The United States has thousands of licensed insurance companies, but a relatively small group writes most auto, home and life policies. This overview brings together the insurers you are most likely to be quoted by, grouped by line of coverage, with their headquarters, founding year and financial strength rating. Use it as a starting point: the right company for you depends on your state, your risk and the terms of the specific policy.
What makes an insurer a strong choice
- Financial strength. A high rating from AM Best (A++ and A+ are "Superior", A and A- are "Excellent") or from S&P, Moody's or Fitch means the company is well placed to pay claims years from now.
- Presence in your state. Insurers are licensed state by state. A national brand may not write every product everywhere, while a regional mutual may be the best option where it operates.
- Claims service. How quickly and fairly claims are settled matters more than a small price difference. Check complaint records with your state insurance department.
- Product fit. Coverage, limits, deductibles and exclusions differ between companies even for the same type of insurance.
Auto insurance
| Company | Headquarters | Founded | AM Best rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | Bloomington, Illinois | 1922 | A++ (Superior) |
| GEICO | Chevy Chase, Maryland | 1936 | A++ (Superior) |
| Progressive | Mayfield Village, Ohio | 1937 | A+ (Superior) |
| Allstate | Northbrook, Illinois | 1931 | A+ (Superior) |
| USAA | San Antonio, Texas | 1922 | A++ (Superior) |
State Farm and Allstate sell mainly through local agents, GEICO and Progressive are strong in direct online and phone sales, and USAA serves military members, veterans and their families. Compare liability limits, collision and comprehensive deductibles and optional coverages such as uninsured motorist and rental reimbursement. See auto insurance for how coverage works.
Homeowners and renters insurance
| Company | Headquarters | Founded | AM Best rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | Bloomington, Illinois | 1922 | A++ (Superior) |
| Travelers | New York, New York | 1853 | A++ (Superior) |
| Chubb | Zurich, Switzerland | 1792 | A++ (Superior) |
| Allstate | Northbrook, Illinois | 1931 | A+ (Superior) |
| USAA | San Antonio, Texas | 1922 | A++ (Superior) |
| Liberty Mutual | Boston, Massachusetts | 1912 | A (Excellent) |
Chubb focuses on high-value homes and collections, while the other companies cover the mass market. In coastal and wildfire-prone states, availability and price can change quickly, so it pays to compare several offers. Read more about homeowners insurance and renters insurance.
Strong regional mutual insurers
Regional mutuals are owned by their policyholders and often combine solid ratings with personal service through independent agents. If one of them operates in your state, it is worth adding to your comparison.
| Company | Headquarters | Founded | AM Best rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amica | Lincoln, Rhode Island | 1907 | A+ (Superior) |
| Auto-Owners Insurance | Lansing, Michigan | 1916 | A+ (Superior) |
| NJM Insurance | West Trenton, New Jersey | 1913 | A+ (Superior) |
| Cincinnati Insurance | Fairfield, Ohio | 1950 | A+ (Superior) |
| Erie Insurance | Erie, Pennsylvania | 1925 | A (Excellent) |
| Shelter Insurance | Columbia, Missouri | 1946 | A (Excellent) |
Life insurance
| Company | Headquarters | Founded | AM Best rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern Mutual | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | 1857 | A++ (Superior) |
| New York Life | New York, New York | 1845 | A++ (Superior) |
| MassMutual | Springfield, Massachusetts | 1851 | A++ (Superior) |
| Guardian Life | New York, New York | 1860 | A++ (Superior) |
| MetLife | New York, New York | 1868 | A+ (Superior) |
| Pacific Life | Newport Beach, California | 1868 | A+ (Superior) |
For life insurance, financial strength matters even more than for auto or home coverage: a policy may need to pay out decades from now. Mutual life insurers such as Northwestern Mutual, New York Life, MassMutual and Guardian are known for whole life policies with dividends, while term life is widely available from all the companies above. See life insurance for the difference between term and permanent coverage.
How to use this overview
- Shortlist two or three companies that are licensed in your state for the coverage you need.
- Request quotes with the same limits, deductibles and term so that prices are comparable.
- Read the exclusions and check how claims are reported and settled.
- Confirm the current financial strength rating before you buy: ratings can be upgraded or downgraded.
All profiles are in our insurance company directory. A Polis Re specialist can help you compare offers: request a quote.