Founded in 1931 by General Robert E. Wood, then-president of Sears, Roebuck and Company, Allstate Insurance Company has written insurance policies for almost 90 years. Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, and publicly owned since 1995, Allstate began as a mail-order auto insurance company but quickly expanded its product line.

Throughout its history, Allstate has advocated for automobile safety features, such as seatbelts and airbags, lobbying government officials and working with automakers to reduce injuries and fatalities on the road.

The company’s emphasis on safety continues today, with innovative programs such as Allstate Drivewise®, which provides personalized driving feedback to help make you a safer driver—and save money on your premiums.

Consumers now recognize Allstate as a leader in the automobile, home and life insurance industries, but its product portfolio also includes employee benefits, investment services and roadside assistance services.

As one of the largest insurance companies in America, Allstate allows you to tap into a deep reservoir of insurance experience when you insure your home or car with the company. Its agents live in your community and can help you get the best Allstate auto quote and craft the best coverage for your own unique circumstances.

Allstate insurance coverage options and discounts

Auto insurance

Allstate auto insurance products cover all the basics, like collision coverage, comprehensive, and liability. But it also goes the extra mile with benefits such as an accident forgiveness add-on, which means your rates won’t go up after an accident—even if it was your fault. You may qualify for a safe driving bonus every six months if you’re accident-free. Its new car replacement add-on will get you a brand-new car if your late-model car is totaled, which is better than the check for the depreciated amount that most insurers offer.

Allstate also excels at discounts. In addition to a discount if you bundle your auto insurance with homeowners or renters insurance, you may be eligible for a new car discount, early signing discount and responsible payer discount. Young drivers can score a smart student discount if they keep their grades up, complete a driver safety program and attend school at least 100 miles away from home. Spend some time scoping out the website or talking to an agent and you may find more ways to decrease your premiums.

Home insurance

Allstate offers homeowners insurance that covers the standards: dwelling coverage, personal property coverage, liability protection and guest medical protection. But it also has add-ons that help you customize your policy, such as yard and garden coverage, water backup and electronic data recovery. Allstate’s blog offers tips and ideas on how to care for your home, and your agent can also answer questions so that you can build a policy that offers excellent coverage for the least amount of money.

As with auto insurance, you may be eligible for multiple discounts as a homeowner, including a claim-free discount that allows you to save up to 20%, a welcome and loyalty discount and an early signing discount. If you have theft or fire alarms, you can save money, and there are discounts for smoke-free homes and homes with storm shutters. Those over the age of 55 who are retired are also eligible for savings.

Allstate home insurance reviews are generally positive, as the company stands by its reputation. Allstate is the second largest writer of homeowners insurance policies in the U.S., according to the Insurance Information Institute, with more than 8 million premiums written in 2018.

One thing to keep in mind: as will most insurers, Allstate’s basic homeowners policies cover theft, fire and smoke, windstorms and hail, falling objects, frozen plumbing and some water damage. Flooding is not covered. If your home is in a flood plain, talk to your agent about supplemental flood insurance, which may cost more but can give you invaluable peace of mind.

Renters insurance

Most people know that they need homeowners insurance when they buy a house, but insurance if you’re renting a home, condo, or apartment can be just as important to protect you in the event of a disaster.

Allstate renters insurance covers three basic things: your personal property if it is stolen or damaged by a covered risk, liability in the event that someone is injured while in your home or if you accidentally damage someone else’s property and additional living expenses to cover hotels and other costs if your place isn’t livable while it’s being repaired.

The good news? As a renter, you don’t need to worry about insuring the property: that’s the job of your landlord. So if, say, there’s a fire at your rented home, your renter’s insurance will cover the loss of your furniture, clothing and other belongings. Damage to the home will be covered by your landlord’s policy.

As with auto and homeowners, Allstate offers discounts for renters, including a multi-policy discount, a discount if you have safety devices like a security system or fire alarm, automatic pay discount, a claims-free discount and a 55 and retired discount.

