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- Ratings and reviews by surveyed Consumers' Checkbook and Consumer Reports local subscribers
- Undercover price comparisons
- Complaint counts from local consumer agencies and attorney general offices
- Advice to help you get the best service and value
Our price comparisons of local auto insurers reveal dramatic company-to-company rate differences—several hundred dollars a year for most consumers, and more than $1,500 per year for many. You don’t have to forsake service for a better rate.
When shopping for insurance, many drivers care about more than just cost, and with good reason: If you have a claim, you want it to paid quickly and get back on the road with minimal hassle. We provide ratings of insurers for claims-handling service.
Unlike the law in most states, California law bars insurers from using factors like credit scores, gender, education, homeownership, and secretive info to set their rates. Instead, companies are required to give the greatest weight in determining rates to three factors: how long you’ve been driving, your driving record, and how much you drive each year. Beyond these factors, companies are allowed to use other factors to set their rates (we describe many of them below), but the average weight of secondary factors must not exceed the weight given to the primary factors in the company’s premium calculations.
While even the best body shops can't undo an accident, our ratings reveal that many shops will get your car back on the road without a hitch. But our ratings also reveal that some shops may compound your misery with lousy work.
Because insurance companies pay for most repairs, for most auto body repair customers cost is a less important consideration than quality. But if you’re picking up the tab, how much the shop charges is important.
If your insurance or another party’s insurance will pay for your repair, make sure the insurance company doesn’t cut corners. Your shop can be an expert ally in this effort, but you also must make the right moves.