American Family Insurance Review: Auto, Home & Renters
American Family has great coverage options, but prices are above average for people who don't qualify for its many discounts.
Editor's Rating
A wide range of optional add-ons and above-average customer service make American Family a good option for insurance.
American Family Insurance (AmFam) offers affordable auto insurance policies, but its home and renters insurance rates are typically more expensive than the competition. However, the company has plenty of discounts available to help make rates more affordable.
American Family: Our thoughts
Bottom line: American Family offers high-quality auto, home and renters insurance backed by top-rated customer service. It is not the cheapest insurance company, but American Family has lots of good coverage options. That makes it worth considering if you have specialized insurance needs.
American Family offers competitive car insurance rates, averaging $1,156 a year for a full coverage policy. However, for home and renters insurance, AmFam is more expensive than its competitors.
Compare American Family to other top auto insurance companies | |
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One of American Family's best features is its highly convenient app. It allows you to file claims, view insurance cards and handle billing. On the other hand, AmFam's quote system is slow and clunky. It's time-consuming to get a price, and you may need to call an agent to get a quote.
American Family is available in most places nationwide. The company offers policies in 44 states and Washington, D.C. American Family is the seventh-largest home insurer and ninth-largest auto insurer in the country.
American Family also operates several smaller companies, including Homesite and The General.
American Family auto insurance
American Family car insurance quotes
While American Family is not the absolute cheapest auto insurance company, it offers rates that are cheaper than average. It also has plenty of discounts to help lower your rates. AmFam charges an average of $343 a year for minimum coverage insurance and $1,156 for a full coverage policy.
American Family auto insurance annual rates vs. competitors
Company | Minimum coverage | Full coverage | Accident |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $325 | $963 | $1,115 |
| American Family | $343 | $1,156 | $1,957 |
| Progressive | $402 | $1,186 | $1,924 |
| Geico | $489 | $1,400 | $2,536 |
| Allstate | $605 | $1,655 | $2,737 |
American Family auto insurance discounts
American Family offers lots of chances for car insurance discounts. For example, the company has a mileage-based program called MilesMyWay. It offers lower rates to people who don't use their car very much.
Discount | How to get it |
|---|---|
| Loyalty and signup discounts | |
| Multivehicle | Insure multiple vehicles with AmFam |
| Loyalty | Based on the length of time insured with the company |
| Early-bird | Sign up for coverage within seven days of getting a quote from American Family |
| Multiproduct | Bundle multiple insurance policies with American Family, such as homeowners or renters insurance |
Highlighted discount: KnowYourDrive
KnowYourDrive is an app-based program that monitors your driving behavior. Enrolling in the program earns you an automatic 5% discount on your auto insurance policy. Depending on how safely you drive, you could earn a discount of up to 20%. The KnowYourDrive program is a great discount because AmFam doesn't penalize drivers based on their driving behavior.
Highlighted discount: Teen Safe Driver
Most auto insurance companies offer some kind of teen driver discount, but not many offer one based on your teen's driving. AmFam's program scores each trip teen drivers take using a mobile app. Once drivers complete one year in the program or drive more than 3,000 miles, they qualify for up to a 10% discount. Parents can also access the info on their teens' driving habits and scores.
American Family MilesMyWay program
MilesMyWay is a program that allows AmFam customers to earn a discount based on the number of miles they drive. Drivers who travel 30 or fewer miles per week can save as much as 25% on their car insurance.
The discount decreases the more you drive, and it disappears altogether if you drive more than 160 miles per week. The app sets your discount each month, which means that you may see a smaller discount if you take a road trip or drive more than usual.
In order to save, drivers must download the MilesMyWay app. After you register for the program, AmFam will send you a small sensor that goes inside your car and tracks your mileage.
American Family customers don't need to enroll all of the vehicles on their policy in the program, which makes it particularly useful for drivers with a car or truck that's rarely driven.
People who work from home or commute by walking, biking or public transportation should consider MilesMyWay to save money on their insurance costs.
American Family also offers accident forgiveness to avoid a rate increase after an at-fault accident. Accident forgiveness is available in two forms:
- Drivers can earn accident forgiveness if they have been claim-free for five years.
- Drivers can buy accident forgiveness if they have no tickets or at-fault accidents in the last 12 months and fewer than two at-fault accidents in the last three years.
American Family auto insurance coverage
Whether you want basic coverage or you're a rideshare driver, American Family's coverage options are fairly comprehensive. In other words, there are very few drivers who will be dissatisfied with American Family's auto insurance policy options.
American Family offers the standard car insurance coverages. These include liability insurance, personal injury protection, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, collision insurance and comprehensive insurance.
