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Travelers Insurance has a wide range of coverage options to allow you to customize a policy to your specific needs, plus relatively low rates. But how does Travelers compare to other car insurers—and should you put it on your shortlist?
TIME’s Take
Compared with the national average, Travelers’s rates are slightly lower, especially if you have poor credit or a driving violation. What’s more, the company has a “Superior” rating from AM Best, which speaks to its financial strength. But low scores from J.D. Power for claim satisfaction and insurance shopping may be off-putting to some.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Lower-than-average annual rates | Lower-than-average J.D. Power scores for claim satisfaction and insurance shopping |
Wide range of coverage options and discounts | Rideshare insurance not offered in most states |
Two accident forgiveness plans available | |
A++ AM Best rating | |
Lower-than-average customer complaints |
How do Travelers’s car insurance rates compare?
Travelers’s car insurance rates are not the highest of its competitors, but they’re also not the lowest. When compared to the national average, Travelers's average annual rate is 12% less.
Travelers’s rates are slightly higher overall than competitors State Farm and Geico, but much lower than Allstate’s rates. What’s more, drivers who have been in an accident or convicted of a DUI may find Travelers’s pricing more forgiving than that of other insurance companies. As with all insurers, the exact rate you’ll pay will depend on several different factors.
The table below lists the average annual rates for Travelers, Allstate, State Farm, and Geico based on the type of coverage chosen, the customer’s credit score and age, and the existence of any traffic violations on the driver’s record.
By coverage
| Coverage | Travelers Insurance | Allstate | State Farm | Geico |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Full | $1,437 | $2,261 | $1,373 | $1,374 |
Minimum | $1,273 | $2,013 | $1,195 | $1,134 |
By credit score
| Credit score | Travelers Insurance | Allstate | State Farm | Geico |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Poor | $2,361 | $3,345 | $3,516 | $1,975 |
Fair | $2,361 | $3,345 | $3,516 | $1,975 |
Good | $1,355 | $2,135 | $1,279 | $1,250 |
Excellent | $1,355 | $2,135 | $1,279 | $1,250 |
By age group
| Age group | Travelers Insurance | Allstate | State Farm | Geico |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Teen | $4,704 | $7,910 | $3,650 | $3,610 |
Young | $1,484 | $2,387 | $1,459 | $1,352 |
Adult | $1,392 | $2,081 | $1,245 | $1,221 |
Senior | $1,189 | $1,937 | $1,134 | $1,178 |
By violation
| Violation | Travelers Insurance | Allstate | State Farm | Geico |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Clean | $1,355 | $2,135 | $1,279 | $1,250 |
Speeding ticket | $1,785 | $2,429 | $1,413 | $1,611 |
Accident | $1,890 | $2,989 | $1,522 | $1,949 |
DUI | $2,143 | $3,313 | $1,717 | $3,049 |
Source: Data from Quadrant via USA Today
How much is Travelers car insurance?
The exact cost of Travelers car insurance will depend on several factors. These factors include the type of coverage chosen, the driver’s age and credit score, and any history of traffic violations.
Coverage type
Every state requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance to be able to drive legally. Minimum requirements vary among states, so it’s wise to check with your local department of motor vehicles to determine the type and amount of coverage you’ll need. Travelers customers pay an average of $1,273 per year for minimum coverage and an average of $1,437 per year for full coverage, which could include comprehensive, collision, uninsured or underinsured motorist, and bodily injury coverage.
Credit score
Your credit score impacts much of your financial life, and insurance is no exception. In general, you can expect to pay a lower premium if your credit score falls in the “good” or “excellent” range, and a higher premium for a “poor” or “fair” credit score. Travelers has an average annual rate of $2,361 for customers with poor and fair credit scores.
Age group
Car insurance premiums tend to be the highest for young drivers, with rates generally decreasing when you reach the 25-to-30 age range. Travelers’s rates reflect this pattern, with teen drivers paying an average of $4,704 and adult drivers paying an average of $1,392.
