Dairyland insurance review 2023

Dairyland car insurance

Dairyland car insurance earned a Bankrate Score of 3.1 out of 5 because of its 24/7 customer support and mobile app, although rates tend to be higher than normal and coverage isn’t available nationwide. Whether due to their insurance-based credit score, driving record or other high-risk rating factors, drivers having trouble finding coverage might find Dairyland's non-standard auto policies an attractive option.

Along with the standard coverage options one would expect, Dairyland offers a few standouts, including gap insurance, rental reimbursement and special equipment coverage to insure custom parts like aftermarket stereo and rims. Dairyland car insurance is available in 38 states, and along with car insurance, it also specializes in off road and motorcycle coverage.

Pros and cons of Dairyland car insurance

Making a list of pros and cons when requesting car insurance quotes can help you differentiate Dairyland from another company, and may also guide you in deciding whether the company is one that would best suit your individual needs.

Dairyland car insurance cost

Bankrate’s insurance editorial team analyzes rate data each year. We found that in 2023, the average cost of car insurance is $2,014 per year for a full coverage policy and $622 per year for a minimum coverage policy. On the other hand, Dairyland comes in much higher, with yearly rates of $3,426 and $811, respectively.

Dairyland car insurance rates by driving history

Using proprietary rate data from Quadrant Information Services, Bankrate analyzes rates over time to help you find cheap car insurance. We also review rates in different parts of the United States and compare rates using various rating factors (drivers with poor credit or young drivers, for example) to better spot trends in premiums.

One rating factor that can significantly impact how much you pay for car insurance is your driving record. However, insurance companies weigh some types of activity more heavily than others. For instance, an at-fault accident may increase your premium more than a speeding ticket, as demonstrated in the table below.

Although Dairyland specializes in high-risk car insurance, it may not offer a policy for drivers who have a DUI in all cases. As such, we have omitted DUI rates from our data. For further information regarding DUI rates, please get in touch with a Dairyland agent.

Dairyland car insurance quotes by age

7.8 percent of all fatal crashes involve a driver aged 15 to 20. Statistically, younger drivers are more likely to cause car accidents than older drivers, and the accidents younger drivers are involved in are typically more severe. To offset this risk, young drivers may pay some of the most expensive rates for car insurance, but how much more they pay could depend on whether they are listed on their parents’ policy or are on their own policy.

Average cost of car insurance for drivers on their parents’ policy

Average cost of car insurance for drivers on their own policy

Dairyland car insurance discounts

Dairyland has several discounts available for drivers who want to save money on car insurance. Keep in mind that some discounts may only be offered in select states. While the company offers common discounts, like the multi-car discount, here are some of the more unique savings opportunities you may qualify for with this insurer:

Dairyland car tools and benefits

Dairyland may not offer as many benefits as some of the other best car insurance companies available. Still, it does carry specialty policies for off-road vehicles, like ATVs, side-by-sides, snowmobiles and dirt bikes.

Dairyland customer satisfaction

Although comparing auto insurance rates when shopping for new coverage is an important step, price isn’t the only consideration. Another important factor to consider is customer satisfaction. To analyze this, Bankrate’s insurance editorial team includes third-party scores issued by J.D. Power in its study. However, J.D. Power did not include Dairyland car insurance in any of its 2022 auto insurance studies.

In addition to J.D. Power scores, we review where an insurance company lands on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index. The NAIC keeps track of the number of complaints insurance companies receive and translates this data into a complaint index score. To understand this score, know that the baseline (or average) number of customer complaints is equivalent to a complaint index score of 1.0. If a company has a higher complaint index score than 1.0, it receives more complaints than average for a company of its size. If a company scores lower than 1.0, then it receives fewer complaints.

Dairyland auto satisfaction

Dairyland car insurance has an NAIC complaint index score of 1.41 for its private passenger product. This data means that, on average, Dairyland receives more complaints than other companies of its size.

However, AM Best issued Dairyland a financial strength rating of A+ (Superior). While this may not directly correlate to the company’s current customer satisfaction, it could indicate that Dairyland has not had significant issues paying out past claims when required.

As Dairyland is not rated by J.D. Power and has a higher-than-average NAIC complaint index score, drivers who prioritize customer service may want to do further research on this company before making the switch.