Allstate insurance ratings, reviews, customer satisfaction and complaints

Nationally, there’s some variation in Allstate reviews because state agencies have their own agents and procedures to follow. That’s why regional reviews for Allstate differ, as the J.D. Power rankings show.

Each year, J.D. Power and Associates conducts a survey of U.S. car insurance providers, ranking companies by price, claims handling, products, billing, customer interaction and overall customer satisfaction. In its 2019 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, Allstate car insurance ranked highly in many U.S. regions:

• 1st in the Florida region
• 2nd in the Texas region, above average
• 3rd in the Central region, above average
• 3rd in the Southwest region, above average
• 4th in the New England region, above average
• 5th in the New York region, above average
• 6th in the Northwest region, average
• 11th in the California region, below average
• 13th in the Mid-Atlantic region, below average
• 15th in the North Central region, below average
• 16th in the Southeast region, below average

Across the U.S., Allstate earned 858 points and four Power Circle ratings, making it the third best auto insurance company on the national J.D. Powers listing.

The Better Business Bureau awards Allstate an A+ rating, its highest. The BBB rates companies based on size, number of complaints, response to complaints, promptness in handling complaints and efforts taken to resolve complaints.

According to Allstate insurance reviews, customers file complaints with the BBB for various reasons. Some disagree with Allstate’s conclusion on responsibility for auto accidents or on the amount of shared responsibility applied to liability. Others complain of unresponsive agents, while some believe claim payments are too low for auto repairs or storm damage to homes. Some customers file complaints alleging slow agent response in evaluating claims.

In 2016, the San Diego County [California] District Attorney’s Office filed a lawsuit against Allstate for presenting misleading television advertising. In the complaint, the DA alleged Allstate promoted an “accident forgiveness” program in its advertisements that was not available to California policyholders. In the court’s final judgement, Allstate did not admit liability, but agreed to pay $600,000 in penalties and investigative costs.

AM Best rates Allstate an A+ (Superior) company for its financial strength, which reflects its ability to pay claims, even after major natural disasters. In 2018, Allstate ranked 4th in direct premiums written in the United States, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Reasons why Allstate is a great option

There are three ways to file a claim with Allstate: you can file claims online, through its call center at 1-800-ALLSTATE or with your local agent. With Allstate’s mobile app, available for iOS and Android devices, policyholders can track claims, contact an agent, access policy documents and request roadside assistance.

Another reason to consider Allstate is its generous portfolio of discounts, which can save you significantly on premium costs. Allstate’s multiple-policy discount makes its auto insurance a great option for people who have Allstate homeowners or renters insurance. Parents of high school and college students can take advantage of Allstate’s student discounts and senior citizens can enjoy savings for good driving records.

Automobile owners in regions where Allstate ranks among J.D. Power’s top ten can rely on Allstate auto insurance as a reliable coverage choice. Consumers in regions where Allstate ranks low, or in locales where Allstate insurance reviews reflect poor performance, might choose to consider other companies.

One of Allstate’s most innovative features is its Drivewise program. With Drivewise, you download an app to your Android or Apple device. It tracks your driving habits and trip data, and then calculates a cash reward based on how safely you are driving. You can earn reward points for avoiding hard braking, maintaining a safe speed, and other smart driver habits.

Additional policies offered by Allstate

In addition to car, home and renters insurance, Allstate also offers:

• Condominium insurance
• Motorcycle coverage
• Business insurance
• Life insurance
• Identity theft protection
• Boat insurance
• Landlord policies
• Pet insurance
• Motorhome, ATV and snowmobile coverage
• Event insurance

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to get a quote from Allstate?

You can get an Allstate auto quote by submitting a request on the Allstate website or by contacting an Allstate agent. To provide a quote, an agent will need to know the make and model of your vehicle, your location, your age, the number of miles you drive annually and information about previous traffic violations, if any.

How do I file a claim with Allstate?

Allstate allows you to file a claim on its website, by calling its nationwide call center at 1-800-ALLSTATE or by contacting your Allstate agent.

Does Allstate offer discounts to current policyholders who need additional insurance?

Yes. If you already have Allstate homeowners or renter’s coverage, you may qualify for reduced rates by bundling your policies.