About the Kiplinger Readers’ Choice Awards
The Kiplinger Readers’ Choice Awards aim to recognize and celebrate the best products and services in the personal finance arena. We asked you, our Kiplinger community, to help us name the products and services you think have delivered excellent value in the past year.
The survey results, which we’re sharing here in our second annual Readers’ Choice Awards, offer valuable insight into which providers shine when it comes to your everyday interactions and experiences with them. Our Awards recognize excellence in everything from credit cards, banks and brokers to insurers, tax software and financial apps. For each category, we’ve listed an overall winner that earned the highest score. We’ve also highlighted other products and services that earned above-average scores for various criteria we asked readers to assess.
By voting, our community has helped us form our guide to the very best financial products. These are the products and companies that you think stand out from the crowd.
Kiplinger Readers' Choice Awards: Auto Insurance Companies
Readers weighed in on their auto insurance provider based on how competitive the rates are, their experience with filing claims and how likely they would be to recommend the insurer to others.
For more information on how auto insurance works, read our article on the most common types of car insurance.
OVERALL WINNER: Erie Insurance
Outstanding for:
- Competitive rates
- Claims experience
- Most recommended
Readers have positive words for Erie all around. “Hands down the best auto insurance company I’ve dealt with,” says one. “I had damage from a hit-and-run. Erie worked with me to get it repaired with minimal inconvenience to me,” says another.
Some readers also mentioned Erie’s Rate Lock feature, which holds your premium steady; it fluctuates only if you add or remove a vehicle or driver or change your address or the place where you routinely park your car. “Only insurance company I’ve used that really does a price lock!” one reader says.
Other notable features include First Accident Forgiveness, meaning you won’t face a surcharge the first time you’re at fault in an accident if you’ve been an Erie customer for three or more years. For each consecutive policy year in which you don’t file a claim, your deductible will be reduced by $100 (up to a maximum amount of $500) in most states. Erie serves 12 states — mostly in the Midwest and the South — as well as Washington, D.C.
USAA
Outstanding for:
- Competitive rates
- Claims experience
- Most recommended
Readers heaped on the praise for USAA’s auto insurance offerings. “Superb customer service and very simple claims handling,” says one reader. “I would never consider anyone else for insurance,” says another. Some also remarked on its affordable insurance rates. “I have compared rates on several occasions, and no other company has been able to come close,” a respondent says.
NJM Insurance Group
Outstanding for:
- Competitive rates
- Most recommended
NJM auto insurance is available to residents of Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania, and readers express their appreciation for quality customer service and affordable premiums. “Excellent company. Rates are as fair as they can be in New Jersey,” says one reader. “Claims service is excellent—very responsive,” says another.
NJM provides a number of discounts; you can save by bundling other insurance products from NJM (such as a homeowners policy) or by insuring multiple cars with the company. If you have a child who is a student that earns good grades, he or she may qualify for discounts, too.
Amica
Outstanding for:
- Claims experience
Amica serves customers across the continental U.S. “I can’t find anything that beats Amica: Their rates are good, claims processing is fair and friendly, and I am recognized as an individual,” says one reader. Another remarks, “I used Amica for 48 years and have found their claims service to be excellent, including one nasty accident/lawsuit resolution for my daughter.”
You can save on your auto premiums with Amica by bundling home and auto insurance plans or by staying with the insurer for more than two years. The longer your relationship stands with Amica, the more savings you may qualify for.
Kiplinger Readers' Choice Awards Categories
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Do You Really Need That Wine Cellar?Home Features Wine cellars are a popular feature in high-end houses. Will installing one in your home increase its value, or would you be better off with a cheaper solution?
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Think a Repeal of the Estate Tax Wouldn't Affect You? WrongThe wording of any law that repeals or otherwise changes the federal estate tax could have an impact on all of us. Here's what you need to know, courtesy of an estate planning and tax attorney.
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What Pet Insurance Does and Doesn’t CoverPet insurance can save you thousands on vet bills, but it doesn’t cover everything. Here are the key types of coverage and exclusions you need to know.
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Hail Damage Insurance Claims: Is Filing Worth the Cost and Hassle?Before filing a hail damage insurance claim, understand the potential costs, risks and whether it’s worth the effort. Learn when to file and when to pay out of pocket.
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Five Smart Ways to Use Your Life Insurance While You're Still AliveLife insurance can do more than just provide for your heirs — here’s how to maximize your policy while you’re still here.
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Five Water Damage Risks Homeowners Forget About — and Why Insurance Won’t Always Cover ThemWater damage is one of the most common — and costly — home repairs. Here's what your policy may not protect against, and how you can avoid major headaches.
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What Does Travel Insurance Cover? 6 Types of Coverage for Your Next TripFind out what travel insurance covers and whether or not you need it on your next vacation.
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Denied and Abandoned: The Rise of Unregulated Insurers and the Homeowners Left BehindAs traditional insurers retreat from California's high-risk zones, a surge of unregulated carriers steps in, leaving a trail of denied claims and devastated homeowners.
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Why You Should Pay Your Traffic Tickets Before They Become a Six-Figure HeadacheSkip a ticket, pay a fortune: How ignoring traffic fines can wreck your wallet, credit and coverage.
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What Is Term Life Insurance?Term life insurance offers affordable coverage for a set period — here’s how it works and when it makes sense to buy a policy.
