Is United Auto Insurance (UAI) Good?

Last Updated on October 22, 2026

By James Shaffer · Reviewed by Thomas Rockford, insurance industry executive and financial analyst, on October 22, 2026 · How we fact-check

United Auto Insurance, usually shortened to UAI, is a Chicago-area insurance agency that has been selling auto policies since 1979. Its head office is in Des Plaines and it has four more offices around Chicago. It can be a practical option if you need basic coverage, same-day service, or an SR-22 insurance filing. It does not write the policy itself, so the insurance company named on your declarations page is the one that sets the policy rules and pays the claim.

One housekeeping note before the review. This page is about the Chicago business at unitedautoinsurance.com. There is a Florida insurance company with a similar name, and it is a different business with a different history. There is a short section on it below so you can tell which one you have found.

What Is United Auto Insurance?

United Auto Insurance is a retail insurance agency. It sells and services policies that other companies write, and it has done it from Chicago storefronts for a long time: its about page dates the business to 1979 and describes growing “from a small one-room insurance company to a state-of-the-art facility.” The Better Business Bureau has the business in its files as United Auto Insurance Agency, Inc., accredited since August 1, 2014, with 46 years in business and a start date of October 1, 1979. Its locations page says “Whether you’re looking for insurance in Chicagoland, Northwest Indiana, Downstate, or anywhere in either state, United Auto Insurance has got you covered!” and lists cities across both states.

One thing to know going in: UAI does not publish the names of the companies that write its policies. There is no NAIC number, no certificate of authority and no underwriting disclosure anywhere on its site, so the only way to learn who is insuring you is to ask, then read the declarations page. We can say that at least one carrier appointment is a matter of public record, because Travelers’ own agent locator lists United Auto Insurance Agency Inc at the Des Plaines address and describes it as an independent insurance agent. Whoever ends up writing yours, that company, not the storefront brand, is what matters for claims handling, financial strength and policy rules.

The same family runs two more storefront brands. UAI’s contact page is headed “At United Auto Insurance, Great Northern Insurance and Eagle Insurance, We’re Here To Serve You” and links out to Great Northern Insurance Agency and Eagle Insurance. Both are agency sites too, not insurance companies. Great Northern is the more forthcoming of the three: it calls itself an independent insurance broker and names Travelers, Progressive and American National Casualty Insurance Company as providers it works with. If you are quoted by one of these offices and want to know who would be insuring you, that page shows the sort of answer you should be able to get.

The Florida Company With a Similar Name

If a search for United Auto Insurance turned up an insurance company in Florida, that is a different business with its own history, and this review is not about it. The business on this page is the Chicago-area agency at unitedautoinsurance.com, with its head office in Des Plaines, and it sells policies that other insurance companies write. Nothing we can find connects the two.

What Makes United Auto Insurance Different?

What UAI sells itself on, in its own words, is speed and access: “instant coverage over the phone or online”, low-cost and easy monthly payments, SR-22 filings, and offices you can walk into. If you have been shopping after a cancellation, a lapse, a ticket or a claim, an agency with several carriers behind it can sometimes place you where a single company would decline you. Whether that works for your record depends on the carrier behind the quote rather than on the agency.

This high-risk focus overlaps with markets like assigned risk auto insurance, though your best path will depend on your state, driving record, and why you’re being declined elsewhere.

United Auto Insurance also promotes rapid binding for drivers who need coverage fast, including same-day car insurance when you’re trying to get legal and back on the road.

Common UAI “fit” scenarios include:

• Drivers trying to get insured immediately due to a lapse, reinstatement, or new vehicle situation
• Drivers rebuilding from a high-risk status who want a plan to move from high-risk to standard car insurance
• Drivers who need SR-22 filings and proof of financial responsibility

United Auto Insurance Products

United Auto Insurance advertises a mix of personal and commercial lines. Availability can vary based on the underwriting company and your location, but offerings commonly include:

• Auto insurance (liability and, when eligible, physical damage options)
• SR-22 filings
• Homeowners insurance
• Renters insurance
• Motorcycle insurance
• Taxi, limousine, and other commercial vehicle insurance
• Roadside assistance (when offered with the policy)

If you’re shopping for more than minimum limits, confirm whether the quote is for liability-only or full coverage, and ask what deductibles and coverages are included (collision, comprehensive, rental, towing, and roadside). Some high-risk market quotes prioritize legality over customization.

