Columbia Insurance Auto Insurance Review: Ratings and Quotes (2024)

Columbia Insurance sells standard coverage offerings in 14 U.S. states.

3+ years writing about auto, home, and life insurance

7+ years in personal finance and technology

Amy specializes in insurance and technology writing and has a talent for transforming complex topics into easy-to-understand stories.

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Licensed auto and home insurance agent

3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

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7+ years experience in data analysis

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

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Updated November 17, 2023

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When buying auto insurance, you have to consider how much risk you pose to an insurer and how much protection you need. Columbia Insurance stands out with a strong financial foundation and a suite of coverage options. Yet its price tag comes in much higher than the national average, which could be a hurdle for many drivers.

Here’s what you need to know about coverage options from Columbia Insurance, including costs and features.

Drivers in 14 states can buy coverage from Columbia Insurance.[1]

AM Best awarded Columbia Insurance an A- (Excellent) rating for financial strength.

Columbia Insurance policyholders pay $164 for liability coverage and $242 for full-coverage insurance per month, on average.

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Columbia Insurance rates start at $153 per month for liability coverage

How Columbia Insurance stacks up

Columbia Insurance stands out due to its solid financial strength and high claims satisfaction rating. But its national average premiums are above average, and online customer feedback suggests some room for improvement.

The company offers some discounts, but qualifying for one or more might not offset the steeper costs. Although it may not be the most affordable auto insurance, its financial dependability makes it a strong contender.

Below, you can see how Columbia Insurance compares to similar insurance companies, including Alfa, Anchor, Commonwealth Casualty, and First Chicago.

Average cost of Columbia Insurance auto insurance

Columbia Insurance charges an average monthly premium of $164 for liability-only coverage and $242 for full-coverage insurance.

These rates exceed the national average of $104 per month for liability and $215 for full coverage. Drivers may find cheaper average rates from other car insurance companies.

Columbia Insurance reviews and ratings

Columbia Insurance has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and advertises a 98% claims satisfaction rate on its site. However, customer reviews tell a different story, with reviewers expressing concerns about service and claims efficiency.

Columbia Insurance customer reviews

Columbia Insurance has an A+ rating from the BBB despite being unaccredited.[2] Customers haven’t left reviews on the company’s BBB business profile. Columbia Insurance’s website highlights a 98% claims satisfaction rate, but online Google reviews suggest a different customer experience.

Only a few dozen customers have left Google reviews for Columbia Insurance locations in the past few years, but it’s hard to identify customer feedback trends with such a limited pool of reviews.

That said, the Columbia, Missouri, office has a Google rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars. Many positive reviews lack detail, while critical ones mention disappointing customer service, payment processing complications, difficulty contacting adjusters, slow claims processing, and rate hikes following claims.

Columbia Insurance ratings

Credit-rating agencies like AM Best and S&P rate insurers on financial strength and ability to pay claims, though Columbia Insurance has only received a financial strength rating from AM Best.

You can glean more useful industry information from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index, which compares the company’s complaints to other companies of a similar size.

Here are two of Columbia Insurance’s industry ratings:

AM Best: A- (Excellent)

NAIC Complaint Index: 0.94 (Below Average)

Columbia Insurance car insurance coverage options

Columbia Insurance Group offers standard state-minimum car insurance coverage, which includes liability insurance to cover damages and injuries you may cause in an accident. You can also get comprehensive coverage to handle unexpected events like theft or weather damage and collision coverage to take care of repairs to your car after an accident.

You should also consider the following optional coverages offered by Columbia Insurance:

Comprehensive coverage can pay for damage from unexpected events like theft, severe weather, or vandalism.

If you have an accident, collision insurance can take care of repairs to your car, regardless of fault.

If an uninsured driver hits you, Columbia’s uninsured/underinsured motorist policy steps in to cover injuries for you and your family.

While no one plans for their vehicle to break down, roadside assistance coverage can give you more security on the road.

If you have an accident that totals your car, or someone steals your vehicle, this coverage can pay for what you still owe on your auto loan.

If you have to rent a car because your vehicle needs repairs, rental car insurance can help cover the costs.[3]

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Columbia Insurance car insurance cost by state

Car insurance costs and requirements vary by state, depending on the difference in state laws and risk levels. Columbia Insurance writes policies in 14 states and has branch offices in Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Texas.

The table below shows average monthly quotes for two of the states that Columbia Insurance sells coverage in. See how location influences auto insurance premiums.

Columbia Insurance auto insurance rates by driving history

Your driving history significantly affects how much you pay for car insurance.[4] A clean record typically results in more favorable premiums, but a speeding ticket can increase your liability insurance rates by 63%.

An accident on your record has a bigger effect, potentially raising your costs by 69%. However, the most substantial increase comes with a DUI, which can nearly double your rates.

Below, you’ll see a table with average monthly quotes. It shows how various driving histories can affect the cost of your auto insurance from Columbia.

Columbia Insurance car insurance cost by age

Age is a key factor in determining car insurance costs. Teen drivers, whom insurers consider high-risk due to inexperience, pay much higher rates than older policyholders with more time spent driving. As drivers mature and gain more experience, premiums tend to decrease significantly.

