Published 28 May 2024
iBestTravel Readers’ Choice Awards 2024
About the iBestTravel Readers’ Choice Awards
The iBestTravel Readers’ Choice Awards aim to recognize and celebrate the best products and services in the personal finance arena. We asked you, our iBestTravel community, to help us name the products and services you think have delivered excellent value in the past year.
The survey results, which we’re sharing here in our second annual Readers’ Choice Awards, offer valuable insight into which providers shine when it comes to your everyday interactions and experiences with them. Our Awards recognize excellence in everything from credit cards and banks to brokers, insurers, tax software, and financial apps. For each category, we’ve listed an overall winner that earned the highest score. We’ve also highlighted other products and services that earned above-average scores for various criteria we asked readers to assess.
By voting, our community has helped us form our guide to the very best financial products. These are the products and companies that you think stand out from the crowd.
iBestTravel Readers’ Choice Awards: Auto Insurance Companies
Readers shared their insights about their auto insurance provider based on how competitive the rates are, their experience with filing claims, and how likely they would be to recommend the insurer to others.
Overall Winner: Erie Insurance
Outstanding for:
- Competitive rates
- Claims experience
- Most recommended
Readers have positive words for Erie all around. “Hands down the best auto insurance company I’ve dealt with,” says one. “I had damage from a hit-and-run. Erie worked with me to get it repaired with minimal inconvenience,” says another.
Some readers also mentioned Erie’s Rate Lock feature, which maintains a steady premium; it fluctuates only if you add or remove a vehicle or driver or change your address or parking location. “Only insurance company I’ve used that really does a price lock!” one reader commented.
Other notable features include First Accident Forgiveness, whereby you won’t face a surcharge for your first at-fault accident if you’ve been an Erie customer for three years or more. Additionally, for each consecutive policy year without a claim, your deductible reduces by $100 (up to a maximum of $500) in most states. Erie operates in 12 states, primarily in the Midwest and the South, as well as Washington, D.C.
USAA
Outstanding for:
- Competitive rates
- Claims experience
- Most recommended
Readers praised USAA’s auto insurance offerings, highlighting the superb customer service and simplicity of the claims process. “I would never consider anyone else for insurance,” stated one reader. Others also noted its affordable rates, with one respondent saying, “I have compared rates on several occasions, and no other company has been able to come close.”
NJM Insurance Group
Outstanding for:
- Competitive rates
- Most recommended
NJM auto insurance is accessible to residents of Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Readers appreciate the quality customer service and affordable premiums. “Excellent company. Rates are as fair as they can be in New Jersey,” remarked one reader. “Claims service is excellent—very responsive,” said another.
NJM offers several discounts, allowing savings through bundling other insurance products like homeowners’ policies or insuring multiple vehicles. Students with good grades may also be eligible for discounts.
Amica
Outstanding for:
- Claims experience
Amica serves customers throughout the continental U.S. “I can’t find anything that beats Amica: Their rates are good, claims processing is fair and friendly, and I am recognized as an individual,” stated one reader. Another shared, “I used Amica for 48 years and found their claims service excellent, including one complex accident resolution.”
Auto premiums may be reduced by bundling home and auto insurance or by maintaining a long-term relationship with Amica, which allows for more savings opportunities.
iBestTravel Readers’ Choice Awards Categories
- Wealth Managers
- Donor Advised Funds
- Cash Back Credit Cards
- Travel Rewards Credit Cards
- Hotel Rewards Credit Card Programs
- Airline Rewards Credit Card Programs
- National Banks
- Full-Service Brokers
- Tax Software
- Homeowners Insurance Companies
- Peer-to-Peer Payment Services
