The home you own is most people’s biggest investment, so you want to make sure you protect it properly, by choosing the right coverage with a good homeowners insurance company, having a reputation for acceptable customer service, and a consistent history of maintaining a better than average complaint record each year. To accomplish this goal, you need to know the major companies offering home insurance in your state and their complaint information. This review will show you twenty major insurance companies insuring residential property in New York, and each company’s complaint ratings, based on home (homeowners/condo/renters/mobile home) insurance complaints filed with the New York insurance department for the last 3 years of 2010, 2011, 2012, & 2013.
Unlike auto insurance, important home insurance coverage options are more likely to vary, or not be offered among companies, such as ordinance and law coverage & earthquake coverage, so the wise home insurance buyer should shop with many companies to find the best coverage, service & price. Bookmark this site, because I will update it or write a new review, as new data becomes available in the future. If you are a New York homeowner, there’s no better source on the Web than this blog review, to help you find the best home insurance company for you, and get the coverage you need at a competitive price.
As stated at the top of this article, this review will show you 20 major home insurance companies in New York, ranking them from best to worst based on their complaint ratings, and let you know if they have an above-average, average, or below-average customer complaint record over the last three years. Most of these companies have several subsidiary companies insuring residences & their contents in New York, and there are many other New York home insurance companies outside these major twenty companies, but with most having a very small home insurance market share in NY. Be sure to know the exact name of the home insurance company you are researching, so you can check the proper complaint rating. For example, you may be insured with USAA, but you need to know if you are insured with United Services Automobile Association, USAA Casualty, or another USAA subsidiary, to check the proper complaint rating for the company insuring you. If you are insured with a company not on this list, you can e-mail me at help@smartshopyourcarinsurance.com with its name, and I will research its complaint data and reply to you.
You may notice some insurance companies advertising heavily in the media, like Progressive, GEICO, Esurance, and The General, are not on this list. This is because these companies are primarily auto insurance companies, and partner with other insurance companies to sell property insurance. For example, Esurance is now owned by Allstate, so it may refer you to a local Allstate agent, or an independent insurance agency Allstate owns, called Answer Financial, for home insurance. If you get a home or renters insurance policy from GEICO or Progressive, it’s likely one of the companies on this list will be the company insuring you.
The New York Department of Financial Services website does not have any complaint data available regarding New York home insurance companies. I use the national complaint ratio for each homeowners insurance company on my list, from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website, as referenced on my website information disclosure. In my 2011 New York major home insurance companies review, the New York Department of Financial Services provided home insurance company market share data, but I cannot locate any recent market share information. I usually like to list the largest 20 insurance companies in my state reviews, but since I can’t confirm current market share, I have to approximate from older data and other sources. I think I’m covering all the major companies, but as I mentioned, contact me if you have questions about any companies not on this list.
The complaint ratings are developed from the closed complaint ratios gathered for each company on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website. The complaint ratios compare the company’s U.S. market share of closed complaints to the company’s U.S. market share of premiums for home insurance. Complaint ratios lower than “1″ have less complaints than average, and complaint ratios over “1″ have more complaints than average. The complaint ratios are numerical scores, and may not be easy for readers of this review to understand at a glance.
Below is the rating system I devised, giving grades to home insurance companies based on the complaint ratios, to make it easier to compare companies, find the best home insurance companies, and avoid the insurance companies with a consistently worse-than-average complaint record.
B = Better than average. Insurance companies with complaint ratios less than 75% of the average insurance company.
C = Average. Insurance companies with complaint ratios from 75% to 125% of the average insurance company.
W = Worse than average. Insurance companies with complaint ratios more than 125% of the average insurance company.
Twenty Major New York Home Insurance Companies Ranked from Best to Worst by their 2012, 2011, & 2010 Complaint Ratings.
The great news is all but the bottom few companies on this list have good complaint records, so you should use this list to get home insurance quotes from many of these companies, to find the best coverage and price. Some of these companies sell through independent insurance agents, so contacting a local independent insurance agent means they may be able to quote you several of the companies on this list. However, any one independent insurance agent may not represent all these companies, so be sure to speak to more than one agent. Also, some companies, like Homesite & Amica, sell direct from the company, and companies like Allstate & State Farm have their own agents.
You can find out more information and get home insurance price quotes from the companies listed below (and others) by clicking the ads on this page & my Website. For some of the smaller companies less likely to advertise, I list the company website, so you can visit it and locate an agent, if you want a price quote from the company.
1. Adirondack Insurance Exchange
Adirondack Insurance Exchange sells its home insurance through local independent insurance agents. Find out more about the company at the Adirondack Insurance Exchange website.
