EDITOR’S RATING

3.2 / 5

PROS

• Above-average customer service ratings.
• Lots of supplemental coverage options.
• Ridesharing coverage.

CONS

• Limited availability.
• No online claims process.
• Not many discounts.

Erie Insurance is a pretty good insurance company, earning a rating of 3.2/5 from WalletHub and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Erie offers auto insurance, property insurance, business insurance, umbrella policies, and more. However, the company only serves 12 states (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin) and Washington D.C.

EDITOR’S RATING

0 / 5

PROS

• Unique coverage options & discounts.
• Coverage for high-risk drivers.
• Online account management & claims filing.

CONS

• High premiums.
• Lots of customer complaints.
• Only available in 26 states.
• No rideshare insurance.

Kemper is an average insurance company overall, earning a 2.2/5 rating from WalletHub and solid ratings from organizations such as J.D. Power and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Kemper is known for its unique auto coverage options, but the company also offers insurance policies for your home, health and more.

When purchasing a car – even some used cars – you’ll be faced with a decision about whether to purchase an extended warranty to protect yourself from expensive car repair bills. Before paying for one of these plans, it’s important to know what you’re buying and what your alternatives are.

In general, there are three similar products currently offered to supplement a manufacturer’s original warranty:

Mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) is a car insurance add-on that covers failure of major vehicular systems, like your engine and transmission. Mechanical breakdown insurance is similar to an extended warranty from a car manufacturer, but it provides coverage for more systems. MBI is worth it if you’re buying a new car, as large non-collision repairs on new vehicles can be very costly and are usually covered only by extended warranties or MBI, not standard insurance policies.

Standard insurance policies, on the other hand, provide coverage for damage that occurs due to collisions, vandalism or unforeseen hazards, such as hail storms or floods. So, if you’re looking for insurance that will cover any major breakdown repairs your car might need, you will have to choose between purchasing MBI and an extended warranty.

EDITOR’S RATING

3.5 / 5

PROS

• Specialized coverage options, discounts and benefits for AARP members.
• Solid claims-handling process.
• Online claims-processing option.

CONS

• More expensive for young drivers/non-AARP members.
• Discounts and benefits not available to everyone.

The Hartford Insurance is a solid insurance company overall, earning a rating of 3.1/5 from WalletHub editors and A+ scores from organizations such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), despite mixed customer reviews. The Hartford, which offers a wide variety of insurance options, is best known for its AARP insurance coverage that’s tailored specially for older drivers who are AARP members. Younger drivers and non-AARP members can buy policies from The Hartford, too, but the benefits and discounts won’t be as great.

After a long flight you make your way to the luggage carousel and finally the rental car counter. At this point, the last things you want to face are difficult decisions and hard sales tactics. The agent at the rental counter attempts to talk you into buying a damage waiver to cover you in the case of an accident or other event that causes damage to your rental car. What should you do? Is it worth the extra cost that will be added to your rental?

In an unfamiliar car and city, maybe during a holiday, often using a GPS to navigate, it’s easy to see why rental car accidents are more likely. One survey found that 27% of men and 10% of women have experienced damage to rental cars. Although this may reflect years of rental car use for each individual, the numbers are still a little frightening.

Car repair insurance, or mechanical breakdown coverage, is available from a few insurance companies such as GEICO and Mercury Insurance. Adding this coverage to your car insurance can save you from bearing the cost of major repairs like a blown engine or transmission on your own. But for most people it’s just not a good value.

So that you can decide for yourself, we summarize below how this insurance works. We’ll also offer some better alternatives that can help protect you from expensive car repairs.

Drivers in almost all states are required to maintain minimum levels of auto insurance coverage. But beyond the minimum, your insurer will offer you many car insurance types. What do they cover, and which ones are right for you?

To help you determine the ones you need, we provide an overview of the six major types of auto insurance, plus descriptions of some less common types of coverage. When you’re ready to shop, the WalletHub Car Insurance Quote Generator will guide you to the best possible rates.

Laws in nearly every state require motorists to carry car insurance, but many people take their chances and drive without coverage. How many? According to an Insurance Research Council study, an estimated one in eight motorists in 2012 was driving without insurance. That’s a national average, and in some states as many as one in four are uninsured.

If you’re involved in an accident caused by an uninsured driver, you could be left holding the bag. Even if the other driver carries insurance, he or she may be underinsured, with coverage limits not high enough to pay for all the costs of a serious accident. Look at the minimum level of liability coverage required in your state, it may be a lot less than you think.

EDITOR’S RATING

3.3 / 5

PROS

• Affordable prices.
• Lots of coverage options.
• Good discounts.

CONS

• Only available to military personnel and eligible family members.

USAA is one of the best insurance companies for current and former members of the United States military, has an 3.3/5 rating from WalletHub and solid scores from organizations like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and J.D. Power. USAA stands for United Services Automobile Association, and the company offers a variety of coverage options, including auto, homeowners and life insurance policies, as well as banking, investment and retirement services. USAA is also known for its competitive rates and generous discounts. However, USAA insurance policies and other services are only available to active duty military members, retired veterans, and their spouses and children.