurers, one of the more important factors is a customer’s credit score.
The average credit score in the U.S. is 675, which is a good credit score.
If you don’t have a good credit score, insurers will penalize you with higher rates. However, some insurers’ rate increases are worse than others.
Let’s see what American Family charges.
Credit Score | Good Credit | Fair Credit | Poor Credit |
---|---|---|---|
Average Annual Premium | $2,691.74 | $3,169.53 | $4,467.98 |
The change from good to poor credit will cost drivers an average of $1,770. Even going from good to fair credit costs an average of $1,300.
While these numbers may make do a double-take, American Family’s price increases are fairly typical at most insurance providers.
Average American Family Driving Record Rates
Do you have any poor marks on your driving record? A poor driving record can make it hard to find a good rate on insurance. If you are a high-risk driver, you’ll have to shop around for car insurance.
So take a look at American Family’s rates for driving offenses below.
Driving Record | Average Annual Premiums |
---|---|
Clean record | $2,693.61 |
With 1 speeding violation | $3,025.74 |
With 1 accident | $3,722.75 |
With 1 DUI | $4,330.24 |
These rates aren’t bad. A DUI results in an average increase of $1,640, which is on the lower end. The total amount for a DUI is also under $5,000, which is cheaper than a DUI offense at the majority of providers.
Bottom line?
American Family’s rates for various driving offenses aren’t terrible. The price increases are on the cheaper end, which means you may end up paying more if you switch from American Family.
Coverages Offered
It’s one thing to know what a company charges, and another thing to know what a company is offering for its prices. It is important to make sure that a cheaper price doesn’t mean cheap coverages or an expensive price is worth the coverages.
If a company’s prices don’t match the quality of its coverages, it may be time to look elsewhere.
We know that American Family’s prices are about average, so we want to make sure its coverages are above average. After all, having adequate coverage is vital if you get into an accident.
So keep scrolling to learn about American Family’s coverages, discounts, and programs to see if it’s worth your time.
Types of Coverages Offered
American Family offers a variety of coverages. Let’s start our look into its coverages by seeing what coverages are offered for personal auto coverage (coverages that protect you).
Personal Auto Coverage | Purpose | You Might Need It: |
---|---|---|
Bodily Injury Liability | Will pay for the other drivers' medical bills/loss of income in an accident you caused | When the artist you hit broke his arm and can no longer paint |
Uninsured Motorist | Helps you when you are in an accident with a driver who's uninsured | If you are in a hit-and-run accident or the driver has no insurance |
Underinsured Motorist | Helps you when you are in an accident with a driver who's underinsured | A driver has insurance, but the maximum amounts are not enough to cover your injury or property damage costs |
Medical Payments | Helps pay for you and your passengers' medical costs after an accident | You broke your arm, resulting in hospital and follow-up bills |
A number of these coverages are actually required in most states, such as bodily injury liability coverage and Medpay. However, American Family is noticeably missing important coverages like property damage liability and Personal Injury Protection (PIP).
Let’s take a look at the coverages that protect your vehicle.
Vehicle Coverages | Purpose | You might need it: |
---|---|---|
Collision | Pays for damages to your car in a collision with an object or vehicle | When you run into a mailbox backing out of the driveway |
Comprehensive | Pays for damages to your car for situations not involved in a collision with another vehicle (theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and natural disasters) | When you run into a deer that came out of nowhere |
Gap Coverage | Covers the gap between the actual value of your car and what you owe, if your car is totaled | When your car is totaled and the manufacturer still wants money |
American Family does offer all the basics to protect your vehicle. Now let’s take a look at what add-on coverages American Family has.
Special Auto Coverages | Purpose | You might need it: |
---|---|---|
Business Car | Covers commercial vehicles | Your truck is primarily used to make deliveries for your business |
Classic Car | Covers vintage cars | When you have a vintage car in your garage that you only take out on nice days |
Emergency Roadside Assistance | Will pay for when you need a tow, jump start, or more | When it's pouring rain and you're stranded on the side of the road with a dead battery |
Rental Car Expense | Gives you access to a rental car if your car is in the shop for a claim | When you need to get to work but your car has major damage from an accident |
Rideshare | Covers rideshare drivers (Uber, Lyft, etc.) . Is in addition to personal insurance | When you drive rideshare at nights to earn extra cash |
Once again, American Family is missing a few add-ons that other companies provide:
- Accidental death or dismemberment
- Modified car insurance
However, these missing add-ons are among the least-popular/least-common, so overall, American Family has a decent array of coverages. While it is missing a few basics, it still has most of the basic coverages and a nice selection of add-on coverages.