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (0) (No complaints)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (0) (No complaints)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (0) (No complaints)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.16)
2. American International Group (AIG)
Like Chubb, AIG focuses on insuring high value homes. AIG developed the “Chartis” brand, after the bad press it received during the 2008 financial crisis. AIG has moved back towards re-naming its subsidiary companies once again under the “American International” brand, but the subsidiary below was previously known as Chartis Property Casualty Company. Find out more about AIG, or locate one of the independent insurance agents representing them, at the AIG website.
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.14)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.14)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.09)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.12)
3. New York Central Mutual Fire Insurance Company
NYCM sells home insurance through local independent insurance agents. You can locate an agent near you by visiting the New York Central Mutual Fire Insurance Company website.
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.07)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.10)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.21)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.06)
4. Chubb
Chubb insurance specializes in providing coverage for high value homes and the needs of high net worth people. Find out more at chubb.com.
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.12)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.27)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.26)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.09)
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.16)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.14)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.11)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.17)
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.08)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (0) (No complaints)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.13)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.10)
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.20)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.23)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (0) (No complaints)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.28)
5. Amica Mutual Insurance Company
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.24)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.29)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.24)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.27)
6. United Services Auto Association (USAA) Insurance
USAA is available only to the military, their family members, and honorably discharged veterans. USAA has two home insurance subsidiaries included in this review:
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.17)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.16)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.15)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.25)
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.36)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.20)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.46)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.28)
7. State Farm
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.54)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.45)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.52)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.41)
8. Liberty Mutual Insurance
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.48)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.49)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.61)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.52)
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.12)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.37)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.26)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.30)
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.41)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.52)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.43)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.39)
9. Metlife
The complaint statistics below are NOT for Metropolitan Group Property & Casualty Insurance Company, sold as a group benefit, depending on employer membership, or Metropolitan Direct Property & Casualty Insurance Company, sold direct from the company. The complaint data below if for Metropolitan Property & Casualty Insurance Company, sold through Metlife auto & home insurance agents.
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.57)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.36)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.66)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.58)
10. Travelers
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.43)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.54)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.56)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.63)
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.34)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.12)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.37)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.37)
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.19)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.21)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.29)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.08)
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.27)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.31)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.34)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.32)
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11. Nationwide
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.46)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.61)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.54)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.60)
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.51)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.49)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.47)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.67)
12. Kemper Unitrin
Kemper purchased Unitrin a couple of years ago, and the Unitrin companies’ names may now be re-branded as Kemper companies. Kemper sells direct and through independent insurance agents. The companies below seem to be sold through the independent insurance agent system. You can find a local agent at the Kemper insurance website.
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.63)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.34)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.46)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.26)
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = W (1.27)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.36)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = C (.87)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = C (1.20)
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (0) No complaints
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.28)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.57)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (0) (No complaints)
13. Allstate
Not all of these Allstate subsidiary companies may be insuring homes in New York, and its likely only one of them is selling new NY home insurance policies.
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.59)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.51)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.52)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.35)
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = C (1.03)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = C (.97)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = C (.77)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = C (.96)
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.73)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.62)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = C (.85)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.65)
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.70)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.73)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = C (.78)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.70)
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.24)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.10)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (0) (No complaints)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = No home insurance policies in force
14. Tower
Find agents representing Tower at the Tower Insurance Group website.
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = C (.79)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = C (.84)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = C (.76)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.52)
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (0) No complaints.
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.48)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.54)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.24)
15. Preferred Mutual Insurance Company
Locate an agent representing Preferred Mutual at the Preferred Mutual Insurance Company website.
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.29)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = C (1.08)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.50)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.74)
16. Erie Insurance Company
Find agents representing Erie at the Erie Insurance website.
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.59)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.64)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = W (1.89)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.34)
17. Hartford
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.65)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = C (.78)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = W (1.29)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = C (.97)
18. Peerless Insurance Company
Find agents representing Peerless at the Peerless Insurance website.
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = C (1.22)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.42)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.41)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.68)
19. Hanover
Based on the complaint ratings, I’d consider Citizen’s Insurance Company of America over the other two Hanover subsidiaries listed in this review. Citizens would have put Hanover close to the top of the list, if it wasn’t for the consistently worse than average complaint record for the Hanover Insurance Company subsidiary. Here’s the Citizen’s Insurance webpage on the Hanover site, to find a local agent.
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.52)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.35)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.19)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.12)
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = W (3.64)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = W (1.57)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = W (2.00)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = W (1.29)
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = C (.76)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.55)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.59)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (.28)
20. Homesite Insurance Company of New York
B = Better than Average C = Average W = Worse than Average
2013 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = C (1.09)
2012 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = W (1.72)
2011 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = W (2.36)
2010 Home Insurance Complaint Ratio = B (0) (No complaints)
Thanks for reading this review. You can find customer complaint data, JD Power ratings, and information about other auto and home insurance companies not appearing in this review, by going to my Website’s home page.
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