Foremost Insurance is a real company, but it is not right for everyone
Foremost Insurance is a property and casualty insurer owned by Foremost Group, based in Michigan. They sell homeowners, auto, and specialty insurance policies. Whether Foremost is a good choice for you depends on what type of coverage you need, where you live, what your claims history looks like, and how much you are willing to pay. They are known for insuring people and properties that larger insurers often turn down — mobile homes, older houses, drivers with accidents or violations — but that specialization comes with trade-offs in price and customer service ratings.
This guide explains what Foremost does well, where they fall short, and how to decide if they are worth considering alongside other options.
Key Takeaways
- Foremost specializes in high-risk insurance — mobile homes, older houses, drivers with violations — so they may offer you a policy when standard insurers will not.
- Their rates are often higher than mainstream insurers because they accept riskier customers, and customer service complaints appear regularly in state insurance department records.
- Foremost is financially stable and licensed to sell in most states, but availability and rates vary significantly by location and the type of property or driver you are.
- Getting quotes from at least three other insurers — including both large national companies and regional ones — is the only way to know if Foremost's price is competitive for your situation.
- Reading your state's insurance department complaint data for Foremost before buying will show you what problems other customers have reported.
What Foremost actually covers and who they target
Foremost writes policies for homeowners insurance, auto insurance, and specialty coverage like mobile home and manufactured home insurance. Their main business is insuring people and properties that standard insurers reject. This includes drivers with DUIs, multiple accidents, or license suspensions; homeowners with older houses, previous claims, or non-standard construction; and mobile home owners, who are often turned down by the largest national carriers.
Because Foremost accepts higher-risk customers, their underwriting is more flexible than companies like State Farm or Allstate. If you have been denied coverage elsewhere or quoted at a price that shocked you, Foremost may offer you a policy. That does not mean the price will be low — it usually will not be — but you will have an option when you might otherwise have none.
Where Foremost's rates and service stand compared to other insurers
Foremost's premiums are typically higher than those of major national insurers, even for customers with clean records. This reflects their business model: they take on customers others will not, so they price for that risk. For a driver with a clean history or a homeowner with a well-maintained house, you will almost certainly find cheaper rates elsewhere. For someone with a violation, claim, or property issue, Foremost may be competitive — but you still need to compare.
Customer service complaints about Foremost appear regularly in state insurance department complaint databases. Common issues include slow claims processing, difficulty reaching customer service, and disputes over coverage decisions. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) publishes complaint ratios by company and state; you can search your state's insurance department website to see how Foremost's complaint rate compares to other insurers in your area. A higher complaint ratio does not mean you will have a bad experience, but it is a signal worth paying attention to.
Foremost is financially stable — they are rated by AM Best and have the capital to pay claims — so insolvency is not a realistic concern. The issue is service quality and claims experience, not whether the company will survive.
How to learn about Foremost will even quote you
Foremost does not sell policies in every state, and availability varies by the type of coverage. They are most widely available for auto insurance and mobile home insurance. Homeowners coverage is available in fewer states. The easiest way to find out is to visit Foremost's website or call their phone line and give them your zip code and basic information — they will tell you within minutes whether they can quote you.
If Foremost will quote you, ask for a quote on your current coverage level (not a stripped-down policy). Write down the premium, deductibles, and any exclusions or limitations they mention. Then get quotes from at least two or three other insurers — including one large national company, one regional carrier, and one online-only insurer if available in your state. Compare apples to apples: same deductibles, same coverage limits, same add-ons. Only then can you see whether Foremost's price is actually competitive for you.
Red flags to watch for when considering Foremost
Before you buy, check your state's insurance department website for Foremost's complaint history. Most state insurance departments publish complaint data online, often searchable by company name. Look at the types of complaints — are they mostly about claims denial, slow processing, or billing issues? A few complaints is normal for any large insurer; dozens of complaints in a year is a pattern worth considering.
Also ask Foremost directly about any exclusions or limitations on your specific situation. For example, if you have a mobile home, ask whether they cover it in your location and whether there are restrictions on age, condition, or how long you have owned it. If you have a violation on your record, ask how it affects your rate and whether it will be re-evaluated after a certain period. Get the answers in writing if possible.
Finally, read the policy documents before you commit. Insurance policies are dense, but the declarations page (the first page with your name and coverage details) and the exclusions section are the parts that matter most. If something is unclear, call and ask. Do not assume.
When Foremost might actually be your best option
Foremost makes sense if you have been turned down by multiple other insurers, or if you have gotten quotes from several companies and Foremost's price is genuinely lower. They also make sense if you own a mobile home and few other companies will insure it — in that case, Foremost may be your only realistic option, and the question becomes whether their price is fair, not whether you should use them at all.
Foremost also works for people who value simplicity over the lowest possible price. If you do not want to spend hours comparing quotes and you are comfortable with their service track record, buying from them is a valid choice. Just go in with realistic expectations: you are likely paying more than you would with a standard insurer, and claims service may be slower.
How to make a final decision
Start by getting at least three quotes — Foremost plus two others. Make sure each quote covers the same thing: same deductible, same liability limits, same add-ons. Write down the total annual premium for each. Then check your state's insurance department complaint data for each company. Finally, read reviews on independent sites like J.D. Power or Consumer Reports, which survey actual customers about their claims experience.
The company with the lowest price is not always the best choice if their complaint rate is much higher. The company with the best reputation may not be affordable for your situation. The goal is to find the company that offers reasonable price, acceptable service history, and coverage that actually fits what you need. For some people, that will be Foremost. For others, it will not be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Foremost Insurance a legitimate company?
Yes. Foremost is licensed by state insurance regulators and rated for financial stability by AM Best. They have been in business since 1952. The question is not whether they are legitimate, but whether their service and pricing work for your specific situation.
Why is Foremost more expensive than other insurers?
Foremost specializes in high-risk customers — drivers with violations, older homes, mobile homes — so they price policies to reflect that risk. If you have a clean record and a standard home, you will almost always find cheaper rates elsewhere. If you have been turned down elsewhere, Foremost's higher price may be the cost of getting coverage at all.
How do I check complaints about Foremost in my state?
Visit your state's insurance department website and look for a consumer complaint database or complaint ratio tool. Search for Foremost by name. You will see the number of complaints filed and often the types of complaints. Compare Foremost's ratio to other insurers to get context.
Can I switch away from Foremost if I do not like them?
Yes. You can cancel at any time, usually with 10 to 30 days' notice. There is no penalty for switching. If you bought from Foremost because you were turned down elsewhere, shop around again after a year or two — your record may have improved enough that standard insurers will now quote you at a better rate.
What should I do if Foremost denies my claim?
Ask Foremost in writing why the claim was denied and request the specific policy language they are relying on. If you disagree, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance department. You can also consult with an insurance agent or attorney, though that may cost money. Many states have an insurance ombudsman who can help for free.