Is Allstate more expensive than other insurance companies?

Generally, yes. Allstate's average premiums are 15-25% higher than GEICO and Progressive for comparable coverage. Allstate competes on service, agent relationships, and unique features (like Claim RateGuard and Drivewise) rather than on price. If your primary concern is the lowest premium, GEICO or Progressive are typically cheaper.

What is Allstate Claim RateGuard?

Claim RateGuard is an add-on feature that prevents your rate from increasing after your first at-fault claim. This is different from accident forgiveness — it protects against any rate hike, not just a forgiveness of points. It costs extra (typically $50-$100/year) and isn't available in all states, but it can save hundreds if you have an accident.

Does Allstate have good customer service?

Allstate's customer service is mixed. The local agent network is a genuine advantage — you have a dedicated person who knows your policies. But in J.D. Power rankings, Allstate's overall satisfaction and claims satisfaction scores are average, similar to GEICO and Progressive. For the highest claims satisfaction, USAA and Erie consistently rank first.

Is Allstate Drivewise worth using?

Drivewise is Allstate's usage-based driving program that monitors your driving and offers cash back (not just discounts) of up to 40%. Unlike Progressive's Snapshot, Drivewise does not raise your rate for poor driving. The worst that happens is you earn no reward. This makes Drivewise risk-free to try, though typical savings are 10-15%.

What is Allstate Milewise?

Milewise is a pay-per-mile auto insurance option for low-mileage drivers. You pay a base daily rate plus a per-mile charge (typically 5-7 cents/mile). If you drive under 10,000 miles/year, Milewise can save 20-40% compared to traditional policies. It's ideal for remote workers, retirees, or people who primarily use public transit.

Allstate Insurance Review 2026: Coverage, Rates, Claims & Who It''s Best For

Allstate is the fourth-largest auto insurer in the US and one of the most recognized insurance brands. Unlike GEICO and Progressive’s direct-to-consumer models, Allstate operates primarily through a network of 10,000+ exclusive local agents who provide personal service and policy advice. Allstate underwrites both auto and home insurance directly, making bundling seamless. This review covers coverage, rates, unique features, and who should choose Allstate in 2026.

Bottom line: Allstate is best for people who value a local agent relationship, want seamless auto + home bundling under one carrier, or want unique features like Claim RateGuard and Milewise pay-per-mile insurance. If price is your primary concern, GEICO and Progressive are typically 15-25% cheaper.

Allstate at a Glance

Feature	Details
AM Best rating	A+ (Superior)
J.D. Power claims satisfaction	Average (mid-tier)
Available in	All 50 states + DC
Primary coverage	Auto, home, renters, condo, life
Local agents	10,000+ exclusive agents
Usage-based insurance	Drivewise
Pay-per-mile	Milewise
Mobile app	4.7/5 (iOS), 4.4/5 (Android)
Bundling	Auto + home underwritten directly

Auto Insurance Coverage

Coverage	Available	Notes
Liability	✅	—
Collision	✅	—
Comprehensive	✅	—
Uninsured/underinsured motorist	✅	—
Medical payments / PIP	✅	—
Rental reimbursement	✅	—
Roadside assistance	✅	—
Claim RateGuard	✅	Unique — no rate increase after first claim
Accident forgiveness	✅	After qualifying period
New car replacement	✅	Replaces totaled car (<3 years old)
Deductible rewards	✅	$100 off deductible per safe year
Sound system coverage	✅	Aftermarket audio equipment
Rideshare coverage	✅	—
Gap insurance	✅	—

Allstate offers more add-on coverages than most competitors. Claim RateGuard and new car replacement are notable features not available at GEICO or Progressive.

Homeowners Insurance

Allstate underwrites home insurance directly, unlike GEICO and Progressive which use partners.

Coverage	Available	Notes
Dwelling	✅	—
Personal property	✅	—
Liability	✅	—
Medical payments	✅	—
Water backup	✅	Add-on
Identity theft restoration	✅	Add-on
Home business	✅	Add-on
Scheduled personal property	✅	Jewelry, art, collectibles
Green improvement	✅	Eco-friendly rebuild coverage
Yard & garden	✅	—

Drivewise and Milewise

Drivewise (Usage-Based)

Feature	Details
How it works	App monitors driving habits
What it tracks	Speed, braking, time of day, mileage
Potential reward	Up to 40% cash back
Typical savings	10-15%
Can it increase your rate?	No — risk-free
Monitoring period	Ongoing

The key advantage over Progressive’s Snapshot: Drivewise cannot raise your rate. The worst case is you earn nothing.

