Yahoo Finance Country-Wide Auto Insurance: Everything You Need to Know
What Is Country-Wide Insurance?
An independent brokerage agency, Country-Wide represents a variety of insurance carriers located in the downstate New York area. The company specializes in auto insurance policies for commercial businesses.
The company began in New York City in 1963. This family-owned and -operated business typically issues policies with smaller limits.
How Do You File Claims With Country-Wide Insurance?
If you're a customer of Country-Wide Insurance and are involved in an accident or if your vehicle has damage from an incident other than a collision, you can file a claim online. Another option is to call the company's claims hotline directly at 212-344-8700. The hotline is operational from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.
A third option is to use your smartphone and download the company's app. You can directly upload photos from the accident scene when you file the claim.
The company's website has a location of frequently asked questions if you're unsure what you need to do. You can find answers to how the claims process works as well as how you can secure the police report from the incident.
After the accident, make sure you gather as much information as you can, especially when it involves the other driver. Ask for the following information from the driver:
Name
Address
Insurance company's name
Insurance company's address
Car insurance policy number
Vehicle's license plate number
Make, model, and year of the vehicle
You should also try to take photos of the damage done to the vehicle.
After you gather the information and photos, make sure you contact the police. You will need the police report to help speed up the claims process. You can track the progress of the claims on the company's website directly.
Why Should You Choose Country-Wide Insurance?
Since Country-Wide began more than 20 years ago, it has grown from 35 employees to more than 300. The family-owned company remains committed to the community as well as its highly trained staff. The company employs a diverse staff to better assist its customers, as they can speak many different languages.
Country-Wide strives to provide face-to-face service to its customers through its 500 broker offices scattered throughout the New York City metropolitan area and its suburbs.
The company incorporated cutting-edge technology as part of its business practice. Its easy-to-use website makes it easy for customers to navigate. However, the website lacks an online quote system.
Other perks of using Country-Wide give you access to the following:
Online bill pay. If you would rather pay your monthly bills online instead of mailing or calling in your payments, you can use online bill pay. You can easily make electronic payments online via its Make a Payment tab. If you need further assistance, the website has detailed instructions to help ease your concerns about making payments online.
Mobile app. You can log into the mobile app if you get into an accident. You can find access to other helpful programs, including roadside assistance, tow trucks, glass repair service, or repair shops. Another benefit is that you can call 911 directly via the app, and the operator will gather your location.
What Types of Auto Coverage Does Country-Wide Offer?
If you own and operate a vehicle in New York, you are legally required to carry the following types of insurance:
Property damage liability. This type of coverage pays for damage that you cause to someone else's property or vehicle.
Bodily injury liability. If you're the at-fault driver in an accident, this type of coverage pays for medical bills if another person is injured.
Uninsured motorist bodily injury
. Also known as UMBI, this type of coverage pays for medical bills, lost income, and funeral expenses after a crash when an at-fault driver doesn't have any type of insurance.
Uninsured motorist property damage. Also known as UMPD, this type of coverage is similar to UMBI, except the at-fault driver has insurance but not enough to cover all the costs.
Personal injury protection (PIP). This type of coverage covers medical costs no matter who is at fault. Certain states require drivers to carry this coverage, and New York is one such state.
Medical payments. This type of coverage helps to pay for medical costs resulting in an accident. It pays for expenses for you, your family, and everyone in the vehicle at the time.
Collision. This type of coverage helps to pay for repairs if your vehicle sustains damage from an accident, regardless of who the at-fault driver was.
Comprehensive. This type of coverage pays for replacement or repairs to your vehicle if it's damaged in an incident that's not related to an accident.
How Does Country-Wide Rank on Customer Service?
Since Country-Wide only offers insurance out of the New York City area, it doesn't receive a ranking by J.D. Power. Instead, it focuses on insurers who have a national footprint, so it doesn't rank Country-Wide.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) gave Country-Wide a B- grade, although this grade wasn't issued due to customer satisfaction. The reviews posted on the site stated that the company had delayed timelines and poor communication.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) issues an annual report that focuses on complaints issued by customers. This allows you to make an informed decision when shopping for insurance. The national median for all complaints is 1, while Country-Wide has a complaint score of 2.89. That means they received more complaints compared to others.
Another business, AM Best, issues ratings for financial strength. This allows you to determine how stable a company is, which can come in handy if you believe you might need to make a claim sometime in the future. Country-Wide receives a C+ rating, which is about average.
If you're in the New York City area, you should consider Country-Wide Insurance for your auto insurance needs. Its user-friendly website and helpful employees can help you navigate the entire insurance process. However, be wary as the company has received some negative ratings.
Check this out if you need additional information, resources, or guidance on car insurance.
Sources:
https://www.caranddriver.com/car-insurance/
https://www.jdpower.com/business/insurance
https://www.caranddriver.com/car-insurance/a32501776/how-much-is-car-insurance-in-ny/
https://www.caranddriver.com/car-insurance/a35291950/car-insurance-explained/
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