In addition, the company has a number of optional coverages that you can choose to enhance your policy:
Rental car reimbursement
Rental car reimbursement pays for car rental expenses while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered incident. AmFam allows customers to rent vehicles through an approved provider or a company of their choice. One approved provider is Enterprise Rent-A-Car, which is very convenient with over 7,600 locations worldwide. If you rent through an approved company, American Family will pay it directly, which also saves you time.
Rideshare coverage
American Family allows its customers to drive for rideshare services. And American Family's rideshare endorsement fills the coverage gap between a standard car insurance policy and the protection provided by Uber or Lyft.
Roadside assistance
Emergency roadside service provides you with 24-hour roadside assistance services, including towing, tire servicing and fluid delivery. To request roadside service, you can call 800-MYAMFAM or request service through the MyAmFam app.
Gap insurance
If your newly bought car is stolen or totaled in a crash, there's a good chance your insurance payout won't cover your full loan amount. American Family's gap insurance add-on covers the difference between what you owe and what you'll get from your insurance company if you're in an accident.
American Family also provides customers with repair programs to help them get back on the road.
The Dreams Restored Program pairs drivers with a trusted repair shop in their neighborhood after a claim. American Family's direct relationship with these auto shops results in quicker repairs and includes a lifetime workmanship guarantee.
For windshield repairs, American Family partners with Safelite. Safelite is a glass repair company that travels to you in order to repair or replace your windshield. Windshield repairs are usually covered if you have comprehensive coverage. American Family may even waive your glass deductible if you can repair your windshield instead of replacing it.
Which states are covered by American Family?
American Family offers insurance in 44 states and Washington, D.C.
States where AmFam does not sell insurance
American Family home insurance
American Family's homeowners insurance quotes
American Family's home insurance rates are higher than its competitors' rates by 12%-17% on average. However, the company's highly customizable policies and optional coverages may be worth the extra cost.
Home insurance rates change based on where you live, so you should compare quotes from American Family to the average in your state.
American Family home insurance annual rates vs. competitors
Company | $200,000 | $300,000 | $400,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $737 | $874 | $1,032 |
| State Farm | $902 | $1,156 | $1,416 |
| Travelers | $932 | $1,279 | $1,565 |
| American Family | $993 | $1,321 | $1,656 |
American Family home insurance coverage
American Family's homeowners insurance policies are highly customizable. The company offers three tiers of home insurance; or, customers can opt for a policy with custom coverage limits. In addition, homeowners can choose from a handful of endorsements that can enhance their coverage.
- Equipment breakdown coverage pays to repair appliances, home systems or smart home devices damaged by electrical, mechanical or pressure systems breakdown. For instance, if your refrigerator short-circuits during a power surge, it is covered under this endorsement. Keep in mind that equipment breakdown coverage does not cover normal wear and tear. So it's cheaper than a traditional home warranty policy, but it does not offer as much protection.
- The hidden water damage endorsement covers repairs for damage done by a water leak not in plain sight. That includes within your walls, ceilings, cabinets, beneath your floors or under an appliance. Most home insurance policies do not cover this type of damage, which can be costly if the leak goes unnoticed.
- With matching siding protection, American Family will pay to replace undamaged siding on your house so it matches the new siding put on after a storm.
American Family also offers sewer backup and sump pump overflow coverage, service line coverage and protection against identity theft.
American Family also has all the standard homeowners insurance coverages you'd expect, such as dwelling coverage, personal liability and medical payments.
American Family homeowners insurance discounts
American Family offers its customers access to only a few discounts compared to what it offers for car insurance. However, discounts vary by state and the company underwriting your homeowners policy. You may qualify for a different set of discounts than the ones listed below.
Discount | How do you get it? |
|---|---|
| Safe, Secure, Smart Home discount | Install a smart home security system |
| Multiproduct | Bundle two policies, such as your auto and homeowners insurance |
| Age of home | Automatic discount if your home is under 15 years old |
| Renovated home | Replace your older home's plumbing, electrical and heating systems |
| Autopay | Have your insurance bill automatically deducted from your bank account |
American Family also offers homeowners a diminishing deductible. This lowers your deductible by $100 for every year that you remain claim-free.
American Family smart home discounts
Homeowners insured with AmFam can take advantage of additional discounts designed to help keep your home safe.
American Family customers get a discount on ADT monitored systems. A more traditional security system, ADT offers free installation and monthly savings on monitoring packages with a 36-month contract. The wireless security system has window and door sensors, flood sensors, motion sensors and doorbell and indoor cameras.
Signing up may also qualify you for savings on your homeowners insurance rate with the Safe, Secure, Smart Home discount.
American Family renters insurance
American Family renters insurance cost
American Family's renters insurance rates are higher than average. American Family's average rate is $229 per year. That's 18% more than the overall average of $193 per year.
American Family renters insurance rates vs. competitors
Company | Annual rate | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Lemonade | $121 | $10 |
| Progressive | $153 | $13 |
| Travelers | $216 | $18 |
| American Family | $229 | $19 |
| Farmers | $247 | $21 |
Renters insurance prices vary based on your apartment's location, building type and the levels of coverage you choose. Always gather quotes from multiple companies before committing to one insurer over another.