By the time drivers reach their 30s, they can expect their rates with Columbia Insurance to drop below the company’s national average. Senior drivers older than 70 may start facing increased rates due to aging-related risk factors.

The upcoming table displays monthly averages for liability-only auto insurance, giving you a clear view of how age influences Columbia Insurance prices.

Columbia Insurance car insurance discounts

Choosing the right car insurance company comes down to finding where you can get the best deal on quality coverage. Auto insurance discounts are a big factor in this decision because they offer additional savings.

Whether you’re a safe driver, have multiple cars, or own a home, discounts can help lower your car insurance premiums. Check out the table below to see what discounts Columbia Insurance policyholders can qualify for.

Columbia Insurance vs. other insurance companies

The car insurance market is highly saturated, with many companies fighting for your business. Columbia Insurance offers a blend of rates and customer service experiences that can be very different from its competitors. It’s crucial to shop around to make sure you’re getting the best deal and the highest level of service.

While Columbia has a solid financial rating, its customer reviews aren’t always positive, and other insurers might offer more affordable premiums or better customer service. Comparing car insurance companies is vital to finding a policy that fits your needs and budget.

Start the process of comparison shopping below.

Our editorial team spent 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.

We rate each company on a 1 to 5 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. We update ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.

Columbia Insurance vs. Alfa

Alfa is a well-established company known for a range of insurance products, including auto, home, and life insurance. It operates primarily in the Southeastern United States, offering a local agent network for Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi drivers. Alfa stands out for personalized customer service and regional expertise.

The differences between Columbia Insurance and Alpha Insurance are clear. Columbia Insurance has a great financial rating from AM Best, but its customer service challenges might be a drawback for some. Alfa has a slightly higher AM Best rating and fewer customer service complaints, making it a solid choice if you value stability and a positive service experience.

Coverage options between the two companies also differ. Columbia offers standard liability and full-coverage policies, while Alfa has a broader range of options, like medical payment and accidental death and dismemberment coverages. This makes Alfa a better option if you’re looking for customizable insurance coverage.

Columbia Insurance vs. First Chicago

Columbia Insurance and First Chicago have a few similarities, offering similar types of coverage and operating in some of the same states. First Chicago auto insurance has an advantage if you live in Indiana, Louisiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or Wisconsin. Columbia doesn’t offer policies in these states.

However, it’s worth noting that First Chicago’s financial strength rating by AM Best is a B (Fair), which is respectable but doesn’t match Columbia’s A- (Excellent) rating. Columbia Insurance also offers policyholders a wider selection of discounts that could provide savings on car insurance costs.

Columbia could be the better insurer for you if you’re in a state where both insurers operate. Ultimately, the choice depends on your specific needs, location, and which factors you prioritize when selecting an insurance company.

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How to file an auto insurance claim with Columbia Insurance

Filing an auto insurance claim with Columbia Insurance is straightforward. You can call the company’s 24-hour claims line at 1 (800) 829-2524, reach out to your independent insurance agent, or contact your local Columbia Insurance Group branch.

From there, follow these steps:

Provide details about the incident. Give all the necessary information, including when, where, and how it occurred.

Document the damage. Take photographs of the damage to your vehicle and collect any relevant documents, such as police reports or witness statements.

Speak with the claims adjuster. Columbia Insurance will assign a claims adjuster to evaluate the damage to your vehicle.

Receive a settlement offer. You’ll get a settlement offer after the adjuster’s assessment. Review it to ensure it aligns with your expectations. Accepting the offer will finalize your claim and let you move forward with repairs or a payout if you totaled your vehicle.

Columbia Insurance FAQs

If you’re buying a car insurance policy, you’ll likely have a few questions. The information below should help you navigate the process of buying auto insurance and help you find the best coverage from Columbia Insurance or another insurer.

Is Columbia Insurance legitimate?

Yes. Columbia Insurance is a legitimate company with a longstanding history in the insurance history industry dating back to 1889. It earned a high AM Best financial rating and has no record of fraudulent practices. However, online reviews from customers highlight areas in service that may need attention.

What is the average cost of Columbia Insurance car insurance?

The average premiums for car insurance with Columbia Insurance are $164 per month for liability coverage and $242 for full-coverage insurance, making it a more expensive option than some insurers. Keep in mind that your final rate may differ from the average due to personal factors like your driving history, vehicle type, and chosen coverage levels.

Is Columbia Insurance good at paying claims?

Yes. Columbia Insurance has a solid reputation for financial strength, with an A- (Excellent) rating from AM Best. This rating indicates a solid track record of meeting its claim-paying responsibility and highlights the company’s reliability when it comes to settling claims.

Who should get Columbia Insurance?

Columbia Insurance may have premiums that sit above the national average, but it’s a solid choice for drivers who place a higher value on a company’s financial health and a strong claims satisfaction history. It’s best for drivers who see the benefit of having a policy from a reliable and well-established company, even if it means paying a bit more for their peace of mind.

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

Amy is a personal finance and technology writer. With a background in the legal field and a bachelor's degree from Ferris State University, she has a talent for transforming complex topics into content that’s easy to understand. Connect with Amy on LinkedIn.

Licensed auto and home insurance agent

3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

Read Editorial Guidelines

Featured in

7+ years experience in data analysis

Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Read Editorial Guidelines

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