Bear River insurance review 2023

Bear River car insurance

If you live in Utah, Bear River car insurance could be a decent option for you to consider. Those who are looking for local agents and in-depth knowledge of the specific risks faced by Utah residents may find Bear River Mutual appealing since it is specifically tailored to drivers in the Beehive state.

While coverage options are limited (roadside assistance and rental reimbursement appear to be the only add-ons), Bear River may also have policies for your RV, motorhome or trailer. Bear River could be a good choice for Utal drivers, but the carrier did not make our list of best car insurance companies, largely due to its limited availability — coverage is only available in Utah — and coverage options.

Pros and cons of Bear River car insurance

Like any company, Bear River Mutual has its perks and drawbacks. It can be helpful to understand these while shopping for coverage, especially if you are getting car insurance quotes from multiple carriers. Knowing the pros and cons of each company could help you make a more informed coverage decision.

Bear River car insurance cost

Rates for Bear River car insurance aren’t available. If you are shopping for Utah car insurance, getting quotes and comparing car insurance rates from several carriers might help you find the right policy for the right price.

Bear River car insurance discounts

Discounts can be a great way to get a cheaper car insurance policy. Unfortunately, Bear River Mutual does not advertise any car insurance discounts or additional ways to lower your car insurance costs on its website. Talking directly to a Bear River agent is likely the best way to find out what savings opportunities are available to you.

Bear River car tools and benefits

One of the unique features of Bear River Mutual is the company’s Bear Care Direct Repair Program. If your car is damaged in a covered claim, you have the option to choose from one of the Bear Care program’s vetted auto body shops to provide repairs. You do not have to choose one of these shops — you have the right to have your car repaired at the shop of your choice — but work that is completed by a Bear Care Direct Repair shop is guaranteed by the insurance company for as long as you own your vehicle.

Bear River home insurance

Based on our assessment, Bear River home insurance offers fairly standard coverage compared to other national or larger regional carriers. The company only insures homes in Utah, with coverage available for primary and secondary homes. However, Bear River Mutual does note that its policy rates are based solely on the risks associated with Utah homes, which could mean lower rates than a national carrier that has to account for varied risks nationwide.

Bear River’s website is not especially informative about what its home policies cover and what coverage limits are available, so it may be best to speak to an agent about your specific needs. We did find that, in addition to basic liability insurance, you could add coverage for equipment breakdown, buried utility lines and earthquakes to your policy.

Pros and cons of Bear River homeowners insurance

Just like its car insurance, Bear River’s home insurance product has its upsides and downsides. Comparing home quotes from several companies, including Bear River Mutual, might help you get a better idea if the company is right for you.

Bear River home insurance cost

Specific average rates for Bear River home insurance aren’t available. If you’d like to know how much your coverage would be with Bear River, contact an agent for a quote.

Bear River home insurance discounts

Most of the best home insurance companies Bankrate has reviewed offer discounts, but Bear River does not list any savings opportunities on its website. This doesn’t mean that the company doesn’t offer ways to save, just that it doesn’t advertise them. You will need to speak to an agent directly to learn what discounts Bear River may have for your policy.

Bear River home tools and benefits

Bear River’s Bear Care Repair Program is also available for home insurance claims, which is a fairly unique feature among home insurance companies. If your home is damaged in a covered loss, you could hire a contractor through the Bear Care Home Repair Program to get repairs backed by a three-year guarantee. Just like with the auto insurance program, you do not have to choose a Bear Care-vetted company, but there are perks if you do.

Bear River customer satisfaction

Because Bear River is such a small carrier compared to national companies, it doesn’t have many third-party customer satisfaction ratings. In fact, we were unable to find any rating from J.D. Power or a complaint index score from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for Bear River. However, Bear River Mutual does have an A- (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best, which means that it has historically been capable of paying claims. In regards to service, though, it’s probably a good idea to talk to current clients to gauge satisfaction.

How to file a claim with Bear River

Bear River may be a smaller company, but it does provide its policyholders with several easy ways to file claims, including:

• Filing online with this form
• Calling 1-800-925-5177
• Option 2 for roadside assistance
• Option 3 for glass-only auto claims
• Option 4 for all other auto claims
• Option 4 for property claims (home, condo, renters, etc.)

You may be able to contact your agent directly to file a claim as well. However, Bear River notes that claims must be reported directly, so your agent may direct you to call one of the numbers listed above.

Bear River availability

Bear River Mutual is only available in the state of Utah.

Other Bear River perks worth considering

Bear River Mutual Insurance Company advertises fewer perks and insurance policies than some of its competitors. The website also lacks detailed information about what its policies cover.

However, the company does list a few other policies you may be interested in considering from Bear River Mutual, which include:

• Renters insurance
• RV insurance
• Dwelling insurance for rental properties
• Umbrella insurance for additional liability coverage

Bear River corporate sustainability

With its close ties to Utah communities, Bear Mutual and its employees make dedicated efforts to give back to Utah families through charity and fundraising events. Some organizations and events Bear Mutual has partnered with include Red Cross Blood Drives, Utah Food Bank Drives, Toys for Tots and the Salvation Army Angel Tree program.

Not sure if Bear River is right for you?

If you are in the market for home or auto insurance in Utah and looking to compare quotes from more than one insurer, here are some other providers to consider that are comparable to Bear River Mutual.

Bear River vs. Electric Insurance

Electric Insurance offers similar coverage types to Bear River, like home, auto, renters and umbrella insurance. However, Electric Insurance is available nationwide and you can get quotes online. As a larger insurance company, Electric may have more perks and offer more digital tools than Bear River.

Learn more: Electric Insurance review

Bear River vs. GAINSCO

GAINSCO is a smaller insurance company that sells auto policies in Utah and several other states with a focus on personalized customer service. High-risk drivers may be able to get coverage with GAINSCO, too. Unlike Bear River, GAINSCO offers a mobile app which could be appealing to those looking to handle their policies digitally.

Learn more: GAINSCO Insurance review

Bear River vs. National General

National General offers robust home and auto insurance policies. While Bear River doesn’t list any discounts online, National General provides a wealth of information on its many savings opportunities. The company is owned by Allstate, which could be appealing if you prefer the peace of mind of a larger carrier.

Learn more: National General Insurance review

Is Bear River a good insurance company?

It depends on your needs. Bear River Mutual may be a good option for Utah residents who prefer working with a local company that intimately understands the needs of Utah drivers and homeowners. However, Bear River doesn’t offer as many coverage options as many competitors, doesn’t advertise discounts, has very few third-party reviews and lacks robust digital tools.