Milewise (Pay-Per-Mile)

Feature	Details
How it works	Base daily rate + per-mile charge
Per-mile cost	~$0.05-0.07/mile (varies)
Best for	Drivers under 10,000 miles/year
Potential savings	20-40% for low-mileage drivers
Tracking device	Yes — OBD plug-in device
Available states	AZ, GA, ID, IL, IN, MD, NJ, OH, OK, OR, PA, TX, VA, WI

Who Saves with Milewise

Annual Miles	Estimated Savings vs Standard
3,000 miles	35-40%
5,000 miles	25-30%
7,500 miles	15-20%
10,000 miles	5-10%
12,000+ miles	No savings (standard policy better)

Average Rate Comparison

Insurer	Full Coverage (annual)	Liability Only (annual)
GEICO	$1,500	$550
Progressive	$1,550	$575
State Farm	$1,650	$600
Allstate	$1,850	$700
Nationwide	$1,700	$625
USAA	$1,250	$450

Allstate is consistently among the most expensive major insurers for basic policies. The premium reflects agent costs, broader coverage options, and features like Claim RateGuard.

Discounts

Discount	Typical Savings
Multi-policy (auto + home)	10-25%
Multi-vehicle	10-25%
Drivewise safe driving	Up to 40%
Paid in full	5-10%
Autopay + paperless	5-10%
Early signing (switch 7+ days before renewal)	5-10%
New car	Varies
Good student	10-20%
Defensive driving course	5-10%
Anti-theft device	5-15%
New move discount	Varies

Allstate’s multi-policy discount is among the most aggressive — bundling auto + home can save 25% or more, significantly closing the price gap vs GEICO.

Mobile App

Feature	Rating
Policy management	Very good
Claims filing	Good — photo upload, tracking
Drivewise integration	Good — real-time driving score
Digital ID cards	Yes
Roadside assistance	Yes
Payment	Very good
Agent contact	Yes — direct messaging
Overall	4.0/5

Pros and Cons

Pros

Advantage	Why It Matters
10,000+ local agents	Dedicated personal insurance advice
Direct auto + home underwriting	Seamless bundling under one carrier
Claim RateGuard	No rate increase after first claim
New car replacement	Full replacement if totaled (< 3 years)
Drivewise (risk-free)	Up to 40% reward, no downside
Milewise pay-per-mile	Significant savings for low-mileage drivers
Deductible rewards	$100 off per safe year
Identity theft coverage	Add-on for home insurance

Cons

Drawback	Impact
Higher premiums	15-25% more than GEICO/Progressive
Average claims satisfaction	Mid-tier in J.D. Power rankings
Add-ons cost extra	RateGuard, new car replacement aren’t free
Milewise limited availability	Only 14 states
Agent quality varies	Your experience depends on your specific agent
Less competitive for single-policy	Savings come from bundling

Who Should Use Allstate

Situation	Allstate?	Why
Wants a dedicated local agent	Yes	10,000+ exclusive agents
Wants auto + home from one carrier	Yes	Both underwritten directly
Low-mileage driver	Yes	Milewise saves 20-40%
Wants Claim RateGuard protection	Yes	Unique rate guarantee
New car owner	Yes	New car replacement coverage
Price-focused shopper	No	GEICO/Progressive are cheaper
Prioritizes claims experience	No	USAA and Erie ranked higher
Single renter (no home to bundle)	No	Bundle discount is key advantage

Allstate vs the Competition

Feature	Allstate	GEICO	State Farm	Progressive
Average rate	Higher	Lower	Moderate	Lower
Local agents	10,000+	Limited	19,000+	Independent
Auto + home direct	✅	❌ (partners)	✅	❌ (partners)
Usage-based (risk-free)	Drivewise	DriveEasy	Drive Safe	Snapshot (can raise)
Pay-per-mile	Milewise	❌	❌	❌
Claim RateGuard	✅	❌	❌	❌
New car replacement	✅	❌	Varies	❌
Claims satisfaction	Average	Average	Above average	Average
Best for	Bundle + agent	Low price	Agent + reliability	High-risk drivers

For the Allstate vs. State Farm head-to-head comparison, see State Farm vs. Allstate. Allstate and Geico both target mainstream auto insurance customers — see Geico review for the comparison. For the auto insurance hub, see auto insurance hub.

Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy