Recommended car insurance coverage Consumer Reports

Find out if you're getting ripped off on your car insurance in less than two minutes.

Updated on Apr 27, 2022 · 3 min read

Finding the right

car insurance

can often seem like a daunting task. With so many options, it can be hard to pinpoint the policy that fits you best. Luckily, you can turn to some trustworthy online sources for help and guidance.

Consumer Reports (CR) has been breaking down marketplace data for customers everywhere since 1936. You can use their reports to help you decide which

car insurance company

has what you need. Let’s take a closer look at the CR rankings and the companies that landed in the top three.

USAA Group

Coming in the prestigious number one spot on

Consumer Reports’ list

was USAA. USAA has a highly respected reputation for working with military members and their families. In terms of their auto insurance coverage, the company is a fan favorite.

These rankings are based on a survey of over 90,000 CR members which asked consumers to rate different experiences with their insurance company. USAA scored top points across the board for consumer satisfaction.

The categories of experiences included things like service,

premium costs

, and handling of claims. On their site, USAA says that on average, drivers save $707 a year when they switch to USAA.

Accident Forgiveness and flexible payment options are a few other perks that are available with USAA's auto insurance policies. Protection and peace of mind are priorities at USAA and testimonies to the company's number one ranking. With an overall satisfaction score of 92, USAA's auto insurance is absolutely worth considering if you qualify for membership.

NJM Insurance Group

Known for a "No Jingles or Mascots" motto, NJM came in second place in CR’s ratings. However, that isn't all NJM is known for.

J.D. Power

named NJM number one in the nation for outstanding customer satisfaction with auto claims.

In terms of auto insurance, NJM seems to have considered it all. Drivers will be pleasantly surprised to learn that pet coverage, transportation expenses, and new car replacement are just a few other elements included with NJM's policy.

With loads of discounts, specialty coverages, and the ability to personalize and customize policies, it’s no wonder customers gave the company an Overall Score of 90. These are just a few of the many reasons NJM Insurance Group is a good pick.

Amica Mutual Group

Amica has become a trusted leader in the insurance field. This insurance company based in Rhode Island prides itself on providing customers with personalized experiences and offers coverage in just about every possible area of life.

The auto insurance from Amica is definitely worth checking out. Amica understands that cars are more than just vehicles and that no two drivers are the same. With available discounts and stellar customer service, there is a lot to love about Amica.

Progressive,

State Farm

, and Allstate, are just a few of the popular insurance companies Amica beat out in ratings. Amica’s overall score of 89 secured the company a third-place position in the rankings.

How to find a car insurance company that works for you

Jerry

is a mobile app that’s perfect for this challenge. Just because a company receives a high rating doesn’t mean it’s the best match for you. With that being said, shopping around for car insurance policies from dozens of companies can be a hassle. There are so many options and you want to get the best prices.

Fortunately, Jerry is here to help with that. The free app makes comparing rates easier than ever and more convenient. Use Jerry to put insurance shopping on autopilot, and find the coverage you need at the most affordable price.

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    Contents

    1. Should I get car insurance?
    2. Types of car insurance
      • Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Insurance: The compulsory one
      • Third Party Property Damage Car Insurance: The lowest level of optional cover
      • Third Party Property, Fire and Theft Car Insurance: The next best thing after comprehensive cover
      • Comprehensive Car Insurance: The all rounder
    3. Tips for comparing car insurance

    Should I get car insurance?

    Car insurance may seem like a hefty expense. This can be especially true if you’re a young or a new driver, or pay your car insurance premium in one lump sum.

    However, unexpected accidents do happen, and unless you can afford to pay for repairing another driver’s car outright - which can cost thousands - a good car insurance policy can save you from paying through the nose.

    There are budget providers along with the better-known household names of insurance companies. You can also opt for a more affordable type of policy rather than comprehensive car insurance, which is pricier. With such a wide selection of policies and companies on the market, you're bound to find something that suits you.

    Types of car insurance

    Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Insurance: The compulsory one · See All

    Compulsory Third Party Insurance, known as green slip in NSW, is the mandatory insurance you must purchase before you’re legally allowed to register a car. In NSW, you need to independently select and buy your CTP, whereas it’s included in the cost of your registration in other Australian states.

    Having CTP car insurance means that if you get into an accident and the other driver sustains injuries, you won’t be held liable. Also, it will cover hospital expenses for the other party. It covers personal injury only. Your green slip won’t cover damage caused to property – namely, your car or another person’s car.

    In NSW, there are five licensed green slip providers to choose from: AAMI, Allianz, GIO, NRMA Insurance and QBE. In ACT, there are four providers: NRMA, GIO, AAMI and APIA. In SA, there are also four: AAMI, Allianz, QBE and SGIC.

    CTP Insurance is included in the cost of registration for the following states and territories: VIC, QLD, WA, TAS and the NT.

    Third Party Property Damage Car Insurance: The lowest level of optional cover · See All

    Not to be confused with Compulsory Third Party, this is the most basic level of optional cover. Third Party Property Damage insures against damage caused to another vehicle, by you. It doesn’t protect you against theft or damage caused to your car.

    Best suited to drivers who:

    Don’t want to foot the bill for someone else’s car repairs from their own pocket, and
    Would prefer an insurance option significantly cheaper than comprehensive cover, and
    Aren’t too concerned about their own car, as it’s not covered under this policy. This might be suited to drivers with cheaper, older cars they’re not sentimentally attached to - with the exception of vintage cars, which are usually expensive to insure.

    Third Party Property, Fire and Theft Car Insurance: The next best thing after comprehensive cover · See All

    This level includes everything provided by Third Party Property Damage Insurance. It additionally covers you if your car is stolen or burned. In limited cases, third party property, fire and theft insurance can cover you if you aren’t at fault and your car incurs damage caused by an uninsured driver.

