While Kemper auto insurance reviews are mixed, the company may be a strong option for teens, those with DUIs, or new drivers. Kemper auto insurance plans cover any state requirements and offer some extra options as well.
But what is the customer experience like with Kemper auto insurance? In this article, we’ll take a look at Kemper's reputation, coverage options, and discounts. Remember, the only way to know for sure what you will pay for Kemper auto insurance is to get a quote.
Whenever you shop for car insurance, we recommend getting quotes from multiple car insurance companies so you can compare coverage and rates. In addition to the insurance company you choose, factors such as your age, vehicle make and model, and driving history can affect your premium, so what’s best for your neighbor might not be best for you.
Use our tool above to start comparing personalized car insurance quotes.
In this article:
- Kemper Auto Insurance At A Glance
- Kemper Car Insurance Coverage
- Kemper Auto Insurance Cost And Discounts
- Kemper Insurance Reviews
- Kemper Technology And Apps
- Our Take On Kemper Auto Insurance: 4.0 Stars
- Top Recommendations For Car Insurance
- FAQ: Kemper Auto Insurance
Kemper Auto Insurance At A Glance
The Kemper Corporation offers auto insurance through a few different subsidiaries, including:
- Kemper Personal and Commercial Lines (offered via agent only)
- Kemper Specialty California (non-standard auto coverage)
- Kemper Direct (offered online and via phone)
- Infinity Auto Insurance
- Alliance United Insurance
In this Kemper insurance review, we’re focusing on the Kemper brand of auto insurance. Infinity and Alliance United are both owned by Kemper, but they are marketed separately and have different services.
Kemper began as Unitrin in 1990. Over the years, it has expanded to offer many different insurance products in all 50 states. In total, Kemper companies provide services for about 6.3 million customers, which includes health and life insurance customers. The company is worth about $5.3 billion. In comparison, Progressive is worth about $49 billion. The size of a company doesn’t necessarily tell you about its customer service or credibility, though.
While the company has an A+ rating from the BBB, it received a 1.0 out of 5.0 star rating from customer reviews. However, this is based on less than 100 reviews, which is a very small overall sample size. Kemper also ranked in last place for the California region in J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance StudySM.
Kemper Car Insurance Coverage
The company offers car insurance in 50 states under a few different names, and it specializes in non-standard coverage for high-risk drivers. Kemper provides the six basic types of automobile coverage that most companies offer:
- Liability auto insurance
- Comprehensive car insurance
- Collision
- Medical payments (MedPay)
- Personal injury protection (PIP)
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)
Kemper Car Insurance Services
There are also several extra coverage options that you can get with Kemper auto insurance. Keep in mind that since Kemper operates multiple companies, coverage depends on the policyholder’s underwriting qualifications and state laws. You might find:
- Broad form coverage (one driver, multiple cars)
- Rental car reimbursement
- Reconditioned vehicle coverage
- Roadside assistance
- Gap insurance
- New car replacement
Kemper Car Insurance Perks
The following benefits are part of Kemper’s Enhanced Coverage plan:
- Accident forgiveness
- Diminishing deductible
- No car insurance deductible for damage when the car is parked
- Personal property coverage
- Trip interruption expenses
- Key or key fob replacement
Kemper Auto Insurance Cost And Discounts
The average cost of Kemper Auto Insurance can vary from state to state, but based on data from Quadrant Information Services, the average premium rate estimates for car insurance providers across all 50 states ranged from $1,000 to $3,000, with a national average of $1,732.
The table below shows annual premium rate estimates for Kemper car insurance in California, Louisiana, Montana, and Texas based on a 35-year-old married driver with a good driving history and credit score. You can expect rates to increase if you are younger, have low credit, or have a recent accident or DUI on your record.
| State | Kemper Auto Insurance Annual Cost Estimate | Average Annual Cost Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| California | $3,159 | $2,339 |
| Louisiana | $9,451 | $3,828 |
| Montana | $4,802 | $2,214 |
| Texas | $5,368 | $2,067 |
Overall, we found that Kemper's auto insurance policies are a bit more expensive for adults and families without young drivers. If you fall into those categories, you might expect to pay more per policy for Kemper auto insurance.
However, Kemper does generally provide good prices to high-risk drivers. That means teens and students might be able to find better prices with Kemper than with other insurance companies. Likewise, families with teens can save on family car insurance with the company.
