What Auto Owners Insurance Is
Auto Owners Insurance is a mutual insurance company that sells car, home, and business coverage. It operates in most U.S. states and is owned by its policyholders rather than by shareholders — this structure means profits can be returned to customers as dividends. If you're shopping for car insurance or considering switching providers, understanding how Auto Owners works and what it offers will help you compare it fairly against other insurers.
Auto Owners does not operate in all states. It is licensed in roughly 26 states, concentrated in the Midwest and South, though the exact list changes. Before assuming you can buy from them, you'll need to check their website or call to confirm they write policies in your state.
Key Takeaways
- Auto Owners is a mutual insurance company, meaning it's owned by policyholders and may return profits as dividends rather than paying shareholders.
- The company offers car insurance, homeowners insurance, and business coverage, but only operates in certain states — you must verify availability in your area.
- Auto Owners car policies typically include liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist coverage, with options to customize deductibles and limits.
- Discounts vary by state and situation but commonly include bundling home and auto, safe driver records, safety features, and completing a defensive driving course.
- You can get a quote online, by phone, or through an independent agent, and comparing quotes from multiple insurers helps you understand your actual options and pricing.
Types of Coverage Auto Owners Offers
Auto Owners car insurance includes the standard coverage types you'll find with most insurers. Liability coverage pays for damage or injury you cause to someone else — this is required by law in every state, though the minimum amount varies by state. Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your car if you hit another vehicle or object. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage from theft, weather, vandalism, or hitting an animal.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you if you're hit by a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance to cover your damages. Medical payments coverage (sometimes called personal injury protection) pays your medical bills and lost wages after an accident, regardless of who was at fault. You can choose your deductible — the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in — and your coverage limits, which is the maximum the insurer will pay.
Auto Owners also bundles home and auto insurance. If you own a home or rent and need renters insurance, buying both policies from Auto Owners may lower your total cost compared to buying them separately from different companies.
How Rates and Discounts Work
Auto Owners, like all insurers, sets rates based on your driving record, age, the car you drive, how much you drive, and where you live. A clean driving record typically means lower rates; accidents and traffic violations raise them. Younger drivers and drivers in urban areas usually pay more. The specific car matters too — a sports car costs more to insure than a sedan, and a car with safety features or anti-theft devices may may have access to for discounts.
Common discounts include bundling home and auto policies, maintaining a safe driving record for a set period, completing a defensive driving course, having certain safety features on your vehicle, paying your premium in full rather than monthly, and paperless billing. Some states allow discounts for low mileage or for letting Auto Owners monitor your driving through a mobile app. The discounts available and their size vary by state, so ask what applies where you live.
Auto Owners also offers dividends to policyholders in some years. Because it's a mutual company, if it has a profitable year and fewer claims than expected, it may return money to customers. This is not may provide and varies year to year, but it's one reason some people choose mutual insurers over stock companies.
How to Get a Quote
You can request a quote from Auto Owners through their website, by phone, or through an independent insurance agent who represents them. Online quotes usually take 10 to 15 minutes and ask for your driver's license number, vehicle identification number (VIN), driving history, and current coverage details if you have them. You'll need to provide information about how you use the car — commuting, pleasure driving, or business use — because that affects the rate.
Getting a quote does not commit you to anything. It's worth getting quotes from at least two or three other insurers — State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, or regional companies in your state — so you can see how Auto Owners' pricing compares. Rates vary significantly between insurers for the same person and car, so comparing is the only way to know whether Auto Owners is a good deal for you.
What Happens After You Buy a Policy
Once you buy a policy, Auto Owners will issue you a declarations page, which lists your coverage types, limits, deductibles, and premium. You'll receive this by mail or email, and you should keep a copy in your car along with proof of insurance. Most states require you to show proof of insurance if you're pulled over.
You can manage your policy online through Auto Owners' customer portal, where you can make payments, view your declarations page, request roadside information, or report a claim. If you need to file a claim after an accident, you can do so online, by phone, or through the mobile app. Auto Owners will assign an adjuster to assess the damage and work with repair shops in their network, though you can choose your own repair shop if you prefer.
Comparing Auto Owners to Other Insurers
Auto Owners is one option among many, and whether it's right for you depends on your state, driving record, and what coverage you need. Some insurers specialize in high-risk drivers or offer lower rates for safe drivers. Others have stronger mobile apps or faster claims processing. The only way to know is to get quotes and read recent customer reviews for the companies you're considering.
If Auto Owners doesn't operate in your state, you'll need to look at other insurers. If it does, compare the quote you receive to quotes from at least two competitors. Pay attention not just to the total premium but to what's included — some companies bundle roadside information or accident forgiveness (not charging you for your first accident) into the base price, while others charge extra. Reading the fine print of each quote helps you make a fair comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Auto Owners operate in my state?
Auto Owners is licensed in roughly 26 states, mostly in the Midwest and South, but the list changes. Visit their website or call their customer service line to confirm they write policies in your state. If they don't, you'll need to choose from other insurers available to you.
What's the difference between collision and comprehensive coverage?
Collision covers damage when you hit another car or object. Comprehensive covers damage from theft, weather, vandalism, or hitting an animal. Both are optional if you own your car outright, but your lender will require them if you're financing or leasing.
Can I lower my Auto Owners premium?
Yes. Ask about discounts for bundling home and auto, maintaining a clean driving record, completing a defensive driving course, and paying in full. Some states offer discounts for low mileage or for using their driving monitoring app. Raising your deductible also lowers your premium, though it means you'll pay more out of pocket if you have a claim.
How do I file a claim with Auto Owners?
You can file online through their customer portal, by phone, or through their mobile app. You'll need your policy number and details about the accident or damage. An adjuster will contact you to assess the damage and arrange repairs or payment.
What is a mutual insurance company, and why does it matter?
A mutual company is owned by its policyholders, not by shareholders. This means profits can be returned to customers as dividends rather than paid to investors. It doesn't always mean lower rates, but it does mean the company's incentive is to serve policyholders well, not to maximize shareholder returns.