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State Auto Insurance: Overview
State Auto is based in Columbus Ohio and has been providing insurance since 1921
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About State Auto
In 1921, Robert S. Pein started State Automobile Insurance Company with a borrowed sum of $30,000. Pein wanted to offer an alternative to the high rates other insurers were charging. He also wanted to a better claims settlement process. The company had humble beginnings with a staff of three in a small rented room in downtown Columbus. Pein insisted and his insurance products only be sold through independent agents, a decision that became company policy that is still in effect.
In 1930, State Auto survived, despite the Great Depression and even moved to new, larger headquarters. Pein also expanded operations, entering Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee. He relied on more than 700 agents. It then went into Maryland, South Carolina, and Michigan midway through the 1930s. They also added an early version of homeowners insurance and general liability coverage in the late 1930s. By mid-1940, State Automobile Insurance had $20.4 million in assets, more than 250,000 policies.
During the 1950s, Pein gave control to his successor, Paul Gingher. During the transition, the company added fire insurance and inland marine coverage in Ohio and a few other states. In 1958, the company bought two companies, Dixie Fire and Casualty Co. and the Southern Home Insurance Co. State Auto then expanded into Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
In 1962 State Auto began offering health insurance and broadened its product range by purchasing Columbus Mutual Life Insurance Co. By 1971, the company’s assets totalled $370 million. The volume of business also exploded to $127.7 million and reached $185 million by the end of the decade. The 1980s were spent streamlining the business. In 1989, the company moved into Mississippi.
In 1991, State Auto Financial Corporation formed as a public company with a focus on providing outstanding service to policyholders and agents. It is a holding company for five regional subsidiaries: State Auto Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Milbank Insurance Company, Farmers Casualty Insurance Company, State Auto Insurance Company of Ohio, and State Auto National Insurance Company.
State Auto Financial controls Stateco Financial Services, Strategic Insurance Software Inc and 518 Property Management and Leasing, LLC. State Auto Mutual Insurance Company is policyholder owned and it controls State Auto Financial.
State Auto Facts & Ratings
| Year Founded | 1921 |
| Financial Strength | Excellent |
| BBB Rating | A+ |
State Farm Mobile App Rating
| iOS | 1.8 | 17 user reviews |
| Android | 2.3 | 25 user reviews |
The State Auto telematics app is available for iOS and Android. The State Auto Safety 360 telematics program was designed to keep you safer on the road. You may even earn up to 50% on auto insurance premiums. You may even save 10% for signing up.
Pros & Cons of State Auto Insurance
- State Auto offers tiers of protection, which simplifies decision-making about coverages based on budget.
- The mobile app is not for most drivers, only those who take part in the Safe Auto telematics program.
- Car insurance is only available in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Common Questions about State Auto
What is AutoXtended® offered by State Auto?
AutoXtended is a single bundle includes extra coverages and limits for your vehicle and items in the car, including your pet. It includes locksmith/key replacement, customizing equipment in your auto, rented vehicle coverage and more. No deductible applies to these coverages.
Is State Auto Safety 360® worth it?
State Auto Safety360 is great for drivers who want to save money by driving more safely. Consumers can save up to 50% if they abide by the rules of the road. However, if you do not like the idea of having a telematics device tracking your every move, you may want to think twice. The telematics device is free if you sign up for the Safety 360 program but it costs $50 if it is not returned upon request. If you decide to opt-out of the program you must return the device. Depending on state laws, your rate may be frozen at its current level or you may lose any discounts you had when enrolled.
How does State Auto Safety 360® work?
Safety 360 is usage-based insurance like Progressive’s Snapshot: it’s a small leave-in telematics device that tracks your driving behavior so you can improve your driving and earn discounts for being a safe driver. You’ll be given an objective report of your driving data, such as time of day, number of miles driven, speed, acceleration, and braking. This same report will be used to customize your car insurance rate based on how safely you drive.
Is State Auto a good insurance company?
State Auto is a financially strong and dependable insurance company that has been operating since 1921.
How to raise or lower deductible with State Auto Insurance:
If you lower your car insurance deductible, your premiums (monthly payments) will be higher. If you raise your car insurance deductible, your monthly payments will be lower. To do this, contact your agent.
What states does State Auto Insurance write in?
State Auto Insurance coverage is only available in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
How do the Minor Violation and Accident Forgiveness program work with State Auto?
With the Minor Violation and Accident Forgiveness program at State Auto, your first accident or minor violation will be waived. This coverage is included in the Protection Plus and Premier Auto offerings.
What is State Auto Insurance windshield coverage?
State Auto Insurance windshield coverage is called Full Safety Glass, which protects your car for glass damage not caused by a collision. This overage is included in Protection Plus and Premier Auto offerings. There’s no deductible for this coverage which also includes headlights.
State Auto Insurance Products
| Auto Insurance | Home Insurance |
| Smart Home Insurance | Condo Insurance |
| Condo Insurance | Umbrella |
| Business Property | Business Liability |
| Business Owner’s Policy | Commercial Umbrella |
| Industry Solutions | Risk Engineering |
| Affinity Programs | Workers’ Compensation |
| Employment Practices Liability | Cyber Coverage |
| Data Breach | Fleet Safety 360 |
| Farm and Ranch | Farm Auto |
| Farm Umbrella | Affinity Programs |
State 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.
Roadside Assistance
This coverage sends assistance if you have a roadside breakdown. Fule, water and oil delivery, battery jump-start, tire change or inflation and lockout service up to $100 is included.
Special Equipment
This protection pays for damages to special equipment in your vehicle.
Full Safety Glass
This coverage protects glass damage, not collision. It is included in the Protection Plus and Premier Auto packages. There is no deductible for this protection.
Minor Violation and Accident Forgiveness
Your first accident or minor violation will be waived. This coverage is included in the Protection Plus and Premier Auto offerings.
AutoXtended
This single bundle includes extra coverages and limits for your vehicle and items in the car, including your pet. It includes locksmith/key replacement, customizing equipment in your auto, rented vehicle coverage and more. No deductible applies to these coverages.
Discounts
| State Auto Safety 360 | Multi-policy Discount |
| Multi-policy Discount | Accident Prevention Course |
| State Auto Start-Up | Driver Training |
| Anti-theft Device Discount | Good Student Discount |
| Multi-car Discount | Paid in Full Discount |
State Auto Auto Insurance Rates by State
State Auto Auto Insurance Rates by Vehicle
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State Auto Auto Insurance Rates by Homeownership
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State Auto Contact Info
| Address | 518 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215 |
| Phone | 1 (833) 724-3577 |
| Website | https://www.stateauto.com/ |
| https://www.facebook.com/stateauto/ | |
| https://twitter.com/StateAuto | |
| https://www.linkedin.com/company/state-auto-insurance |
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 State Auto Compare to Other Car Insurance Companies?
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| State Auto vs Gainsco | State Auto vs Hanover |
| State Auto vs Mercury | State Auto vs Safeauto |
| State Auto vs Sentry |
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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