Key Takeaways
- Car insurance apps help drivers to manage their policies, pay bills and file auto insurance claims with ease.
- Telematics and usage-based insurance programs often rely on car insurance apps when calculating rates.
- Insurers with highly-rated apps include USAA, State Farm, Geico and Travelers.
With the accessibility of smartphones and tablets, car insurance apps have become standard offerings from the nation’s top auto insurers. They simplify drivers’ auto insurance experiences and can often save policyholders both time and money.
We at the MarketWatch Guides team will go over our picks for the best auto insurance companies and their available apps. We’ll break down the various features and ratings received by each car insurance app to help you decide which insurer or app is right for you.
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Benefits of Using Car Insurance Apps
Car insurance apps simplify and streamline many aspects of the experience with your chosen insurer. Jobs that used to require hands-on attention from insurance agents can now be conveniently handled on your own time. These include accessing your auto insurance ID cards, making claims, contacting roadside assistance and utilizing telematics insurance programs.
What Is Usage-Based Insurance?
Telematics insurance, also known as usage-based insurance or pay-per-mile insurance, is a program that uses an in-car monitoring device to grade drivers based on their mileage or driving habits. You could be eligible for a discount if you drive safely or cover less miles than the average person.
These insurance programs work by collecting data as you drive in order to analyze your driving behaviors. How fast you drive, how often you brake hard, how many miles you drive and how late at night you’re behind the wheel are all factors considered by telematics programs. Many insurers use their car insurance apps to track driving habits via your phone, while others use a plug-in device that connects to a diagnostic port in your vehicle.
Source: Mapfre
Highest-Rated Car Insurance Apps
Through our extensive research process, we compiled information on the most reputable insurers in the nation and their respective car insurance apps. Read on to learn what each app offers to policyholders and to see how they fare against the competition.
USAA: Best for Military Members
Overview
We chose USAA as the provider that offers some of the lowest car insurance rates for military members. Its mobile app receives positive scores on the Apple App Store and on Google Play, though ratings skew somewhat lower on Google Play.
In addition to its insurance offerings, USAA provides banking and retirement solutions to military members, veterans and their families. Due to this broad range of offered products, the USAA mobile app is more involved than those of competitors that strictly offer insurance. Features related to auto insurance include:
- Digitally accessing your auto ID card
- Requesting roadside assistance
- Filing an insurance claim
Keep reading: USAA Insurance Review
USAA App Store Ratings
The USAA car insurance app receives strong scores on both Google Play and the Apple App Store, though drivers leave better scores for the latter.
| Google Play Store | 4.1 out of 5.0 |
| Apple App Store | 4.8 out of 5.0 |
USAA Mobile App Reviews
Recent reviews from both the Apple App Store and Google Play lean toward the negative, with users complaining about issues such as the app’s feedback link not working and the car insurance app feeling slow, clunky and unintuitive. However, these complaints represent a small subset of reviews, as overall ratings show that the app is satisfactory for most users.
Our team reached out to USAA for a comment on its car insurance app reviews and received the following response:
“USAA has upgraded its award-winning mobile app within the last year to make it faster, more personalized and incorporating an advanced search function that leverages predictive text and natural language features. Our new app leverages the power of machine learning to provide integrated, personal insights and actions with visual upgrades, faster speeds on delivery and performance, including a reduction of 6.5 seconds off load time across the app, as well as simplified, engaging messaging. We always welcome any feedback regarding USAA’s mobile app and are constantly exploring ways to improve our member experience.”
USAA Telematics Car Insurance App
USAA’s telematics program, SafePilot®, runs off a separate car insurance app. This program is available in select states, and the app has a rating of 4.5 out of 5.0 in the Apple App Store and 4.0 out of 5.0 with Google Play. USAA SafePilot monitors your driving habits, including phone use, harsh braking and how far you drive, in order to calculate your discounted insurance rate.
State Farm: Best Customer Experience
Overview
We picked State Farm as our Best Customer Experience in auto insurance following our comprehensive review process. It earns strong industry ratings across numerous J.D. Power studies and offers a variety of affordable full-coverage options and deductibles for you to choose from.
The State Farm car insurance app allows drivers to quickly and easily view and manage their insurance policies and other assets. You can also:
- Pay your insurance bill through Google Pay or Apple Pay
- View your auto insurance ID card
- Access coverage details for your car insurance policy
- File a claim and track its status
- Request roadside assistance
Some features are exclusive to the iOS version and get left out of the Android app. This includes utilizing Siri for various in-app actions, sending text messages to your agent and logging in via Touch ID or Face ID.
