Hallmark Financial Insurance Review: Is It the Right Choice for You?

Hallmark usually offers drivers cheaper-than-average rates, good customer service, and a solid website and mobile experience. But recent financial changes could suggest potential trouble.

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J.J. Starr
Written byJ.J. Starr
J.J. Starr
J.J. StarrInsurance Writer

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
Lequita WestbrooksSenior Editor

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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Hallmark Financial has offered auto insurance policies for 34 years. Headquartered in Texas, the company provides a good range of coverage options through independent agents and third-party companies. You can manage your policy through customer service, the website, and the mobile app.
But AM Best dropped Hallmark Financial Services’ financial strength rating from an A- to NR (not rated) in 2023, indicating potential financial issues. While some of Hallmark’s insurance entities have few complaints, others don’t perform as well.
Let’s dig through the details and discover if Hallmark could be the best car insurance company for you.

Is Hallmark a Good Choice for Auto Insurance?

The table below highlights Hallmark’s performance across five key categories, each rated on a scale of one to five.
These categories reflect what’s most important to many drivers and should provide a comprehensive overview of the company’s strengths and weaknesses.

Category
Score
Cost4/5
Customer satisfaction3/5
Ease of use3/5
Availability2.3/5
Industry reputation3.3/5
Overall Score*3.53/5
*Company ratings for each category are determined using our proprietary, objective rating formula. You can find more information on our unique scoring methodology at the bottom of this article.

Hallmark does well in terms of cost but earns midrange scores for customer satisfaction, ease of use, and industry reputation, but it scores low for availability.

Where Hallmark stands out

Hallmark offers cheaper-than-average rates for drivers with many backgrounds and offers substantial savings on liability-only policies and policies for teen drivers. The company also offers an extensive range of insurance products, including aviation coverage.

Where Hallmark falls short

Hand-offs between independent agents and Hallmark customer service can be clumsy and confusing. The company doesn’t use claims agents but relies solely on claims adjusters to handle the claims process.

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Hallmark Insurance Reviews: What Real Customers Are Saying

You go through an independent agent to buy your Hallmark policy, but you’ll work with Hallmark customer service afterward. Customer feedback is generally positive — the company earns 3.45 out of 5 stars on Clearsurance.
Many positive reviews, including the one below, discuss a friendly customer service department and a convenient online portal.

Hallmark Financial 5-star review


Another common theme is low rates. Several customers say Hallmark offered them the cheapest option, as it did for the reviewer below.

Hallmark Financial 5-star review


On the negative side, some customers cite issues with payment processing, an unexpected charge, or an unexplained rate increase. For example, the customer featured in the screenshot below received a notice for conditional renewal but struggled to contact anyone who could explain what that meant.

Hallmark Financial scam complaint

How Much Is Hallmark Car Insurance?

Different car insurance companies use different formulas to calculate rates, so it’s always best to compare your options. Average rates are based on a variety of factors, including your age, driving history, vehicle type, and more.
The rate table below shows how Hallmark’s average rates vary by policy type, age, and driving history compared to national averages.

Driver/ Coverage Characteristics
Hallmark’s Average Monthly Rate
National Average Monthly Rate
Average Monthly Savings*
All drivers$127$132$5
Liability coverage$91$107$16
Full coverage$196$193-$3
Teens$228$248$20
Seniors$105$114$9
Recent speeding ticket$149$150$1
Recent at-fault accident$171$171$0
*Savings are calculated based on the difference between Hallmark’s average monthly rate and the national average for all insurers.

Most drivers can find savings with Hallmark. Teen drivers potentially save the most — an average of $240 per year. The company also offers significant savings on liability insurance.
But if you need full coverage, Hallmark’s rates are slightly higher than average. And drivers with a recent ticket or at-fault accident pay around the national average.

Hallmark vs. the Competition

When shopping for a new policy, you should always compare policies from multiple companies. Here’s how Hallmark compares to competitors.

Company
Compare.com Rating
Average Monthly Rate
Average Monthly Savings*
Hallmark3.53/5$127$5
GEICO4.65/5$86$46
Progressive4.73/5$116$16
State Farm4.90/5$83$49
*Savings are calculated based on the difference between each insurer’s average monthly rate and the national average for all insurers.

Hallmark vs. GEICO

GEICO has a larger coverage area, more car insurance discounts, and a better industry reputation than Hallmark. But its coverage options and ease-of-use scores are similar. Teens, drivers with at-fault accidents, and people with speeding tickets may get a cheaper rate with Hallmark.

Hallmark vs. State Farm

State Farm has higher customer satisfaction, a stronger industry reputation, and more discounts than Hallmark, but the two have similar ease-of-use scores and available coverage options. Hallmark may provide cheaper premiums to drivers with speeding tickets or at-fault accidents on their record.

Hallmark vs. Progressive

Progressive has stronger customer service, wider availability, and a better industry reputation. It also offers more discounts and coverage options than Hallmark. But Hallmark often offers cheaper rates to teens, drivers with speeding tickets, and drivers with at-fault accidents.

