4.8out of 3,000+ reviews
While it’s not one of the largest or most popular auto insurance providers in the country, Kemper has a reputation for offering auto insurance to high-risk drivers. In other words, the company might be a good fit if you’ve struggled to qualify for car insurance elsewhere.
If you’re wondering whether Kemper is right for you, here’s what you need to know about Kemper’s auto insurance policies, including its coverage options, cost, discounts, customer reviews, and more.
Kemper offers a couple different types of auto insurance and is specifically known for offering coverage to high-risk drivers who may not be able to get coverage elsewhere.
Kemper’s premiums are more expensive than the average across all insurers, but customers can save by taking advantage of certain discounts.
Kemper has generally poor reviews from its customers, many of whom cite the company’s poor customer service.
Kemper Corporation got its start in 1990 in Chicago, Illinois. The company was originally founded as Unitrin Inc. and didn’t become Kemper until 2011. Today, Kemper offers a variety of insurance products, including auto insurance, property insurance, business insurance, life insurance, and more.
Kemper operates as a family of companies that include Kemper Auto, Infinity, Kemper Personal Insurance, and Kemper Life. It sells and distributes its products using the help of independent agents and brokers. Roughly 29,000 agents and brokers across the country serve more than 5.3 million policies.[1]
Because of this business model, you can’t simply sign up for a Kemper auto insurance policy online as you might with another provider. Instead, you can use Kemper’s website to connect with an independent agent in your area.
Kemper offers auto insurance under two separate umbrellas: Kemper Personal Insurance and Kemper Auto.
Kemper Personal Insurance is designed for “discerning drivers,” according to the company’s website. Policies come with customizable coverage to meet your needs. Some of the unique coverage options available include:[2]
Accident or minor violation waiver: Insurance rates usually increase after an accident. But Kemper will waive your first accident or minor violation so your rates won’t go up.
Diminishing deductible: When you maintain a safe driving record, Kemper will give you a diminishing deductible credit, meaning your deductible decreases over time.
Waived deductible for a parked car: If your car is parked when it’s damaged, Kemper will waive your deductible when you file a claim.
Personal property protection: Kemper will provide coverage for your personal property.
Trip interruption coverage: If your trip is interrupted, Kemper will provide coverage for certain expenses you might incur.
Key or entry transmitter device replacement: Kemper will help replace your key fob or remote keyless system.
New-car replacement: Kemper will pay the amount necessary to replace your vehicle or buy a new one rather than just pay out the actual cash value.
Gap insurance: Kemper will pay the difference between your car’s actual cash value and the amount remaining on your loan or lease.
Kemper Auto, on the other hand, is best suited for drivers who may struggle to find insurance elsewhere because they’re considered high-risk drivers. A high-risk driver could be someone with a poor credit score or someone with accidents or violations on their record. Some of the coverage options available with Kemper Auto include:[3]
Annual policies: You can lock in your low rate for a full year to help you save money on your premiums.
Roadside assistance: Kemper offers 24/7 towing, fuel delivery, lockout service, tire changes, and jump starts.
SR-22 certificates: If you’ve had a driving violation that requires you to have an SR-22 certificate, Kemper can provide that for you.
Unfortunately, Kemper doesn’t offer online insurance quotes. Instead, you’ll have to connect with an independent agent or broker near you to get a price estimate. Kemper’s website offers a tool to help you find an agent near you by entering your ZIP code and the type of insurance you’re shopping for.
As you’re shopping for insurance, it can also be helpful to use a quote-comparison platform like Insurify. You’ll be able to compare Kemper with other auto insurance companies to ensure you’re getting the best rate for the coverage you need.
The price you’ll pay for auto insurance depends on where you live. Each state has its own minimum insurance requirements, which affect the average price. Additionally, your location is one factor that affects the level of risk for the insurance company.