Keep reading: State Farm Insurance Review
State Farm App Store Ratings
According to customer ratings, the State Farm car insurance app performs exceptionally well across both Google Play and the Apple App Store, as seen by the scores below.
| Google Play Store | 4.7 out of 5.0 |
| Apple App Store | 4.8 out of 5.0 |
State Farm Mobile App Reviews
Recent reviews vary in both the Apple Store and Google Play, with more complaints resulting from the Android version. However, the State Farm Android team responds to most negative reviews, encouraging users to reach out for more support with their issues in order to resolve them. Complaints represent a small number of customers as overall app ratings are high. Our team reached out to State Farm for a comment on app complaints but did not receive a response.
State Farm Telematics Car Insurance App
State Farm’s usage-based insurance program, , is offered through a separate app of the same name. With a 4.6 out of 5.0 rating in the Apple App Store and a 4.1 out of 5.0 rating on Google Play, customers can receive discounts for safe driving when using the app. State Farm also offers an app for its Steer Clear® program for young drivers.
Geico: Best for Budget-Conscious Drivers
Overview
Geico is well known for its reasonable rates, and it offers high policy limits along with a usage-based insurance discount. The company’s car insurance app has strong scores from millions of reviews on the Apple Store and Google Play.
Geico’s app offers policyholders a variety of insurance services, including:
- Quick access to your virtual insurance ID card
- In-app bill pay services
- Roadside assistance
- Claims management
- A virtual assistant to answer questions about your policy
- Car care notifications when it’s time to service your vehicle
This car insurance app can only be used if you have an active auto or motorcycle policy, despite Geico offering other types of insurance such as home insurance and renters insurance. Features found throughout this app are largely the same between the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Keep reading: Geico Insurance Review
Geico App Store Ratings
Drivers consistently rate the Geico car insurance app highly across both Google Play and the Apple Store, as seen by the ratings below.
| Google Play Store | 4.6 out of 5.0 |
| Apple App Store | 4.8 out of 5.0 |
Geico Mobile App Reviews
Reviews are largely positive in the Apple App Store, though there are more negative reviews for the app’s Android version. Many recent complaints cite the app draining the user’s cellphone battery by keeping the DriveEasy function running in the background. However, Geico’s high ratings across both app stores show that negative reviews are in the minority. Our review team reached out to Geico for a comment on its app complaints but did not receive a response.
Geico Telematics Car Insurance App
The DriveEasy program is embedded into the standard Geico car insurance app, so there’s no need to download anything separate when you sign up. Geico does offer a different app for its DriveEasy Pro program, but that’s available only for commercial auto insurance plans.
Travelers: Best for Most Drivers
Overview
Travelers insurance offers specific types of coverage that many of its competitors don’t provide, such as rideshare insurance and named non-owner insurance. Its company’s car insurance app receives exceptional ratings on the Apple App Store but only average scores on Google Play.
The Travelers mobile app allows policyholders to easily:
- View and download auto insurance ID cards
- Make payments or enroll in autopay
- Access detailed insurance policy coverage information
- File insurance claims
- Call roadside assistance
- Speak with a claims professional
Keep reading: Travelers Insurance Review
Travelers App Store Ratings
Drivers seem to have varying experiences depending on whether they’re using the Travelers app on an iOS or an Android device. While those using Apple products are largely satisfied, that’s less true of those with the Google Play version.
| Google Play Store | 3.8 out of 5.0 |
| Apple App Store | 4.7 out of 5.0 |
Travelers Mobile App Reviews
Ratings on the Apple Store are high overall and negative marks typically receive a response from Travelers. Reviews from recent months on Google Play lean toward the negative, with complaints about the car insurance app crashing or certain functions not working. Our team reached out to Travelers for a comment on these reviews but didn’t get a response.
Travelers Telematics Car Insurance App
Travelers offers several apps to enhance your auto insurance experience, including the Travelers IntelliDrive® telematics program. It also offers Travelers Photo Capture Auto to help you track your vehicle during the claims process along with YourTravelers, which provides shareable content related to car insurance. Ratings for all three apps are found below:
| Google Play Store rating | Apple App Store rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Travelers IntelliDrive | 4.1 out of 5.0 | 4.6 out of 5.0 |
| Travelers Photo Capture Auto | 4.4 out of 5.0 | 4.6 out of 5.0 |
| YourTravelers | 3.9 out of 5.0 | 3.3 out of 5.0 |
Erie: Best for Basic Insurance Coverage
Overview
Through our comprehensive review, we found that Erie Insurance offers competitive rates for basic coverage. While Erie Insurance doesn’t receive standout scores for its car insurance app, the company’s overall customer satisfaction rate makes it worth looking into.