Factors that Affect Your Rates
A number of factors we’ve already covered, but as a reminder, these factors are:
- Demographics (gender/age)
- Commute
- Coverage Level
- Credit Score
- Driving Record
All of these factors have a direct impact on your rates. Since a number of these factors are outside of your control, though, you may be wondering how you can save money.
One way is by taking advantage of discounts. A great discount to consider is a bundling discount. You can get a bundling discount at American Family if you have more than one policy at the company.
A common bundling option is home and auto insurance, but you can also bundle in policies like life or RV insurance to receive an even higher discount.
Keep reading to see what other discounts American Family offers.
Getting the Best Rate with American Family
A great way to lower your rate at American Family is applying for discounts. In this section, we will cover all of the discounts American Family offers and how to qualify for them.
Let’s start by seeing what personal family discounts American Family has.
Personal Auto Discounts | Details |
---|---|
Distant Student | Usually must be 100 miles away |
Good Student | Upper 20% of class |
Loyalty | Must be a customer of American Family |
Students & Alumni | For certain schools only |
Young Volunteer | Under 25 and at least 40 hours of volunteer work per year |
Read more: Onstar Car Insurance Discount
American Family offers quite a few discounts for students. Now let’s see what discounts there are for vehicle features.
Car Discounts | Details |
---|---|
Advanced Safety Features | Examples: Anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control |
Anti-Theft | Certain anti-theft technologies required |
Vehicle Recovery | Some examples are OnStar and LoJack |
Read more: Lojack Car Insurance Discount
Having extra safety features on your car can earn you a discount at American Family.
Another way to get a discount is through driving habits.
Driving Discounts | Details |
---|---|
Claim Free | If you haven't had to file a claim |
Defensive Driver | Usually must be 50+ |
Driver's Ed | Usually must be under 21 |
Low Mileage | For those who drive under the norm |
Safe Driver | Typically no wrecks or violations |
Having a clean driving record will help you save money at American Family. There are also discounts you can get on your policy for having multiple policies or staying loyal to American Family.
Policy Discounts | Details |
---|---|
Family Legacy | From generation to generation |
Family Plan | When you ensure the whole family |
Multiple Policies | Also called a "bundle discount" |
Multiple Vehicles | A discount for insuring more than 1 vehicle |
Thought we were done? Not quite. American Family offers a few more discounts.
Extra Discounts | Details |
---|---|
Continuous Coverage | When you haven't had a lapse in coverage |
Early Signing | Usually seven days before current policy expires |
Full Payment | When you pay your policy in full |
Paperless Documents | Also referred to as an "e-policy" |
Paperless/Auto Billing | Some examples are AutoPay and e-Bill |
Switching Providers | When you switch from another company |
This final set of discounts is easy to get. Simply signing up for paperless billing can earn you a small discount on your premium.
All in all, American Family offers a nice array of discounts that can help lower your insurance costs.
American Family’s Programs
There are a few programs through American Family that can also save customers money.
- Accident Forgiveness: American Family has an earned accident forgiveness program. Drivers must be accident-free for five years to qualify. For qualifying drivers first at-fault accident, American Family won’t raise rates.
- Driving App: American Family has a usage-based app called KnowYourDrive that offers discounts for safe driving habits. Currently, this app is only available in select states.
Both of these programs are designed to encourage drivers to drive safely. However, the driving app is limited by area.
What Stands Out and What’s Missing
We’ve now covered quite a bit of our guide, so let’s take a moment to go over American Family’s coverages and rates.
- What Stands Out: American Family’s rates are about average, and it offers the basic array of coverages for the price.
- What’s Missing: American Family is missing coverages like property damage liability and PIP. It’s driving app is also limited to only a few states.
So far, American Family seems to be an ordinary provider, falling in the category of “average.” It has decent rates and coverages, but it also has nothing that makes it stand out as truly remarkable.
For a car insurance provider, though, all you need a steady and reliable insurer.
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Canceling Your Policy
If you decide American Family is no longer right for you, its important that you understand the cancellation process.
Customers who don’t know how a company’s cancellation process works may be stuck paying fees or finding out their policy was never canceled.
However, insurers are often vague about how to cancel a policy. By making it harder to cancel, an insurer may frustrate customers enough that they end up staying.
To make sure this doesn’t happen to you, keep reading. We cover everything from cancellation fees to how to actually cancel an American Family Policy.
