Selective Insurance: A Group of Companies Offering Affordable Coverage Options

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Back in the 1920’s, the company now known as Selective insurance got its start. Since its inception, it now covers 22 states across the country. In truth, Selective Insurance is actually a holding company for several different Selective Insurance subsidiaries. But regardless of where you live or which subsidiary serves your area, you can expect a comparable level of coverage and options for your auto policy.

Selective Insurance Review

It appears as though Selective has some fairly high ratings in a couple of different categories. For starters, their financial strength has earned an A rating from AM Best, which means they are considered financially stable. They also have an A+ rating from the BBB. However, their complaint ratios are less than perfect, and despite their perfect rating from the BBB, the three customer reviews logged onto the website are all negative.

Ratings Agency Rating
AM Best Financial Strength Rating (2016) A
Complaint Ratio per Vehicle (NJ, 2012) 2 / 47,133 (Higher than Average)
NAIC Complaint Index (2012) 1.67 (Worse than Average)
Better Business Bureau (2016) A+

Selective Insurance Discounts

Some automotive insurance companies are less than enthusiastic about advertising their available discounts for new customers to see. Selective Insurance falls into this particular category. But if you get in touch with a Selective insurance agent, be sure to ask them about the following potential discounts that you might qualify for:

  • Bundling discount for also carrying a homeowner’s, condominium, or renter’s insurance policy from Selective
  • Safety and/or Anti-Theft discounts
  • Defensive Driving Course discount
  • Paid In Full discount
  • Good Student Discounts
  • Driver Training Course discounts

Selective Auto Insurance Options

Selective claims to offer flexible coverage options for their motorists, but doesn’t really go into too much detail about them. Obviously, Selective has to offer you the coverage options and the dollar amounts of coverage necessary to drive legally in your state. Beyond that, you can look forward to choosing from the following optional coverages:

  • Bundled Coverages – Includes towing & labor, pet coverage, and key replacement
  • New Car Replacement – if your vehicle gets into a total loss accident, this coverage pays the actual cash value of your vehicle but one model year newer and with 15,000 fewer miles
  • Accident Forgiveness – if you are involved in an at-fault accident, your premiums will not increase
  • Selective Choice Replacement Cost – replaces your total loss vehicle with the latest model year and provides the option for 2, 4, or 6 more years of coverage
  • Diminishing Deductible – Receive a $100 credit towards your deductible each claim-free year (for a maximum of 5 years/$500 credit)

Comparing Selective Insurance Quotes

Knowing what Selective charges its customers, based on their risk profile, can help you a great deal when it comes to deciding whether or not they are the right insurance provider for you:

Selective Auto Insurance Quote Comparison Legend: Selective Young Female Driver < 25 Married Homeowners Married Senior Couple Single Renter 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 $123 $196 $218 $192

Based on our estimated quotes in the chart above, it seems as though Selective has some very unorthodox practices as far as determining premiums is concerned. On a per-person basis, it appears as through married individuals who own their own home are charged some of the most affordable rates offered by Selective. While this is not an unusual automotive insurance business practice, married drivers with the same risk profile who happen to be farther along in age are charged more, which goes against conventional wisdom. Similarly, single drivers who don’t own property are somehow charged more than a motorist with a similar risk profile who happens to be under the age of 25, which is usually considered riskier.

Pros and Cons of Selective Insurance

Pro Con
Their business model is dedicated to face-to-face business practices Lack of information or transparency
Some local agents may not be as well-versed about coverage options as others

The best way to make sure you’re getting the best deal on your automotive insurance premiums is to compare multiple quotes from different providers who are servicing your area. Some of those will be more expensive, while others will be comparatively cheap. But you also have to take factors – such as the company’s financial strength and customer service rating – into account, too. For more information on whether or not Selective is the right automotive insurance company for you, compare their rates to their local competitors using our quote generator.

Corporate Headquarters
40 Wantage Avenue
Branchville, NJ 07890
www.selective.com
Phone: 973-948-3000
Fax: 855-540-6760