Lisa Gerstner
About the Kiplinger Readers’ Choice Awards 2025
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: Homeowners Insurance Companies
Readers rated their homeowners insurance provider based on how competitive the rates are, how positive the experience is when filing a claim and how likely they would be to recommend the insurance company to others. Most of the providers that collected accolades for homeowners insurance are also honorees for their auto-insurance services.
OVERALL WINNER: USAA
Outstanding for:
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
- Competitive rates
- Claims experience
- Most recommended
USAA topped the ranking among homeowner insurance policy providers as well, gaining high scores from readers in all three areas we asked them to rate. Readers like USAA for its affordable premiums and customer service during the claims process.
“Been with USAA for over 50 years, and their response to claims is superb and unmatched,” says one reader. “I recommend USAA simply because the company has great customer service and ensures we are satisfactorily covered,” says another. USAA home insurance plans are available nationwide.
Erie Insurance
Outstanding for:
- Competitive rates
- Claims experience
- Most recommended
Readers — especially those who have both a home and auto insurance policy with Erie — appreciate the insurance company’s customer service and pricing. If you bundle multiple policies, such as for homeowners and auto insurance, the typical discount is 20%, according to Erie. A discount is also available with an Erie homeowners insurance plan when you install smoke alarms, a burglar alarm system or an automatic sprinkler system in your home.
Amica
Outstanding for:
- Claims experience
- Most recommended
Although Amica didn’t score as highly as the other winners for its rates, there are a number of ways to get discounts. If you have a recently remodeled home, a newly built home, or zero claims over a three-year period, you may be eligible for a discount. Opting for paperless billing or installing a monitoring system for water or gas leaks are other ways to save.
AAA
Outstanding for:
- Competitive rates
AAA’s offerings vary by state, but many respondents rated the company highly for the competitive rates available in their state. Several respondents noted they are grateful that AAA offers coverage in areas where some other insurance companies are no longer present due to risk from natural disasters, such as in Florida and southern California.
Kiplinger Readers' Choice Awards Categories
- Readers' Choice Full-Service Brokers
- Readers' Choice Wealth Management
- Readers' Choice Cash Back Credit Cards
- Readers' Choice Travel Rewards Credit Cards
- Readers' Choice Airline Credit Card Rewards Programs
- Readers' Choice Hotel Credit Card Rewards Programs
- Readers' Choice National Banks
- Readers' Choice Internet Banks
- Readers' Choice Auto Insurance Companies
- Readers' Choice Annuity Providers
- Readers' Choice Tax Software
- Readers' Choice Peer-to-Peer Payment Services
-
My $1.2 million vacation home has a $360K mortgage. I don't need my upcoming $45K RMD. Should I use it to pay down the mortgage?We asked wealth planners for advice.
-
Four Strategies for Older Adults to Cut Property TaxesBefore you settle your next property tax bill, make sure you're taking full advantage of these tax breaks for older homeowners across the US.
-
5 Ways to Teach Your Kids About Giving Back, From a Financial PlannerTeaching kids generosity goes beyond simple rules and can involve fun, practical strategies, such as letting them lead giving, volunteering together and more.
-
I'm a Financial Planner: Here's How You Can Use AI to Improve Your FinancesApps can help with budgeting, saving and investing, financial coaching and debt management. But providing your personal information can also raise your risks.
-
How to Get HBO Max for $2.99 with Hulu This Black FridayTake advantage of Hulu’s holiday pricing and stream HBO Max hits for only $2.99 a month.
-
Hulu’s Black Friday Deal Gets You Starz for Only $2.99Get premium entertainment for less with Hulu’s limited-time Black Friday STARZ deal.
-
The Best Christmas Movies on Paramount+ (and How to Watch Them for Less)Settle in this holiday season with classic Christmas movies on Paramount+ and save with the service’s limited-time Black Friday deal.
-
5 Simple Fixes to Save on Heat Bills This WinterWith fuel prices expected to rise 10% or more this winter, making your home more energy efficient will really pay off.
-
Why It's Worth Booking a Winter VacationTravel Smart In the early months of the year, travel demand dips — and so do prices.
-
When Checkout Charity Gets Uncomfortable — and Maybe Even IllegalCashiers asking customers to 'round up' their total for charity can cross an ethical line if there's no disclosure about the benefiting organization.