Let’s get started.
Cancellation Fee
American Family doesn’t say anything about a cancellation fee, which implies there isn’t one. However, sometimes companies will charge a small fee if customers cancel before the end of a billing cycle.
Is there a refund?
American Family should definitely refund you if you cancel before the end of a billing cycle.
So say you prepaid for six months of coverage. You cancel in the second month, which means American Family needs to refund you for the remaining four months of coverage.
How to Cancel (Step by Step Guide)
Because companies make their cancellation process rather vague, we are going to go step by step through how to cancel an American Family Policy.
Keep reading to see what information you’ll need and what mistakes to avoid.
Step One: Have a New Insurer
Before you cancel your American Family policy, you need to have a new insurer. Otherwise, you are risking a lapse in insurance.
In fact, when canceling and signing up for a new policy, insurers are going to ask for the start or end date of your policy. If they see a lapse in coverage, they will charge you more.
However, if you are canceling your auto insurance policy because you no longer need it, you don’t need to provide proof of a new insurer. Instead, you’ll to provide a bill of sale or proof of license plate relinquishment if you sold your car.
Step Two: Call or Contact Your Agent
There are two ways to cancel your American Family policy.
- Call American Family at 1-800-MYAMFAM (1-800-692-6326). Customer service will submit a cancelation form to an agent.
- Call your agent. This will cut out the middleman, so you know your cancellation from will reach the agent directly.
When you cancel your policy, you will need the following information:
- Personal Information (name, address, etc.)
- Current Policy Number
- Policy Number at New Insurer (or Bill of Sale)
- Reason for Canceling
Make sure to have all the necessary information prepared beforehand so you don’t have to call back.
Step Three: Make Sure Cancellation Worked
This may seem like an odd step, but you should always doublecheck that your cancellation went through.
Either call American Family again or check your bills to make sure you weren’t charged after cancellation.
We also want to point out that simply stopping payment is not an official cancellation. You may become embroiled in a legal battle if you stop paying without officially canceling, as legally you owe American Family money.
When can I cancel?
You can cancel at any time. Just remember that you may be charged a small fee if you cancel before the end of a billing cycle.
Your cancellation will go into effect immediately, but it’s always smart to double-check that the cancellation went through.
Premiums Written
So what are your chances of having your claim approved? Well, the more premiums a company writes, the more customers there are providing funds.
This means that if a company has a high number of written premiums, it is more able to pay off more claims.
So let’s take a look at the NAIC’s data on American Family’s written premiums.
Year | American Family Written Premiums |
---|---|
2015 | $3,530,595,000 |
2016 | $4,005,549,000 |
2017 | $4,381,962,000 |
2018 | $4,687,909,000 |
American Family’s written premiums have grown substantially over a four-year period, which is great news.
After all, it means more customers are signing up with American Family, keeping American Family in the running as a competitor in the insurance market.
Loss Ratio
A loss ratio is another great indicator of how many claims a company is paying each year.
The NAIC calculates loss ratios by comparing the number of premiums written to the number of claims paid. So if a company has a loss ratio of 60 percent, it means the company is spending $60 on claims for every $100 earned from written premiums.
If a company has a low loss ratio, it is paying out very few claims. On the other hand, a company with a high loss ratio risks bankruptcy by paying out too many claims.
So let’s see if American Family’s loss ratio has been well-balanced over a four-year period.
Year | American Family Loss Ratios |
---|---|
2015 | 64.11% |
2016 | 65.06% |
2017 | 70.32% |
2018 | 69% |
These loss ratios are excellent. Although they’ve increased and decreased, they’ve stayed in a good range (neither too high nor too low). This means that you have a good chance of American Family approving and paying your claim.
How to Get a Quote Online
Every insurance company is eager to give out free quotes, as they offer a personalized price for potential customers. Free quotes make it easy to compare prices and coverages at various providers, and they only take a few minutes.
However, it’s important to know what information you need before applying for a free quote, in order to save time and make sure the quote is as accurate as possible.
Keep scrolling to learn how to get an online quote at American Family in our step-by-step guide.
Step One: Visit Website
The first step is to visit American Family’s website. On the home screen, you will see a large quote box taking up most of the left side of the screen.
To start, enter your zip code and select what type of quote (car) you would like from the dropdown bar.
Step Two: Enter Personal Information
Next, you will be taken to the online quote form. The first set of information American Family will ask for is personal information.
The form will ask for basic details like your name and address.