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Hallmark Car Insurance Discounts

Auto insurance discounts are one of the easiest ways to save on your car insurance. Unlike some insurers, Hallmark doesn’t offer many discounts or specify how much you can save with each. That said, discounts can vary by state, so you should ask your agent about potential savings opportunities.
Hallmark lists the following six discounts on its website:

  • Foreign driver’s license: Available to drivers with a valid foreign driver’s license.

  • Homeowner: Lowers your rate if you own a home.

  • Multi-car: Insures multiple vehicles under the same policy.

  • Multi-policy: Applies when you have multiple insurance policies (e.g., renters and auto) with Hallmark.

  • Prior coverage: Reduces your rate if you’ve maintained continuous insurance coverage without any lapses.

  • Recurring payment: Applies for setting up automatic recurring payments.

Hallmark’s Available Auto Insurance Coverages

Hallmark offers a solid range of car insurance coverage options, varying by state. This includes:

Hallmark also provides policies for drivers with international driver’s licenses.

How to Get a Car Insurance Quote From Hallmark

You can get a quote from Hallmark through an independent agent, and they can help you compare your Hallmark quote with competitor’s policies.
Once you purchase your policy, you’ll work directly with the company going forward. You can manage your policy through the online portal or contact customer service over the phone. Hallmark also provides a live chat option — I connected with an agent in less than a minute when I tested the chat myself.
You’ll also work with Hallmark directly to handle claims.

What to Expect When Filing a Claim With Hallmark

You can file a claim with Hallmark by providing your policy number and personal information (e.g., name, email address, and telephone number) on the online form. Hallmark will assign an adjuster to your case to process your claim.
As seen in the two reviews below, many customers voice satisfaction about the fast and easy claims process.

Hallmark Financial 4-star review


Hallmark Financial 5-star review


But opinions differ based on experience. Negative reviews talk about waiting a long time to get a payout.
On the r/Insurance subreddit, insurance agents discuss claims with a Hallmark customer. The customer shown in the screenshot below allegedly waited two months for the company to resolve the claims. The agents believe the long wait could be due to staff shortages in the claims department.

Hallmark Financial reddit thread

More About Hallmark Financial

Founded
1990
Available in10 states
Owned byPublicly Traded
NASDAQ: HALL
National average premium$127 per month
Mobile appAndroid, iOS
Customer service1 (800) 486-5616
Claims1 (800) 486-4255
Primary competitorsAllstate, Progressive, State Farm, Texas Farm Bureau

Hallmark’s other insurance products

Hallmark Insurance Group offers a wide range of common and uncommon insurance products. While many auto insurers also offer dwelling coverage, life insurance, and other products the average person or family might need, Hallmark offers limited dwelling products, instead focusing on aircraft and commercial policies.
Here’s a complete list of Hallmark’s insurance products, according to its website:

  • Renters insurance

  • Personal aircraft insurance

  • Aircraft liability and physical damage insurance

  • Airport liability coverage

  • Flight school and charter operations coverage

  • Contractor policies

  • Manufacturing insurance

  • Restaurant and hospitality coverage

  • Commercial office building insurance

  • High-rise condominium insurance

  • Homeowner association policies

Hallmark Auto Insurance FAQs

Hallmark is a lesser-known insurer, so prospective customers often have questions about the company. Here are answers to the most common questions asked about Hallmark Insurance.

  • Does Hallmark have cheap car insurance?

    Yes. Hallmark’s average rate of $127 per month is slightly cheaper than the national average, according to Compare.com data. Teens and drivers with liability-only policies often save the most with Hallmark.

  • Is Hallmark a good insurance company?

    Hallmark Insurance offers affordable coverage and good customer service, but reviews suggest customer satisfaction varies.

  • Does Hallmark Insurance payout claims?

    Yes. Hallmark pays for car insurance claims as long as the at-fault driver purchased adequate coverage for the incident. But a recently downgraded financial strength designation from AM Best indicates possible financial weaknesses.

  • Is Hallmark insurance expensive?

    No. Hallmark’s rates are average or less than average for most drivers. But its full-coverage policies cost $196 per month, on average, according to our data analysis — slightly higher than the national average.

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:

  1. AM Best, “Hallmark Specialty Insurance Company,” accessed June 9, 2024.

  2. Business Wire, “AM Best Downgrades Credit Ratings of Hallmark Financial Services, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries; Maintains Under Review With Negative Implications Status,” accessed June 9, 2024.

  3. National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “Hallmark Specialty Ins Co. National Complaint Index Report,” accessed June 8, 2024.

  4. Clearsurance, “Hallmark Insurance Company,” accessed June 8, 2024.

  5. Better Business Bureau, “Hallmark Financial Services,” accessed June 8, 2024.

  6. Reddit, “Hallmark?,” accessed June 8, 2024.

  7. Crunchbase, “Hallmark Financial,” accessed June 8, 2024.

J.J. Starr
J.J. StarrInsurance Writer

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
Edited byLequita WestbrooksSenior Editor
Lequita Westbrooks
Lequita WestbrooksSenior Editor

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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