    Best suited to drivers who:

    Want a higher level of cover than Third Party Property Damage Insurance, but can’t quite afford comprehensive car insurance.
    Are concerned about the safety of their car, either due to location or time of day it's parked.
    Are interested in Third Party Property Damage cover, but are also seeking a baseline level of protection for their own car.

    Comprehensive Car Insurance: The all rounder · See All

    As the top level of car insurance, a comprehensive policy offers the most protection for your car. It will cover you for everything included in the other two optional policies, and more.

    This commonly includes: intentional or accidental damage to property (your car and another person’s car, regardless of fault), loss or theft of your car, vandalism, weather events such as storms, floods, fire and hail, and in some cases hire cars and emergency accommodation (The specific inclusions and exclusions will depend on your unique policy).

    It's worth getting comprehensive car insurance if:

    You prefer to protect your car and wallet from the widest range of possible misfortunes that could happen.
    You're prepared to pay a little more than you would with another insurance type - comprehensive is the most expensive cover for your car.

    Tips for comparing car insurance

    1. Be clear on your excess

    While it may be tempting to automatically select the cheapest car insurance policy, this isn’t necessarily the best financial decision. Lower-cost premiums equate to a higher excess, sometimes upwards of $850. If, in the event of an at-fault accident, you won’t be able to afford this expense in one hit, consider a higher premium.

    2. Read the Product Disclosure Statement, or PDS

    Let's face it - the majority of these are a bit long and boring. But having an informed understanding of the terms of your policy is worth it and can save you unwelcome surprises in the future. A portion of 1 star reviews of car insurance policies on ProductReview.com.au involved pain points that could have been avoided if the PDS had initially been carefully assessed.

    A PDS should explain your excess and spell out in detail what you are entitled to claim under the policy. This includes any add-ons you have opted for. It should also cover policy exclusions, information about claiming, as well as contractual information about a cooling off period or policy cancellation.

    3. Don’t be afraid to shop around

    Compare, compare, compare. You don’t even need to pick up a phone; simply fill out online car insurance quote forms from a variety of companies. Compare both the cost and quality of cover as outlined in the PDS. Selecting a car insurance policy shouldn’t be a rush decision, as it can have considerable financial impacts down the line.

    4. Review your policy annually

    While it can be extremely tempting to click ‘Renew Now’ when you receive an email about your car insurance policy's imminent expiration, you'll most likely be paying more than you need to.

    Often insurers make their renewing customers pay more than new customers. After a year with an insurer, first-time customer discounts no longer apply, and insurers unfortunately don’t apply discounts for customer loyalty.

    As a result, the ‘Renew now’ option has been dubbed as ‘the lazy tax’ incurred for not shopping around. It might not be as convenient as clicking a button, but you’re much more likely to find a better deal.

    5. Look for discounts

    If you’re asking ‘How can I get the cheapest car insurance?’ keeping an eye out for discounts is one of the best ways.

    This is particularly the case if have an automatically higher premium due to your demographic (for example you're a male under 25) or your circumstances (for example, you're the driver of a European, sports or vintage car). As a general rule of thumb, if the annual amount you pay for car insurance is higher than 10% of your car’s value, you’re paying too much.

    Discounts can be applied for:

    • Restricting the number of drivers using your car
    • Restricting the age of people driving your car (e.g. no under 25s)
    • Restricting the number of kilometres you drive using the vehicle, sometimes known as a ‘pay-as-you-drive’ discount
    • Making no claims for a certain number of years – referred to as the 'no claims discount' or 'safe driver bonus'
    • Taking out additional policies with the insurer – known as a ‘multi policy discount'

    Conversely, if you prefer extra features or protection in your car insurance that’s also available - either as part of the policy package, or as an optional add-on for an extra cost.

    Included Benefits or Optional Extras can include:

    • Car rental excess insurance – reduces out-of-pocket expenses when you hire a rental car, after your car is damaged or stolen
    • Car insurance with roadside assistance - offered as an optional extra or included as part of your policy
    • Windscreen cover - offered as an included benefit with reduced excess or zero excess, or an optional extra with reduced excess or zero excess
    • New for old car insurance – which may be worth it when the cost of repairs exceeds the car’s market value. If your car is 1-2 years old and it’s stolen or written off, this entitles you to a replacement car of the same value

    Thanks for reading, we hope that this guide helps you choose the best car insurance policy for you, so you can enjoy driving your car confidently, knowing it is protected.

    Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general information only. It should not be taken as constituting professional advice from the website owner - ProductReview.com.au. ProductReview.com.au is not a financial adviser. You should consider seeking independent legal, financial, taxation or other advice to check how the website information relates to your unique circumstances. ProductReview.com.au is not liable for any loss caused, whether due to negligence or otherwise arising from the use of, or reliance on, the information provided directly or indirectly, by use of this website.

    What type of coverage is best for car insurance?

    You should carry the highest amount of liability coverage you can afford, with 100/300/100 being the best coverage level for most drivers. You may need to carry additional coverages to protect your vehicle, including comprehensive, collision and gap coverage.

    What is the most important auto coverage?

    The most important coverage has to be your state's minimum liability and property damage coverage. More than anything else, you need to maintain car insurance to keep yourself legal to drive. You risk losing your driver's license and fines driving without it.

    What insurance company has the best customer reviews?

    U.S. News Rating USAA is the best insurance company in our ratings. According to our 2022 survey, USAA customers report the highest level of customer satisfaction and are most likely to renew their policies and recommend USAA to other drivers.
    Mandatory Insurance $25,000 bodily injury liability for one person and $50,000 for two or more persons. $15,000 property damage liability.