Is Kemper Good for Car Insurance?

Last Updated on November 19, 2023

Many options are available when choosing a car insurance company, and it can be challenging to determine which one will be best for your needs. Kemper is an insurance corporation that houses several insurance companies, including Kemper Preferred, Kemper Direct, and Kemper Specialty. Kemper is licensed to sell insurance in all 50 states and offers specialty policies in California. You may be considering using Kemper for your auto insurance. Here’s what you need to know about Kemper’s insurance policies before you buy.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kemper is an insurance corporation that offers different types of auto insurance policies through its subsidiaries, such as Kemper Preferred, Kemper Direct, and Kemper Specialty.
  • Kemper offers a range of coverage options and discounts for drivers, including high-risk drivers, teen drivers, and military members. Its unique features include SR-22 insurance, gap insurance, pet protection, and renewal assurance.
  • Kemper has a solid financial strength rating and an extensive agent network, but it also has poor customer service ratings and more complaints than the average insurer of its size. Customers may face delays, low settlements, or poor communication from Kemper.
  • Kemper is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, but its specialty coverage is only offered in California. Kemper policies can be purchased online or through an agent, depending on the type of policy.
  • Insurance Panda rates Kemper 3.3/5

Kemper Preferred

If you’re considering purchasing car insurance through Kemper, chances are you’re looking at Kemper Preferred. Kemper Preferred policies need to be purchased through a certified insurance agent. To find your nearest Kemper insurance agent, check their website. Kemper Preferred offers the average driver the broadest range of discounts and coverage options.

Kemper Direct

If you want to purchase your auto insurance policy online, you may want to look at Kemper Direct. Kemper Direct offers convenient policies that can only be purchased online, not through an agent. However, there aren’t as many coverage options available through Kemper Direct, and if you have a poor driving record or any other factors that might affect your rates, you may not qualify for online coverage.

Kemper Specialty

Kemper Specialty coverage is only available in California. This is only available through specific Kemper insurance agents. These coverage options are for people who may not otherwise be able to find reliable insurance options, such as those considered high-risk drivers or people who drive rare vehicles.

Kemper Policies

Kemper offers a few different types of auto insurance policies. Of course, they offer the standard liability coverage required by law. However, they have plenty of other options if you want more extensive coverage. Their most extensive coverage option is their Kemper Total policy, which is similar to traditional comprehensive coverage. This policy will cover you if a natural disaster, collision, or other incidents damage your car. This coverage is only available for brand-new vehicles and will cover the cost of purchasing a new vehicle or repairing your car – whichever is less.

Kemper also offers gap insurance, which covers the difference if your leased car is damaged and has a very low cash value. It will pay the difference between your cash value and the amount left on your lease, so you won’t owe your lender any money for a car you can’t drive. Kemper also has an ‘enhanced coverage’ package, which pays for personal property protection, key replacement, and trip interruption expenses. This package also waives your first minor accident, waives your deductible for a parked car collision, and lowers your deductible over time if you drive safely.

Kemper Discounts

According to Kemper’s website, the company offers several discounts for auto insurance, such as:

  • Advance Quote Discount – When you receive a quote and choose to move forward with it before the effective date in the quote, a discount may be applied to your policy.
  • Proof of Prior Insurance Discount – If you’ve previously had auto insurance, Kemper Auto offers a discount to help save you money on your new policy.
  • Paid-in-Full Discount – When you pay your auto insurance premium in full upfront instead of making payments monthly, you may be eligible for a discount on your insurance.
  • Multi-Car Discount – If you have more than one vehicle at home, insuring them all on one policy may help you save on your premium. In some states, you can have unlimited vehicles on the same policy.
  • Defensive Driving Course Discount Taking a course to learn safe driving skills not only makes you a better driver, but it may also make you eligible for another discount. Ask your independent insurance agent about qualifying courses and requirements.
  • Good Student Discount – Being a full-time student with a 3.0 GPA or higher, you could save money on your auto insurance policy with Kemper Auto.
  • Military DiscountActive duty military and National Guard members may be able to save money on their car insurance with a Kemper Auto policy.
  • Homeowner Discount – If you or someone on your policy has a homeowner’s insurance policy and the address on the policy matches the address on the auto policy, you may be able to save on your premium.

Talk to your Kemper agent to see which discounts you qualify for.

Pros of Kemper

There are many benefits to using Kemper as your insurance company.