The table below shows the average monthly cost for full-coverage insurance versus liability-only insurance in 13 different states.
| State | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $336 | $181 |
| California | $292 | $154 |
| Colorado | $389 | $152 |
| Illinois | $300 | $136 |
| Indiana | $200 | $111 |
| Missouri | $315 | $149 |
| New Mexico | N/A | $98 |
| Ohio | $314 | $128 |
| Oklahoma | $314 | $142 |
| Oregon | N/A | $137 |
| Texas | $282 | $147 |
| Utah | $209 | $100 |
| Washington | $348 | $239 |
Your driving history is another important factor that affects your insurance premiums. Generally speaking, the more violations (or the more serious the violations) you have on your driving history, the more you’ll pay for auto insurance.
The table below breaks down the average monthly cost of full-coverage and liability-only insurance for drivers with clean records, speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and DUIs.
| Driving History | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only |
|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $294 | $151 |
| Speeding ticket | $393 | $202 |
| At-fault accident | $420 | $216 |
| DUI | $584 | $300 |
Insurance companies also consider a driver’s age when setting insurance rates because, generally speaking, young drivers present an increased risk. The table below shows the average monthly rate for customers of different ages.
| Driver Age | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| 18 | $388 |
| 25 | $256 |
| 30 | $198 |
| 40 | $164 |
| 50 | $164 |
| 60 | $162 |
| 70 | $119 |
Like most auto insurance companies, Kemper offers various discounts to help its customers save money on auto insurance. Below is a list of discounts available to Kemper customers:
Advance quote: Kemper will give you a discount when you get a quote and sign up before the policy’s effective day.
Proof of prior insurance: You can save on your Kemper auto insurance policy if you’ve previously had auto insurance.
Paid-in-full: With this discount, you can save by paying your full insurance premium at the start of your policy rather than paying monthly.
Multi-car: Kemper will give you a discount if you have more than one vehicle on your policy.
Defensive driving course: Some customers can save on their premiums by taking defensive driving courses to learn safe driving skills.
Good student: Full-time students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher can get a discount on a Kemper Auto policy.
Military: You can save on your policy if you’re an active-duty military or National Guard member and have a Kemper Auto policy.
Homeowner: This discount applies to Kemper auto insurance customers who also have a homeowners insurance policy with Kemper.
See Also: Car Insurance Discount Guide
As a Kemper customer, you can take advantage of two different bundling discounts. First, you can save by bundling two different cars onto the same auto insurance policy. Second, you can save by bundling your home and your auto insurance policies.
Kemper’s website doesn’t say just how much you can save by bundling your policies, so you’ll have to consult with an independent agent in your area to find out.
Despite having been in business for more than 30 years, Kemper has relatively few online reviews by which to judge it. But the reviews it does have are overwhelmingly negative.
Below is a sample of some of Kemper’s reviews from customers on Trustpilot.
Here’s how Kemper customers have rated the insurance company on various ratings sites:
Trustpilot: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Better Business Bureau: 1.03 out of 5 stars
Apple App Store: 1.5 out of 5 stars
Google Play Store: 2.4 out of 5 stars
Kemper is just one of many auto insurance companies available for customers today. When you’re shopping for a policy, it’s important to weigh your options and compare rates, coverage, customer service, and more across several different companies.
Progressive is one of the largest auto insurance companies in the country, ranking third by market share of premiums written.[4]
Progressive offers many different coverage types and highly customizable policies. In addition to all the standard coverage options, Progressive also offers gap insurance, rental car reimbursement, customer parts and equipment value, rideshare coverage, roadside assistance, and a deductible savings bank.
Progressive is known for its affordable premiums. Its national average monthly premium for full coverage is $238, while Kemper’s is $294. Progressive also doesn’t increase its rates as much for drivers with tickets, accidents, or DUIs on their records. Finally, Progressive has a far larger lineup of discounts than Kemper.
Safeco is an auto insurance company that’s a part of Liberty Mutual. Safeco uses the same agent model as Kemper, meaning you’ll have to connect with a local independent agent to sign up for a policy.
Kemper and Safeco stack up similarly in terms of coverage options. In addition to the standard coverage options, both have diminishing deductibles, roadside assistance, and new-car replacement. Safeco doesn’t offer gap insurance like Kemper does, but it does have rental car reimbursement and cash back for staying claims-free.
Kemper seems to offer more discounts than Safeco does. However, Safeco has its RightTrack program, which allows customers to save up to $513 per year by using an app that tracks their braking, acceleration, nighttime driving, and mileage.
