Is Pekin Good for Auto Insurance?
Last Updated on October 16, 2026
Pekin is not writing new personal auto insurance. It halted new home and auto business in five states in October 2023 and exited Iowa outright, and the halt has since widened: AM Best’s rating action of October 24, 2025 records a personal lines moratorium in all states, alongside personal lines agency terminations. Pekin’s own products-by-state page, updated November 18, 2025, lists no auto product in any state.
One thing to watch if you go looking: Pekin’s website still has auto pages and a find-an-agent button, with no notice of the moratorium on them. That is worth knowing before you spend an afternoon on it. If you hold a Pekin auto policy, the company has not said publicly what happens at renewal outside Iowa, so ask your agent directly rather than assuming.
Pekin itself is fine, and still writes business, farm and life coverage. What follows describes the auto product as it stood, which is useful if you are reading an existing policy.
Pekin Insurance at a Glance
Summary
Bottom line: not available to new customers. Pekin is a long-established regional insurer, but it is under a personal lines moratorium in every state and is not writing new auto policies.
Pekin Insurance focuses on a limited group of states, primarily in the Midwest, which let it tailor underwriting and service to local conditions. Its auto coverage options generally met the needs of standard drivers, and claims and policy service run through independent agents. It never offered the digital tools or nationwide reach of larger carriers, and its agent-based model suited drivers who valued personal guidance.
Best for
- Current Pekin auto policyholders checking what happens at renewal
- Anyone reading an existing Pekin auto policy or endorsement
- Pekin business, farm or life customers wondering about auto
Not ideal for
- Anyone looking to buy new Pekin auto insurance
- People who want fully digital, direct-to-consumer insurance
- Shoppers comparing auto quotes, since Pekin is not writing new policies
About Pekin Insurance
Pekin Insurance is headquartered in Pekin, Illinois and has been in business since 1921. The company operates primarily through an agent network (rather than selling direct-to-consumer in every state) and offers personal and commercial insurance lines.
Pekin’s own products-by-state page is the thing to check, and as of its November 18, 2025 update it lists no auto product in any state. The states that still show a general personal insurance category are Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin; Iowa shows none at all, which matches the 2023 exit there.
You can learn more about current state availability here: Pekin Insurance products by state.
Pekin Insurance Contact Information
| Need Help With | Best Contact |
|---|---|
| Billing / payments / policy services | 800-322-0160 |
| Auto, home, or business claims | 888-735-4611 |
| Roadside assistance (Roadside Rescue) | 888-735-4611 (24/7) |
| Find a local agent | Use the “Find an Agent” tool |
Pekin Insurance Products and Services
Pekin sells multiple lines of insurance. Availability varies by state, but the company generally offers the following categories:
| Product Line | What It Typically Includes |
|---|---|
| Auto insurance | Not currently written. The product covered minimum liability auto insurance, full coverage auto insurance and optional add-ons |
| Home insurance | Homeowners and other property policies depending on the state and dwelling type |
| Life insurance | Multiple policy types based on underwriting and state approvals |
| Health products | Often focused on Medicare supplement and related products (state availability varies) |
| Business insurance | Common commercial coverages such as property, liability, and workers’ compensation (varies by industry and state) |
How Pekin Auto Insurance Works
Pekin is primarily an agent-based insurer. When it was writing auto, you requested a quote through a local agent, who reviewed your drivers, vehicles, coverage needs, and budget, and if you hold a Pekin auto policy, that agent is still the person to ask. Requirements and available endorsements varied by state, so the menu of options could look different in neighboring states—even if you live close to Illinois.
Core Auto Coverages You Can Typically Add
Pekin auto policies included standard coverages found at many carriers. The table below summarizes what each coverage does and when it matters.
| Coverage | What It Pays For | Where to Learn More |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | Injuries you cause to others in an at-fault accident | Bodily injury liability coverage |
| Property damage liability | Damage you cause to someone else’s vehicle or property | Property damage liability coverage |
| Medical payments (MedPay) | Medical bills for you and passengers after an accident, regardless of fault (where available) | Medical payments coverage |
| Collision | Repairs to your vehicle after a crash (subject to your deductible) | Collision coverage |
| Comprehensive | Non-collision losses like theft, vandalism, hail, falling objects, and flood (subject to your deductible) | Comprehensive coverage |
Quick tip: “Full coverage” isn’t a single coverage type. Ask your agent to list your deductibles (collision and comprehensive) and confirm whether rental reimbursement and roadside assistance are included—or need to be added.
