State Auto Insurance Review
State Auto Insurance doesn’t offer personal auto insurance anymore, but it does sell other coverages. We’ll recommend alternative car insurance providers.
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Key Points:
- State Auto Insurance serves 33 states, but no longer offers personal auto coverage.
- You can purchase business auto and farm auto coverage through State Auto.
- State Auto Insurance has a solid rating from the BBB, but a high number of customer complaints.
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State Auto Insurance Company has offered insurance products for almost a century and maintains largely positive ratings and reviews. The company caters to the needs of businesses, farms, and ranches with a variety of policies. State Auto car insurance isn’t available for personal use cars, however, since the provider no longer offers personal auto policies. It does still provide coverage for business and farm vehicles.
Insurance from State Auto is not available nationwide, so if you’re considering a State Auto policy, you’ll need to check if it is available in your area. You can search for local agents on the State Auto website. We encourage you to see if State Auto is available in your area or if there’s a better deal for you from one of the nation’s best car insurance companies.
State Auto Insurance Overview
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, State Auto Insurance was established by Robert Pein in 1921. Frustrated by high car insurance rates and unfair claim settlements, Pein vowed his company would offer reasonable rates and prompt, fair claim services. This has been the company’s hallmark ever since. State Auto now provides services in 33 states including Texas, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, Illinois, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, and Minnesota.
According to the company, it has written $2 billion in insurance premiums to clients. Reports from credit rating agency AM Best further confirm the company’s excellent financial strength. The company scored an A (Excellent), which indicates its strong operating performance, long-standing market presence, and diversified product offerings.
State Auto Insurance Accolades
What makes State Auto Insurance stand out is its dedication to incorporating information technology (IT) to offer customers flexibility when finding a local agent or filing claims. The company’s efforts were recognized earlier in 2019 when it received a CIO 100 award from International Data Group (IDG)’s Chief Information Officer (CIO). The award program recognizes and honors organizations that achieved the highest operational and strategic excellence in IT.
State Auto: Other Insurance Products
While it doesn’t offer personal auto or life insurance coverage, State Auto offers the following insurance policies:
| Businesses | Farm And Ranch |
|---|---|
| Property insurance | Farm and ranch insurance |
| Liability insurance | Farm auto insurance |
| Business auto insurance | Farm umbrella insurance |
| Business owners’ policy insurance | |
| Commercial umbrella insurance | |
| Industry solutions | |
| Risk engineering | |
| Workers’ compensation insurance | |
| Employment practices liability insurance | |
| Cyber coverage insurance | |
| Data breach insurance | |
| Fleet Safety 360 |
State Auto Insurance Reviews
State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company has an A- rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). That said, the BBB has received some complaints from policyholders in the last three years, with just over 2,600 closed during that period. Of these complaints, most were related to a problem with the product or service. One reviewer mentioned being unable to get a response regarding their insurance claim.
Positive customer reviews shed light on helpful customer service and an easy claims process. Negative customer reviews shed light on issues with making payments online, rude customer service agents, and trouble getting coverage for claims after an accident.
Be aware that State Auto Insurance receives about twice as many complaints as the industry average, according to data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index.
State Auto Insurance Rating: Our Take
Overall, we rate State Auto Insurance 4.1 out of 5.0 stars. By now, you have probably decided whether State Auto Insurance is the right business or farm car insurance provider for you. We believe it can be a good option for business owners or farmers in one of the 33 states where this provider’s plans are offered.
State Auto Insurance: Recommended Competitors
While this may be a review of State Auto Insurance, our main focus is you. With that in mind, here are other great insurance carriers you can check out before buying a plan. Each of them ranked highly in our review of the industry’s best auto insurance companies. We recommend getting quotes from multiple providers to find the best rates for you.
State Farm: 4.7 Stars
State Farm is the nation’s largest auto insurer and takes our Best Overall Provider award. We like that the provider has more than 19,000 local insurance agents spread across the country (with the exceptions of Massachusetts and Rhode Island). State Farm also features a host of discounts, including multi-policy discounts for bundling auto with homeowners insurance, good student discounts, savings for having an anti-theft device in your car, and more. And its Drive Safe & Save™ usage-based program can save good drivers up to 30 percent by tracking their habits through a mobile app.
Travelers: 4.6 Stars
Travelers is our pick for the car insurance provider with the most coverage options. It offers standard auto insurance protection plus home insurance, renters insurance, and more. Along with regular coverage, you can also purchase a variety of add-ons, like guaranteed asset protection (GAP) insurance, new car replacement, accident forgiveness, and named non-owner policies. IntelliDrive® is the provider’s usage-based program, and you can earn a discount simply for enrolling in it.
Learn more in our full Travelers auto insurance review.
Progressive: 4.5 Stars
We gave Progressive our Best for Usage-Based Insurance award for its Snapshot® program. According to the company’s website, Progressive customers who complete the program save an average of $231 when they renew their policies. We also like the company’s Name Your Price® tool, which enables you to get a customized insurance quote based on your auto insurance coverage needs and budget.
You can get more information in our full Progressive auto insurance review.
USAA: 4.5 Stars
The United Services Automobile Association (USAA) offers affordable auto insurance to military personnel and those affiliated with the military through direct family ties.
If this applies to you, you can choose from a variety of auto insurance plans including standard coverages (bodily injury liability, property damage liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, more) and specialty coverages like car replacement cost assistance. You can easily save on these plans with discounts offered based on your driving, vehicle type, and membership. Moreover, USAA offers same-day coverage, 24/7 claims service, and award-winning customer satisfaction.
Learn more in our USAA insurance review.
Geico: 4.5 Stars
Popularly known as Geico, the Government Employees Insurance Company is the second-largest auto insurer in the United States. It’s one of the few insurance carriers that allows you to do everything online. While its coverage options are similar to those offered by other companies, its low prices combined with several discounts make it worth consideration.
Like State Auto Insurance, Geico is a better choice for experienced drivers who have not had an at-fault accident within the last five years. However, you won’t know how much you’ll pay unless you request a free quote.
State Auto Insurance: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about State Auto Insurance:
Is State Auto part of Liberty Mutual?
Yes, State Auto Insurance was purchased by Liberty Mutual in March 2022. The company is currently operating under its own name with separate products and staff from Liberty Mutual.
How long has State Auto been in business?
State Auto Insurance was founded in 1921 by Robert Pein. The company continues to operate out of Columbus, Ohio.
Is State Auto the same as Auto-Owners?
No, State Auto and Auto-Owners Insurance are separate companies. Each provider offers different insurance products, and they have unrelated ownership.
How do I cancel State Auto Insurance?
The easiest way to cancel State Auto Insurance is by calling your local agent. No matter who your insurance provider is, you can switch auto insurance providers at any time for any reason.
How We Rate Car Insurance Providers
Our review team extensively researches auto insurance providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:
- Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
- Availability: Insurance companies that offer wider availability to consumers in terms of state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
- Pricing: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
- Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer a smooth experience.
- Technology: Providers with an online quote tool, easy-to-use claims app and a usage-based insurance app score best in this category.