Choosing the right car insurance can be a daunting task, especially with so many options available. Allstate, a well-known and established insurance provider in the United States, offers a variety of car insurance products to suit different needs and budgets. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Allstate car insurance, including coverage options, costs, discounts, and customer satisfaction ratings, to help you make an informed decision.
Allstate Car Insurance: An Overview
Allstate is one of the largest car insurance companies in the U.S., offering a range of coverage options and add-ons. It’s known for its “Good Hands” slogan and widespread agent network. While Allstate generally receives positive industry reviews, its rates can be higher than some competitors.
Coverage Options
Allstate provides standard car insurance coverage, including:
- Liability Coverage: This covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others in an accident.
- Collision Coverage: This pays for damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision with another vehicle or object.
- Comprehensive Coverage: This covers damage to your vehicle from events other than collisions, such as theft, vandalism, fire, or natural disasters.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This protects you if you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages.
In addition to these standard coverages, Allstate offers several add-on options, including:
- Deductible Rewards: This program reduces your collision or comprehensive deductible by $100 for each year of accident-free driving, up to a maximum of $500. This can potentially reduce your deductible to $0.
- New Car Replacement: If your car is totaled within the first two years of ownership, this coverage pays for a brand-new car of the same make and model.
- Roadside Assistance: This provides 24/7 assistance with towing, jump-starts, lockout service, flat tire changes, and fuel delivery.
- Ride for Hire (Rideshare Coverage): This fills coverage gaps when driving for Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare services.
- Rental Car Reimbursement: This pays for a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered claim.
- Sound System Coverage: This covers aftermarket stereos, speakers, and audio equipment.
- Personal Effects Coverage: This covers personal belongings stolen from your vehicle.
- Extended Vehicle Care: This coverage protects you from repair costs after the manufacturer’s warranty expires, extending coverage to seven years and 100,000 miles. It includes towing, repair cost coverage, your choice of mechanic, repair resolution, price transparency, rental car or rideshare coverage, and travel reimbursement.
Allstate Car Insurance Costs
The cost of Allstate car insurance varies depending on several factors, including your age, driving record, credit score, the type of car you drive, and your location.
- Average Costs: Full-coverage car insurance from Allstate averages around $216 per month or $2,598 per year. Minimum coverage averages around $71 per month or $854 per year. These averages are generally higher than the national average and the rates offered by some competitors.
- Cost by Age: Younger drivers typically pay significantly more for car insurance than older drivers. For example, a 16-year-old driver may pay more than four times the average annual rate compared to a 35-year-old.
- Cost for High-Risk Drivers: Drivers with speeding tickets, accidents, or DUIs will also pay higher rates. Even a minor violation can increase your annual premiums.
- Cost by State: Allstate’s rates can vary significantly by state.
Allstate Car Insurance Discounts
Allstate offers a variety of discounts to help lower your car insurance costs, including:
- Multi-Policy/Bundle Discount: Save by bundling your auto insurance with home, renters, or other policies.
- Multi-Car Discount: Get a discount for insuring multiple vehicles on the same policy.
- Smart Student Discount: Students under 25 with a good GPA may be eligible for a discount.
- New Car Discount: Save on premiums for being the first driver of a new vehicle.
- Anti-Lock Brake Discount: Receive a discount for vehicles equipped with anti-lock brakes.
- Safe Driving Bonus: Earn a bonus every six months without an accident.
- Deductible Rewards: As mentioned earlier, this program reduces your deductible for each accident-free year.
- EZ Pay Plan Discount: Set up automatic payments to receive a discount.
- Allstate eSmart Discount: Sign up for paperless policy documents.
- Early Signing Discount: Sign your policy at least seven days before it goes into effect.
- FullPay Discount: Pay your six-month premium in advance.
Allstate Drivewise and Milewise Programs
Allstate offers two usage-based insurance programs that can help you save money:
- Drivewise: This program tracks your driving habits using a mobile app and rewards you for safe driving behaviors, such as avoiding speeding, hard braking, and late-night driving. Unlike some other programs, Drivewise won’t raise your rates if you practice unsafe driving habits.
- Milewise: This program charges you based on the number of miles you drive. It’s a good option for low-mileage drivers. Your miles are tracked through an app and you pay a daily rate plus a per-mile rate. Milewise’s availability varies by state, so check with Allstate to see if it’s offered in your area.
Customer Satisfaction and Reviews
Allstate ranks 10th for overall customer satisfaction in MoneyGeek’s study. Customer reviews often praise the company’s strong agent service and user-friendly digital tools. However, some customers have reported issues with claims handling and rate increases.
- J.D. Power Ratings: Allstate generally scores well in J.D. Power studies, particularly in the areas of digital service experience.
- NAIC Complaint Index: Allstate receives more complaints than expected based on its market share.
- Online Forums: Reviews on Reddit and other online forums are mixed, with some customers praising Allstate’s coverage options and agent network, while others complain about rate increases and claims processing issues. It’s important to remember that online reviews may not always be representative of the overall customer experience.
Allstate vs. Competitors
It’s always a good idea to compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies before making a decision. Here’s how Allstate compares to some of its major competitors:
- GEICO: GEICO often offers lower rates than Allstate, particularly for budget-conscious drivers.
- State Farm: State Farm generally receives high marks for customer service and may offer better rates than Allstate in some cases.
- Progressive: Progressive may offer better rates and customer service than Allstate.
- USAA: For military members and their families, USAA often outperforms Allstate in terms of affordability, customer service, and coverage options.
Conclusion
Allstate is a reputable car insurance company with a wide range of coverage options and a strong agent network. However, its rates can be higher than some competitors. To make an informed decision, it’s important to compare quotes from multiple insurers, consider your individual needs and budget, and read customer reviews. By doing your research, you can find the best car insurance policy for your specific situation.
