Clark Howard's Tips

July 14, 2008

Why do you buy home or auto insurance? You do it because if something goes wrong, the insurer is there to make it right -- be it repair your home, fix your car or replace it if stolen.

But some companies only do half the job. They take the premiums, but they aren't vey good about paying out claims. A trial lawyer's group called the American Association for Justice has come with a list of the worst insurers in America.

Topping the list as the single worst insurer is Allstate. This company once enjoyed a great reputation for customer service, but Consumer Reports also concurs in a separate tally that now they're way toward the bottom of the heap. In a J.D. Power survey, Allstate also the get lowest score of any home insurer.

But this is not a bash on Allstate segment. Clark just wants you to keep in mind that cutesy TV ads do not a good insurer make.

The penny-pincher prefers to concentrate on those insurers that actually do a good job. Such elites typically include USAA and Amica Mutual. USAA is open only to active military and those who have recently retired from the service. Clark has been a member for 30 years. During that time, his family had 3 claims (none of them major) and each time the service has been phenomenal. Christa, meanwhile, has been with Amica for 2 years now.

There is one other insurer that Clark knows has a great reputation. That's a small company called New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance, which has nosed out both USAA and Amica in some surveys.

Consumer advice courtesy of