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Sentry Insurance: Overview
Sentry is based in Wisconsin and has been providing insurance since 1904.
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About Sentry
Sentry insurance specializes in business insurance and its subsidiary, Dairyland, sells high-risk car insurance, which includes SR-22 and FR-44 filings.
In 1904, members of the Wisconsin Retail Hardware Association formed a mutual fire insurance company named the Hardware Dealers Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Wisconsin in Berlin, Wisconsin. In 1912, the company moved to Stevens Point, Wisconsin and two years later a separate insurance company was formed to write writers’ compensation insurance, the Wisconsin Hardware Limited Mutual Liability Insurance Company.
In 1916, the Hardware Mutual companies began writing auto insurance and by 1932, they were selling in 48 states. In 1958, Sentry Life Insurance Company was created to offer life insurance for policyholders. In 1966, Sentry acquires Dairyland Insurance Company. In 1970, Hardware Casualty Company and Hardware Dealers Mutual Fire Insurance Company merged under one name, Hardware Mutual Casualty and changed the name to Sentry Insurance a Mutual Company (SIAMCO) in 1971.
The SentryWorld Headquarters office opened in Stevens Point in 1977 and in 1982, they added the SentryWorld golf course and sports complex. In 1992, SIAMCO earned an A+ rating by A.M. Best, which they’ve maintained since. In 1999, Sentry acquired John Deere Insurance Group. Sentry affiliated with Florists’ Mutual Insurance Company, which does business under the Hortica® brand name and became a member of the Sentry group of companies in 2015.
From 2014-2017, regional Sentry Insurance offices opened in Montgomery, Alabama; Madison, Wisconsin; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Sentry Facts & Ratings
| Year Founded | 1904 |
| Financial Strength | Excellent |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
Sentry Mobile App Rating
| iOS | 2.7 | 5 user reviews |
| Android | 3.1 | 8 user reviews |
The Sentry Mobile parking app is available for iOS and Android. The app interacts with your parking meter in real-time and lets you buy time on an MPS parking meter. You can also access a map of nearby meters and parking space availability.
Pros & Cons of Sentry Insurance
- Sentry offers a comprehensive suite of business insurance products.
- Sentry offers high-risk insurance through Dairyland Insurance.
- Sentry does not offer basic car insurance to the average driver, only high-risk drivers through Dairyland and auto insurance for business fleets and cars.
Common Questions about Sentry
What industries does Sentry Business insurance serve in?
Sentry offers insurance to businesses of all sizes, including manufacturers, retailers, and truckers. It offers employee benefits, workers compensation, investments and retirement options. Industries that Sentry Business insurance serves include electronic components, farm equipment manufacturing, metalworking, plastics, and rubber goods, and printing. Dealerships they serve include agriculture equipment dealerships, auto dealerships, boat dealerships, industrial equipment dealerships, motorsports dealerships, RV dealerships, and truck or trailer dealerships. They also offer insurance in the service industries, including the automotive repair industry, communications, financial services, healthcare, hospitality, and real estate.
Are Sentry and Dairyland the same company?
Dairyland is owned by Sentry. For personal auto insurance, Dairyland sells high-risk auto insurance and several other subsidiaries of Sentry write regular auto insurance. Sentry also writes commercial auto policies in addition to other product lines that include life insurance and home insurance.
What is Sentry Business liability insurance coverage?
Sentry’s business liability insurance helps protect businesses in the event of an accident, property damage and personal injury. Liability insurance covers medical and legal expenses and covers damages. The different types of liability coverages include premises and product liability, cyber liability, employment practices liability, personal and advertising injury insurance, employment practices liability insurance and employee benefits liability insurance.
What does Sentry Business general liability coverages cover?
General liability insurance covers medical, legal or damage expenses caused by an accident or event that causes bodily injury, property damage or personal injury. Lawsuits would be covered by general liability and can safeguard your livelihood.
What are some of Sentry’s subsidiaries?
Subsidiaries of Sentry include Dairyland, Middlesex Insurance, Patriot General Insurance Company, Parker Centennial Assurance Company, Viking Insurance Company of Wisconsin and 11 other insurance companies.
Does Sentry Insurance have good reviews?
Sentry is rated A+ by A.M Best for superior service.
How to file a claim with Sentry Insurance?
