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Dairyland Auto Insurance Review: Costs & Coverage

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Dairyland Review
In Our Opinion:
Dairyland is worth looking into if you are seeking nonstandard or SR-22 insurance. It has a variety of discounts and is currently offering policies in 37 states.
Industry Standing:
Availability:
Coverage:
Affordability:
Customer Service:
Online Experience:
Pros:
Variety of discounts
Pay-as-you-go plans
Available in 37 states
Offers nonstandard policies for high-risk drivers
Cons:
Lacks online claims filing
Mixed customer service reviews
3.7

For over 60 years, Dairyland has been providing car insurance and motorcycle insurance to drivers who can’t get standard coverage. As a specialty provider, Dairyland auto insurance may be just the company drivers in certain situations are looking for.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the company’s auto insurance reviews, coverage options, and discounts to see how Dairyland stacks up to the best auto insurance providers in the nation.

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About Dairyland Auto Insurance

The Dairyland Insurance Company was formed in Wisconsin in 1953 and was later acquired by Sentry Insurance. Under its new parent company, Dairyland still sells insurance to drivers and motorcyclists who have poor driving records and thus have trouble getting coverage from the biggest car insurance companies.

Dairyland currently offers auto insurance in 37 states. The company does not offer coverage in Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, or Rhode Island.

Unlike many providers, Dairyland only offers vehicle insurance. The company does not sell other popular insurance products such as home insurance, renters insurance, or life insurance.

Dairyland Auto Insurance Cost

Our research found that the average cost of a full coverage policy from Dairyland is $3,449 per year. This is roughly twice as much as the national average rate of $1,730 per year.

However, that national average uses a standardized profile of a 35-year-old driver with a clean driving record and good credit. Dairyland specializes in providing coverage to drivers in high-risk categories, so it’s no surprise that the company’s average premium estimate is as high as it is. These rates are comparable to those of many other providers for drivers in similar situations.

Auto Insurance Cost Factors

Six icons representing the most influential factors in the cost of car insurance premiums, including coverage choices, driving history, age, credit score, deductible, and location.

Car insurance companies evaluate several factors to determine the cost of your premiums. These are some of the most impactful:

  • Coverage options: Policies that only satisfy state minimum requirements are typically the least expensive. Adding other types of coverage also adds cost.
  • Coverage limits: Your coverage limits are the maximum amount your insurer will pay toward a claim. Higher limits give you more financial protection but they also drive a higher premium.
  • Age: Younger drivers and especially teens typically pay much higher rates than drivers in other age groups.
  • Deductible: The amount you set for your deductible – or the money you’ll need to pay out of pocket toward a claim – affects your premium as well. Lower deductibles tend to come with higher rates and vice versa.
  • Location: Auto insurance rates vary between states, but also between areas of the same state due to differences in regulations and the presence of risk factors.
  • Credit history: Some states have made it illegal to use your credit score as a factor in your premiums. But in states where it is legal, companies typically charge substantially higher rates to drivers with lower credit scores.

Dairyland Auto Insurance Discounts

Another factor in the cost of your auto insurance policy is any discounts you apply. Dairyland offers a variety of money-saving discounts that can help lower your premiums. You’ll find many of the discounts available to Dairyland customers in the table below.

Dairyland Auto Insurance Discount Details
Multi-car discount You can get a discount for having more than one car on your policy.
Advanced quote discount You can save by getting a quote at least a week before the date you start your Dairyland auto insurance policy.
Transfer discount If you have been with a different provider for at least six months, you can get a discount for switching to Dairyland auto insurance.
Payment frequency discount You can get a discount for making your payments quarterly, every six months, or annually instead of paying each month.
Homeowners discount If you own a home that’s insured, you can get a discount on Dairyland auto insurance. Renters insurance discounts are also available in some states.
Defensive driving discount If you take a defensive driving course, give proof of completion to Dairyland to get a discount on your auto policy.
Anti-theft discount You can save money by having an anti-theft device installed in your vehicle.

