Travelers Car Insurance At A Glance
Travelers has been in the insurance game since 1864, making it one of the oldest and most established carriers in the country. If your great-great-grandparents needed car insurance (assuming cars existed back then), they could have called Travelers. The company operates in 42+ states plus Washington D.C., and it stands out for offering competitive pricing that often beats national averages, particularly for drivers who bundle policies or have spotty driving records.
Overall, we rated Travelers car insurance 9.3 out of 10, earning it a spot on our list of the best car insurance companies. Read more and learn about Travelers, and whether it might be right for you.
Key Strengths
- Pricing typically runs 20-25% below national averages for full coverage policies.
- An extensive discount menu that rewards everything from good students to homeowners to safe drivers
- Rock-solid financial backing with the highest possible rating from AM Best (A++)
- IntelliDrive telematics program offers up to 30% savings for drivers willing to prove their skills behind the wheel.
Key Weaknesses
- Claims satisfaction scores land below the industry average in J.D. Power studies.
- The mobile app experience on Android devices gets mixed feedback for speed and responsiveness.
- Not available in Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia, or Wyoming
- IntelliDrive can actually raise your rates if your driving habits fall short of expectations.
Who Is Travelers Best For?
Travelers stands out as a great car insurance company overall due to its strong performance in many areas. This insurer works particularly well for drivers looking to bundle their auto policy with home, condo, or renters insurance since the multi-policy discounts can stack up nicely. If you prefer working with a local independent agent rather than navigating everything online, Travelers operates through an extensive agent network that provides personalized service. Travelers may be a good option for you if you are looking for a company that offers a wide array of policy options to choose from. Drivers with less-than-perfect records should also take notice since Travelers tends to offer more competitive rates for people with accidents, speeding tickets, or even DUIs compared to many competitors.
Travelers Car Insurance
Travelers Car Insurance stands out as a strong choice for drivers due to its remarkable affordability and extensive savings opportunities. The company's full coverage policies are priced significantly below the national average, coming in around $1,700 per year compared to the national average of $2,301. Beyond its base rates, Travelers offers a substantial discount program that can stack up considerable savings for drivers who bundle their auto policy with home or renters insurance, maintain a good student status, or pay their premium in full. A major feature is the IntelliDrive telematics program, which can reward safe drivers with savings up to 30% for proving their skills behind the wheel. For budget-conscious consumers and those looking to maximize discounts, Travelers offers genuine value without compromising on protection.
Another significant strength is Travelers' rock-solid financial reliability and enduring longevity. Founded in 1864, the company has over 160 years of continuous operation, demonstrating remarkable organizational resilience through various economic shifts. This stability is backed by top-tier financial strength ratings from major agencies, including an A++ rating from AM Best. These high scores indicate that Travelers has an exceptional ability to pay out claims and meet its financial obligations, giving policyholders strong peace of mind that their insurer will be financially secure when they need them most.
Finally, Travelers provides robust coverage options and maintains a low volume of customer complaints relative to its market size. In addition to all standard coverage types, the company offers valuable extras like new car replacement coverage that extends for up to five years, which is longer than most competitors. Travelers is also highly rated for its low complaint volume; according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) data, the insurer receives significantly fewer customer complaints about auto insurance compared to its size, outperforming the industry benchmark. This combination of extensive policy flexibility and a track record of low complaints makes Travelers a high-value and dependable provider.
- Save Big: Rates typically run 20-25% below national averages for full coverage policies, putting real money back in your pocket.
- Top-Tier Financial Security: With the highest possible A++ rating from AM Best, you can trust their 160+ year track record and stability.
- Maximize Your Savings: Leverage an extensive discount menu, including up to 30% off with the IntelliDrive program and multi-policy bundling.
- Superior New Car Protection: Their New Car Replacement coverage lasts up to five years, a significantly longer period than most competitors offer.
- Low Complaints: Travelers consistently receives significantly fewer customer complaints about auto insurance compared to its market size, according to the NAIC.
Travelers Car Insurance Affordability
When it comes to your wallet, Travelers tends to be gentler than much of the competition. Travelers car insurance costs an average of around $1,700 per year for full coverage, compared to the national average of $2,301. That gap represents real money you could put toward literally anything else.
For drivers who only need the basics, the average cost of minimum coverage at Travelers is close to $500 per year, below the national average of $547 per year. Even if you have some blemishes on your driving record, the news stays relatively good.
