Country-Wide insurance review 2023
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Bottom Line
Country-Wide may be an option to consider for New York drivers who want no-frills car insurance, but its lower financial strength rating and lack of additional insurance products, like home insurance, may not be for everyone.
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Network of New York agents available for face-to-face service
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Regional company may be especially familiar with the needs of New York drivers
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Flexible payment options available
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No online quoting or mobile app available
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Received C++ (Marginal) rating from AM Best for financial strength
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Only available to drivers in New York state
Country-Wide car insurance
If you are in the market for auto insurance in New York, Bankrate's Country-Wide Insurance review could help you decide if it's a good option for your needs. Country-Wide prioritizes personalized customer service and face-to-face broker interactions, whether you are purchasing a policy or filing a claim. However, the company lacks many features you may find with some of the best auto insurance companies, like online quotes and a mobile app.
Country-Wide offers all the basic auto insurance coverage types, including the required minimum coverage in New York. These are bodily injury and property damage liability insurance, personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Drivers can also add collision and comprehensive, also known as full coverage. Unfortunately, the company does not advertise any other add-ons like new car replacement, roadside assistance or accident forgiveness.
Shop rates and compare quotes
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Country-Wide car insurance cost
While average rates for Country-Wide car insurance aren't available, knowing the average cost of car insurance in New York could be useful when comparing quotes. For example, drivers in New York pay an average of $3,139 per year for full coverage car insurance and $1,371 per year for minimum coverage. Both are significantly higher than the national average, which is $2,014 per year for full coverage and $622 per year for minimum coverage.
Country-Wide car insurance discounts
Country-Wide does not advertise any car insurance discounts on its website. You could reach out to a Country-Wide broker to find out if there are any savings opportunities available for you to lower your car insurance premium.
Country-Wide car tools and benefits
Country-Wide does not advertise whether it offers any additional services to car insurance policyholders.
Country-Wide customer satisfaction
For some drivers, customer service is as important as price when it comes to choosing an auto insurance company. Understanding the shopping and claims experience of others may help you decide whether or not to pursue a company. When it comes to customer satisfaction and financial strength, Bankrate primarily looks at third-party data from J.D. Power, AM Best and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
J.D. Power issues yearly studies that analyze overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction. Companies are ranked and issued a score out of 1,000 points. Although it only operates in New York, Country-Wide did not rank in J.D. Power's 2022 Auto Insurance Study in the New York region. This may be because the insurer is too small to be included in the study.
The NAIC also looks at customer satisfaction by tracking complaints filed against insurance companies. The organization issues companies an NAIC Complaint Index for each insurance product they offer based on the company's size and the number of complaints against them. The index has a baseline of 1.00. Country-Wide has an index of 2.43 for its private passenger product, indicating that the number of complaints it received was more than twice as high as expected in the market.
Lastly, AM Best issues companies a financial strength rating from A+ (Excellent) to D (Poor). Country-Wide has a rating of C++ (Marginal), which indicates that historically it may not have demonstrated a strong ability to meet its financial obligations.
Based on these ratings, potential customers may want to speak with current policyholders in their area to learn more about customer satisfaction with Country-Wide.
How to file a claim with Country-Wide
Filing a claim can be done through your Country-Wide broker or by calling 1-212-344-8700.
Country-Wide availability
Country-Wide is only available in the state of New York.
Other Country-Wide perks worth considering
In addition to personal auto insurance, Country-Wide also offers commercial truck insurance with the same available coverage types.
Country-Wide corporate sustainability
Country-Wide mentions a few different corporate sustainability initiatives on its website, most of which are New York-focused. The company sponsors collection drives following humanitarian crises, including storms, hurricanes and other natural disasters. Additionally, Country-Wide employees volunteer annually for Toys for Tots, City Harvest Food Drive, Winter Coat Drive and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Denim Day.
Not sure if Country-Wide is right for you?
Looking for the best car insurance may mean requesting quotes from more than one company. If Country-Wide isn't the best fit for you, you may find it helpful to consider these other car insurance carriers:
Country-Wide vs. Erie
Erie Insurance could be an option to consider for New Yorkers who want a regional carrier that offers other types of insurance, such as home and life. Erie's average home and auto insurance rates are relatively affordable compared to the national average, which could be ideal for shoppers on a budget. Additionally, Erie ranks very highly in multiple regions of J.D. Power's customer satisfaction study.
Learn more: Erie Insurance review
Country-Wide vs. Progressive
Progressive is a larger national carrier, but it may offer affordable rates for high-risk drivers. Progressive also has digital tools, such as an online portal and mobile app, for those who want to manage their car insurance policies online. Progressive also lists a wide variety of discounts for potential extra savings.
Learn more: Progressive Insurance review
Country-Wide vs. Geico
According to Bankrate research, Geico ranks as one of the cheapest car insurance companies, which might be a good option for drivers on a budget. Although the carrier has a long list of discounts, it does have limited add-on coverage options for its auto insurance, and its home and life policies are underwritten by third-party companies.
Learn more: Geico Insurance review
Is Country-Wide a good insurance company?
Bankrate’s insurance editorial team knows firsthand that choosing the right insurance company may not be easy. We have multiple licensed agents on staff, and our team as a whole has almost 50 years of industry experience. We leverage this knowledge to conduct extensive insurance carrier reviews so that you can properly evaluate a company and its offerings.
Country-Wide advertises a personalized auto insurance experience with local agents, but it doesn't offer coverage outside of New York, and it's lacking in terms of digital tools. Although the company offers all the coverage types necessary to meet New York's minimum insurance requirements, it has limited add-on coverage options and no listed discounts. These factors, combined with low available customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings, means you may want to speak to current policyholders in your area for more information before pursuing a quote from Country-Wide.