Allstate Auto Insurance Review
Last Updated on May 8, 2024
Allstate offers customers across the United States and Canada insurance products and financial services. Founded in 1931 in Illinois, the company has nearly a century of experience insuring cars, homes, and other property. Allstate is also one of the largest corporations in the United States, placing 79th on the Fortune 500 list. Launched initially as a subsidiary of Sears, Roebuck, and Co., Allstate has been an independent, publicly-owned company since 1993.
Key Takeaways:
- Allstate provides a wide range of auto insurance coverages, including unique offerings like classic car insurance, Mexico car insurance, and rideshare insurance, differentiating it from other insurers.
- Despite offering extensive discounts and unique programs like Drivewise and Milewise, Allstate’s insurance rates tend to be higher than the national average, making it the most expensive among the major insurers, according to US News & World Report.
- Allstate is recognized for its strong financial strength, with an A+ rating from A.M. Best. It also has a mix of average to good customer service and claims satisfaction ratings, although it faces criticism for its pricing compared to competitors.
- Insurance Panda rates Allstate 3.6/5
Types of Auto Insurance Coverage Offered by Allstate
Drivers can buy all kinds of car insurance through Allstate, including minimum liability plans, full coverage car insurance plans, and other policies. Policies available through Allstate include all of the following:
Liability Coverage: Most states require drivers to carry bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage. Allstate offers liability coverage that meets or exceeds your state’s minimum requirements.
Collision Coverage: Allstate’s collision coverage covers expenses related to the damage or destruction of your vehicle from a collision or accident. It’s optional in all states but often required on leased or financed vehicles.
Comprehensive Coverage: Allstate’s comprehensive coverage covers expenses related to the damage to your vehicle caused by theft, vandalism, hail, fallen trees, and other unexpected events. Like collision coverage, comprehensive coverage is optional in all states but required on most leased and financed vehicles.
Medical Payments Coverage: Medical payments coverage covers medical expenses if you or your passengers are hurt. It’s optional in every state, although some states require it.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage covers your expenses if the other driver is at fault and does not have insurance – or has too little insurance. Approximately 1 in 7 drivers in America has no car insurance.
Sound System Insurance: Allstate’s sound system insurance covers the cost of replacing stolen or damaged audio and video equipment from your vehicle.
Roadside Coverage: Roadside coverage covers the cost of common roadside services, including tire changes and jumpstarts. For a few extra dollars per month, Allstate can cover these costs.
Personal Injury Protection: Personal injury protection (PIP) is similar to medical payments coverage, covering medical bills, ambulance costs, and related expenses after an accident. Some states require personal injury protection, while others do not.
Personal Umbrella Policy: Allstate provides personal umbrella policies to policyholders across the United States. These policies cover liabilities above and beyond your auto insurance policy’s limits and other liability limits.
Rental Reimbursement Coverage: Allstate covers the cost of renting a car and related transportation expenses if your vehicle is in the shop.
Rental Car Coverage: If you have auto liability insurance with Allstate, your Allstate policy should extend to any vehicles that you rent.
Classic Car Insurance: Allstate offers classic car insurance for antiques, modern classics, retro rides, and other vintage vehicles. You can customize your classic car insurance, setting up agreed-value plans and other unique coverage options to meet your needs.
Mexico Car Insurance: Allstate offers auto insurance for tourists in Mexico. For an extra cost, drivers in the United States and Canada can get car insurance coverage while driving in Mexico. This coverage applies whether your trip lasts for a few days or a few months. You can customize your policy to the length of your stay, up to a year.
Gap Insurance: Allstate offers gap insurance on newer vehicles. If you have a newer vehicle and want to avoid a ‘gap’ between the actual cash value of your vehicle and the amount remaining on your lease or loan, then Allstate’s gap insurance could help.
Rideshare Insurance: Allstate offers rideshare insurance through its Ride for Hire program, which fills the gaps between your personal insurance and Uber and Lyft commercial insurance.
Non-Owners Insurance: If you do not own a vehicle yourself but still frequently drive vehicles you rent or borrow, you might consider non-owners auto insurance to make sure you are covered for your drives. You also have the option to insure a car that’s not in your name with Allstate.
Windshield Coverage: If you have comprehensive coverage with Allstate, your policy includes Allstate’s Auto Glass Claim Express coverage, which covers windshield replacement.
SR-22 Coverage: If your state requires you to file an SR-22 form with the DMV, you can ask Allstate to submit the certificate on your behalf. High-risk drivers need SR-22s to prove to the state that they have the legally required auto insurance coverage.