  • Teen Policies – Kemper stands out in the policies they offer teen drivers and their families. Most other insurance companies charge high premiums for teen drivers because they are statistically more likely to get into an accident. However, this can make it difficult for families with teenagers to find affordable policies. Kemper fills this void by offering affordable policies for families and discount options targeted explicitly to them that can help you save even more. For example, teenagers can earn discounts by getting good grades in school and going to college. Drivers can also earn discounts by taking safety classes.
  • Bundling Options – Kemper also offers multi-policy discounts, so you can save even more money if you have multiple cars on the same policy or if you bundle your car insurance with home insurance or any of the other insurance types that Kemper offers.
  • Financial Strength – Kemper has a strong financial strength rating of A- from AM Best, which means they are financially stable enough to pay out claims even if they encounter economic difficulties.
  • Personalized Touch – Kemper insurance policies are only available through an agent. This could be considered a downside for some people, but there are some advantages to working with an agent. When you shop with an agent, you get a more personalized experience. They will help you compare different policy options and find the lowest price for your needs, which can be challenging to do on your own. They can also answer any questions about car insurance to make the process less stressful.
  • Nationwide Coverage – Kemper auto insurance is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia
  • Large Agent Network – Kemper has over 34,000 agents and brokers for more personalized service.
  • SR-22 Available – Kemper specializes in SR-22 insurance to help get you back on the road if you’re a high-risk driver.
  • Many Coverage Options Available – Kemper offers basic and customized coverage packages and policies for high-risk drivers who have trouble finding insurance elsewhere.
  • Variety of Discounts – Kemper offers discounts for advance quotes, proof of prior insurance, paid-in-full, multi-car, defensive driving course, good student, military, and homeowner.

Cons of Kemper

Of course, there are also disadvantages to using Kemper as your insurance company.

  • Expensive Rates – Kemper is generally more expensive than other insurance companies. While they offer affordable policies for families, if you are single or part of a couple without kids, you can expect to pay more with Kemper than other insurance companies. However, it’s important to remember that quotes vary for every driver.
  • Poor Customer Service and Complaints – Since Kemper is available mainly through independent agents, you can expect your customer service to vary depending on who your agent is. They receive more complaints than your average car insurance company and are known for making very delayed payments. There have also been complaints of lower settlement amounts than expected for people who do make claims.
  • Poorly-Rated Mobile App –  Kemper’s mobile app is rated poorly by consumers on the Apple and Google Play store ratings.
  • Specialty Coverage Only in California – Kemper’s nonstandard coverage options are available only in California.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kemper

Our Rating of Kemper

Kemper is an insurance corporation that sells auto insurance through its subsidiaries: Kemper Preferred, Kemper Direct, and Kemper Specialty. Kemper Preferred has the most discounts and coverage options but requires an agent. Kemper Direct allows online purchases but has fewer options and stricter qualifications. Kemper Specialty caters to high-risk drivers and rare vehicles in California. Kemper offers various policies and features, including Kemper Total, gap insurance, pet protection, and SR-22 insurance. Kemper has some advantages, such as teen policies, bundling options, financial strength, and personalized touch. However, Kemper also has some drawbacks, such as expensive rates, poor customer service and complaints, poorly-rated mobile apps, and limited specialty coverage.

Price
Financial Strength
Customer Service
Claims Satisfaction
Coverage and Discounts

Summary

When compared to other car insurance companies, Kemper is about average, with some areas where they fall short. If you have an agent in your area, getting a quote from them is worth seeing how their coverage stacks up with your other options. It’s very important to be aware of their customer service complaints and make sure you feel comfortable with your agent before getting a policy. However, if you have a teen driver, they will probably be one of your most affordable options, and it’s worth seeking out coverage from Kemper. They specialize in this area and provide a reliable option for families struggling to find coverage.

3.3

Kemper Contact Information

Please contact Kemper for more information.

Address: Kemper Corporation, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 3300, Chicago, IL 60601

Phone number: 1-800-3KEMPER (1-800-353-6737) for general inquiries or 1-888-252-2799 for claims

Email: https://www.kemper.com/about-kemper/contact-us

Website URL: https://www.kemper.com/

James Shaffer
James Shaffer James Shaffer is a writer for InsurancePanda.com and a well-seasoned auto insurance industry veteran. He has a deep knowledge of insurance rules and regulations and is passionate about helping drivers save money on auto insurance. He is responsible for researching and writing about anything auto insurance-related. He holds a bachelor's degree from Bentley University and his work has been quoted by NBC News, CNN, and The Washington Post.
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