When it comes to offering the best homeowners insurance, Amica Mutual is the perfect example of a good thing that can come in a small package. The company is relatively unknown in the homeowners insurance market compared to giants like State Farm, but it consistently punches above its weight in terms of customer satisfaction. In the latest annual JD Power Home Insurance survey, Amica achieved five stars almost across the board, taking the award for top provider.
So what is it about Amica that thrills its customers? It isn’t price, because there is cheaper cover out there. But the experience of customers when they interact with the company, and that includes filing claims, is generally exemplary. That’s why its top award in the JD Power survey is no fluke - Amica has topped the list for 18 consecutive years.
Is there a downside here? As we’ve said, attentive customer support doesn’t come cheap, so those buying on price alone might want to look elsewhere. And Amica’s website, though much improved of late, does not offer the comprehensive resources of Allstate or Traveler, for example. Aside from that, however, Amica offers the best homeowners insurance product around.
Amica Mutual Homeowners Insurance review: Features
Information support: Amica’s website is quite basic, with no real information hub.
Customer support: Telephone, live chat, and postal support available. The company is also on social media.
Interface: Browser and mobile app.
- Unbeatable customer service
- Good cover and extras
- Dividend policies may be more cost effective in the long run
So what, exactly, does Amica offer? Most of all, it does customer service and support very well. Customers praise its knowledgeable and friendly staff, speedy claim handling and policy information. They are generally happy with the price they pay for the service they receive.
As well as good standard homeowners insurance cover, Amica offers extras like flood cover, cover for home-based businesses and - of increasing importance - identity fraud expense cover. These add-ons are not as wide ranging as those offered by Allstate, for example, but they’ll be quite enough for most people in most circumstances.
Amica’s Platinum Home product wraps up these extras in one convenient package. It includes computer and credit card coverage, liability and medical payment coverage (for anyone suffering injury on your property) and extended valuable items coverage.
Because Amica is a mutual company, it also offers home insurance dividend policies. These offer the same cover as traditional policies, but return a portion of money back to you – typically five to 20% – in a dividend payment. A dividend policy may cost more up front but can save you money in the long run.
Amica Mutual Homeowners Insurance review: Interface and usability
- Website is clean and functional - but basic
- A network of regional offices give proven support
- Android mobile app needs work
Amica’s website is clean, easy to use, and quite basic. Unlike other providers, the company offers little in the way of online resources beyond a claim centre, a quote tool and online bill payment. Everything is nicely laid out and serviceable, but it lacks the kind of customer information and education resources that are becoming commonplace elsewhere.
While Amica’s regional offices dot the country, coverage is not as wide as with some competitors who use networks of agents. Nevertheless, regional offices ensure a consistency of service across the country, and Amica promises you’ll be dealing with “an insurance professional who offers personal attention and proven expertise.” The truth of that claim is borne out by the elevated reputation of its customer service and support.
The Amica mobile app is clean and easy to use, and allows you to peruse your policy, pay bills and even make claims on the go. Or it does if it works. Quite a number of users of the Android app have complained about freezing screens and payment issues, though Apple users are far more satisfied. If you are intent on tracking your policy through an app and you have an Android device, for the moment at least Amica might not be the best product for you.
Amica Mutual Homeowners Insurance review: Quality of product
- Strong financials
- A good product, well delivered
There are policies out there with more comprehensive coverage options and add ons. There are better websites and apps. But that doesn’t stop large numbers of its customers praising Amica to the skies.
That’s simply because Amica offers a good product at a reasonable price and has done for more than a century. The company has an A+ rating from A.M. Best, indicating that it is financially strong, and today boasts 44 offices across the country.
Amica gives discounts for loyalty, for a claim free period, for signing up for auto pay and for bundling home, auto or umbrella policies together. It is not the cheapest policy on the market so it’s worth keeping these discounts in mind.
Should you use Amica Mutual Homeowners Insurance?
There is no doubt that Amica serves its homeowners insurance customers very well, with a good product and award-winning support. A total of 18 consecutive top of the league placements in the JD Power Home Insurance survey is no accident. Amica’s customer satisfaction levels are among the best in the sector.
The one JD Power category in which Amica failed to gain five stars is price, where it attained four. That’s still a good score, and Amica’s service is clearly worth the money, but if you’re buying on price alone there are cheaper options out there.
Amica’s website could be more useful - it lacks a comprehensive information hub - and its mobile app, at least on Android, needs work.
But these details don’t seem to bother its loyal customer base, many of whom have been with the company for years and even decades. Service is all with Amica.