Optional Add-Ons and Endorsements
Alongside the core coverages, a Pekin auto policy could carry optional add-ons. Names and eligibility varied by state, and the common ones were these:
| Add-On | What It’s Designed to Do | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Roadside Rescue | Help with towing, flat tires, lockouts, jump-starts, and similar issues | Works similarly to other roadside assistance plans. |
| Auto Guard endorsement package | Bundles multiple extra protections beyond a base policy | Auto Guard is an endorsement package that may include items like enhanced rental benefits, key replacement, and personal effects coverage (availability varies). |
| Young Adult Protection Plus | Adds extra protections aimed at younger drivers | Typically combines Auto Guard-type benefits plus items like accidental death coverage and certain identity/personal property benefits such as personal property coverage (details vary by state). |
| Auto loan & lease (gap-style) coverage | Helps cover the difference between your vehicle’s value and what you owe after a covered total loss | This can matter when a vehicle is declared a total loss. |
| Increased rental reimbursement | Raises daily and/or maximum rental limits after a covered claim | Limits and pricing vary widely by state and insurer. |
| Accidental death benefit | Pays a benefit if the insured dies due to covered accident injuries | Not a substitute for life insurance; benefit amounts and eligibility vary. |
| Motorcycle and off-road options | Coverage for vehicles beyond standard passenger autos | May include motorcycle and ATV policies depending on the state. |
Pekin Auto Insurance Discounts
Discounts varied by state, underwriting rules, and sometimes driver/vehicle eligibility. If you hold a Pekin auto policy, your agent can confirm what applies to it and whether discounts stack. Common Pekin discounts could include:
| Discount | What Usually Qualifies |
|---|---|
| Multi-car | Insuring multiple vehicles on one policy (or with the same insurer) |
| Advance quote | Requesting a quote before your current policy renews |
| Anti-theft device | Qualifying theft deterrents; requirements vary and may depend on the device type |
| Auto/home bundling | Combining policies (often called a “multi-policy” discount). See how bundling auto and homeowners typically works. |
| $0 glass deductible option | Optional feature that may reduce or remove the deductible for glass claims (where offered) |
| Defensive driver | Often for older drivers who complete a qualifying defensive driving course (state rules vary) |
| EFT / autopay | Paying via electronic funds transfer or certain automatic payment methods |
| Good student | Eligibility for drivers under 25 who meet academic requirements (see how a good student discount typically works) |
| Paid in full | Paying the policy term upfront instead of monthly (see whether it’s better to pay in full or monthly) |
Pekin Customer Reviews and Financial Strength
When choosing any insurer, it helps to separate financial strength (ability to pay claims) from customer experience (claims handling, communication, billing, agent support). Pekin is a regional carrier, so it may not appear in every national satisfaction study.
Financial strength: Pekin Insurance Company is rated by A.M. Best. You can view the company profile and rating history here: A.M. Best rating for Pekin Insurance Company.
Customer complaints and reviews: It’s normal for insurers to receive complaints—especially around claims—so it’s best to look for patterns (delays, communication, billing issues) rather than focusing on a single review. You can review BBB business information and complaint history here: Pekin Insurance (BBB profile).
Final Word on Pekin Auto Insurance
Pekin is an Illinois-based, agent-driven insurer with a multi-state footprint, and for business, farm or life coverage it is still worth pricing out. For car insurance it is not an option at the moment, and the company has not said whether the moratorium is permanent.
The best way to decide is to compare the same coverages and deductibles across multiple insurers, then weigh premium, claims reputation, and financial strength together—not price alone.
FAQs on Pekin Auto Insurance
Sources
Checked October 7, 2026