Other discounts may be available to you beyond the ones listed in the chart above. Ask your local Dairyland insurance agency if there are any other savings opportunities before signing up for a policy.

Dairyland Auto Insurance Coverage

Dairyland offers a full range of standard coverage options and a few optional coverages to allow drivers to build a policy that suits their needs and budget.

Standard Coverage Options

You’ll find the same set of standard coverages for Dairyland car insurance that you would with almost any other provider, including:

  • Bodily injury liability insurance: Covers medical expenses for other parties in an accident you cause.
  • Property damage liability insurance: Covers property damage for other parties in an accident you cause.
  • Comprehensive coverage: Covers your vehicle if it’s stolen or damaged in an incident that’s not a collision.
  • Collision coverage: Pays for your car to be repaired or replaced after an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
  • Medical payments (MedPay): Covers medical bills and funeral expenses for yourself and passengers after an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
  • Personal injury protection (PIP): Covers certain medical expenses, lost wages, and funeral expenses after an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
  • Uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage: Helps cover medical and property damage expenses if you’re involved in an accident and the at-fault driver can’t be identified or does not have proper insurance coverage.

Dairyland Non-Standard Coverages

Since Dairyland specializes in offering affordable auto insurance to drivers in high-risk categories, the company offers a few non-standard coverages that these drivers may need, including:

  • DUI insurance: Covers drivers who have been convicted of a DUI who sometimes have a difficult time getting standard coverage.
  • SR-22 insurance: Covers drivers who require a special SR-22 insurance form to comply with state laws and sentencing.
  • Non-owner insurance: Covers bodily injury and property damage liability while you drive a car you don’t own.
  • Teen driver insurance: Covers teen drivers who may have a hard time finding affordable coverage with more general insurance companies.

Dairyland Additional Coverage Options

As a specialty provider, Dairyland doesn’t offer quite as many optional coverages as some other providers. However, drivers may find the few that the company does offer useful, including:

  • Rental reimbursement: Covers the cost of a rental car if your car is totaled or being repaired following a covered accident.
  • Towing and labor reimbursement: Covers the cost of getting your vehicle towed if it is disabled.
  • Leinholder coverage: Covers some of the difference between what you owe on a vehicle and what you’re paid out following a total loss if you owe more than the car is worth.
  • Special equipment coverage: Covers certain aftermarket modifications that you add to your vehicle.

Dairyland Mobile App

Dairyland has a mobile app available on Android and iOS devices that is designed to make managing policies easier. It allows customers to make payments, view ID cards and documents, get bill alerts, and review coverage. 

On Google Play, the app has a rating of 4.1 out of 5.0 stars and over 1000 customer reviews. A few negative reviews mention poor customer service experiences and the app being glitchy. On the App Store, it has 3.1 out of 5.0 stars based on about 110 customer reviews, with similar feedback about the app not working correctly. 

Dairyland Car Insurance Claims

One major drawback with Dairyland is the lack of options for filing insurance claims. The company currently does not offer the option to file a claim on its website at dairylandinsurance.com or through its mobile app. The only way to do so is to call and speak to a representative over the phone.

Some people may not mind, as most claims require a phone call at some point in the process. However, people who are more comfortable handling administrative tasks over the internet will want to consider the lack of online filing options.

Dairyland Auto Insurance Ratings & Reviews

Dairyland and its parent company Sentry Insurance have A+ ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). However, Sentry only has a 1.08 out of 5.0-star rating from customers on the BBB. Keep in mind that low ratings are typical even for large, well-established companies because people often only come to the BBB to report a complaint,

Sentry also earned an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best. This means that the company has a “superior” ability to pay out claims as needed – meaning you don’t need to worry about whether Dairyland can afford to cover your losses.

Dairyland has its own Trustpilot reviews page, and it currently has a 4.5 out of 5.0-star customer rating with over 4,500 reviews. This is a higher than average score for the industry.

