Amica Review: Is it the Best Choice for Car Insurance in 2024?

Amica Auto Insurance: At a Glance

Amica Mutual Insurance Company was founded in 1907, making it the oldest auto mutual insurance company in the country. The company offers highly rated car insurance policies with competitive rates, excellent coverage options, and highly rated customer service.

Amica runs on a different business model from many of its competitors. Unlike other top insurers, Amica doesn’t use a local agent model. Instead, you’ll work directly with the company for all of your issues and needs. Some customers may prefer to work with an assigned agent, but its unique business model has led to Amica having among the top-rated customer service in the industry.

As a major national insurer, Amica offers many different types of insurance coverage for everything from your car to your home to your business or pet. Keep reading to find out if Amica is right for you.

Is Amica a Good Choice for Car Insurance?

Amica could be an excellent choice for car insurance, depending on your needs. Some of its benefits include plentiful coverage and discount options, competitive rates, and excellent customer service. It has excellent ratings, both from existing customers and from third-party organizations like J.D. Power, AM Best, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Let’s take a closer look at its strengths and weaknesses.

Where Amica stands out

Amica has several characteristics that help it stand out from the competition. Perhaps the most stand-out feature of Amica is its customer service and satisfaction. It was the top-rated company for claims satisfaction in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, and many customer reviews specifically point to the company’s excellent customer service. It’s easy to see why, given the various ways you can contact representatives.

Amica also stands out in its customers’ ability to customize their policies. The company has an impressive line-up of coverage options to choose from and more discounts than most of its competitors.

If you want a policy with many coverage options and ways to save, it may be worth considering Amica.

Where Amica falls short

Unlike some of its competitors, Amica isn’t available in all states. It doesn’t currently offer auto insurance policies in Hawaii.

Additionally, some of the company’s discounts are only available in certain states, meaning you may not be eligible for the savings you expect, depending on where you live.

Amica Customer Reviews

Amica has generally positive customer reviews. On Trustpilot, Amica has more than 3,100 reviews, with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5, with most customers leaving left five-star ratings. Customers on ConsumerAffairs gave Amica an average rating of 3.7 out of 5, with more than 280 reviews.

These numbers are especially impressive considering that insurance companies tend to have more negative reviews than many other products and services. GEICO and Progressive, for example, have scores under three stars on both sites.

Amica customers are generally happy with the customer service experience, especially when they have to file a claim.

Still, no company’s perfect. While there are relatively few negative reviews, some customers pointed to rate increases as a reason for their poor experiences.

How Much is Amica Car Insurance?

The average Amica insurance premium is $123 per month, but we’ll see how that breaks down among two common coverage levels in the table below.

Amica customers pay an average of $77 per month for liability insurance and $168 per month for full coverage. But keep in mind that, because rates are based on various personal factors, these averages aren’t necessarily indicative of what you will pay. At the end of the day, your age, location, driving record, and other factors will largely determine what you pay each month.

In the following few sections, you can learn more about how Amica’s rates stack up to the competition and the average rates for drivers with certain characteristics.

How do Amica’s rates compare to competitors?

Amica has insurance premiums on par with many of its top competitors. The table below breaks down the average liability and full-coverage premiums for some of Amica’s top competitors. While your rates could vary based on your circumstances, the table can give you a good idea of what you might pay with each insurer.

Both Nationwide and Travelers charge higher liability insurance premiums than Amica, while GEICO and State Farm have lower premiums. As for full coverage, only Travelers has higher premiums than Amica, while GEICO, Nationwide, and State Farm all charge lower premiums.

But keep in mind that these are broad national averages and that GEICO and State Farm are the two cheapest insurers in America, according to our data.

At the end of the day, the best way to get the cheapest rates is to compare quotes from multiple companies.

Amica Average Rates by Age Group

Your age is one of the top factors insurance companies consider when determining your car insurance rates. We’ve broken down the average rates Amica charges for different age groups in the table below.

Generally speaking, your auto insurance rates will decrease as you age. As you can see in the table above, teen drivers pay rates that are considerably higher than any other age bracket. On the other hand, drivers 65 and older enjoy the lowest rates.

But let’s take a closer look at these two age groups.

Amica rates for teens and young drivers

Young drivers — especially teens — pay the highest premiums. This age group typically lacks experience and is more likely to engage in high-risk driving habits that result in a car accident. All of these factors make them a higher risk for insurance companies.

