Grinnell ranks 24th overall nationally; it's not among the best car insurance companies. Cost scores pull the overall ranking down; coverage and customer satisfaction are where the insurer performs well.
Grinnell Car Insurance Review
Updated: May 15, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Grinnell ranks 30th for full coverage affordability, averaging $153 a month, and 20th for minimum coverage at $58.
Grinnell ranks 11th nationwide for customer satisfaction. Policyholders give the company high marks for agent service and back that up in forum reviews.
Grinnell ranks eighth for coverage options. Its farm and ranch insurance and classic car coverage set it apart from most insurers.
Grinnell Car Insurance Ratings
| Overall Score | 4.11 | 24 |
| Customer Experience | 4.5 | 11 |
| Coverage | 3.83 | 8 |
| Affordability | 3.97 | 28 |
Who Is Grinnell Car Insurance Best and Worst For?
Grinnell works best for senior drivers, those with accidents or speeding tickets on their record, and drivers with older vehicles seeking affordable coverage. Young drivers and those with DUIs should look elsewhere: they'll pay higher premiums with Grinnell than with most competitors.
Data filtered by:
Adult Drivers
Female
100/300/100,000 - 1000 comp_coll
Below Fair
At Fault Accident ($1000-$1999 Prop Dmg)
| Overall Score | 4.32 | 12 |
How Much Does Grinnell Car Insurance Cost?
Grinnell car insurance costs range from $50 to $1,841 monthly, depending on your profile and coverage choice. We've broken down national costs by age group, gender, coverage type, credit score and driving record.
Data filtered by:
Adult Drivers
Female
Below Fair
At Fault Accident ($1000-$1999 Prop Dmg)
100/300/100,000 - 1000 comp_coll
| $242 | $2,909 | -12% | 19 |
Grinnell Car Insurance Rates by Driver Category
Grinnell ranks as more expensive on average across all driver types, including young drivers, seniors and those with violations. The table below shows rates by category alongside competitor comparisons.
| Adult Drivers | $56 | $152 | 22% | 28 |
| Drivers With a DUI | $112 | $311 | 32% | 30 |
| Drivers With an Accident | $56 | $152 | -13% | 13 |
| Drivers With a Speeding Ticket | $56 | $152 | 1% | 19 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | $109 | $297 | 18% | 29 |
| Drivers With Low Income | $68 | $184 | 17% | 28 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | $85 | $232 | 39% | 31 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | $49 | $133 | 21% | 28 |
| Senior Drivers | $58 | $139 | -6% | 16 |
| Young Drivers | $117 | $310 | 12% | 23 |
*We modified all profiles based on a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no driving violations, driving a 2012 Toyota Camry. Young drivers are 25 and under, adults 26 to 64 and seniors 65+. We changed the vehicle age to 2007 for older cars and 2025 for newer ones.
Grinnell Car Insurance Discounts
Grinnell offers 14 car insurance discounts with savings up to 20% based on your driving record, programs you join and location.
Multi-Policy/Bundle | Up to 18% | Bundle auto with home or other policies | Available in 12 states served |
Multi-Vehicle | Up to 20% | Insure multiple vehicles on one policy | Available in 12 states served |
Good Student | Variable | Maintain B average or better | Available in 12 states served |
Safe Driver/Claim-Free | Up to 15% | No at-fault accidents on record | Available in 12 states served |
Defensive Driving Course | Up to 10% | Complete approved defensive driving course | Available in 12 states served |
Paid in Full | Variable | Pay annual premium upfront | Available in 12 states served |
Small At-Fault Accident Forgiveness | Variable | At-fault accidents under $5,000 (Mile Marker program) | Available in 12 states served |
Minor Violation Forgiveness | Variable | One minor violation within three years (Mile Marker program) | Available in 12 states served |
Low Mileage | Variable | Drive under 12,000 miles annually | Available in 12 states served |
Safety Features | Variable | Vehicle has anti-theft devices, airbags or anti-lock brakes | Available in 12 states served |
Grinnell Car Insurance Customer Reviews and Reputation
Grinnell earned 11th place in customer satisfaction in MoneyGeek's customer experience study. Policyholders give the company high marks for agent service, though some report longer wait times on claims.
Buying Process
The buying process gets mixed feedback. Some customers value the local agent support and rural focus, but others report billing errors.
Policy Management
Policy management problems include rate increases and billing issues. Customers report rates "more than doubled" at renewal time with little warning, and automatic billing continues even after policy changes or cancellations.