Factors That Can Affect The Cost of Kemper Auto Insurance
Besides being young, a few other things can make you a high-risk driver:
- Filing an SR-22
- Having a DUI or other serious infraction on your record
- Having a poor credit score (not relevant in California, Massachusetts, or Hawaii)
- Not having prior insurance
- Having a lapse in coverage
All of these factors can raise your car insurance rates, so it’s good to know about companies that still provide good deals to high-risk drivers. Some other factors that affect your car insurance rates are:
- Age
- Local population density
- Accident record
- Recent tickets
- Type of car you drive
- Other drivers on your policy
Kemper Auto Insurance Discounts
If you're considering a policy with Kemper, here are some discounts you may be able to take advantage of to lower your rates:
- Pay in full
- Prior insurance
- Homeowner
- Renter’s insurance policy
- Multi-car
- Bundle policies into Package Plus
- Anti-theft devices
- Away at school
- Driver training
- Good student
- Passive restraint/airbags
Getting A Kemper Auto Insurance Quote
You can get Kemper auto insurance quotes in a few different ways depending on the company you go through. If you’re looking for high-risk insurance coverage in California, you’ll have to contact a Kemper Specialty California agent directly. For high-risk coverage in other states or for standard auto insurance, you can receive a quote online. Make sure to have the following information handy:
- Your contact info and driving record
- The make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN) of your car
- Contact info and driving records of other people on your policy
- Your current insurance coverage
Use our tool below to start comparing car insurance quotes:
Kemper Insurance Reviews
While the Kemper Corporation has an A+ rating from the BBB, customer satisfaction reviews shed a different light on the company. In fact, most BBB customer reviews gave the company a 1-star rating. Here are a few examples from the company’s BBB customer reviews page:
“I have been waiting almost two months for an answer on whether or not my car will be fixed. They just ignore calls and emails. The managers are not helpful in any way. This insurance company is the worst I have ever dealt with.”
- Crystal J. via BBB
“This is the absolute worst insurance company in the world. It has been 30 days since an uninsured motorist hit me. Kemper is my insurance company, and so far they have done nothing! They do not return calls no matter how many times you call or beg them to do so. They have simply horrible, horrible customer service.”
- Anonymous via BBB
“Absolutely terrible claims service. Our vehicle was stolen, wrecked, and considered a total loss. It's been 3 months without resolution and a non-responsive claims representative. His manager doesn't even respond. Beyond frustrated at this point and will not be using them ever again.”
- via BBB
Kemper insurance reviews frequently mention a difficult claims process. To a file claim with the insurer, drivers need to call a 24/7 claims number, fill out an online form, or message an online chatbot.
As we mentioned above, people in California rated Kemper auto insurance below any other company in the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Auto Insurance StudySM. The study took into account shopping experience, claims process, customer service, and more. Unfortunately, Kemper doesn’t have enough customers in other states to make it into other studies by J.D. Power.
Kemper Technology And Apps
Kemper offers a mobile app to open a claim quickly. The app is designed to give drivers faster claims servicing overall, as they can quickly snap a photo of any damages. However, iPhone and Android users are not impressed with the app's abilities. Many reviews mention frequent app crashes and issues with submitting more than one claims photo at a time.
Our Take On Kemper Auto Insurance: 4.0 Stars
We rate Kemper auto insurance 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. The car insurance provider is a decent solution for high-risk drivers and their families, but its poor customer reviews are a little concerning. If you're not a high-risk driver, we recommend looking into other auto insurance providers.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Coverage in all 50 states | High number of negative reviews |
| A+ rating from the BBB | More expensive for families without young drivers |
| A- financial strength rating from AM Best | |
| Relatively easy claims process |
Top Recommendations For Car Insurance
A simple online search for car insurance reveals hundreds of companies. It’s always a good idea to get multiple quotes each time you shop, but no one has time to check out that many different insurers.
We know that shopping for car insurance can be a pain, so we’ve reviewed and ranked a number of the best car insurance companies on the market. We only recommend car insurance companies that perform well across multiple categories like price, customer service, financial strength, and industry reputation. Here are three of our top-rated companies:
Geico: Best Overall
In our Geico review, we gave the company 4.5 stars. Boasting an A+ rating from the BBB and an A++ financial strength rating from AM Best, Geico is one of our top-recommended auto insurance providers. The company offers strong coverage options to military members and students in particular. Geico also offers a number of discounts up to 25 percent, depending on your eligibility.
Progressive: Best For High-Risk Drivers
Progressive is the third-largest auto insurance company in the country, and it has an A+ financial rating from AM Best. One of the things we like about Progressive is the Snapshot program. This program tracks your driving with an app or a plug-in device and can provide some nice discounts. That means teens, drivers with poor histories, and other high-risk drivers can try to lower their premiums with the program. But consider yourself warned – if you aren’t a good driver, the program can raise your rates, too.
In our review of Progressive car insurance, we gave the company 4.5 stars overall. Looking across different sources, we found that Progressive’s customer service deserved a B+ rating. Make sure to check for discounts when you reach out for a quote.
State Farm: Best For Students
State Farm is the largest car insurance provider in the nation and offers a wide range of coverage options. People typically find affordable rates from State Farm since the company has a number of different discounts. State Farm also has a coverage option for high-risk drivers, plus it’s a great option for students.
The Steer Clear® app helps young drivers learn road skills and gives out discounts upon completion. State Farm also gives a 20 percent discount to good students who qualify. The company has an A++ financial rating from AM Best and an A+ rating from the BBB.
Read more in our State Farm insurance review.
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Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of auto insurance providers to formulate rankings of the best insurers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Industry Standing: Insurers with strong financial ratings and customer-first business practices receive the highest scores in this category.
- Availability: We consider availability by state as well as exclusions for specific groups of drivers.
- Coverage: This rating is based on types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
- Cost and Discounts: Our research team reviews auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services for a variety of drivers in every state. Companies with lower prices and many car insurance discount opportunities receive the best scores.
- Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and consumer feedback studies from experts like J.D. Power.
- Technology: Auto insurers with mobile apps, advanced online services and telematics are more likely to meet consumer needs.
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