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JD Power score is a phrase many drivers see in car insurance ads, but few know what it means. It is not a personal score about you. Instead, it is a customer satisfaction rating for insurance companies. J.D. Power is a data and analytics firm that surveys thousands of policyholders each year.
It then scores insurers on a 1,000-point scale. A higher JD Power score means customers reported a better experience. For example, the 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study put the industry average at 644 out of 1,000. Knowing how the score works can help you pick an insurer that treats customers well. It also helps you look past flashy marketing claims.
What a JD Power Score Actually Measures
A JD Power score shows how satisfied an insurer’s own customers are. It does not measure financial strength, and it does not set your premium. Typically, the score comes from large surveys of real policyholders. The 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study used responses from 52,216 customers. That survey ran from April 2025 through April 2026. The results came out on June 9, 2026.
The auto insurance study looks at seven factors. These are trust, price for coverage, people, ease of doing business, product and coverage offerings, problem resolution, and digital channels. Each factor feeds into the overall score. As a result, a company with low prices but poor service can still score badly.
J.D. Power ranks insurers by region rather than nationally. The study covers 11 geographic regions. This matters because many insurers only sell in certain states. For example, in 2026 Amica ranked first in New England with 702 points. That was 40 points ahead of the next insurer in that region. Shelter Insurance ranked first in the Central region for the ninth time. Wawanesa ranked first in California.
It is important not to confuse this with a credit-based insurance score. Insurers in most states use your credit history to help set rates. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) explains that those scores rate you, not the company. A JD Power score works in the opposite direction. It rates the company, based on what customers say.
How to Read a JD Power Score: Studies, Scales, and Ratings
J.D. Power publishes several insurance studies each year. Each one produces its own JD Power score. As a result, the same insurer can score well in one study and poorly in another. The table below shows the main auto-related studies.
| Study | What It Measures | Latest Industry Average | Release Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Auto Insurance Study | Overall policyholder satisfaction | 644 / 1,000 (2026) | June |
| U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study | Satisfaction after settling a claim | 700 / 1,000 (2025) | October |
| U.S. Insurance Shopping Study | Experience while buying a new policy | Varies by year | Spring |
| U.S. Insurance Digital Experience Study | Websites and mobile apps | Varies by year | Varies |
The claims study is often the most useful for drivers. It surveys people who actually filed a claim. The 2025 study included 9,455 customers who settled a claim within nine months. Erie Insurance ranked first with 743 points. NJM Insurance ranked second with 731. Liberty Mutual ranked third with 730.
J.D. Power also shows results as “Power Circle Ratings.” These use one to five circles. Five circles means “among the best.” Four means “better than most.” Three means “about average.” Two means “the rest.” In most cases, these circles are easier to scan than raw numbers.
Some insurers show up with a footnote instead of a ranking. For example, USAA often posts high scores but is listed as not rank eligible. That is because USAA only sells to military members, veterans, and their families. So it does not meet the study’s award criteria. However, its JD Power score still shows how its members feel.
What Drives a Higher or Lower JD Power Score
Price increases are one of the biggest drags on satisfaction. In the 2026 study, 30% of customers reported an insurer-initiated premium increase. For those customers, price satisfaction fell by 155 points, to 486. Customers with flat or lower premiums felt much better about price.
Understanding your policy also matters a lot. Only 58% of customers said they fully understand their auto policy. However, those who did were 127 points more satisfied overall. This suggests clear communication lifts any JD Power score.
Claims speed is another key driver. The average repair cycle time fell to 19.3 days in the 2025 claims study. That was down from 22.3 days a year earlier. As a result, repair satisfaction rose by 9 points. On the other hand, customers who saw a rate increase after a claim scored just 650. That was 104 points lower than those with no increase.
Digital service is now a major factor. J.D. Power found that poor cross-channel service is now the biggest driver of satisfaction. It now matters more than price. For example, a customer who starts a claim in an app may get annoyed if they must repeat everything by phone. Insurers that connect these channels typically earn higher scores.
How to Use a JD Power Score When Shopping for Car Insurance
A JD Power score is a helpful tool, but it should not be your only guide. Use it as one input alongside price, coverage, and financial strength. Here are practical steps to follow.
Step 1: Check your region. Look up the regional rankings for your state. A national brand may rank high in one region and low in another. Only compare insurers that actually sell coverage where you live.
Step 2: Look at the claims study. Overall satisfaction includes many people who never file a claim. The claims study shows how an insurer acts when you need it most. In most cases, this is the more revealing JD Power score.
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Step 3: Compare complaint data. The NAIC runs a free Consumer Insurance Search tool. It shows complaint ratios for insurers. A ratio above 1.0 means more complaints than expected for the company’s size. Your state insurance department may also publish complaint rankings.
Step 4: Verify financial strength. Ratings from AM Brown, Standard & Poor’s, or Moody’s show whether an insurer can pay claims. Typically, look for an A rating or better. A friendly insurer is not much help if it cannot pay.
Step 5: Get at least three quotes. Satisfaction scores do not tell you what you will pay. Rates for the same driver can differ by hundreds of dollars a year. The Insurance Information Institute (III) recommends comparing quotes regularly, especially after a rate increase.
Finally, keep the gaps in perspective. A 10-point difference on a 1,000-point scale is small. However, a 40-point lead, like Amica’s in New England, is meaningful. Focus on large gaps and steady results across several years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a JD Power score the same as my insurance score?
No, they are completely different. A JD Power score rates insurance companies based on customer surveys. However, a credit-based insurance score rates you, and insurers may use it to set your premium.
What is a good JD Power score for car insurance?
Any score above the industry average is a good sign. For example, the 2026 auto insurance average was 644, and the 2025 claims average was 700. Typically, insurers with four or five Power Circles are strong choices.
Do insurers pay J.D. Power to get a high score?
No, insurers cannot buy their rankings. The results come from independent customer surveys. However, companies must pay a licensing fee to use J.D. Power awards in their advertising.
How often is the JD Power score updated?
Each study is updated once a year. In most cases, the auto insurance study comes out in June, and the claims study comes out in October or November.
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Official Sources & Resources
For verified information on auto insurance regulations and consumer protection:
- NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners): naic.org
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org
- Federal Trade Commission — Auto Insurance: consumer.ftc.gov
- USA.gov — Car Insurance: usa.gov/car-insurance
Content last reviewed October 2026. If you notice any outdated information, please contact us.