Erie Insurance’s mobile app provides support that helps customers to:
- View and download policy documents and insurance ID cards
- Save, send and share documents
- Make payments and view credit card billing activities
- Check your insurance claim status
- Contact your agent
Keep reading: Erie Insurance Review
Erie App Store Ratings
The Erie car insurance app doesn’t receive the industry’s highest scores, but most reviewers say that it performs decently well. Those on the Google Play Store rate the app a bit higher on average than those using it from the Apple App Store.
| Google Play Store | 3.3 out of 5.0 |
| Apple App Store | 3.0 out of 5.0 |
Erie Mobile App Reviews
As a somewhat smaller auto insurer, Erie’s app has less reviews than many bigger insurance companies. One of the main complaints on iOS is a lack of Apple Wallet support, while recent reviews on Google Play offer positive feedback after app updates and improvements were implemented. Our team reached out to Erie Insurance for comment on these complaints and received the following response:
“We value the detailed feedback our iOS and Android app users provide on Erie Insurance Mobile and use it to prioritize new features and plan our roadmap. Our Experience team reads every app review carefully and promptly responds to questions to help guide and support users on both platforms. While Erie’s mobile app allows customers to easily make payments, view and save digital ID cards and access policy and claims details, our team will continue to explore and add new, secure and convenient ways for customers to pay and access policy resources.”
Erie Telematics Car Insurance App
Erie Insurance offers two other apps that support its usage-based insurance programs, Erie YourTurnⓇ for personal vehicles and Erie EnRouteⓇ for commercial vehicles. YourTurn earns 4.8 out of 5.0 on the Apple App Store and 4.8 out of 5.0 on Google Play, with reviewers mentioning that it’s accurate and doesn’t use noticeable battery life. Erie EnRoute currently has a score of 3.0 out of 5.0 on Apple but no ratings yet from Google Play.
Most Downloaded Car Insurance Apps
More users than ever before are downloading car insurance apps, opting to have digital access to their insurance policy information when they need it. The most downloaded car insurance apps and their ratings are listed below.
| Car Insurance Company | Car Insurance App Rating* | Number of Downloads* |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | 4.6 out of 5 | 10 million+ |
| Geico | 4.6 out of 5 | 10 million+ |
| Progressive | 4.6 out of 5 | 10 million+ |
| USAA | 4 out of 5 | 10 million+ |
| Allstate | 4 out of 5 | 5 million+ |
| The General | 4.8 out of 5 | 1 million+ |
| Liberty Mutual | 4.6 out of 5 | 1 million+ |
| Esurance | 4.2 out of 5 | 1 million+ |
| Root Insurance | 3.3 out of 5 | 1 million+ |
| Nationwide | 4.5 out of 5 | 1 million+ |
| Farmers Insurance | 4.6 out of 5 | 1 million+ |
| Travelers | 3.4 out of 5 | 500,000+ |
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*This data represents ratings and downloads from Google Play, as the number of total car insurance app downloads is no longer viewable through the Apple App Store.
Car Insurance Apps: The Bottom Line
Car insurance apps are great tools to make your experience with auto insurance an easy one. While app ratings and reviews matter, making sure that an auto insurance company is the right fit for you is more important. We recommend comparing car insurance quotes from various providers to find the right coverage for your circ*mstances.
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Car Insurance Apps: FAQ
If you own a smartphone or a tablet, car insurance apps are worthwhile tools that can help to streamline your auto insurance experience. You can view your car insurance ID card, make bill payments, report claims and use safe driver programs with most car insurance apps.
Insurance apps use either GPS data from your phone or a vehicle monitoring device that plugs into your car’s diagnostic port to track your driving. Depending on the insurer, key metrics collected include speed, braking and overall mileage. It’s best to research your chosen car insurer for detailed information that’s applicable to your auto insurance policy.
Telematics insurance trackers typically reduce car insurance costs for safe drivers through a variety of metrics. Your exact insurance premium discount depends on the insurer, as well as on driving behaviors including speed, hard braking and amount of nighttime driving.
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of auto insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the insurers that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Cost: Auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities were both taken into consideration.
- Coverage: Companies that offer a variety of choices for insurance coverage are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Reputation and experience: Our research team considered market share, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Availability: Auto insurance companies with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements scored highest in this category.
- Customer experience: This score is based on volume of complaints reported by the NAIC and customer satisfaction ratings reported by J.D. Power. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each insurance company’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
Our credentials:
- 800 hours researched
- 45 companies reviewed
- 8,500+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides.com.
