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J.J. Starr is an insurance and personal finance expert who has been writing for Compare.com since 2022. Her work has been published across the web, appearing on sites such as Insurify.
Prior to writing for Compare.com, J.J. was a registered banker and life insurance consultant, holding a Series 6, FINRA, and life insurance license. She also earned a master’s degree in writing from New York University.
J.J. has a passion for helping people save money by explaining complex topics like car insurance in a way that is simple and easy to understand.
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Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
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While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
Dairyland stands out for its focus on providing insurance options for high-risk drivers, who often struggle to find coverage elsewhere. The company offers fairly customizable car insurance policies, flexible payment plans, and a well-reviewed mobile app. Dairyland also provides 24/7 claims service and online accounts where you can self-manage your policy.
But despite relatively good ratings in the online review space, several customers complain about a lack of communication from the claims department and frequent billing issues or mistakes. The company also isn’t known for saving policyholders money — most drivers pay higher-than-average premiums, and it offers fewer discounts than other major car insurance companies.
Read on to learn more about what Dairyland has to offer.
Below is a summary of Dairyland’s performance across five key metrics, each rated on a scale of one to five. Dairyland does well in terms of cost, availability, and industry reputation, but the company lags in customer satisfaction and ease of use.
Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Cost | 3.7/5 |
| Customer satisfaction | 2/5 |
| Ease of use | 3.25/5 |
| Availability | 3.7/5 |
| Industry reputation | 3.7/5 |
| Overall Score* | 3.36/5 |
Dairyland is a great option for people struggling to find insurance. The company’s mobile app and website are well-designed, and it has an A+ (Superior) financial rating from AM Best, indicating financial stability and a strong ability to pay claims.
Dairyland has some important limitations. You won’t find a telematics discount or usage-based insurance with this company. In fact, you won’t find many discounts commonly found at other insurance companies, such as auto-pay, paperless, and good student discounts.
Overall, Dairyland earns solid positive reviews online. Positive reviews discuss how easy it is to get coverage online and over the phone. Customers also often talk about finding coverage with Dairyland when they couldn’t find coverage elsewhere, as shown in the following two reviews.
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But there are also negative reviews, especially about a confusing claims process (which we cover in depth near the end of this article). Billing issues are another major theme, with several reviews explaining that a mistake resulted in sudden cancellation and additional fees to reinstate the policy.
That was the case for the below customer despite them having a reference number showing proof of payment.
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While Dairyland charges an average of $157 per month, averages change depending on your coverage level. Liability-only policies cover bodily injury, property damage, and any other coverages included in state-minimum car insurance. Full-coverage policies include liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage to protect yourself and your vehicle.
The table below shows Dairyland’s average monthly rates for liability and full-coverage policies.
Liability Only | Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| $86 | $227 |
Dairyland’s liability rates are lower than the national average of $92 per month, but its full coverage is more expensive than the national average — $176 per month. That said, national averages aren’t the best indicator of what you’ll pay since many factors influence your personal rates.
Later, we’ll cover how these factors affect pricing — including driving record, age, and location.
Car insurance costs are relative, so it’s important to consider how Dairyland compares to its closest competitors. Here’s how Dairyland stacks up against a few.
Company | Compare.com Rating | Average Monthly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Dairyland | 3.36/5 | $157 |
| Direct Auto | 3.76/5 | $145 |
| National General | 4.30/5 | $134 |
| Progressive | 4.73/5 | $119 |
| The General | 3.35/5 | $185 |
Dairyland has higher rates than all its closest competitors except for The General, which caters particularly to drivers traditionally considered high-risk. Its Compare.com Rating also lags behind all but The General for other key metrics — availability, ease of access, and customer satisfaction.
Remember that the above premiums are still broad averages and can vary dramatically based on other influential factors, which we cover in the following sections.
Several factors affect your car insurance premiums — your driving record and credit history are two of the most influential. A spotty driving record makes you riskier to insure, and insurers associate drivers with poor credit with a higher rate of claims.
The table below shows how Dairyland’s rates change based on driving record and credit history and how the company’s rates compare to the national average.
Driver Type | Dairyland Average Monthly Rate | National Average Monthly Rate | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record, good credit | $167 | $138 | +21% |
| Clean driving record, poor credit | $188 | $162 | +16% |
| Recent speeding ticket, good credit | $193 | $171 | +13% |
| Recent at-fault accident, good credit | $202 | $181 | +12% |
| Recent DUI, good credit | $243 | $203 | +20% |
Dairyland follows national trends, with drivers with clean records and good credit paying the lowest rate and drivers with a DUI paying the most. Notably, drivers of all backgrounds — especially those with a speeding ticket, at-fault accident, and DUI — pay higher-than-average rates with Dairyland.