The discount options here are substantial. The IntelliDrive discount can save up to 30% if you give the company access to track your driving, including speed and acceleration. The good payer discount offers up to 15% savings as long as you have not been hit with any late payment fees within the past 12 months. Paying your entire premium upfront through the paid-in-full discount saves up to 7.5%. Bundling your auto with a home or renters policy stacks additional savings on top, and the new car discount saves up to 10% for insuring a brand-new vehicle. Students maintaining at least a B average qualify for the good student discount, while the student away at school discount saves up to 7% if a student driver on your policy attends school more than 100 miles away from your home, where the car is parked.
Travelers Car Insurance Coverage Options
Travelers provides all the standard coverage types you would expect from a major insurer, plus some extras that can really round out your protection. Standard liability coverage options include bodily injury, property damage, collision, and comprehensive for non-accident damage like theft or weather events.
Where Travelers really flexes is in the add-on department. Travelers offers a variety of auto insurance options, including roadside assistance, accident forgiveness, and more. The roadside assistance package starts around $12 annually for the basic plan, covering towing, fuel delivery, and lockout help when you need it.
Accident forgiveness is available, but you have to qualify for it and add it to your auto insurance policy. The company offers two tiers: the Responsible Driver Plan forgives either your first at-fault accident or first minor violation, like a speeding ticket, while the Premier Responsible Driver Plan adds a decreasing deductible benefit and total deductible loss waiver if your car gets totaled.
Gap insurance covers the difference between your car’s cost to replace and what you still owe on your loan or lease, which becomes crucial if you total a newer vehicle. Travelers’ new car replacement covers a new car for up to five years, while other companies usually only offer one or two years of coverage. Rideshare coverage is available for drivers who work with services like Uber or Lyft, though availability varies by state.
IntelliDrive uses an app to capture driving data over a 90-day period and rates how safely you drive. It’s available in 42 states and Washington, D.C. The app monitors speed, acceleration, braking patterns, phone distraction, and what time of day you drive. Eligible driving habits can lead to savings of up to 30%. But beware, risky driving habits could result in a premium increase.
Travelers Car Insurance Reliability
Travelers earns top marks when it comes to financial stability. The company holds an A++ rating from AM Best, an AA rating from Fitch, an Aa2 rating from Moody’s, and an AA rating from Standard & Poor’s. These ratings represent the highest or near-highest possible scores from each major rating agency, indicating the company has exceptional ability to pay claims and meet its financial obligations. The insurance rating company AM Best gives Travelers its highest score for financial strength, meaning the company is very stable and has a very low chance of running out of money.
The company has operated continuously for over 160 years since its founding in 1864 in Hartford, Connecticut. That kind of staying power through world wars, economic depressions, and countless market shifts speaks to genuine organizational resilience.
Travelers receives significantly fewer customer complaints about auto insurance compared to its size, according to three years of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Based on the NAIC’s Complaint Index, Travelers is the highest-rated national insurer with a score of 0.521. Since the industry benchmark is 1.0, this score indicates that Travelers is outperforming most competitors in terms of customer satisfaction and low complaint volume.
Travelers Car Insurance Customer Service
Customer service with Travelers presents a mixed picture depending on how you prefer to interact with your insurer.
Phone Support: The MyTravelers customer service team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for policy servicing questions. Representatives for online quotes are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET. Billing questions can be addressed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, and payments can be made by phone 24 hours a day. Wait times vary, and some customers report quick connections while others have experienced longer holds during peak times.
Digital Support: The Travelers Mobile app earns a 4.7 out of 5 rating with 106K reviews on the iOS App Store. However, it only earned a 3.8 out of 5 in Google Play. The app allows bill payments, claims filing, roadside assistance requests, and access to digital insurance cards. The website lets you access all of your insurance information, pay bills, track claims, find an agent, and get quotes. Some users report that the app runs slowly on Android devices, with complaints about lag and responsiveness.
Third-Party Ratings: Travelers was accredited by the Better Business Bureau in 2010 and maintains an A rating on its company file, though customer reviews on BBB are mixed. On Trustpilot, reviews focus on both quick response times and good communication, alongside complaints about unexpected claims denials. Travelers ranked number 6 for overall customer satisfaction out of 17 companies in J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Shopping Study. Reddit sentiment reflects a range of experiences, with some customers praising responsive claims service and others expressing frustration with rate increases.
Travelers Car Insurance Claims Process
Claims can be filed online, by phone at 1-800-238-6225, or through the mobile app 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. When you file a claim, a professional gets assigned to your case to guide you through the process. Travelers offers what they call the MyTravelers Repair Network, a group of approved body shops that can streamline the repair experience.
