How do JD Power Auto Insurance Rankings Work?

Last Updated on February 5, 2026

J.D. Power is a consumer research company that surveys real policyholders and turns that feedback into customer satisfaction scores and rankings. In other words: these rankings aren’t “expert opinions” and they aren’t financial-strength grades—they’re a snapshot of how customers feel about their experience with different car insurance companies.

This guide explains what J.D. Power’s auto insurance rankings measure, how scoring works (including the 1,000-point scale and “Power Circle” ratings), and how to use the results to narrow down which insurer is best for you.

J.D. Power auto insurance rankings are based on large customer surveys—so they reflect policyholder satisfaction, not expert reviews or financial strength grades.
Results are typically reported on a 1,000-point scale and may also be shown as “Power Circle” ratings (2–5 circles) to simplify comparisons.
The U.S. Auto Insurance Study focuses on the overall experience (trust, price perception, service, ease, coverage options, problem resolution, and digital tools), while the claims study focuses on recent claims handling.
Use J.D. Power rankings to shortlist insurers—then compare quotes and confirm coverage details (limits, deductibles, and add-ons) before switching.

Table Of Contents

About J.D. Power
What are J.D. Power’s auto insurance rankings?
How the scoring works
What factors does J.D. Power measure for auto insurance?
How the claims satisfaction rankings are different
How does J.D. Power collect insurance data?
How to use J.D. Power rankings when shopping for car insurance
Limitations to keep in mind
FAQs on J.D. Power Auto Insurance Rankings
Bottom line

About J.D. Power

J.D. Power is best known for its “voice of the customer” studies—large-scale surveys that measure how consumers feel about products and services. The company was founded in 1968 and now publishes research across many industries, including insurance.

What are J.D. Power’s auto insurance rankings?

J.D. Power publishes multiple insurance studies throughout the year. When people talk about “J.D. Power auto insurance rankings,” they’re usually referring to one (or more) of the studies below.

Study	What it measures	Best used for
U.S. Auto Insurance Study	Overall customer satisfaction with an auto insurer (service, price perception, trust, problem resolution, digital experience, and more).	Comparing the “day-to-day” experience of being insured (billing, service, digital tools, and how supported customers feel).
U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study	Customer satisfaction with the claims experience—specifically among customers who recently settled a claim.	Shortlisting insurers known for smoother claims handling and clearer communication.
Insurance Shopping / Digital Experience studies	How customers feel about shopping for a policy and using digital tools.	Choosing between app-first vs. agent-first insurers, or comparing how easy it is to quote/buy/manage a policy.

Important: J.D. Power results can vary by region, and not every insurer is included in every study or market. Always use the rankings as a starting point—not the only deciding factor.

How the scoring works

J.D. Power typically reports study results on a 1,000-point satisfaction scale. Higher scores generally mean customers reported a better experience. Many results are also displayed with simplified “Power Circle” ratings (2 to 5 circles) so consumers can compare companies quickly.

1,000-point score: A numerical satisfaction score (higher is better) that reflects survey responses across multiple categories.
Power Circle Ratings: A consumer-friendly shorthand that groups companies into “among the best,” “better than most,” “about average,” or “the rest.”

What factors does J.D. Power measure for auto insurance?

Every study has its own scoring model, but J.D. Power’s flagship U.S. Auto Insurance Study evaluates the overall customer experience across seven core dimensions. In plain English, it’s trying to answer: “Do customers feel they’re getting fair value, good service, and an easy experience?”

Trust: Whether customers feel the insurer is transparent, dependable, and treats them fairly.
Price for coverage: How customers feel about what they pay for the coverage they receive (not necessarily who is cheapest).
People: Customer service interactions—knowledge, courtesy, and helpfulness.
Ease of doing business: How easy it is to accomplish common tasks (changes, billing questions, documents, support).
Product/coverage offerings: Breadth of options and how well policies fit customer needs (limits, deductibles, add-ons, etc.).
Problem resolution: How well the insurer fixes issues when something goes wrong.
Digital channels: App/website usability, digital support, and online account tools.

Because “price for coverage” is only one part of the overall score, an insurer can rank well without being the absolute cheapest. If you’re mainly focused on price, it helps to compare quotes and keep the national context in mind—here’s a baseline for how much the average American spends per month on car insurance.

