State Auto car insurance review — this guide examines a Midwest insurer with over a century of history behind it. State Auto Insurance was founded in 1921 in Columbus, Ohio. The company served drivers through approximately 3,400 independent agencies across 33 states. However, a major shift occurred in March 2022. Liberty Mutual acquired State Auto Group for approximately $1 billion at $52 per share. By late 2022, State Auto stopped writing new personal auto policies entirely. Existing policyholders were transferred to Safeco Insurance by the end of 2024. This State Auto car insurance review covers what the company offered, how it performed, and what current and former policyholders should know moving forward.
State Auto Insurance Coverage Options
Before the Liberty Mutual acquisition, State Auto offered a full range of auto insurance coverages. Standard options included bodily injury liability, property damage liability, collision, and comprehensive protection. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage was also available. In most cases, personal injury protection and medical payments coverage could be added where state law allowed. Rental car reimbursement rounded out the basics. This State Auto car insurance review found the standard coverage lineup was competitive with larger national carriers.
State Auto stood out with its AutoXtended coverage bundles. These came in three tiers: AutoXtended, AutoXtended Plus, and AutoXtended Premier. The Plus and Premier tiers included accident forgiveness, minor violation forgiveness, full safety glass coverage, and roadside assistance. For example, their new car replacement benefit paid full replacement cost if a vehicle was totaled within four years of purchase. Gap coverage was also available to cover the difference between a loan balance and actual cash value.
However, State Auto did not offer rideshare or usage-based pay-per-mile coverage. Umbrella policies were available as a companion product for higher liability limits. As a result, gig economy drivers and low-mileage commuters needed to look elsewhere for specialized protection.
State Auto Insurance Discounts Available
Our State Auto car insurance review identified several money-saving discounts. The most notable was the Safety 360 telematics program. Drivers received an automatic 10% discount just for enrolling in the program. At renewal, safe drivers could earn up to 50% off their premium based on driving behavior. That was among the highest telematics discounts in the entire industry. The program tracked speed, braking, acceleration, miles driven, and time of day through a plug-in device.
Multi-policy discounts rewarded customers who bundled auto with home or umbrella coverage. A multi-vehicle discount applied when two or more cars were on the same policy. Good student discounts required a full-time student to maintain a B average or 3.0 GPA. Typically, drivers over age 21 who completed an approved accident prevention course within the past 36 months qualified for an additional savings. Employee and retiree discounts were available for State Auto staff and their immediate families.
Loyalty and switching discounts were also available for new customers moving from another carrier. However, State Auto did not publicly list specific percentage savings for most discounts beyond the Safety 360 program. In most cases, contacting an independent agent was the only way to get a personalized quote with all applicable discounts calculated.
State Auto Car Insurance Review: Customer Ratings and Satisfaction
This State Auto car insurance review found decidedly mixed results in customer satisfaction. AM Best assigned State Auto an A (Excellent) financial strength rating after the Liberty Mutual merger in March 2022. Previously, the company held an A- (Excellent) rating on its own. These strong ratings confirmed solid financial stability and reliable claims-paying ability for policyholders.
However, other metrics told a less favorable story. State Auto scored 717 out of 1,000 on the JD Power auto insurance satisfaction study. The company also ranked below average in the 2023 JD Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. On consumer review platforms, State Auto earned just 2.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot and 3.36 out of 5 on Clearsurance. These scores placed it well behind top-rated competitors.
The NAIC complaint index was a significant concern in this State Auto car insurance review. State Auto’s complaint ratio was approximately 4.28, compared to the industry baseline of 1.00. That means the company received roughly four times more complaints than expected for an insurer its size. Common complaints cited slow claims resolution and difficulty reaching customer service representatives. As a result, customer service stands out as the company’s most notable weakness.
State Auto Insurance Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Safety 360 telematics discount of up to 50% at renewal — among the highest available in the industry
- AM Best A (Excellent) financial strength rating backed by Liberty Mutual’s resources
- AutoXtended coverage bundles with accident forgiveness and new car replacement for up to four years
Cons:
📋 Get Free Insurance Guides
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
- NAIC complaint index of 4.28 — roughly four times the national industry average of 1.00
- No longer writing new personal auto policies since late 2022
- No full-service mobile app for policy management, bill payments, or digital insurance ID cards
Who Should Choose State Auto Insurance?
This State Auto car insurance review must highlight an important caveat. State Auto no longer writes new personal auto insurance policies. All existing personal auto policyholders were transferred to Safeco Insurance by the end of 2024. As a result, new customers simply cannot purchase a State Auto personal auto policy today. The company continues to operate only in commercial and farm/ranch insurance lines under the Liberty Mutual umbrella.
For those still on a former State Auto policy now through Safeco, the transition may bring further changes ahead. Safeco itself has entered book-transfer agreements with carriers like Columbia Insurance Group and Main Street America in multiple states. Typically, affected policyholders should contact their independent agent to understand how these transitions affect their coverage options and premium rates going forward.
Drivers who valued State Auto’s independent agent model should consider similar carriers. Erie Insurance, Auto-Owners Insurance, and other regional independents serve comparable markets. In most cases, working with a local independent agent remains the best way to compare multiple carriers at once. This State Auto car insurance review recommends shopping with at least three companies before making any final decision on coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is State Auto Insurance still writing new auto policies?
No. State Auto stopped writing new personal auto policies in late 2022 after the Liberty Mutual acquisition. Existing policies were transferred to Safeco Insurance by the end of 2024. This State Auto car insurance review confirms that new customers must look to other carriers.
What happened to State Auto after the Liberty Mutual acquisition?
Liberty Mutual acquired State Auto in March 2022 for approximately $1 billion. State Auto’s personal auto and home policies were moved to Safeco Insurance. However, State Auto continues to write commercial and farm/ranch insurance as a subsidiary under the Liberty Mutual umbrella.
How did State Auto Insurance rate for customer satisfaction?
State Auto scored 717 out of 1,000 on the JD Power satisfaction study. The NAIC complaint index was 4.28 — roughly four times the industry average of 1.00. As a result, this State Auto car insurance review rates overall customer satisfaction as below average compared to competitors.
Compare Insurance Rates
Ready to see if you could be paying less? Compare quotes from top insurers in your area. Getting multiple quotes is the most effective way to find a better rate.
(paid link)
Official Sources & Resources
For verified information on auto insurance companies and consumer protection:
- NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners): naic.org
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): nhtsa.gov
- AM Best — Insurer Financial Strength: ambest.com
Content last reviewed May 2026. If you notice any outdated information, please contact us.