Travelers typically resolves straightforward claims within 7 to 10 business days, but complex cases like multi-car accidents can take longer. Payment options include a check by mail or an electronic deposit once the claim is settled. If you use the MyTravelers Repair Network, the company pays the shop directly, and you just cover your deductible at pickup.
Customer experiences with claims are where opinions diverge. In the 2024 J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, Travelers scored 684 out of 1,000, which is below the industry average of 697. Some customers report that the claims service was fantastic and that the company was responsive and took really good care of them. Others have noted frustrations with settlement amounts or disputes over covered repairs. The subrogation process (where Travelers recovers costs from the at-fault driver’s insurer) can sometimes lead to deductible reimbursement, but this takes time.
Travelers Car Insurance Application Process
Getting a quote from Travelers happens through multiple channels. You can request an online quote through the company website, call their dedicated quote line at 1-866-230-0372, or work with one of their many independent agents across the country. The website features various calculators and educational resources to help you understand coverage options before committing.
Quote representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET, and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. You can bind your policy online in most cases, though some situations may require agent involvement.
The quote process asks for standard information, including your vehicle details, driver information for everyone in your household, driving history, and desired coverage levels. Having your VIN, current insurance declarations page, and driver’s license information handy speeds things up considerably. The agent network provides additional value for people who prefer face-to-face interactions or have complex coverage needs that benefit from professional guidance.
Pros & Cons of Travelers Car Insurance
Travelers brings genuine strengths to the table while also having some limitations worth considering.
Pros
- Rates frequently land 20-25% below national averages, especially for bundled policies.
- A++ financial strength rating provides confidence that the company can pay claims when you need them
- Extensive discount program with options for almost every driver profile
- IntelliDrive program rewards genuinely safe drivers with substantial savings of up to 30%
- New car replacement coverage extends to five years, longer than most competitors
Cons
- J.D. Power claims satisfaction scores fall below the industry average, suggesting room for improvement in the claims experience
- Not available in eight states, plus limited availability in certain markets
- IntelliDrive can actually raise your rates if you demonstrate risky driving habits in most states.
- Android app experience gets consistently lower ratings than the iOS version.
- Some customers report unexpected rate increases at renewal.
Our Verdict & Rating for Travelers Car Insurance
Travelers represents a solid choice for drivers prioritizing affordability and financial stability over cutting-edge digital experiences or claims satisfaction scores. The company’s 160+ year track record and top-tier financial ratings should provide peace of mind that your insurer will be around when you need them. The pricing advantage is real and substantial for most driver profiles, particularly those who can take advantage of bundling discounts or the IntelliDrive program.
The weak spot here is the claims experience, where J.D. Power consistently rates Travelers below the industry average. If you never need to file a claim, you may never notice this limitation. But insurance is fundamentally about protection when things go wrong, and below-average claims satisfaction is worth factoring into your decision.
For drivers willing to work with independent agents, bundle policies, and maintain safe driving habits, Travelers delivers genuine value. The extensive coverage options and discount opportunities create flexibility to build a policy tailored to your specific needs without breaking the bank.
Who Should Consider This Company?
- Drivers looking to bundle auto with home, condo, or renters insurance for maximum savings.
- People are comfortable working with local independent agents rather than purely digital interactions.
- Safe drivers who can demonstrate their skills through the IntelliDrive program
- Those prioritizing financial stability and company longevity
- Budget-conscious consumers seeking rates below national averages
Who Should Consider Another Provider?
- Residents of Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia, or Wyoming, where Travelers is unavailable
- Drivers who prioritize best-in-class claims experiences over pricing
- People who strongly prefer Android apps and want a smooth mobile experience
- Those who are uncomfortable with telematics programs that can raise rates for risky driving behavior
How Travelers Scored
Financial Stability: 10/10 Coverage Options: 8/10 Affordability & Value: 8/10 Claims Process: 6/10 Customer Service: 7/10
About Our Methodology
We use a weighted scoring system for car insurance reviews. We compared 20 companies on key factors, including their car insurance rates, to inform our ratings. Once we scored each company, we applied a curve based on the best overall product. Here’s what we look for:
- Financial Strength & Solvency: 20%
- Coverage Options: 10%
- Affordability: 30%
- Claims Process: 20%
- Customer Service: 20%
How Travelers Scored
- Financial Stability: 10/10
- Coverage Options: 8/10
- Affordability & Value: 8/10
- Claims Process: 6/10
- Customer Service: 7/10
- Overall: 9.3/10
You can learn more about how each company scored and what curve was applied here: Car Insurance Reviews.