Step Three: Enter Vehicle Information
After you’ve entered your personal information, you’ll be asked questions about your vehicles.
You can enter up to four vehicles. For each vehicle you enter, American Family will upload vehicle safety information.
You can also enter in your annual mileage to receive a more accurate quote.
Step Four: Enter Household Information
American Family will then ask for information on household members, even those who don’t drive. (Note: Names and information are for display purposes only and do not represent actual individuals.)
For each person, American Family will ask about occupation, gender, and date of birth.
Step Five: Enter Driver Information
Next, American Family will ask about past accidents and violations.
Make sure to fill out this section completely, as omitting an accident or violation will change how accurate your quote is.
American Family will also ask about your past insurance to make sure you have no lapses in your history.
Step Six: Enter Discounts
American Family will also ask for you to choose what discounts you would like, such as paperless billing or bundling.
Add as many discounts as you’d like, so you can see what your rate will be after discounts.
Step Seven: Get Quote
Finally, American Family will ask about what type of coverage you’d like.
Pick and select what coverages you’d like to get your quote. Remember, you need the following information to get as accurate a quote as possible:
Information | Required? |
---|---|
Basic Personal Information | Yes |
Driver History | Yes |
Drivers License | No |
Social Security Number | Optional |
Vehicle Information | Yes |
Design of Website and Apps
A website is the first thing most people visit when researching a business. If a website doesn’t make a good first impression, consumers will look elsewhere.
The same goes for apps — no-one has the patience for poorly-designed technology these days. So in this section, we’re going to go through American Family’s website and apps to see how user-friendly they are.
Design of Website
When you visit American Family’s website, you’ll see that it is fairly easy to navigate.
There are options at the top of the page that offer drop-down menus with more information, as well as quick links at the bottom of the page.
Below is an example of what the drop-down menus look like.
If you click on car insurance, you will be taken to a page with more information and links.
Because of the organization of the drop-down menus, the website is well designed. It makes sure that people can narrow down topics quickly.
It is easy to find information on the website. Why? Because in addition to the drop-down menus, there is a search bar on the upper right side.
Click on the search bar to enter your query. American Family also suggests a list of popular searches on the right side.
All in all, the website is well-organized. A clean design makes it easy to find answers quickly so that you don’t have to spend an hour slogging through articles.
Design of MyAmFam App
The MyAmFam app provides easy access to users’ accounts from mobile devices.
The app has rated highly on Apple, with 4.8 stars out five. This average rating is based on over 32,700 ratings.
According to Apple’s description, you can do all of the following on the app.
- View Insurance Policies
- Set-Up/Manage Payments
- Manage Policy Details
- Access Your Insurance Information
- Claims and Accident Support
As you can see, you can accomplish a lot just from your phone when using the app. However, some common complaints are that the app has glitches, such as not letting customers log on.
Usually, updating the app will take care of bugs like this.
Design of KnowYourDrive
American Family’s KnowYourDrive usage-based app isn’t rated well.
On Apple, the app only has two out of five stars.
However, this app is new and only reviewed by less than 100 users. As American Family works on the glitches with the app and gains more users, this rating should go up.
Common complaints with the app are that the app needs to be more accurate in its recording of driving data.
- Inaccurate detection of speed
- Inaccurate detection of hard-braking incidents
- Problems with the app determining congestion
- Dings for driving at night
As well, the app tends to drain users’ batteries, which can be a problem if there isn’t a working car charger.
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Pros and Cons
We are almost done with this review, so let’s take a moment to go through the pros and cons of American Family.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Strong financial ratings | Some poor customer satisfaction ratings |
Growth in premiums written | Small market share |
Affordable rates | Only available in 19 states |
Has a driving discount program | App has technical and accuracy issues |
While American Family has some great pros, it is limited in its reach and technology.
Behind the Scenes: American Family’s Claims Resolution
Ease of Filing a Claim
American Family Insurance offers multiple convenient options for filing a claim, ensuring a hassle-free experience for its policyholders. You can file a claim through their user-friendly online portal, over the phone with their dedicated claims representatives, or even through their mobile app.
These diverse channels cater to different preferences, making it easy for customers to report incidents and initiate the claims process.
Average Claim Processing Time
Efficiency is crucial when it comes to claim processing. American Family Insurance understands this and strives to expedite the claims process as much as possible. While specific processing times may vary depending on the complexity of the claim, American Family aims to provide timely resolutions to its policyholders.
The company’s commitment to streamlining the process ensures that you receive the support you need promptly during a challenging time.