Claims Experience
Claims experiences are mixed. One customer reported their claim stayed "open" for over a year, and poor adjuster communication is a recurring complaint. Some policyholders report positive outcomes on routine claims, though Grinnell's processing times run slower than industry norms.
Grinnell Car Insurance Industry Customer Satisfaction Ratings
AM Best gives Grinnell an A for financial strength, but the insurer isn't rated in J.D. Power studies. Grinnell's industry ratings:
AM Best Financial Strength | A | A++ to D- | Strong ability to meet financial obligations with stable outlook |
AM Best Long-Term Credit Standing | a+ | aaa to d | Superior credit quality |
S&P Global Financial Strength | Not Available | AAA to D | Not publicly available |
Moody's Financial Strength | Not Available | Aaa to C | Information unavailable |
J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction | Not Rated | 1,000-point scale | Scores not publicly disclosed |
J.D. Power Digital Service Experience | Not Rated | 1,000-point scale | Not rated publicly |
J.D. Power Auto Insurance Shopping Study | Not Rated | Out of 1,000 | Data unavailable |
J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction | Not Rated | Out of 1,000 | Results not shared publicly |
NAIC Auto Complaints | Not Available | 1.00 is average | Complaint index not publicly disclosed |
Grinnell Car Insurance Reddit and Forum Customer Satisfaction
On forums and Reddit, Grinnell gets credit for its 115-year history and Mile Marker loyalty program. Some policyholders also note competitive rates in certain markets. Billing issues and limited geographic availability come up most often in negative reviews.
Pricing and Value
General thoughts on pricing show competitive rates initially, but customers express concerns about sudden increases and billing system problems:
"Grinnell Mutual offers slightly higher rates than many other comparable insurers. Its liability-only policies average $55 per month, and its full-coverage policies average $114 per month."
"In July my rate went up to $_____ per month and the adjusted difference of $707.13 was automatically taken on July 17th. There was no notification or reasoning for the price change."
Claims Processing
Most customers have mixed experiences with claims, ranging from quick resolutions to prolonged disputes with unresponsive adjusters:
"When I was in my first major car accident in 2008, Grinnell worked with me to help in the quickest way possible. Not having to wait a long time to get a rental was a plus."
"The WORST customer service service ever, so rude, unprofessional, the adjuster never returns your phone call. In 2023 will be a year the claim is still open."
Customer Service
Agent service ratings fall below industry standards. Complaints about responsiveness are common:
"Grinnell Mutual's customer service scores leave something to be desired. The company isn't accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and the reviews on the BBB website, Yelp, and Google range from 1.5 to 2.9 star ratings."
Digital Experience
Grinnell's digital platform gets mixed reviews. Some customers praise the online bill pay, but others report problems tied to a recent system change:
"Grinnell Mutual makes insurance easy. Pay your bill, check coverages, file claims, and change information all from your mobile phone or computer."
"Grinnell mutual ins has messed up my bill last 3 months they changed systems I thought I'd downloaded new one paid bill got conformation then got a letter ins.was canceled due to non payment."
Trust and Reputation
As a mutual company with over a century in business, Grinnell has strong financials but a mixed reputation because of customer service complaints:
"Grinnell has been in business for more than 100 years. While it's not accredited by the Better Business Bureau, it earned an A rating for AM Best for its financial stability."
Coverage Options
Forum users highlight the Mile Marker loyalty program and farm-focused options. The biggest complaint is limited availability (Grinnell operates in only 12 states):
"Grinnell's Mile Marker Auto Loyalty program offers small at-fault accident forgiveness. You can take advantage of Grinnell Mutual's discounts to pay less in car insurance."
REVIEWS ON FORUMS AREN’T A PERFECT GAUGE
Negative reviews are more common on forums than positive ones, so forum ratings can skew lower than a company's actual service quality. J.D. Power ratings, independent agents, the NAIC and the Insurance Information Institute offer a more complete view.
Grinnell Car Insurance Coverage Options
Grinnell offers the same standard coverages as other top insurers, including liability, comprehensive and collision coverage.