How to file a claim with Dairyland

Car accidents can be stressful, but knowing what to expect when filing a car insurance claim can help relieve some of the pressure you may feel. First, your insurance company will likely ask for basic information about the drivers and vehicles involved in the accident, like names and VINs. Next, your claims representative may want you to describe, in your own words, what happened during the incident. You may also need to provide supporting documentation, such as a police report.

When you have the necessary information, you can file a claim with Dairyland by calling 1-800-334-0090. The claims center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Although you can’t report a claim online, you can check your claim status after the claim is filed.

Dairyland availability

Dairyland car insurance is available in 38 states. If you live in any of the areas below, which are not covered by Dairyland, you will have to request quotes from a different car insurance company:

• Alaska
• Hawaii
• Louisiana
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Montana
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Rhode Island
• Washington, D.C.

Other Dairyland perks worth considering

Other than high-risk car insurance, Dairyland offers a couple other perks, including:

• Mobile app: Although app user reviews include complaints about functionality, Dairyland does have a free mobile app available to download through the Google Play Store and the App Store. You can’t make policy changes through the app, but you can make payments and access ID cards.
• Learning center: Dairyland’s Learning Center blog could help you navigate the complicated world of insurance through its informative articles about a wide range of car insurance topics, from claims to SR-22s to car maintenance.

Dairyland corporate sustainability

Dairyland’s philanthropic efforts are mostly seen in its involvement in the motorcycle community. Each year on National Motorcycle Day, Dairyland encourages its cycle policyholders to give back through soup kitchen donations, youth center volunteering or community clean up, and to tag the company on social media along with the hashtag #NationalMotorcycleDay.

Not sure if Dairyland is right for you?

Dairyland is a unique insurer that is unavailable in some states. If you’re considering Dairyland, but want to know how other providers compare before making your decision, you may want to consider requesting quotes with one or more of the companies below:

Dairyland vs. Amica

Amica offers robust car insurance policies, but unlike Dairyland, it also offers homeowners insurance. Thanks in part to Amica’s cheap average rates and top rank in the 2022 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, Amica earned the 2023 Bankrate Award for Best Overall Car Insurance Company.

Learn more: Amica Insurance review

Dairyland vs. Geico

Geico already offers some of the cheapest car insurance rates on average, and drivers could potentially save more with the DriveEasy telematics program. For many drivers, SR-22 filings are available and Geico may offer policies for drivers with non-standard risk factors.

Learn more: Geico Insurance review

Dairyland vs. Esurance

For drivers who prefer to control their policies digitally, Esurance could be an excellent choice. The company is owned by Allstate and while it doesn’t write insurance in all states, Esurance does offer car, motorcycle, homeowners and renters insurance where available.

Learn more: Esurance Insurance review

Is Dairyland a good insurance company?

Bankrate knows that shopping for new insurance can be daunting — that’s why we keep three licensed agents on staff. We’ve used our real-world experience to evaluate more than 100 insurance companies to help you find the carrier that fits your needs, whether that be through cheap rates, high-risk insurance options, robust coverage add-ons or other key considerations.

Based on our in-depth Dairyland Insurance review, this company could be a good option for drivers with non-standard rating factors who need high-risk car insurance. However, this company might fall short if you prefer to bundle your home with your auto, prioritize affordable premiums, or have customer service at top-of-mind. The easiest way to determine if Dairyland is a good insurance company for you may be to speak with an agent and request a quote.

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2023 rates for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $50,000 property damage liability per accident
• $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
• $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
• $500 collision deductible
• $500 comprehensive deductible

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2021 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually. 

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. 

Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 16-60 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts.

The rates for drivers ages 16-20 added to their parent's policy reflect the good student and driver's training discounts applied. The rates for drivers aged 16-20 on their own policy do not include the good student and driver's training discounts. Additionally, 25-year-old rates are based on the driver as a renter and 30+ on the driver as a homeowner. 

Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), single speeding ticket and single at-fault accident.

Bankrate Scores

Our 2023 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories. 

Like our previous Bankrate Scores, each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. This year, our 2023 scoring model provides a more comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and better highlighting where they fall short.

• Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto insurance companies satisfy these priorities, 2023 quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services, as well as the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best and the NAIC, were analyzed.
• Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options.
• Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.

Tier scores are unweighted to show the company's true score in each category out of a possible five points.