Positive Dairyland Insurance Reviews

When policyholders leave positive feedback, they tend to highlight good customer service experiences and the insurer’s flexible payment plans. The following quotes reflect the sentiment of many of the positive reviews we read:

“[Dairyland’s] process was easy and straightforward from start to finish, and [its] rates were better than several other website-based insurance companies. I would definitely recommend [it] to family and friends.”

– Lemuel via Trustpilot

“Dairyland was like a breath of fresh air. Quick, convenient, and customer service is great!”

– Caitlyn via Trustpilot

Negative Dairyland Insurance Reviews

Communication issues were a common theme among people who left negative reviews for Dairyland. The following quotes are indicative of patterns we saw in these reviews:

“I can never get a hold of a claims adjuster for simple questions. He won’t answer the phone or text until hours later.”

– Tron, via BBB

“My vehicle was stolen and the entire claims process has been sluggish. My claims rep [has been] unresponsive.”

Ricardo, via BBB

Dairyland Auto Insurance: Conclusion

Dairyland specializes in insuring high-risk drivers who may have trouble finding reasonable rates or even coverage at all with other providers. For these drivers, our editors think that Dairyland could be a strong option. The company offers competitive rates relative to the categories of drivers it serves and has more than a few discounts to help bring those rates down even further.

The lack of online filing options may be a major downside for some drivers. In addition, the patterns of complaints in online customer reviews may give pause to some. However, for drivers with less-than-ideal records or other high-risk factors, we think Dairyland is an option that’s certainly worth considering.

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Dairyland Auto Insurance: Top Alternatives

Dairyland is designed to serve high-risk drivers. In our opinion, the company tends to do a good job of it. But if you find yourself in one of these categories, it’s not your only option. Some of the top providers in the country also cover drivers with DUIs, who require SR-22, or have other risk factors.

While you can expect to pay higher rates compared to drivers without these factors, it’s worth getting auto insurance quotes from a few companies and comparing to get the lowest rates available to you. Two of the top-performing companies from our insurance study would be good places to start.

GEICO: Best Discount Selection

Car insurance for high-risk drivers can be extremely expensive, so finding a provider that offers a lot of discounts can help make premiums more manageable. In our most recent auto insurance study, we found that GEICO offers one of the largest and most diverse sets of discounts in the industry. Most drivers should be able to find ways to save with the provider. GEICO also consistently offered some of the lowest rate estimates in most areas, meaning it may be among the most affordable providers for many drivers – even those considered high-risk.

Keep reading: GEICO car insurance review.

Progressive: Best for High-Risk Drivers

Progressive was one of the first companies to offer auto policies specifically for high-risk drivers, dating back to the 1950s. Based on our research, it is still among the most affordable options for these drivers in many places. Progressive also offers usage-based insurance, which can be one of the most effective ways to lower costs for people who face high premiums, as long as they consistently practice safe driving habits.

Keep reading: Progressive car insurance review

Dairyland Auto Insurance: FAQ

Who is Dairyland insurance affiliated with?

Dairyland is affiliated with Sentry Insurance Group as a subsidiary. The Stevens Point, Wisconsin-based company acquired Dairyland in 1966.

Is Dairyland insurance real?

Dairyland is a real insurance provider with an A+ rating from the BBB and an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best. The insurer specializes in offering coverage to drivers in high-risk categories.

Which company gives the cheapest car insurance?

Based on our research, GEICO and State Farm typically offer the cheapest car insurance in most places. However, this isn’t always the case. The best way to find the cheapest auto coverage is to get free quotes from several providers and compare.

Which states does Dairyland cover?

At the time of publication, Dairyland covers drivers in 43 states and in Washington, D.C.

The states Dairyland covers are: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, NorthDakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, WestVirginia, and Wisconsin.

Our Methodology

Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best car insurance providers.

  • Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team considers auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities when giving this score.
  • Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car insurance company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
  • Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, financial strength, and years in business when giving this score.
  • Availability: Auto insurers with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
  • Customer Service: Reputable car insurance providers operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We consider complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), J.D. Power claims servicing scores, and customer feedback.
  • Online Experience: Insurers with easy-to-use websites and highly rated mobile apps scored best in this category.