If you've ever wondered how your car insurance company stacks up when it comes to consumer complaints, this is your chance to find out.
The state Insurance Department has posted the information on its website. The agency released its 2010 annual ranking of automobile insurance companies, revealing how 167 insurers performed last year.
Click here for the full list.
It's based on the number of consumer complaints the department upheld, in relation to the volume of business. The list includes only complaints brought to the state Insurance Department's attention, not those made directly to insurers.
At the top of the list, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, which ranks best. It was the largest of 51 companies without a single upheld complaint. Rounding out the bottom is Long Island Insurance Company, which ranks worst among insurers writing $1 million or more in premiums. It had 265 upheld complaints.
The two largest insurers in the state are Allstate and GEICO. Allstate wrote $1.26 billion in premiums and had 180 upheld complaints; GEICO wrote $1.22 billion in premiums and had 15 upheld complaints.
The ranking is an way to help you select the auto insurer that's right for you. You can use it to help evaluate the performance of your insurance company or check an insurer you may be thinking about switching to. Common complaints include monetary settlements, policy terminations and delays in payment of no-fault claims.
The state says this should only be used as a guide as you determine which insurer suits your needs. Don't rely on it solely. You should also talk to friends and family for advice and do your own research.
The Insurance Department, run by New York State, is designed to supervise and regulate insurance business. The Insurance Department recommends you work directly with your insurer to resolve your problems. If all else fails, you can contact the Insurance Department to report a complaint.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this article.