American Family renters insurance coverages
American Family renters insurance includes the standard coverage options, along with a few optional extras.
Optional coverage | Description |
|---|---|
| Identity theft protection | Provides credit monitoring and covers financial losses as a result of identity theft |
| Travel protection | Covers unexpected costs while traveling, such as flight cancellation and global medical insurance |
| Pet insurance | Pays up to $1,000 in veterinary costs and possible funeral costs if your pet (dog, cat, fish or bird) is injured by a covered loss |
| Home business | Extends your liability and personal property coverage to your home business |
Renters insurance discounts
American Family offers a fairly standard list of discounts to renters. You can save an especially large amount if you bundle with an AmFam auto policy.
Discount | How to get it |
|---|---|
| Multiproduct | Buy both renters and automobile insurance from AmFam |
| Smart home | Use smart home tools that monitor things such as break-ins and basement flooding |
| Claim-free | Go five years without making a claim on your renters policy |
| Payment | Use automatic payments, or pay your bill in full or using paperless billing |
| Loyalty | Renew your policy with American Family multiple times |
| Generational | Eligible if your parents have American Family Insurance |
American Family Insurance reviews
American Family Insurance customers can generally expect high-quality service. The company earned above-average scores from J.D. Power for overall customer service in homeowners insurance and auto claims. It scored slightly below average for renters insurance customer satisfaction, however.
American Family also receives fewer complaints than average according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index. American Family gets 17% fewer complaints than average for home insurance and 41% fewer for car insurance. The majority of complaints involve low claim settlements and delays in the claims process.
American Family Insurance customers have a reason to be confident about the company's ability to pay insurance claims. The company was awarded an A rating for its financial strength by AM Best, a financial rating agency. The high rating means that the company has an "excellent" ability to pay customer claims, even when the economy is doing poorly.
American Family Insurance claims
The fastest way to file a claim with American Family Insurance is through the MyAmFam app. You can submit the claim and track its status directly from your smartphone. American Family customers can also log in to their online portal to file a home, auto, business or life insurance claim.
Customers who prefer to file a claim over the phone can call 800-MYAMFAM (800-692-6326) or speak directly with their insurance agent. You can also start a storm claim by texting STORM to 26326 (AMFAM).
Frequently asked questions
Is American Family Insurance good?
American Family is a good insurance company. It has fewer complaints than average and good customer service scores, but you can probably find cheaper homeowners and renters insurance elsewhere.
What types of insurance does American Family offer?
American Family Insurance offers car insurance, home insurance, renters insurance, condo insurance, commercial and small business insurance, life insurance, health and Medicare Supplement insurance, travel insurance and pet insurance, among others.
Does American Family Insurance cover towing?
AmFam offers emergency roadside assistance as an optional auto insurance coverage, which does include towing. Drivers can request roadside assistance by calling 800-MYAMFAM (692-6326), through the MyAmFam app or via American Family's website.
Does American Family Insurance cover rental cars?
Most American Family Insurance policies cover rental cars for liability protection, but not damage to the rental vehicle (comprehensive or collision). You should call your insurance agent to confirm the specifics of your policy before assuming that your coverage will transfer.
Does American Family have gap insurance?
Yes, AmFam offers gap insurance, which it also refers to as auto loan or lease assistance coverage.
Methodology
To compare American Family's auto, homeowners and renters insurance rates, ValuePenguin editors used the following sample profiles.
For the auto insurance review, editors gathered quotes for a 30-year-old Wisconsin man who owns a 2015 Honda Civic EX.
Coverage | Minimum coverage | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $25,000/$50,000 | $50,000/$100,000 |
| Property damage liability | $10,000 | $25,000 |
| Uninsured motorist bodily injury | $25,000/$50,000 | $50,000/$100,000 |
| Underinsured motorist bodily injury | not included | $50,000/$100,000 |
| Comprehensive deductible | not included | $500 |
| Collision deductible | not included | $500 |
For the homeowners insurance review, quotes are for $200,000, $300,000 and $400,000 of dwelling coverage. Rates are for a 45-year-old married man who lives in a house in Wisconsin built in 1977. He has been claim-free for five years and has an average credit score.
For the renters insurance review, quotes are from five major insurance companies in Wisconsin across 15 cities. Our sample renter is an unmarried 30-year-old man, with no pets or roommates, living in a multiunit building.
Coverage | Amount |
|---|---|
| Personal property | $30,000 |
| Personal liability | $100,000 |
| Medical | $1,000 |
| Deductible | $500 |
Home and auto insurance quotes used insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services. These rates were publicly sourced from insurer filings and should be used for comparative purposes only — your own quotes may differ.
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.