Rebuilt Title Insurance: Allstate offers liability insurance for cars with a salvage or rebuilt title. However, it’s important to note that Allstate does not provide full coverage for vehicles with rebuilt titles; only liability coverage is available.
What Makes Allstate’s Auto Insurance Unique?
Allstate is one of America’s top ten largest insurance companies, and the company offers similar insurance products and services to other providers in the country. You can expect many of the same amenities of other large insurers, including 24/7 customer service, an effective mobile app and website, a telematics driver tracking program, and more.
However, Allstate also has two unique programs we don’t see with other insurers, including Drivewise (a driver tracking program) and Milewise (a pay-as-you-go insurance product).
Some of the features that make Allstate unique include:
Drivewise: Allstate’s driver tracking app is called Drivewise. You get Allstate Rewards points just for signing up for the app. As you complete safe driving challenges, you earn more points and rewards. The app tracks your driving habits, then delivers personalized insights into your driving behavior. Safe drivers could save money when signing up for Drivewise. You can also view detailed trip data, braking and acceleration habits, speeding information, phone activity, and more.
Extensive Discounts: Allstate has a range of discounts that differentiate itself from competitors. Although Allstate’s rates tend to be higher than competitors’, discounts can push the price lower. Other companies offer similar discounts to Allstate, but Allstate drops rates more significantly for each discount (say, lowering premiums by 10% to 15% per discount instead of 2% to 5%).
Deductible Rewards: Allstate has a Deductible Rewards system that lowers your deductible over time. If you have multiple years of safe, claims-free driving, then Allstate will reduce your deductible through the Deductible Rewards program.
Special Coverage Options: Allstate offers coverage options we don’t see with all other insurers, including accident forgiveness, gap coverage, new car replacement, sound system protection, and other unique options.
Milewise: Milewise is a pay-as-you-go car insurance product from Allstate. You pay a low, daily rate each time you drive your vehicle, and you get the same car insurance at a discount price. Milewise is ideal for anyone who drives less than the average driver, including stay-at-home parents, commuters, people who work from home, and retirees. Milewise is currently available in about half of the country.
Allstate Rewards: You earn Allstate Rewards for safe driving. If you have a proven history of safe driving as recorded by the Drivewise app, then you could save considerably on auto insurance through the Allstate Rewards program.
Excellent Home Insurance: Allstate has good ratings for its auto insurance and home insurance. Drivers looking to bundle their insurance needs with one company may want to use Allstate. The company also offers a full range of insurance products, including home, condo, renters, landlord, life, umbrella, and business insurance.
New Car Grace Period: As an existing Allstate customer, you benefit from a 30-day grace period when you purchase a new car. This allows you a month to incorporate your new vehicle into your existing policy.
How Much Are Allstate’s Insurance Rates?
Allstate’s rates are slightly higher than its larger competitors, and Allstate policyholders tend to pay significantly more for car insurance than the national average.
According to US News & World Report, the average Allstate policyholder pays 35% more for car insurance than the average American, making Allstate the most expensive of the nine biggest insurers in the country.
According to quotes provided to our model driver profiles, Allstate policyholders pay around $1,598 per year for full coverage car insurance, on average. That’s about $150 more than the nationwide average of $1,450 per year.
Allstate Auto Insurance Discounts
Allstate’s auto insurance discounts can lower your premiums significantly. Safe drivers, drivers with multiple vehicles, and good students can qualify for Allstate’s discounts to save hundreds. Here are some of the best discounts available through Allstate.
New Car Discount: Drivers can save big if their vehicle is new and they’re the first owner, qualifying for Allstate’s new car discount.
Multi-Policy Discount: Allstate’s multi-policy discount lets you bundle auto insurance with home or renters coverage, reducing the cost of insurance significantly.
Smart Student Discount: Also known as a ‘good student discount’ with other insurers, Allstate’s smart student discount passes savings to young drivers who meet certain requirements. If you are unmarried and under the age of 25, you can save money by meeting a grade average of B- or better or a GPA of 2.7 or above. This discount also applies to drivers who complete Allstate’s teenSMART driver education program and drivers who attend school at least 100 miles away from where their car is garaged.
Anti-Lock Brake Discount: Cars equipped with anti-lock brakes qualify for an additional discount with Allstate.
Defensive Driver Discount: If you complete a qualified defensive driver course, you could qualify for a 2.5-10% discount on your Allstate auto insurance premiums.
