State Auto Insurance Review in 2024

Shopping around for auto insurance is often a frustrating experience. It can be difficult to distinguish one company from the next, and it’s often just as hard to tell one policy from another. Our goal is to help you sort through the mire to find coverage that is right for you. Is State Auto insurance on your shopping list? We’ll provide the tools and knowledge you need to make informed choices, from our in-depth safety information to our thorough review of this company.

In our review of State Auto, we cover the important aspects you need to know about this auto insurance company. We give you details about their coverage and discount options, as well as what you can expect if you must file a claim.

State Auto Insurance Coverage

State Auto has been around since 1921, when it opened its doors as State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company in Columbus, OH. The company’s founder had a goal to make auto insurance more affordable, with a faster claims process. More than 100 years later, the company has expanded to 28 states, utilizing private agents to put together insurance products for their customers.

No matter what type of auto insurance policy you need, you will likely find it on offer at State Auto. The company has the following standard coverages:

• Liability. Most states legally require residents to carry liability coverage, which pays for other people’s property damages and injuries when you are at fault in an accident.
• Collision. Liability won’t pay for damages to your vehicle if you cause an accident, but collision coverage will. It also pays for repairs if you hit an object or animal.
• Comprehensive. This coverage pays for damages to your vehicle from hail, wind, vandalism, and other non-accident causes.
• Uninsured/underinsured driver. With this coverage, you’re protected if the at-fault driver in an accident has insufficient insurance coverage to pay your medical expenses. It also covers you in a hit-and-run accident.
• Personal injury protection and medical expenses. These plans pay for your medical expenses when you have a car accident, regardless of who is at fault. In many states, the coverage is optional, but in no-fault states, residents need this coverage.

State Auto also offers optional coverages, including roadside assistance, accident forgiveness, full glass coverage, and total loss coverage. The company provides customers with three policy levels: Standard, Protection Plus, and AutoXtended® Premier, each with standard coverages and optional add-ons.

What auto insurance discounts are available from State Auto?

Auto insurance rates are a significant factor for most people when searching for coverage. There can be a surprising difference between companies in the rates they charge. Comparing rates between State Auto and other companies in your area helps you select a policy that works for you.

While the type of insurance you choose impacts your rates, there are several other factors that affect the price of car insurance. Your geographic location makes a difference, as cost varies between and within states. You may even notice that your rates change when you move from one neighborhood to another within the same town. Age, marital status, and credit rating also play a role.

Insurance companies do usually offer discounts, and State Auto is no exception. This company provides numerous discounts that customers can take advantage of to lower their rates. Even if you only qualify for a couple of them, they can reduce your rates and sometimes significantly. State Auto’s discounts include:

• Good student
• Driver training
• Accident prevention course
• Anti-theft device
• Pain-in-full
• Multi-policy

The company also has a program called State Auto Safety 360®, a discount program that utilizes a device attached to your windshield to track your driving habits. If you enroll in the program, you receive an immediate 10% participation discount, and you have the potential to get up to 50% off when your policy renews, based on your driving score.

What states does the State Auto insurance company offer coverage in?

Every state except Virginia requires its residents to demonstrate financial responsibility to pay for accidents that they cause. Most people achieve this by purchasing auto insurance. However, not all companies offer insurance in every state. State Auto is available to residents in the following 28 states:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin

The company’s products are offered through private agents within each state.

State Auto is not Better Business Bureau accredited; however, the BBB gives the company an A+ rating. While consumer ratings do not figure into the company’s rating, it’s worth noting that State Auto insurance reviews averaged 1.06/5 with the BBB. Furthermore, the National Association of Insurance Companies gives the company a Company Complaint Index Score of 1.84, putting State Auto well above the average number of complaints received for similar companies.

How To File a Car Insurance Claim With State Auto

If you have a car accident, you are usually required to contact your insurance company if it’s over a specific amount, which varies by state. Before filing, it helps to know what to expect from the claims process. State Auto claims are handled online. The company has an app available through Google and Apple, but it is only for its State Auto Safety 360® customers.

When you submit a claim, the company should ask for:

• Your policy number
• Accident or loss date
• Your vehicle identification number
• The mileage for your car
• Information about the other parties involved, including contact, driver’s license, insurance, and vehicle information
• Your preference for where you want to have your car repaired

You may also need to provide photos of the damage, so it’s a good idea to take these before starting the process. Alternatively, State Auto may send someone out to look at your vehicle.

After you submit your claim, you can check on the status using the company’s online portal. Once the company reviews the information and your policy and examines the damage, they send you an estimate for repairs followed by payment. The company deposits payments right into your bank account.

Does State Auto offer any other types of insurance?

State Auto offers discounts for those who purchase multiple products through them. Buying multiple policies under one company may make it easier for you to manage your insurance payments and plans. State Auto offers the following additional personal insurance products:

• Homeowners
• Renters
• Dwelling fire
• Umbrella

You may still want to compare rates and policies for these other products to ensure you get the coverage you need at a favorable rate.

State Auto Insurance Key Considerations

State Auto Insurance offers customers flexible plans, allowing them to choose the type and level of coverage they desire. Customers can also take advantage of several discounts to lower their rates. However, the company does not earn very high ratings with the BBB, so you may want to weigh this factor into your decision for auto insurance.