Customer Feedback on Claim Resolutions and Payouts
Customer feedback is invaluable when evaluating an insurance company’s claims process. American Family Insurance values customer satisfaction and continuously works to improve its claim resolutions and payouts. While JD Power’s ratings indicate room for improvement in certain areas, the company’s dedication to addressing customer concerns and enhancing the overall claims experience remains evident.
Listening to policyholders’ feedback allows American Family to refine its services and meet the evolving needs of its customers.
Innovation at Your Fingertips: American Family’s Technological Advantages
Mobile App Features and Functionality
American Family Insurance offers a feature-rich mobile app that empowers policyholders with convenient tools and resources. The app allows users to access their policies, view and download important documents, make payments, and file claims seamlessly from their smartphones.
Additionally, it provides real-time updates on claim status and policy information, enhancing the overall customer experience.
Online Account Management Capabilities
Managing your insurance policies and accounts has never been easier with American Family’s robust online account management platform. Policyholders can log in to their accounts through the company’s website to review policy details, update personal information, request policy changes, and monitor payment history.
This digital convenience simplifies the administrative aspects of insurance and puts control in the hands of the policyholders.
Digital Tools and Resources
American Family Insurance recognizes the importance of providing policyholders with valuable digital tools and resources. These resources include informative articles, educational content, and calculators to help customers make informed decisions about their insurance coverage.
By offering these digital resources, American Family aims to empower its customers with the knowledge needed to protect their assets and make the best insurance choices.
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The Bottom Line
So should you choose American Family?
It is a solid company, with good financial ratings and decent customer service. As well, its rates are about average, usually falling in the middle of the pack.
American Family is also involved in the community, offers plenty of discounts, and has a decent selection of coverages.
However, American Family is only available in 19 states. This means that American Family won’t be able to follow you from state to state if you frequently move, forcing you to find another insurer.
So if you want an average insurer, American Family will meet your needs. Getting a quote will help you better determine if American Family is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does American Family offer auto insurance for RVs?
Yes, American Family does offer auto insurance for RVs, including motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, and more. You can contact an American Family insurance agent to learn more about their RV insurance options.
How can I find local agents for auto insurance from American Family?
You can find local agents for auto insurance from American Family by visiting their website and using their agent locator tool. Simply enter your zip code or city and state, and the tool will provide a list of nearby agents along with their contact information.
How can I find out about the discounts available for auto insurance from American Family?
You can find out about the discounts available for auto insurance from American Family by visiting their website or contacting an American Family insurance agent. Common discounts include safe driving, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, good student, and low mileage discounts, among others.
What is the process for adding a new vehicle to my auto insurance policy with American Family?
To add a new vehicle to your auto insurance policy with American Family, you’ll need to contact your insurance agent or the American Family insurance customer service department. They will ask for the new vehicle’s information, including make, model, and VIN, and help you add it to your policy. You may also need to adjust your coverage limits or deductibles to reflect the new vehicle.
What if my pet is in the car during an accident or theft?
If you have add-on pet coverage through American Family, they will cover your pet’s injuries.
While having insurance on your pet is great, make sure to take steps to protect your pet by not leaving them alone in the car and buckling them in or placing them in a carrier.
Where are American Family’s headquarters?
Need to send American Family a letter? The main headquarters are located at 6000 American Parkway, Madison, Wisconsin 53783.
American Family also has regional headquarters at Minnetonka, Minnesota; Saint Joseph, Missouri; Denver, Colorado; and Columbus, Ohio.
Does American Family cover rental cars?
If you have rental car expenses through American Family, it will cover the cost of a rental car if your car is in the shop (after a claimable accident).
Does American Family have a grace period?
If you miss a payment, you will typically have 10-14 days to pay your bill. It is incredibly important to pay your bill before the end of the grace period. Otherwise, insurers will cease to cover you.
What does roadside assistance cover?
American Family’s roadside assistance covers the following:
Towing
Dead batteries
Flat tires
Locked out
Out of gas
Simply call roadside assistance, and American Family will send someone to help.
Now that you’ve made it through our review, we hope you are ready to make the decision about what provider to trust. Choosing a provider is an important decision, and we hope we answered all your questions.
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Michael Vereecke
Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist
Michael Vereecke is the president of Customers First Insurance Group. He has been a licensed insurance agent for over 13 years. He also carries a Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS) Designation, providing him the expertise to spot holes in businesses’ coverage. Since 2009, he has worked with many insurance providers, giving him unique insight into the insurance market, differences in ...
Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.