To file a claim with Sentry Insurance, contact your agent or call Sentry Select Insurance Company at (715) 346-6000.
Does Sentry offer auto insurance?
Yes, Sentry offers auto insurance and high-risk auto insurance as well as business auto insurance.
What states does Sentry Insurance write in?
Sentry Insurance is licensed in all states and the District of Columbia.
Does Sentry offer Life insurance to individuals?
Sentry offers both term and whole life insurance policies to individuals.
Sentry Insurance Products
| Commercial Insurance | Commercial Auto Insurance |
| Life Insurance | 401K Plan |
| Personal Auto | Homeowners Insurance |
| SR-22/FR-44 Filings |
Sentry Auto Insurance Coverage
Bodily Injury Liability
This form of coverage is required in every state. It covers bodily injuries to a third party in an accident that was deemed your fault.
Property Damage Liability
This form of coverage is required in every state. It covers property damage and loss of use to a third party.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist
This form of coverage covers damages when the other party is at fault but is either uninsured or underinsured.
Comprehensive Coverage
This coverage pays for damages and loss other than that caused by a collision. It is subject to a deductible.
Collision Coverage
his coverage pays for damages and loss caused by impact with another automobile, object or person. It is subject to a deductible.
Medical Payments
This protection covers you if you’ve been injured in an accident, regardless of who’s at fault. Coverages include income continuation, loss of services, funeral expenses and child-care expenses.
Rental Reimbursement
This coverage takes care of renting a vehicle while yours is being repaired for more than 24 hours.
Uninsured Motorists
This protection pays for medical expenses if you’re injured in a vehicular accident caused by someone who doesn’t carry liability insurance.
Underinsured Motorists
This protection pays for medical expenses if you’re injured in a vehicular accident caused by someone who doesn’t carry enough liability insurance.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
This protection pays for medical expenses for injuries to the driver and any passenger in your vehicle, regardless of who is at fault. Lost wages, lost service and funeral expenses may be covered as well. This coverage is not available in all states.
Towing & Labor
This coverage sends assistance if you have a roadside breakdown.
Lienholder
This coverage pays for damage or replacement of custom parts and touches.
Special Equipment
This protection pays for damages to special equipment in your vehicle.
Commercial Auto Insurance
This product is for vehicles and drivers who are a part of your business operation. Sentry offers commercial auto liability for a business fleet or even a one-car operation.
Dealership Auto Coverage
This coverage is made for dealerships and includes liability, physical damage and risk management tools.
Motor Carrier Coverage
This coverage protects your vehicle from the loading dock to the freeway.
Physical Damage Insurance
This coverage protects your fleet from physical damage by covering repair, replacement cost or actual value cost for your vehicle(s).
Non-trucking Liability Insurance
This coverage protects you when you’re driving for non-business purposes. You’re covered even if you’re not hauling a load.
Discounts
| Multi-vehicle Discount | Payment Frequency Discounts |
| Driving Course Discounts | Transfer Discount |
| Homeowners Discount | Vehicle Safety Feature Discounts |
Sentry Auto Insurance Rates by State
Sentry Auto Insurance Rates by Vehicle
| Number of Vehicles | Avg Monthly Rate |
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Sentry Auto Insurance Rates by Homeownership
| Own/Rent | Avg Monthly Rate |
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Sentry Contact Info
| Address | 1800 North Point Drive, Stevens Point, WI 54481 |
| Phone | 1 (800) 473-6879 |
| Website | https://www.sentry.com/ |
| https://www.facebook.com/SentryInsurance/ | |
| https://twitter.com/SentryInsurance | |
| Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8e_0-7XichFIuDa-JI54gQ |
| https://www.linkedin.com/company/sentry/ |
Methodology
The statistics listed on this page are from our own in house reporting. We track and record quotes that carriers have provided based on various criteria. The rates and averages shown on this page should only be used as an estimate.
How Does Sentry Compare to Other Car Insurance Companies?
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| Sentry vs Westfield |
Fran Majidi manages content on SmartFinancial's website. She's had nearly a decade's worth of experience writing about insurance-related topics. Prior, she was an arts and entertainment editor in New York City. She has a B.A. from Barnard College and an M.F.A. in writing from The New School. She writes books under her given name, Afarin Majidi.
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