Traffic violation
If your driving record is clean, you’ll enjoy lower insurance premiums. But if you have a speeding ticket, accident, or DUI on your record, you can expect to pay more for car insurance. Travelers has an average annual rate of $1,355 for drivers with clean records, $1,785 for drivers with one speeding ticket on their record, $1,890 for drivers who have been involved in an accident, and $2,143 for drivers with one DUI.
Travelers auto insurance discounts
Like most insurance providers, Travelers offers several discounts to help decrease the cost of coverage for customers. The most common discounts are as follows:
Multi-policy discount
Bundling is a common way to lower your insurance premiums. Travelers offers a multi-policy discount which can help you save up to 13% on your car insurance premiums by bundling your auto policy with homeowners or condo insurance. You may also be able to bundle other types of coverage to enjoy a multi-policy discount.
Multi-car discount
If you own more than one car, you may be eligible for a discount with Travelers insurance. The multi-car discount is available for households that insure two or more vehicles under the same policy.
Homeownership discount
While bundling is the best way to get a discount, Travelers also offers a homeownership discount to those who insure their homes or condos with another insurer—though the discount isn’t likely to be as extensive as it would be when bundling home and car insurance under the same provider.
Safe driver discount
If you drive safely and keep a clean driving record, you may be eligible for the Travelers safe driver discount. To qualify, you must have no accidents, no violations, and no major comprehensive claims on your policy for three to five years.
Continuous insurance discount
Travelers rewards long-time customers with the continuous insurance discount. If you’ve held car insurance policies with Travelers continuously, with no gaps in coverage, you may be able to get this discount to lower your premiums.
Hybrid or electric car discount
Leasing or purchasing an eco-friendly car could get you an additional discount. Travelers offers a hybrid/electric car discount for customers who commit to being environmentally friendly drivers by purchasing an alternative fuel vehicle.
New car discount
Travelers’ new car discount is applicable for vehicles that are less than three years old. This discount applies to current customers who purchase a new car or new customers whose existing vehicle is less than three years old.
EFT, pay in full, and good payer discounts
There are several ways to save on car insurance by how you choose to pay your premiums. First, you may be offered a discount by paying your annual Travelers auto premium in full rather than in monthly installments. You can also qualify for a discount if you pay with electronic funds transfer (EFT) or if you consistently pay your premiums early or on time.
Early quote discount
The early quote discount applies to new Travelers customers. If you get a car insurance quote before your policy with your existing insurer expires, you could be eligible for a discount if you switch.
Good student discount
If you have a driver on your policy who is enrolled in high school or college full time, they can get a discount on their Travelers insurance premiums by maintaining at least a B average.
Student-away-at-school discount
When your child leaves for college, you might want to keep them as a named driver on your policy for when they’re visiting home, but they likely won’t be driving the car during term time. In this case, you could get a student-away-at-school discount, which Travelers has in place for customers with dependents who go to school at least 100 miles away from home.
Driver training discount
Young drivers are at a much higher risk for getting in a car accident. Drivers who enroll in driver education courses to hone their driving skills could be eligible for a driver training discount with Travelers.
More about Travelers auto insurance
Still not sure whether Travelers Insurance is the right choice for your auto insurance coverage? Here’s more about Travelers to see if it’s worth considering or if you should go with another insurance provider for your auto policy.
Who is eligible for Travelers car insurance?
Any driver with a license is eligible to apply for coverage with Travelers, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be the best choice for all drivers or that all drivers will be approved for coverage.
As noted earlier, drivers who have a speeding ticket or DUI on their record may find cheaper rates with Travelers than with other insurance providers. In addition, those with poor credit scores may find that they pay lower premiums with Travelers than with its competitors.
Reputation
Travelers Insurance has a good reputation in the insurance industry. Not only are its rates competitive (and, in some cases, lower than its competitors), Travelers also has a decent reputation when it comes to customer service.