In addition to driving record and credit history, age and location are the next most significant factors that affect your car insurance rate.
Your age is a huge factor in determining your car insurance rates. Teens and young drivers tend to pay higher rates than older drivers because they’re more likely to be in an at-fault accident, according to AAA Foundation research.
On the other hand, senior drivers are less likely to cause an accident, earning them the lowest average rates from insurance companies.
Here’s a breakdown of Dairyland’s average rates by age group.
Age Group | Dairyland Average Monthly Rate | National Average | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teens | $229 | $232 | -1% |
| 20s | $174 | $156 | +12% |
| 30s | $150 | $124 | +21% |
| 40s | $140 | $117 | +20% |
| 50s | $129 | $104 | +24% |
| 60s | $126 | $99 | +27% |
| 70s | $136 | $103 | +32% |
Dairyland’s rates follow the national average, with teen drivers and young adults paying the highest premiums and costs decreasing until drivers hit their 70s. Though teen drivers pay about average for policies with Dairyland, all other age groups pay higher rates on average. Drivers in their 70s stand to pay the highest rate compared to the national average.
Where you live also affects your auto insurance costs because state laws, claim rates, crime rates, and even climate influence the chances of you filing a claim.
For example, Maine’s rates are low due to its low population density, low rate of uninsured motorists, and relatively low claim costs. Rates are higher in Florida because of its denser population, higher rate of uninsured drivers, and higher claim costs.
Let’s take a look at Dairyland’s average rates for each state in its coverage area.
State | Dairyland Average Monthly Rate |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $187 |
| Arkansas | $171 |
| California | $194 |
| Colorado | $176 |
| Delaware | $254 |
| Florida | $302 |
| Idaho | $96 |
| Illinois | $131 |
| Indiana | $119 |
| Iowa | $103 |
| Kansas | $122 |
| Maine | $143 |
| Mississippi | $139 |
| Missouri | $150 |
| Nebraska | $151 |
| Nevada | $283 |
| New Mexico | $123 |
| North Carolina | $188 |
| Ohio | $150 |
| Oregon | $209 |
| Pennsylvania | $183 |
| South Carolina | $238 |
| South Dakota | $128 |
| Tennessee | $136 |
| Texas | $185 |
| Utah | $155 |
| Vermont | $132 |
| Virginia | $172 |
| Washington | $194 |
| West Virginia | $168 |
| Wisconsin | $137 |
| Wyoming | $98 |
Auto insurance discounts are one of the most effective and easiest ways to reduce your car insurance premiums. Dairyland offers seven discounts, including:
Advanced quote: Earn this discount when you get a Dairyland quote before your policy expires.
Anti-theft: Get this discount when you install an anti-theft device in your vehicle.
Defensive driver course: Get a reduced premium for completing an approved defensive driving course.
Homeowners: This discount lowers your auto insurance rate if you own a home.
Multi-car: Earn this discount when you insure multiple vehicles under the same policy.
Payment frequency: You can earn this discount by paying your premium annually or semi-annually instead of monthly.
Transfer: Get this discount when you switch from your current insurer to Dairyland.
Discount options, rules, and values vary from state to state. Speak with your agent about discount savings potential.
Dairyland offers the following coverage options:
Bodily injury liability pays for injuries you cause to other people.
Property damage liability pays for damage you cause to other people’s property.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you if a driver without any or enough insurance hits you.
Collision coverage pays for damages to your car in an at-fault accident.
Comprehensive coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle after non-collision incidents.
Personal injury protection (PIP) and medical payments (MedPay) coverage pay for your injuries after an accident. No-fault states usually require PIP insurance.
Towing and labor cover the cost of towing your car to a nearby repair shop when it breaks down.
Rental reimbursement covers the cost of a rental car after a covered accident.
Lienholder offers additional coverage such as car loan protection or lienholder deductible if you lease or finance your car.
Special equipment coverage helps pay for damage to special equipment you install in your vehicle.
You can get a quote and buy a Dairyland policy entirely online using a simple form. I started my quote by entering my ZIP code into the auto insurance home page.
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Next, I entered my personal information, including birthdate and gender.
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I entered my vehicle information on the next page, including whether I own or finance my car.
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Next, I answered questions that could help me qualify for discounts, including questions about my marital status and insurance history.
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Finally, I answered questions about my driving record.
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The site then generated my quote, which said the basic policy would cost me $314.74 per month — about double the quotes I received elsewhere.
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Customizing the quote was mostly easy — I just clicked “edit” next to the coverage option. The customization options included transparent pricing, which was very helpful.
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I could also find more information about each coverage option by clicking the information icon.
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But I ran into an issue when I tried to add uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) coverage — there was no option to edit limits.