Insurance premiums tend to fall significantly once a driver reaches age 25. In fact, our data shows that Amica drivers experience a 57% reduction in liability premiums between teens and 25-year-olds and a 60% reduction for full coverage.

If you’re a young driver, Amica offers a handful of discounts to help you reduce your premiums. You can save by completing an accredited driver training program, having an average grade of B or higher in school, being away at school without a car, or if your parents have had Amica for at least five years.

Keep reading in the next section to learn about insurance premiums for older drivers.

Amica rates for seniors and retirees

Insurance premiums tend to fall with age, meaning older drivers tend to enjoy the lowest premiums. As you can see, adults in their 40s enjoy rates that are much lower than teens and young adults, and those rates fall again when a driver reaches their 60s.

Many people eventually see their rates start to increase again in their 70s, though average rates are still lower than they are for young drivers. Though older drivers tend to engage in fewer high-risk driving habits, such as night driving and driving many miles, they may experience physical and cognitive declines that make driving more dangerous.

While Amica doesn’t offer any discounts specific to older drivers, it offers 18 different discounts, many of which could apply to seniors.

Amica Average Rates by Driving Record

Your driving history plays a major role in your auto insurance premiums. Drivers with clean records tend to pay the lowest premiums, while those with violations on their records pay increased rates.

Let’s take a look at how Amica rates change based on your driving history.

Any violation on your driving record, such as a speeding ticket, at-fault accident, or driving under the influence, can increase your rates. The more serious the violation, the more your rates are likely to increase.

Fortunately, even if you have a violation on your record, you can still save on your premiums. Many of Amica’s discounts can help offset the impact of a violation. For example, among its other discounts, Amica also offers savings when you take a defensive driver safety course.

Amica rates after a speeding ticket

A speeding ticket is one of the most common violations you can have on your driving record. Unfortunately, it also causes your rates to increase. Premiums increase an average of 37% after a speeding ticket, according to our data. For Amica specifically, premiums increase even more: an average of 55% for liability coverage and 62% for full coverage.

Amica rates after an accident

An accident can affect your insurance premiums regardless of whether you’re at fault. Some insurers increase your premiums after an accident where you aren’t at fault, but the most significant increases come when you’re responsible for the accident.

On average, insurance premiums across the industry increase by 44% after an at-fault accident, according to our data. Amica’s average premiums increase by 52% for liability insurance and 54% for full coverage.

Amica rates after a DUI

A driving under the influence (DUI) charge is a serious driving violation and usually comes with a significant rate increase. Drivers nationwide see their rates increase by an average of 94% after an accident, according to our research. This rate increase is even more significant with Amica: Customers’ rates increase by an average of 175% for liability insurance and a staggering 192% for full coverage.

Amica Average Rates by Credit Score

Insurance premiums are all about risk, and your credit history is just one factor that insurance companies rely on to estimate your risk of filing a claim.

Here’s how much Amica rates change depending on your credit score, according to Compare.com data.

Generally, the higher your credit score, the lower the insurance premiums you’ll pay. On the other hand, insurance companies may feel that someone with poor credit is more likely to file an insurance claim. As a result, those drivers tend to pay higher premiums.

Amica drivers with excellent credit pay the lowest insurance premiums, and, as you can see in the table, the difference between excellent and poor credit can make the difference of hundreds of dollars per month.

What Car Insurance Discounts Does Amica Offer?

Amica offers an impressive line-up of discounts, with 18 different ways for customers to save. Discounts from Amica include:

• Loyalty: The longer you’re an Amica customer, the more you can save. You’re eligible for a loyalty discount once you’ve been an Amica customer for at least two years.
• Homeownership: You can get a discount on your Amica car insurance policy for being a homeowner, even if you don’t have your homeowners insurance policy with Amica.
• Bundling auto and more: You’ll save up to 30% on your policy when you bundle your auto insurance policy with your homeowners, umbrella, or life insurance policy.
• Multi-car: Amica offers a discount of up to 25% if you insure two or more cars on your auto insurance policy.
• Young driver training: If you’re younger than 21, you’re eligible for a discount if you complete an accredited driver training program.
• Good student: Amica offers a discount to full-time high school and college students with a grade point average equivalent of at least B.
• Student away at school: You can save on your premiums if you’re a full-time college student — or the parent of one — who’s at school without a car.
• Rewarding your parent’s loyalty: Amica offers a loyalty discount for young drivers whose parents have been Amica customers for at least five years.
• Accident-free: If you haven’t filed a claim on your Amica insurance policy for at least three years, you’re eligible for a discount on your policy.
• Defensive driver training: Amica offers a discount to customers who complete an approved driver safety course.
• Anti-theft: You’re eligible for a discount if you have a vehicle with anti-theft devices, such as a car alarm or a GPS tracking system.
• Electronic stability control: If your vehicle has electronic stability control to help you handle inclement weather, you’ll get a discount on your policy.
• Passive restraints: Having passive restraints on your vehicle, including airbags, can help you save on your Amica policy.
• Forward-collision warning: Amica offers a discount for customers who have a vehicle with a collision-avoidance system to help avoid potential accidents.
• Adaptive headlights: You can save on your premiums with Amica if you have headlights that adapt to different light conditions.
• Paid in full: While many customers choose to pay their premiums monthly, you can get a discount if you pay your full premium up front.
• AutoPay: You can get a discount on your Amica premiums if you set up autopay on your premium payments.
• Paperless: Amica offers a discount on auto insurance premiums to customers who opt for paperless policy documents and bills.

What Types of Coverage Does Amica Offer?

Amica offers all of the standard insurance products you’d expect of an insurance company and more. Here are specific coverages you can get with Amica:

• Medical payments: Pays for medical bills and/or funeral expenses for you and your passengers injured in an accident, regardless of fault.
• Personal injury protection: Pays for medical bills, lost wages, funeral expenses, and/or loss of services for you and your passengers injured in an accident, regardless of fault.
• Bodily injury liability: Pays for injury-related expenses when another person is injured in an accident where you’re at fault.
• Property damage liability: Pays for repairs or replacements for property damage from an accident where you’re at fault.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Pays for your injuries or property damage in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
• Collision: Pays to repair or replace your vehicle after it’s damaged in an accident.
• Comprehensive: Pays to repair or replace your vehicle after it’s damaged from something other than a collision.
• Loan/lease gap: Pays for the difference between your car’s current value and your remaining loan or lease amount if it’s totaled.
• Full glass coverage: Pays to repair or replace your windshield, windows, and the other glass on your vehicle.
• Roadside assistance: Pays for towing and other roadside assistance coverages, including flat tires, jump-starts, gas delivery, and more.
• Rental reimbursement: Pays for a rental vehicle or other transportation costs while your vehicle is undrivable after a covered incident.

Purchasing a Car Insurance Policy from Amica

Getting a quote and signing up for an Amica car insurance process is relatively easy. You can get your quote online in just a few minutes. However, to move forward with purchasing your policy, you’ll have to call to speak to a customer service representative.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to signing up for your policy:

1. Enter your ZIP code on the Amica website to start the quote process.
2. Provide basic information about yourself, such as your name, birthday, contact information, and whether you’re an existing Amica customer.
3. Share information, such as gender and marital status, about the drivers who will be listed on your policy.
4. Provide information about your vehicle, including its make, model, year, when it was purchased, whether it was new or used, and what it’s used for.
5. Share information about your driving history, including information about your past accidents and moving violations.
6. Provide information about your current insurance coverage, including whether you’re currently covered, your current insurer, and information about your policy.
7. Opt into discounts. Select whether you’d like to bundle your policies and what other discounts you’d like to take advantage of.
8. Get your quote. Once you’ve completed the necessary online form, you’ll see your quote for basic and standard coverage, as well as Amica’s recommendation for you.
9. Call to sign up. Unfortunately, Amica doesn’t allow you to complete your sign-up online. If you like the quote you see and want to move forward, you’ll have to call to purchase your policy.

Reviewing Amica Customer Service

Amica makes it easy to contact its customer service department. You can get in touch in the following ways:

• Online chat
• Phone
• Mail
• Email

The easiest way to contact Amica’s customer service is through its online chat function. Amica’s virtual assistance is in the bottom corner of the screen when you go onto its website. By answering just a few prompts, you can quickly connect to the appropriate customer service representative and have your questions answered. And if online chat isn’t your preference, you can speak to a representative over the phone or email the company.