Anti-Theft Device Discount: If you have an anti-theft device in your vehicle, then you qualify for additional savings.
Early Signing Discount: When you sign your auto insurance policy seven or more days before it becomes effective, you qualify for Allstate’s early signing discount.
Responsible Payer Discount: If you did not receive a cancellation notice for non-payment in the last year, then you qualify for Allstate’s responsible payer discount.
EZ Pay Plan Discount: If you set up automatic bank account withdrawals to cover your premiums, Allstate rewards you with an EZ pay plan discount.
Allstate eSmart Discount: Drivers who sign up for paperless billing qualify for Allstate’s eSmart discount. You can view insurance documents and pay bills online.
FullPay Discount: Drivers who pay their policy in full upfront qualify for Allstate’s FullPay discount.
Safe Driving Club Discount: Drivers with a proven track record of safe, claim-free driving will qualify for additional savings.
Drivewise: Allstate’s driver tracking program is called Drivewise. You install the Drivewise app, and the app automatically detects your driving habits. The app gives you personalized feedback to help you drive more safely. Drivers also receive discounts based on their safe driving. If you have a proven track record of safe driving via the Drivewise mobile app, then you’ll receive a discount on your Allstate insurance premiums.
Pros and Cons of Allstate
Allstate is one of America’s largest car insurance companies. Many policyholders like the amenities of a larger firm, including a wide range of products and services, 24/7 customer service, a strong mobile app, and good communication overall. However, many customers find Allstate’s customer service, claims satisfaction, and pricing lags behind its larger competitors.
Some of the pros and cons of Allstate include:
Pros
- Wide selection of auto insurance products, home insurance policies, financial products and services, and more under one umbrella
- Good to average ratings for customer service and claims satisfaction
- Extensive discounts available, including discounts that significantly drop premiums
- Strong J.D. Power claims satisfaction ratings in multiple subregions
- Strong financial strength rating (A+ – Superior) from A.M. Best
Cons
- Significantly higher pricing than competitors
- Average to poor ratings from customers in some states and subregions
- Lack of loyalty discounts
Allstate Reviews: What Do Customers Have to Say?
Allstate has average to good reviews for car insurance, depending on where you look. In most regions, Allstate is more expensive than the average car insurance company. However, some customers are willing to pay more for better coverage.
In the 2020 J.D. Power auto insurance claims satisfaction ratings, Allstate received top marks in the Florida subregion, scoring 851 out of a 1,000 point scale. The first place ranking put Allstate ahead of GEICO, Liberty Mutual, Progressive, and other major competitors.
Allstate had less impressive scores in other J.D. Power subregions, scoring near the bottom in New England (807 points out of 1,000) and the Northwest (810). In all other J.D. Power subregions, Allstate scored just above or below the average, indicating customers are generally satisfied with the claims process with Allstate.
A.M. Best analyzes the financial strength of insurance companies based on their assets and liabilities. A.M. Best has affirmed a financial strength rating of A+ (Superior) for Allstate, which is the second-best possible rating. A financial strength rating of this level indicates that the company should have no trouble covering its claims and liabilities in the near future. Although some of Allstate’s larger competitors have received an A++ (Superior) rating, an A+ (Superior) rating is still considered to be very good.
Allstate has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. The company’s BBB profile has an average rating of 1.13 stars out of 5. That may seem like a bad rating, but it’s similar to the BBB ratings of other major insurers. Most policyholders don’t rate their insurance company through the BBB unless they’re dissatisfied with a specific issue.
Review aggregator websites have above-average reviews for Allstate, indicating most customers are happy with their Allstate insurance experience, pricing, claims handling, and customer service. On Clearsurance, Allstate has an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 with 11,400+ reviews. On WalletHub, the company has a rating of 3.3 stars out of 5 with 1,330+ reviews.
Final Word on Allstate
Allstate is the fourth-largest car insurance company in the United States. With a market share of around 9%, Allstate trails just State Farm, GEICO, and Progressive in terms of the total number of covered drivers across the country.
Allstate tends to have good ratings for customer service, claims satisfaction, and overall customer experience. However, customers tend to pay more with Allstate than they do with other providers.
Fortunately, Allstate offers an extensive range of discounts to keep prices low for policyholders. By taking advantage of these discounts, policyholders can save hundreds per year on car insurance.
Allstate Contact Information | |
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Website | https://www.allstate.com/ |
Customer Service Phone Number | 1-877-366-1607 |
Claims Phone Number | 1-800-255-7828 |
States Served | All 50 States |