Shopping for a new auto insurer? Consider these reader favorites

By Lisa Gerstner

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine recently polled its readers about their favorite financial services companies.

Amongauto insurers, these two stood above the rest in the survey. Respondents scored auto insurers based on howcompetitive their rates are, howpositive the experience iswhenmaking a claim, and if they’d recommendthe insurer to others.

USAA

USAA, the overall winner, far outpaced its competitors on the criteriawe asked readers to evaluate. "Their service, reliability and professionalism are second to none," one reader says. Afew pointed to strong customer service as a standout feature, too, with one saying that "USAA has the best customer service of any financial service organization I use."

USAAmembership is available to military service-members and veterans, aswell as their spouses and children. Thosewho have an auto insurance policy withUSAA can take advantage of various discounts, including up to 10% off for bundling auto and homeowners policies, lower rates for teenswhomaintain high grades, and a discount of up to3% if you set up automatic payments of your insurance premiums. USAA’s mobile app provides a range of features— you can pull up your auto insurance identification card, change your coverage, pay bills, request roadside assistance, and file and manage claims.

Progressive

Readers gave Progressive a nod for offering competitive rates on its auto policies.

"Progressive has consistently givenme the best quotes on auto insurance," says one survey respondent, whoalso noted "fantastic customer service and follow-up" through two claims with the company.

Progressive offers the option to reduce your insurance rate by participating in its Snapshot program. Through a mobile app or device that plugs into your car, Progressive tracks your driving habits and rewards you for safe behaviors, such as limiting hard braking and acceleration, keeping your hands off your phone while behind the wheel, and avoiding late-night driving, when the roads tend to be most dangerous. Progressive’s mobile app includes the ability to view and share insurance ID cards, report and track claims, pay bills and see policy information.

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