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The Best Auto Insurance Companies for Claims Handling

Updated
Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

After an accident, the last thing a driver needs is the stress of arguing with an auto insurance company. That's why it's important to find the best auto insurance for claims handling. These five insurers all earn top marks for speedy and efficient claims processing. They also offer some extra perks drivers will find attractive as well.

The Hartford

Logo for The Hartford
Best for speedy claims processing for drivers of new vehiclesThe Hartford
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Bottom Line

The Hartford earned the highest rating for claims handling on the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. It received a customer satisfaction rating of 905 on a 1,000 point scale. Reviews of The Hartford mention speedy claims processing and an efficient process. Minor claims can even be reported directly online, which helps move the process along more quickly.

The Hartford is an especially great option for owners of new vehicles. That's because new car replacement coverage is included in policies. This coverage will ensure a new vehicle is replaced with another of the same make and model. There will be no depreciation deduction.

Erie Auto Insurance

Logo for Erie Auto Insurance
Best for pet owners making accident claimsErie Auto Insurance
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Bottom Line

Erie Insurance came in a close second behind The Hartford on J.D. Power's 2021 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. The insurer earned a 901 out of 1,000 customer satisfaction rating. Past reviewers also described the claims process as "extremely fast" and praised Erie's "professionalism and care."

Erie doesn't just take care of humans after a crash. The insurer also provides up to $500 per pet for veterinary care with a $1,000 per-accident maximum. This makes the insurer an ideal choice for pet owners who want to make certain their animals receive the best treatment if harmed in a collision.

Stand-Out Coverage Options

  • Erie Rate Lock ensures that your rate will stay the same, unless you add or remove a vehicle or a driver or change the address where you keep your vehicle parked.
  • Erie also includes free roadside assistance, a diminishing deductible for each consecutive year claims-free, and bundle options.

Amica Mutual

Logo for Amica Mutual
Best for fast claims processing and comprehensive rental car coverageAmica Mutual
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Bottom Line

Amica Mutual also topped J.D. Power's list of insurers with high claim satisfaction ratings. Its score was 895 out of 1,000. This was well above the industry average of 880. Past reviewers also described the claims process as "trouble-free."

Amica also makes life easier after an accident because it offers more comprehensive rental coverage than many other insurers. With Amica's Platinum Choice Auto plan, drivers get up to $5,000 toward the cost of a rental vehicle after a crash. There is no daily limit on the cost of the rented car.

Stand-Out Coverage Options

  • New car replacement for vehicles with fewer than 15,000 miles
  • Prestige rental car coverage with no daily limit
  • Ridesharing coverage is available

Farmers

Logo for Farmers
Best for efficient claims and guaranteed value coverageFarmers
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Farmers scored an impressive 893 out of 1,000 on J.D. Power's 2021 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, coming in fifth on the list. Reviewers indicated they never experienced a hassle when filing claims with Farmers. And the insurer has earned an A rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Farmers is unique because it offers a specific type of coverage most competitors don't -- it provides guaranteed value coverage. This ensures drivers receive a predetermined amount of compensation if their car is declared a total loss.

Stand-Out Coverage Options

  • Guaranteed Value option pays an agreed-upon value if the car is totaled
  • Coverage for customized equipment and spare parts
  • Ridesharing coverage is available

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State Farm

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Best for online claims filingState Farm
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Bottom Line

State Farm received a score of 892 on J.D. Power's 2021 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. The insurer beat competitors including GEICO, Nationwide, and Liberty Mutual. One reason State Farm ranks so highly is its Easy Claims Center. This enables customers to file and track an accident claim entirely online.

State Farm doesn't just allow you to report accidents and get the claims process underway via your desktop or mobile device. It also has one of the largest local agent networks of any insurer. This means in-person support is available if you need it.

What happens when you make an auto insurance claim?

After an accident, it's important for all involved drivers to report the collision to their respective insurers. This should be done as soon as possible. Drivers should also report the crash to the police. And they should obtain details of the accident, including the police report and the names of any witnesses. Finally, they should exchange insurance information with other motorists involved in the crash.