How the claims satisfaction rankings are different

The U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study focuses specifically on the claims journey—from the first report through settlement—because claims handling is one of the biggest moments of truth for an insurer.

That’s why a company can have an “okay” overall satisfaction score, but still perform poorly on claims (or vice versa). If you’ve ever wondered why your claim is taking so long to process, this is the kind of experience the claims study is designed to capture.

In general, claims satisfaction is heavily influenced by things like communication, how quickly the claim moves, and whether the settlement feels fair. Your real-world experience is also affected by practical details, such as:

Whether you’re within the deadline and how long you have to file an insurance claim after a car accident
Whether you decide to report every accident to your insurance company
How the repair process works and how to go through your insurance company to get repairs done
Whether you have rental reimbursement coverage while your vehicle is in the shop
How you evaluate the settlement and how to know when your settlement offer is too low

How does J.D. Power collect insurance data?

J.D. Power studies are built from survey responses. Generally, they focus on customers who actually have the policy (or recently completed the experience being studied—like settling a claim). Results are then aggregated, weighted, and scored across the study’s dimensions to create an overall satisfaction score and rankings.

How to use J.D. Power rankings when shopping for car insurance

Use J.D. Power rankings as a fast way to narrow down insurers—then verify the fit for your needs by comparing coverage and pricing directly.

Start with the right study. If you care most about service and overall experience, look at the overall auto insurance study. If you care most about claims handling, focus on the claims satisfaction study.
Match the buying style to how you shop. Some drivers prefer buying through an agent, while others prefer to buy auto insurance online.
Compare coverage apples-to-apples. Before you decide, confirm you’re comparing the same coverage types, limits, deductibles, and add-ons.
Get multiple quotes. Rankings won’t tell you which company will be cheapest for your driver profile. Pricing can vary dramatically by state, ZIP code, vehicle, and driving history.
Use rankings to set expectations. If an insurer scores poorly for “problem resolution” or “digital channels,” you can treat that as a warning sign—especially if those features matter to you.

Limitations to keep in mind

Satisfaction isn’t financial strength. A high score doesn’t automatically mean an insurer is the most financially stable or best equipped long-term.
Rankings can vary by region and year. A carrier may perform well in one region and average in another.
Not every insurer is ranked everywhere. Some local or specialty carriers may not appear in the results you’re looking at.
Your experience may differ. Claims complexity, repair delays, local shops, and individual adjuster interactions can all influence outcomes.

FAQs on J.D. Power Auto Insurance Rankings

Are J.D. Power auto insurance rankings based on experts or customers?

They are based on customer surveys. J.D. Power collects feedback from real consumers about their experiences with their insurer, then converts those responses into satisfaction scores and rankings.

What does a 1,000-point J.D. Power score mean?

It is a customer satisfaction index score. Higher scores generally indicate better customer-reported experiences across the study’s categories, such as trust, service interactions, and ease of doing business.

What are Power Circle Ratings?

Power Circle Ratings are a simplified way to show how a company performed compared to peers. More circles indicate stronger performance, making it easier to compare insurers at a glance.

Do J.D. Power rankings measure an insurer’s financial strength?

No. J.D. Power rankings focus on customer experience and satisfaction. Financial strength is typically evaluated by separate agencies that specialize in insurer solvency and claims-paying ability.

Why is the top-ranked insurer different by state or region?

Service levels, claims networks, pricing competitiveness, and customer expectations can vary by location. J.D. Power often reports results by geographic region, so the highest-rated insurer may change depending on where you live.

How often are the auto insurance rankings updated?

Most major J.D. Power insurance studies are published on a regular schedule (typically annually), and results can change from year to year as pricing, service, and claims experiences shift.

Can insurers advertise that they won a J.D. Power award?

Many insurers promote strong results, but using J.D. Power awards and logos is typically governed by licensing rules. If you see an award in an ad, check which study it refers to and what it actually measured.

Bottom line

J.D. Power auto insurance rankings are most useful as a screening tool. They help you identify insurers that customers tend to like (or avoid), and they highlight why—price perception, trust, claims handling, digital tools, and customer service. Once you have a shortlist, compare quotes and coverage details to find the best overall value for your situation.