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I clicked on the Plus option, and an “edit” button appeared in the UMBI box. But when I clicked it, it directed me to make edits under the “Custom” tab, which I couldn’t find.
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I switched to the Ultimate package tab, which allowed me to edit the UMBI. Then, the site changed my package to “Custom.”
Besides this hiccup, the process was easy to navigate, but the customization page could be more user-friendly.
You can file a Dairyland claim with your online account or by phone. The company has mixed reviews on its claims process. The reviewer below got conflicting information, and even though Dairyland paid the claim, they still had unanswered questions.
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Several customers discussed long wait times and mysteriously missing coverages. The reviewer below discovered their coverage was incorrect at the time of the claim.
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A handful of reviews mentioned the company claimed to have issued a reimbursement check, but the customer never received it, as in the case below.
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But these experiences weren’t universal. The below customer’s claim process was quick and seamless.
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Founded | 1953 |
|---|---|
| Available in | 31 states |
| Owned by | Sentry Insurance |
| National average premium | $157 per month |
| Mobile app | Android, iOS |
| Customer service | 1 (800) 334-0090 |
| Claims | 1 (800) 334-0090 |
| Primary competitors | Bristol West, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm |
Dairyland offers the following additional insurance products.
Motorcycle: Protects motorcycle owners against damage, theft, and liability.
Off-road: Covers damage, theft, and liability for vehicles used in off-road activities, such as ATVs and dirt bikes.
RV: Protects against collision, comprehensive damages, liability, and personal belongings for RVs, motor homes, and travel trailers.
Mexico auto: Provides liability coverage and optional physical damage protection for vehicles driven in Mexico.
Renters: Protects tenants’ personal belongings and liability.
Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Dairyland to help you better understand what to expect.
In general, Dairyland doesn’t offer cheap car insurance. Dairyland’s average rate of $157 per month is higher than the national average, according to Compare.com data. It isn’t considered cheap, especially for drivers without high-risk profiles.
Yes. Dairyland is a legitimate insurance company with a long history and solid financial rating — an A+ rating from AM Best. It offers various auto insurance coverage options, particularly for high-risk drivers.
Dairyland’s rates are more expensive because it specializes in non-standard insurance policies. These policies tend to come with higher premiums to cover the increased risk of insuring high-risk drivers.
Sentry Insurance is Dairyland’s parent company. Founded in 1904, it’s a well-established and reputable insurance company that offers a wide range of products.
Rating Methodology:
Compare.com’s mission is to help our readers make more informed decisions about their personal finances. Our editorial staff has crafted a proprietary, objective rating formula — the Compare.com Rating — to make it easier for our readers to analyze and compare many of the industry’s most well-known insurers. The score you see referenced in this article is based on several factors, including:
Cost: How the insurer’s average rates compare to its direct competitors and the industry as a whole. This includes available savings opportunities, such as discounts and other factors.
Customer satisfaction: How satisfied existing customers are with the service they receive. This includes the insurer’s scores among various third-party studies, such as the J.D. Power U.S. Insurance Shopping and Claims Satisfaction studies, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index, among others.
Ease of use: How easy it is for policyholders to utilize their policies. This includes mobile app availability, customer service availability, payment flexibility, and other related factors.
Availability: The overall scope of the company’s insurance offerings. This includes available coverage types, national footprint, and other related factors.
Industry reputation: A measure of the insurer’s overall standing within the industry. This includes its AM Best financial strength rating, BBB accreditation, and other related factors.
Sources:
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “Dairyland Ins Co. National Complaint Index Report,” accessed June 13, 2024.
AM Best, “Dairyland Insurance Company,” accessed June 13, 2024.
Better Business Bureau, “Sentry Insurance Company,” accessed June 13, 2024.
Clearsurance, “Dairyland,” accessed June 13, 2024.
Trustpilot, “Dairyland Insurance,” accessed June 13, 2024.
ConsumerAffairs, “Dairyland auto Reviews,” accessed June 13, 2024.
AAA Foundation, “Rates of Motor Vehicle Crashes, Injuries and Deaths in Relation to Driver Age, United States, 2014-2015,” accessed June 13, 2024.
Insurance Information Institute, “A Firm Foundation: How Insurance Supports the Economy,” accessed June 13, 2024.
Insurance Information Institute, “Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists,” accessed June 13, 2024.
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J.J. Starr is an insurance and personal finance expert who has been writing for Compare.com since 2022. Her work has been published across the web, appearing on sites such as Insurify.
Prior to writing for Compare.com, J.J. was a registered banker and life insurance consultant, holding a Series 6, FINRA, and life insurance license. She also earned a master’s degree in writing from New York University.
J.J. has a passion for helping people save money by explaining complex topics like car insurance in a way that is simple and easy to understand.
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
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