After a claim is made, the insurer assigns a claims adjuster to it. The adjuster will investigate to determine:

  • Who was at fault for the accident
  • How much repairs will cost
  • What other losses will be covered by insurance

If there were multiple parties involved, insurers will determine who is at fault for the crash. In some states, accident victims recover compensation for injuries and property damage from the responsible driver's insurer. In others, damages for minor injuries are paid by each driver's own insurer, regardless of who actually caused the accident.

The insurance company responsible for paying will make an offer of compensation for car accident damage. Drivers may have the option to accept the offered settlement or to file a personal injury lawsuit against the motorist at fault for the collision.

If a driver's own insurer is paying out compensation, the driver will need to pay any car insurance deductibles. And the compensation will be capped at policy limits. Depending on how much coverage a driver had, the insurer may pay for:

  • Repair of a vehicle or the car's fair market value if it is declared a total loss
  • Rental car reimbursement
  • Lost wages
  • Medical payments
  • Repayment of any remaining auto loan balance if the vehicle is worth less than the amount owed

How long does it take to complete the auto insurance claim process?

How quickly policyholders can receive a payment from car insurance after an accident will depend on several factors, including:

  • Whether there are questions about who was at fault for the accident
  • The severity of the damage
  • The insurer's policies

In many cases, claims can be paid within 30 to 45 days or less. But if there is a dispute over who is liable for losses or whether the accident should be covered, it can take much longer.

What determines the auto claim payout?

Many different factors go into determining how much money a driver receives from insurance after an accident. These include:

  • State laws: For example, payments for minor injuries may be limited in no-fault states.
  • Fault for the accident: If another driver was to blame, their insurer should compensate crash victims. This can mean coverage is available for things like pain and suffering.
  • The extent of the damage: Insurers should pay to either repair the car or to replace it.
  • The value of the vehicle: If a car's fair market value is higher, the insurer will pay more if it is totaled.
  • The types of coverage: For example, some drivers have new car replacement coverage. This ensures they can get a new vehicle replaced without depreciation being taken into account.
  • The deductible: This is the amount drivers must pay out-of-pocket when their own insurer covers losses.
  • Policy limits: An insurer will not pay compensation above policy limits.

Insurance adjusters work to determine an appropriate payout after a claim is made.

Why it's important to consider claims handling when selecting an auto insurance carrier

The purpose of auto insurance is to make sure the risk of loss is transferred to an insurer. After a crash, drivers don't want to have to fight to get compensation. Motorists want to be paid quickly after an efficient claims process and get back on the road.

Unfortunately, some companies are slow to pay out claims, make lowball offers of compensation, or try to deny coverage for claims that should be paid for. Drivers want to avoid these insurers and look for a company with a solid reputation for claims handling -- even if this means they must pay higher insurance premiums.

A recap of the best car insurance companies for claims handling

The Picks
Offer Best For Next Steps
Graphic of The Hartford
The Hartford
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For: Best for speedy claims processing for drivers of new vehicles
Graphic of Erie Auto Insurance
Erie Auto Insurance
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For: Best for pet owners making accident claims
Graphic of Amica Mutual
Amica Mutual
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For: Best for fast claims processing and comprehensive rental car coverage
Graphic of Farmers
Farmers
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For: Best for efficient claims and guaranteed value coverage
Graphic of State Farm
State Farm
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Great For: Best for online claims filing

FAQs

  • To maximize compensation from a car insurance claim, drivers should document all damages carefully. This includes damage to the vehicle, injuries sustained, medical bills incurred, and lost wages.

    It is also important to buy good auto insurance coverage before an accident occurs. Drivers who want to make sure they receive the most post-crash compensation should have collision coverage so their insurer will pay for a crash they are at fault for. They should also make sure to have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. This is important in case they are involved in a crash caused by a driver with too little coverage.

    Finally, drivers who were injured by someone else in a collision may wish to consult an attorney to help them negotiate a settlement or pursue a personal injury claim.

  • Whether an insurance claim is worth it or not depends on the extent of damage and the deductible. Auto insurance premiums usually increase after a claim is made. If the insurer would pay out very little money after taking the deductible into account, it's typically not worth making a claim for compensation and risking premiums rising.

  • Common auto insurance claims include damage from rear-end accidents; glass damage; damage to parked cars; backup accidents; hail damage; vandalism; and claims arising from collisions at intersections.