Amica’s excellent customer service is evident in its reviews. With overwhelmingly positive customer reviews, many former and current policyholders pointed to Amica’s helpful and responsive service. And it shows: Amica is the top-rated company for claims satisfaction in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.

Filing a Claim with Amica

If you need to file a claim with Amica, you can easily do so on the company’s website by logging into your online account. You can also file a claim through Amica’s other communication methods, including live chat, phone, and email.

Many customer reviews mention the simple and stress-free claims process. You can see a few examples below:

What Other Types of Insurance Does Amica Offer?

In addition to auto insurance, Amica also offers several other types of insurance coverage. Other coverages you can purchase with Amica, some of which you can save money by bundling with your auto policy, include:

• Home insurance
• Life insurance
• Umbrella insurance
• Condo insurance
• Renters insurance
• Marine insurance
• Motorcycle insurance
• Wedding and event insurance
• Small-business insurance
• Flood insurance
• Pet insurance
• RV and trailer insurance
• Retirement annuities

Platinum Choice Auto

In addition to its individual coverages, Amica offers a unique coverage package you can add to your policy. The Platinum Choice Auto package includes the following features:

• Full glass coverage: With this coverage, Amica will pay to replace the glass on your vehicle with no deductible required on your part. You can even choose your own repair shop. And if you choose an Amica shop, you’ll get a lifetime guarantee.
• Identity fraud monitoring: Amica’s identity fraud monitoring service will monitor your credit files and personal information 24/7. If there’s any unusual activity, you’ll be alerted as quickly as possible and receive the help of an Amica fraud specialist.
• Prestige rental coverage: With the addition of Amica’s prestige rental coverage, you’ll get up to $5,000, with no daily limit, when your car is in the shop to pay for a rental car that’s similar to your own.

StreetSmart

Amica’s StreetSmart telematics program allows you to save money for your safe driving. To get started, you’ll download the StreetSmart by Amica app and sign up for the program. You’ll get a discount on your policy just for signing up and can save even more based on your driving habits.

StreetSmart tracks the following driving habits to help you drive safer and save money:

• Hard braking
• Speeding
• Road segment type
• Phone use and screen tapping

In addition to saving on your premiums, you can also get rewards, which can be redeemed for e-gift cards and donations in your name.

Bottom Line: Is Amica Car Insurance Right for You?

Amica could be the right option for many drivers shopping for car insurance. It has some key benefits, including its many coverage and discount options, competitive rates, and top-rated customer satisfaction.

But Amica may not be right for you if you want to sign up for a policy online. Additionally, because Amica doesn’t have a network of local agents like many companies, it may not be right for you if you want a personal relationship with an agent who can help you with your policies for many years.

Amica Auto Insurance FAQs

Are you considering signing up for auto insurance with Amica? Here are a few more things you might want to know.

Does Amica have the cheapest car insurance?

No. Amica doesn’t have the cheapest car insurance among its competitors, but its prices are on par with many other top insurers. The cheapest company for you will depend on your unique personal characteristics since each insurer uses its own formula to set rates.

Who owns Amica insurance?

Amica is a mutual insurance company, which means it’s technically owned by its policyholders. Unlike publicly traded insurance companies, Amica isn’t owned by shareholders or investors.

Does Amica have a cancellation fee?

It’s unclear. Amica doesn’t disclose whether it charges a cancellation fee. However, some third-party sources report that it charges $25 for canceling a policy before the end of the term.

Why did Amica go to six-month policies?

Amica previously offered 12-month policies but recently made the switch to six-month policies. The company says that the shorter policy term allows it to respond more quickly to market changes, which ultimately benefits both the company and its customers.

Because of shorter policy terms, you may see your premiums either increase or decrease more often.

Does Amica cover Teslas?

Yes. Amica covers Teslas. You can use the online quote form on Amica’s website to find out if it covers your specific vehicle.

Data Methodology

Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance rates from more than 75 partner insurance providers in order to compile the quotes and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.

All the quotes listed in this article have been gathered from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide drivers with insight into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.

Rating Methodology

Compare.com’s mission is to help our readers make more informed decisions when it comes to 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

1. J.D. Power, “2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study,” Accessed January 4, 2024.
2. CDC, “Teen Drivers and Passengers: Get the Facts,” Accessed January 4, 2024.
3. IIHS, “Older drivers,” Accessed January 4, 2024.