One of the most important factors to consider when shopping for auto insurance is whether or not your chosen provider will be able to pay out claims as promised. AM Best, a global credit agency that specializes in the insurance industry, reviews the financial health of insurance companies and rates them based on their financial strength, which translates to their ability to pay claims. Travelers Insurance has an AM Best rating of A++, or “Superior,” which speaks to the strength of its strong operating performance. This rating can provide customers with additional peace of mind when choosing Travelers for their insurance needs.
Travelers also has below-average customer complaints to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)—63% fewer auto insurance complaints, to be exact—which is reassuring to potential customers. However, in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, Travelers was rated below industry average at 854 out of 1,000 (the industry average being 873 out of 1,000), which could raise red flags for some. Similarly, Travelers came in last place in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study with 853 out of 1,000 (compared to a segment average of 863 out of 1,000).
At the end of the day, if you can find a good deal on auto insurance with Travelers, you might be able to overlook the red flags. But it’s wise to gather additional quotes from competing insurers before making a decision either way.
Other Travelers Insurance services
In addition to car insurance, Travelers offers the following insurance products:
- Boat and yacht insurance.
- Condo insurance.
- Flood insurance.
- Homeowners insurance.
- Landlord insurance.
- Motorcycle insurance.
- Pet insurance.
- Renters insurance.
- Travel insurance.
- Umbrella insurance.
- Valuable items insurance.
- Wedding and event insurance.
Travelers also offers business insurance coverage, including general liability, commercial auto and trucking, inland marine, property, workers compensation, and surety bonds.
Which states does Travelers Insurance cover?
Travelers Insurance covers a wide swath of the United States, from California to Georgia and beyond. It offers coverage in 42 states, plus Washington, D.C. If you live outside Travelers’s coverage area, you’ll need to look elsewhere for car insurance coverage. States where coverage is not available include Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Michigan, North and South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Which other insurers should you consider?
In addition to Travelers and the competitors listed above (Allstate, State Farm, and Geico), it’s worth considering Liberty Mutual for your car insurance needs. Not only does Liberty offer discounts for homeownership and good grades, it also provides a military discount that can help reduce insurance costs for active, retired, or reserve members of one of the U.S. Armed Forces branches. Liberty Mutual also has a program called RightTrack, which tracks your driving behavior and could earn you up to 30% off your premiums.
Liberty Mutual Auto Insurance
Liberty Mutual Auto Insurance
Pros & cons:
Pros:
- Wide selection of coverage options and discounts
- Better pricing than competitors in multiple categories
- Potential 30% discount by participating in its RightTrack UBI program
- A.M. Best A rating for financial strength
Cons:
- Some states do not appear to be served by an agent
- Middling claims and customer service ratings
Other options include American Family, Nationwide, Farmers, Progressive, and USAA (for military members). It’s a good idea to request quotes from several providers before choosing who to go with as your car insurance company.
Bottom line
If you’re looking for a car insurance provider, Travelers is well worth considering. Although exact rates will depend on your age, driving history, and the amount and type of coverage you want, you can expect lower-than-average premiums. In addition, Travelers has a long list of insurance discounts that can help lower your overall costs. In the end, it’s worth getting a quote from Travelers to see if it’s a good fit.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is Travelers good car insurance?
Overall, Travelers is a good option to consider for car insurance. While the company’s ratings by J.D. Power for claim satisfaction and insurance shopping are lower than average, it does have a “Superior” rating from AM Best and a lower-than-average number of NAIC complaints. Rates are also lower than average for many customers, though they may not be the lowest customers will find. It’s advisable to get quotes from at least three insurance providers to determine which one offers the best coverage at the most affordable cost for you.
Is Travelers Insurance expensive?
The cost of a Travelers Insurance policy depends on several factors: the type of coverage, age and driving history of the policyholder, and more. However, in general, Travelers Insurance premiums are lower than average for auto insurance.
How do I contact Travelers?
There are several ways to contact Travelers:
- By phone at (800) 842-5075.
- The MyTravelers app (available on Google Play and the Apple App Store).
- Email using an online form.
Does Travelers offer rideshare insurance?
Yes. Travelers does offer rideshare insurance—but only in two states (Colorado and Illinois). This type of coverage is available as an endorsement to an auto insurance policy.
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