Auto Plus Endorsement | Additional coverage package | Includes pet injury, airbag reinstallation, lock replacement, locked vehicle service, personal property, rental car loss of use |
Mile Marker Auto Loyalty Program | Loyalty rewards for long-term customers | Available after 5+ years; includes small at-fault accident forgiveness (under $5,000), minor violation forgiveness, waived deductible for Grinnell vs. Grinnell accidents |
Pet Injury Coverage | Pets injured in vehicle accidents | Included in Auto Plus endorsement |
Airbag Reinstallation | Airbag replacement after deployment | Included in Auto Plus endorsement |
Lock Replacement Coverage | Vehicle lock and key replacement | Included in Auto Plus endorsement |
Locked Vehicle Service | Vehicle lockout assistance | Included in Auto Plus endorsement |
Personal Property Coverage | Personal items in vehicle | Included in Auto Plus endorsement |
Rental Car Loss of Use | Coverage for rental cars | Up to $750 for indirect loss of use; extends collision coverage to rental vehicles |
Mile Marker Towing | Emergency roadside help for loyalty members | Up to $50 per tow, limited to two claims per six-month term, four claims per 12-month term |
Safelite AutoGlass Program | Windshield repair and replacement | Partners with nearly 9,000 repair shops in network; in-shop or mobile repairs |
Other Grinnell Insurance Coverage Options to Consider
You can bundle these additional insurance types with your auto policy or buy them separately:
Grinnell Auto Insurance Review: Bottom Line
Grinnell is a solid option for coverage and customer experience, ranking eighth and 11th in those categories, but cost pulls its overall ranking to 24th. It ranks 22nd for full coverage affordability and 17th for minimum coverage. Before buying, compare quotes from several insurers to see how Grinnell's rates hold up in your area.
Grinnell Car Insurance Reviews: FAQ
MoneyGeek’s experts answer some of the most common questions about Grinnell car insurance below:
Does Grinnell insurance have a good reputation?
Yes. Grinnell is a reputable car insurance company that placed 24th in our national provider analysis. It performs well in coverage options, ranking eighth among all insurers reviewed.
Where is Grinnell the best car insurance company?
Grinnell isn't a top option in either of the states it's ranked in for car insurance.
How much does Grinnell car insurance cost on average?
Adults pay an average of $701 annually for minimum coverage and $1,761 for full coverage through Grinnell. Annual premiums range from $604 to $6,285 for minimum coverage and $1,449 to $16,701 for full coverage.
Is Grinnell known for denying claims?
Customer reviews indicate Grinnell has mixed claim handling practices, with some policyholders reporting denied claims for water damage and property losses. But broader data on its overall claim denial patterns is limited beyond individual consumer feedback.
Note: This represents limited information based primarily on forum reviews.
Is Grinnell a good option for high-risk drivers?
Grinnell offers competitive rates for drivers with accidents, ranking 13th overall for affordability, but isn't ideal for drivers with bad credit or DUIs due to higher costs.
Does Grinnell raise car insurance rates over time?
Yes. Like all insurers, Grinnell raises rates over time. Inflation drives up repair costs, claims are increasing because of distracted driving and severe weather, and modern vehicle technology is more expensive to fix. Rate changes also reflect regional risk reassessments, regulatory updates and personal factors like credit score shifts or moving into a higher-risk age category.
Is Grinnell good for young drivers?
No, Grinnell isn't ideal for young drivers, ranking 23rd for overall affordability with average monthly full coverage premiums reaching $310.
How We Rated Grinnell Car Insurance
MoneyGeek pulled auto insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services and compared prices from 79 insurers in every U.S. ZIP code.
Standard Driver Profile
Our rate comparisons use a standard driver profile with these characteristics:
- Age: 40 years old, male
- Vehicle: 2012 Toyota Camry LE
- Driving history: Clean record
- Annual mileage: 12,000 miles
- Credit rating: Good
- License status: Valid
- Insurance history: Continuous coverage with no claims
We modified age, driving record, credit score and military status to determine which insurers offer the best rates for different driver categories. Minimum coverage rates represent policies meeting state-required minimums. Full coverage includes 100/300/100 liability limits plus comprehensive and collision coverage with $1,000 deductibles.
Company Rating System
Our review process weighs three factors:
- Cost (60%): Quotes from multiple driver profiles in each city show how each insurer's rates compare to local competitors.
- Customer satisfaction (30%): We reviewed Google reviews, J.D. Power ratings, AM Best scores and Reddit to gauge how well each insurer serves its customers.
- Coverage variety (10%): Each insurer's policy lineup and add-ons were evaluated for range and any specialized coverage options.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he has produced original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.
He covers economics and insurance at MoneyGeek, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other outlets.
Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.
Fitzpatrick earned his degrees from Johns Hopkins University (M.A. Economics and International Relations) and Boston College (B.A.). He began his career in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.