Travelers is another major auto insurance company, ranking in the top 10 by market share. A difference between Travelers that immediately stands out is the rates. While the average full-coverage Kemper policy costs $294 per month, similar coverage from Travelers costs an average of just $172 per month.
Kemper and Travelers have some similar coverage options, including gap insurance, roadside assistance, new-car replacement, and accident forgiveness. Travelers also offers rental coverage, rideshare coverage, and nonowner coverage.
The two companies also have some similar discounts, including discounts for multiple policies, multiple cars, homeownership, getting an early quote, being a good student, and taking a driver safety course. However, Travelers has a larger lineup of other discounts.
Kemper insurance specializes in offering coverage to high-risk drivers who may not be able to get policies elsewhere. But it’s important to consider the pros and cons before signing up for a policy.
Coverage for high-risk drivers, including SR-22 coverage
Personalized service thanks to agent and broker network
Several unique coverage types
Above-average premiums
Poor customer reviews based on customer service
Fewer discounts than many competitors
If you’re in an accident or your car sustains damage covered by your insurance policy, you’ll need to file a claim with your provider. A claim is essentially a request for the insurance company to cover the damage.
Kemper allows customers to file claims either directly with their agents or online. To file a claim online, you’ll have to share information about your policy, your vehicle, the incident that occurred, and anyone else who was involved. Kemper also has a mobile app where you can file a claim.
The Kemper website allows you to not only file a claim online but also find a repair shop for the damage. Kemper doesn’t require customers to use certain repair shops. But it does have the Kemper Repair Network, with many facilities, and the claims process may move more quickly if you use a shop in Kemper’s network.
Once you’ve filed your claim, the process works similarly to any other insurance company. Your agent will investigate the claim and should pay you for any covered damage once you’ve paid your deductible.
Check Out: Why Do Car Insurance Companies Deny Claims?
Kemper’s insurance premiums are higher than many other companies. But because Kemper serves high-risk customers, it’s not always possible to simply switch to a different auto insurer. The good news is you have some ways to reduce your car insurance premiums, including:[5]
Maintain a clean driving record. Even if your driving record has made it difficult to find affordable car insurance, it’s not too late to turn it around. Violations will eventually fall off your record, so if you maintain a clean driving record moving forward, your rates will eventually decrease.
Improve your credit rating. Your credit rating is an important factor that affects your car insurance rates. Generally speaking, drivers with good credit are considered to be lower-risk drivers, meaning they have access to better insurance rates.
Take advantage of discounts. Kemper offers many discounts that can help customers save money on their policies. Chances are that at least one of the discounts applies to your situation.
Bundle your policies. You can save on your premiums by bundling your Kemper auto insurance policy with your homeowners insurance policy or by insuring multiple vehicles with Kemper.
Shop around. It’s important to shop around when looking for auto insurance. Compare rates from several different companies to ensure you get the most affordable premiums for the coverage you need.
Do you need more information about Kemper? Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Kemper auto insurance.
Yes, Kemper is a legitimate insurance company that’s licensed to operate across the country. However, it does have many unfavorable reviews from its customers.
Kemper customers pay an average monthly premium of $294 for full-coverage insurance and $151 for liability-only coverage. Of course, your premiums could be higher or lower depending on your location, driving record, age, and other factors.
Kemper is a great option for drivers with poor credit or existing violations on their records who may not qualify for coverage elsewhere. However, because of its above-average rates and questionable customer service, it may not be right for low-risk drivers.
Many of Kemper’s poor reviews specifically mention its claims process, suggesting there’s room for improvement. However, the company does have an A- financial strength rating from A.M. Best, which suggests it has the financial resources necessary to pay out claims.
In addition to auto insurance, Kemper offers property insurance, other vehicle insurance, umbrella insurance, business insurance, and life insurance.
Data scientists at Insurify analyzed more than 40 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partner providers across the United States to compile the car insurance quotes, statistics, and data visualizations displayed on this page. The car insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers' vehicles, driving records, and demographic information. Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Service's database of auto insurance rates. With these insights, Insurify is able to offer drivers insight into how companies price their car insurance premiums.