United Auto Insurance Discounts and Payment Options

Discounts and pricing depend on the company underwriting your policy. UAI’s own auto insurance page names three: a Multi-Car Discount, a Safe Driver Discount and a Car Insurance Renewal Discount. Here is what each one usually means, and what to ask:

Multi-car Discounts: Insuring more than one vehicle may reduce the overall premium, depending on the carrier and driver profile.

Safe Driver Discount: If you have a clean recent history, you may qualify for a safe-driver type discount. Eligibility rules vary widely, especially in non-standard markets.

Renewal Discount: Some insurers offer loyalty/renewal pricing when you renew on time without a lapse, but you should still compare rates at renewal.

Monthly Payment Plans: UAI advertises “low-cost payments, easy monthly payments and instant coverage over the phone or online.” It does not publish down payments, installment amounts or fees, so get the exact down payment, the monthly figure and any installment fee in writing before you commit. This is a payment arrangement rather than a discount.

For broader strategies that apply regardless of company, review common ways to lower premiums through auto insurance discounts and coverage choices. Even in high-risk tiers, better limits, better deductibles, and consistent payment history can help you shop into better pricing over time.

Reviews and Ratings: What to Look At

Because United Auto Insurance is a regional agency, it may not appear in national carrier rankings. For example, many small agencies and non-standard market brands aren’t included in J.D. Power carrier studies, and financial-strength grades are generally associated with the underwriting insurance company rather than the local agency brand. If you want a financial-strength check, focus on the carrier listed on your policy and look for independent ratings like A.M. Best where available.

Read on October 6, 2026, the Better Business Bureau profile for United Auto Insurance Agency, Inc. of Des Plaines shows an A+ rating, accreditation since August 1, 2014, and an average customer review score of 4.2 out of 5 from 10 reviews. Ten reviews is a thin sample, so read them rather than leaning on the average. The BBB complaints section is separate from the customer review score, and the pattern of complaints is worth more than the count.

On consumer review sites like Yelp, the tone can be harsher and may skew toward customers who had billing or claims frustrations. That doesn’t automatically mean a company is “bad,” but it is a signal to ask detailed questions about policy servicing, payment changes, and claims routing before you buy.

Pros and Cons to Consider

Pros

• Often a workable option for drivers who were denied by other insurers or priced out of standard companies
• High-risk and SR-22 support for drivers who need proof of coverage quickly
• Same-day quoting and binding options for urgent coverage needs
• Regional storefront access in Illinois and Indiana (helpful if you prefer in-person service)

Cons

• Customer service and claims experiences can vary depending on the office and the underwriting carrier
• Fewer “extras” compared with major national brands, including fewer auto insurance add-ons in some quotes
• Non-standard pricing can be higher than you expect until your driving record improves and you return to a standard market

How to Decide if United Auto Insurance Is Right for You

If you’re considering UAI, focus on the details that impact real-world outcomes (not just the monthly payment). Before buying, verify:

• Underwriting carrier name: Confirm who is actually insuring you and where to file claims.
• Coverage type and limits: Make sure the quote matches your needs (liability-only vs. physical damage, deductibles, and any lender requirements).
• Payment terms: Down payment, installment fees, and whether payments can change mid-term.
• SR-22 timing: If you need an SR-22 filing, confirm when it’s submitted and how you’ll receive proof.
• Exit plan: If you’re high-risk today, set a timeline to re-shop later and improve eligibility with safer driving and continuous coverage.

UAI can be a reasonable stepping-stone for getting legal coverage in Illinois or Indiana, especially after a lapse or a serious violation. If you want premium features, good mobile tools or national servicing, a larger standard carrier will suit you better once you qualify for one.

My own advice on any walk-in insurance office, this one included: ask “which insurance company is writing this policy?” before you hand over a card. A good agent answers in two seconds and shows you where it says so. A brand name back instead of a company name tells you something about how the rest of the relationship will go.

FAQs on United Auto Insurance

United Auto Insurance Contact Info

Sources

Checked October 19, 2026

• United Auto Insurance — Homepage
• United Auto Insurance — About Page
• United Auto Insurance — Contact Page
• United Auto Insurance — Locations Served
• United Auto Insurance — Auto Insurance Page
• Illinois Department of Insurance — Market Conduct Examination Report on United Auto Insurance Company, a Different, Florida-domiciled Insurer, November 16, 2015
• Great Northern Insurance Agency — Home Page
• Eagle Insurance — Home Page
• Better Business Bureau — United Auto Insurance Agency, Inc. Profile
• Travelers — United Auto Insurance Agency Inc, Des Plaines