American States Auto Insurance: What to Check Before You Buy

What the American States Name Usually Refers To

American States Insurance Company is a name historically associated with the Safeco group of insurers, which is now part of the Liberty Mutual group. In insurance, a single brand often operates through several separately licensed underwriting companies. The company printed on your declarations page or quote may therefore differ from the brand you saw in advertising or heard from an agent. This is normal, but you should know which entity is actually responsible for paying claims.

Company structures, brand names and the states where a given entity writes policies can change over time. Confirm the current details with the agent or the insurer instead of relying on older descriptions.

Confirm the Insurer Before Comparing Prices

Find the full legal name of the underwriting company on the quote or declarations page, not just the brand. Look for the company's NAIC number, a code that identifies the specific insurer within the industry. Check with your state insurance department that the company is licensed to sell auto insurance where you live and garage the vehicle. Ask whether you are buying directly from the insurer or through an independent agent who represents several companies. If you are replacing a policy, keep the old coverage active until the new policy is confirmed in writing, so there is no gap.

Core Coverages to Compare

Auto policies are built from separate coverages, each with its own limit or deductible. Two quotes can carry similar prices while protecting you very differently, so compare them line by line.

Coverage | What it generally pays for | Typical decision; Liability coverage | Injuries to others and damage to their property when you are at fault | How high to set limits above the state minimum; Collision coverage | Damage to your vehicle from a crash, regardless of fault | Whether the car's value justifies it, and which deductible to choose; Comprehensive coverage | Non-collision damage such as theft, fire, flood, falling objects or animal strikes | Same as collision; often required together with it by lenders; Uninsured/underinsured motorist | Your losses when the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little | Whether to match it to your liability limits; Medical payments or personal injury protection | Medical costs for you and your passengers | Depends heavily on state rules; some states require PIP; Optional add-ons | Rental reimbursement, roadside assistance, gap coverage and similar | Whether they duplicate protection you already have

Understanding Policy Limits

Policy limits are the most the insurer will pay for a covered loss. Liability limits are often shown as three numbers, such as 50/100/50, meaning thousands of dollars: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident, and property damage per accident. That example only illustrates the notation. Every state sets its own minimums, and minimum limits can be low compared with the cost of a serious accident.

If damages exceed your limits, you may be personally responsible for the difference. Drivers with significant assets or income often choose limits well above the minimum, and some add an umbrella policy for extra liability protection. Ask the agent what higher limits would add to the premium; the increase is sometimes smaller than people expect, but only a quote will tell you.

Choosing a Deductible

A deductible is the amount you pay toward a covered collision or comprehensive claim before the insurer pays the rest. A higher deductible usually lowers the premium, while a lower one costs more up front but less when you file a claim. Set the deductible at an amount you could pay immediately without hardship.

Check whether collision and comprehensive have separate deductibles; they often do. Ask whether glass damage has its own deductible or a zero-deductible option. If you finance or lease, confirm the maximum deductible your lender allows. On an older, low-value vehicle, compare the yearly cost of collision coverage with what the car is actually worth.

Reading Exclusions and Conditions

Exclusions are situations the policy does not cover. They appear in the policy form, not on the quote summary, so ask for the full policy wording before you commit. Common areas to review include the following.

Business or rideshare use: personal auto policies often exclude or limit coverage while you drive for delivery or rideshare platforms unless you add an endorsement. Aftermarket equipment: custom wheels, audio systems, lift kits and similar modifications may need to be listed or separately covered. Drivers: check how the policy treats household members, occasional drivers and excluded drivers. Rental cars and driving outside the US: confirm whether and how your coverage extends. Wear, mechanical breakdown and maintenance-related damage are generally not covered by auto insurance. Reporting conditions: most policies require prompt notice of an accident; late reporting can complicate a claim.

How the Claims Process Works

Claims handling is where a policy proves its value. Before buying, ask how claims are reported, whether you can choose your own repair shop, and how the insurer handles total losses. Also ask whether your agent helps during a claim or whether you deal only with the insurer's claims department.

After an accident, make sure everyone is safe, exchange information, and photograph the vehicles and scene. Report the claim promptly through the insurer's or agent's stated channel. Keep repair estimates, receipts, medical bills and any police report number. If the vehicle is declared a total loss, the payout is generally based on actual cash value, not what you paid or still owe; gap coverage may cover the difference on a loan or lease. If you disagree with a settlement, ask for the valuation details in writing and find out how the policy handles appraisal or disputes.

Comparing Quotes Fairly

Get quotes from several insurers using identical coverages, limits and deductibles; otherwise the price comparison is misleading. Give the same driver, vehicle and garaging information to each one. Ask which discounts are already applied, such as multi-policy, multi-vehicle, safe driver or anti-theft discounts, and what would remove them. Confirm the policy term, the payment options and any fees for installments.

Questions to Ask Before You Buy

Which company exactly is underwriting this policy, and is it licensed in my state? Do these liability limits meet my state's requirements, and what would higher limits cost? What are my collision and comprehensive deductibles, and does glass have its own deductible? Which exclusions could affect how I use this vehicle? Are my aftermarket parts and accessories covered? How do I report a claim, and can I choose my own repair shop? When does coverage start, and when will I receive proof of insurance?

Next Step

Gather your current declarations page, vehicle identification number, driver details and any lender requirements. Then ask an agent or the insurer for a quote under the American States name or its current parent brand, and request the full policy wording. Compare that quote with at least one or two alternatives built on the same coverages, limits and deductibles. Choose the policy whose limits, deductibles and exclusions fit your situation, not just the lowest premium.