Every car insurance company would love for you to believe that its rates are the best in the industry, but some can be surprisingly expensive. While it’s only available in 26 states, Auto-Owners Insurance is one of the most affordable options in the business.
Generally considered to be one of the most affordable car insurance companies, Auto-Owners also offers some of the best cheap homeowners insurance and other coverage options, but its online capabilities aren’t as robust or convenient as the services offered by competitors, and it can’t manage the numerous discount programs that its larger rivals can.
Pros
One of the more affordable insurance options
Some discounts available
Local independent agents provide personalized customer service
Cons
Only available in 26 states
Discounts may be more limited than with other insurers
Limited services available online
About Auto-Owners Car Insurance
Auto-Owners Insurance has been in business for more than 100 years and has grown to cover almost three million policyholders. While it only operates in 26 states, the company has 48,000 local agents that provide personal service, earning Auto-Owners strong reviews from customers.
It offers strong discounts for teens and college students, but some of the programs require GPS monitoring that some might find invasive. Auto-Owners’ policyholders also enjoy many of the same benefits that larger national carriers offer, but its online services only include bill payment, with most other activities requiring an agent, including claims.
Features and Benefits
Despite its limited availability in the U.S., Auto-Owners Insurance offers a good number of discounts, and its customers report smooth sailing through most interactions with the company.
Beyond discounts, customers may enjoy unique benefits from bundling policies, including a discounted or waived deductible if a covered home and auto claim are necessary for the same covered event. At the same time, its online services are more limited than others, and the lack of service in 24 states is a real downer for people who don’t live in a covered area.
- Generous student discount programs
- Highly-rated customer service
- Unique deductible benefits that extend beyond discounts
- Only available in 26 states
- Auto-Owners charges less for driving record blemishes
- The company has far fewer regulatory complaints than others
- Online services are limited, including quotes
- Benefits include road trouble service and more
Auto-Owners Car Insurance Reviews: Editorial Rating
Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Auto-Owners: 8.6
We gave Auto-Owners a high score for its excellent customer service, lower-than-average pricing, and generous discount programs. The car insurance company offers unique benefits that extend beyond price cuts, and its customers report having very few issues with service. It would be nice if the company’s insurance products were available to drivers in all 50 states, but for those who qualify, Auto-Owners can be a great option.
| Local Agents | Agents are located across the 26-state service area |
| Discounts | Multiple available, including bundling, safe driver, good student discounts, and more |
| Pricing | Below national average, including for people with DUIs and other blemishes on their driving records |
| Convenience and Customer Service | Highly-rated customer service and insurance agents. Customers consistently rank the company among the best for service |
Why We Like It
We like Auto-Owners Insurance mainly for its excellent customer service. Its policyholders consistently say that it is one of the easiest insurance companies to deal with on the phone, noting that they received expert advice from the agents, and those same customers don’t seem to mind that Auto-Owners’ online capabilities are behind those of many national carriers.
The company’s pricing is also more reasonable than most, and it tends to be less expensive for people with DUIs, speeding tickets, or at-fault accidents on their driving records. Finally, Auto-Owners’ already reasonable pricing becomes more affordable with its range of discounts, which include some innovative benefits for people who bundle policies with, for example, its homeowner coverage options.
What We Don’t Like
Auto-Owners is only available in 26 states, and the company is also a bit behind the times by not allowing potential customers to get quotes and new policies online. That said, it does offer bill pay and a few other services online, but nowhere near the level of service available from its main competitors.
Auto-Owners Customer Reviews
Auto-Owners has positive and negative reviews, but many customers say its service is tops among auto insurance companies. Most report being able to resolve problems with one call, and many say their interactions with the company were smooth and painless. Others report fast claims processing with personal service and good communication from Auto-Owners agents.
On the other hand, many say Auto-Owners’ local claims adjusters fail to communicate as quickly or clearly as the company itself. Some say the company did not pay claims fully, or that something they thought was covered by insurance ended up not being paid. Because of this, it’s essential to review the terms and conditions of any insurance policy.
Who Is Auto-Owners Best For?
Auto-Owners is a great option for students and young drivers because of the multiple discounts it offers. Of course, that only applies if the driver lives in one of the 26 states where Auto-Owners operates. The company is not great for people who want a mostly digital experience with little need for human interaction.
Auto-Owners Vs State Farm
State Farm has a much wider reach than Auto-Owners, but it’s not as affordable. People looking for a more digital experience should check out State Farm, but Auto-Owners’ agents earn excellent marks for service and knowledge.
| Feature | State Farm | Auto-Owners |
| App | Yes, claims, service, payments, more | No |
| Availability | All 50 states plus Washington, D.C. | 26 states |
| Average Price | $2,167 annually | $1,677 annually |
| Customer Support | Highly-rated 24/7 customer service |
Auto-Owners Car Insurance Alternatives
Auto-Owners earns high marks for its outstanding customer service and competitive pricing, especially for drivers who prefer working with independent agents. However, its limited availability and minimal online tools may make it less appealing to those who value digital convenience or need national coverage. Here are a few strong alternatives from our overview of the best cheap car insurance companies worth considering:
- Geico: Best for nationwide availability and low rates with a fully digital experience.
- State Farm: Best for those who want local agent support and a broad range of coverage options.
- Lemonade: Best for low-mileage drivers who prefer app-based policy management and AI claims.
- USAA: Best for military families seeking top-rated service and highly competitive pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Auto-Owners better than Progressive?
Which car insurance companies have the most complaints?
Source
Logo image source: auto-owners.com
After earning an MBA, Chris began writing about tech and finance as part of his work as a bank analyst and consultant. Wanting to pursue his first love in life, Chris jumped ship and turned his focus to the automotive industry, first as a freelance writer for Forbes, J.D. Power, The Drive, and U.S. News & World Report, before starting YourTestDriver.com and the America on the Road Radio Show. Chris brings more than ten years of experience in product reviews, in-depth analyses, and news, and has been recognized as a significant contributor in building the future of the automotive media field.
Chris Teague
Last Updated: August 7, 2025
Editorial Reviews
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