Updated: August 21, 2026
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Endorsements
Discounts
NAIC Complaint Ratio
MoneyGeek scored Auto-Owners renters insurance across four categories for a standard profile: an adult renter in an apartment with a $500 deductible and $100,000 each in personal property and liability coverage.
Scores were adjusted across five credit tiers. For a full breakdown of how each category is weighted, see MoneyGeek's renters insurance scoring methodology.
Overall MoneyGeek Score | 3.6 / 5.0 |
Affordability | 3.2 / 5.0 |
Customer Experience | 4.5 / 5.0 |
Coverage Options | 2.6 / 5.0 |
National Rank (Good Credit) | #13 out of 56 |
MoneyGeek's scoring model weights customer experience, affordability and coverage options across 56 renters insurers. Scores reflect renters insured in states where Auto-Owners is available.
For renters with good-to-excellent credit in its 25-state coverage area who are comfortable buying through an agent, yes. For renters with fair or poor credit, or anyone who needs to quote and file claims digitally, the value erodes quickly.
Auto-Owners has been writing insurance since 1916 and sells exclusively through independent agents. It has no online quote tool and no app-based claims filing. The buying process runs at the pace of a phone call or in-person meeting. Renters who already work with an independent agent won't notice the difference. Everyone else should expect the process to take longer than an online quote tool by at least a day.
Its 2025 J.D. Power Home Insurance Study ranking came in below the industry average. Its NAIC complaint ratio of 0.4 against an industry average of 1.0 tells a different story. Those two data points don't cancel each other out. They reflect a company that handles disputes well but hasn't prioritized the digital experience.
Auto-Owners covers the four standard coverage types found in most renters policies. The most important default to know before you buy: Auto-Owners settles personal property claims on an actual cash value basis. Depreciation applies to every payout unless you add replacement cost coverage.
Auto-Owners' Coverage Options score of 2.6 out of 5 in our analysis is the weakest of its four scored categories. For most renters, the decision comes down to two questions: whether the Renters Plus bundle fits your building and lifestyle, and whether to upgrade from ACV to replacement cost.
Renters Plus: Water Backup | Damage from backed-up drains or sewer lines | Renters in older buildings or basement units |
Renters Plus: Refrigerated Food | Replaces spoiled food after a covered power outage | Anyone who stocks a full freezer or fridge |
Renters Plus: Waterbed Liability | Damage caused by a waterbed leak | Renters with waterbeds |
Renters Plus: Glass Damage Waiver | Waives your deductible for broken glass claims | Renters who want to minimize out-of-pocket costs on glass |
Replacement Cost Coverage | Pays the current cost to replace items, not their depreciated value | Anyone who wants full replacement value on belongings |
Property and Valuables Policy | Extra coverage for jewelry, artwork and high-value items; appraisal may be required | Renters with expensive jewelry, instruments or collectibles |
Of the six options, replacement cost coverage has the broadest impact. It changes how every personal property claim is calculated, not just specific scenarios. Of the four Renters Plus items, water backup is the most broadly applicable; sewer and drain issues affect renters across building types and ages, not just basement units.
Note that the four Renters Plus protections are packaged together in most states, so you can't add water backup coverage in isolation. Confirm with your agent which items are individually selectable in your state.
Standard renters insurance has exclusions that catch renters off guard. Auto-Owners' policy is no exception.
Water from rising rivers, storm surge or surface flooding is not covered under a standard renters policy. Renters in flood-prone areas need a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private carrier.
Auto-Owners' standard renters policy doesn't cover earthquake-related losses. Renters in California, Oregon, Washington or other seismically active areas need separate earthquake coverage.
Damage from pests such as bed bugs or cockroaches isn't covered. This exclusion is standard across the renters insurance industry.
If you run a business from home, the equipment you use for work has limited or no coverage under a standard renters policy. A business owner's policy or a commercial endorsement covers the gap.
Auto-Owners' pricing varies enough by renter profile that a single average would mislead more than it helps. Three variables determine where you land.
Excellent credit | 3.9 / 5 (ranked 3rd) | Most competitive tier |
Good credit | 3.2 / 5 (ranked 13th) | Competitive, not cheapest |
Fair credit | 1.6 / 5 (ranked 41st) | Near last in our 56-insurer analysis |
Two recent claims | 3.2 / 5 | Same as a claim-free renter |
$250K personal property limit | 2.4 / 5 | Down from 3.2 at the $100K tier |
The credit pattern is the most important one. If your credit is below good, get quotes from at least two other carriers before committing. The gap between Auto-Owners and better-priced alternatives at that tier is the largest in our data.
The claims history finding runs counter to what most renters expect. A renter who filed two claims in the past five years gets the same affordability score as someone with a clean record. If you've had a recent claim and assumed you'd be penalized, Auto-Owners is worth a quote.
The coverage limit finding works in the opposite direction. Renters who need $250,000 in personal property coverage see a 0.8-point drop in affordability score from the $100,000 standard. If your belongings require high limits, factor that into your comparison before assuming Auto-Owners' headline score applies to you.
Ask your agent which of these discounts apply before finalizing your policy. Some require advance action to qualify.
The three easiest discounts to capture immediately are advance quote, paid-in-full and paperless. None require tenure or a claims-free record. If you already carry Auto-Owners auto insurance, bundling delivers the most value.
Auto-Owners doesn't offer online claims filing. Start with documentation before you call, the steps below run in order for a reason.
Photograph or video all damaged property, list what was stolen or destroyed and pull any receipts or records you have. Starting documentation before you call gives your adjuster a complete picture from the first conversation. A home inventory kept current before any incident cuts this step from hours to minutes.
Your agent can initiate the claim and guide you through the process. If you bought through an agent, this is the fastest path.
If the loss happens outside regular hours, the after-hours claims line is 888-252-4626.
Auto-Owners assigns an adjuster who reviews your documentation and determines the payout. If you chose replacement cost coverage, you receive the current cost to replace the item; if not, the payout reflects its depreciated value. For context on what to expect: Auto-Owners' NAIC complaint ratio is 0.4 against an industry average of 1.0, meaning it generates less than half the claim disputes of a typical insurer its size.
Auto-Owners scores identically for young renters (18-25) and adult renters (26-64) in our analysis: 3.6/5 overall, ranked 13th in both cases. Many insurers treat age as a pricing variable. Auto-Owners' data doesn't show that pattern. If you're a young renter in one of its 25 states with good credit, the score you're getting quoted is the same one a 45-year-old pays.
Have good-to-excellent credit (MoneyGeek Score: 3.6 to 4.0 out of 5) | Have fair or poor credit (MoneyGeek Score drops to 2.8 or lower) |
Are a young renter (18-25); Auto-Owners scores you the same as adult renters | Live outside its 25-state coverage area |
Already have Auto-Owners auto insurance and want bundling savings | Want to compare quotes online before committing |
Prefer a local agent who can shop multiple carriers | Need to file claims through a mobile app |
Value a low complaint record over digital convenience | Need high personal property limits, affordability drops to 2.4/5 at the $250K tier |
Want a strong customer experience score (4.5/5, highest in our comparison) | Want a fuller coverage menu (Auto-Owners scored 2.6/5 on coverage options) |
If you matched more items in the left column, find an independent agent who represents Auto-Owners at auto-owners.com and get a quote before deciding.
MoneyGeek scored 56 renters insurers on a standard profile: a good-credit adult renter in an apartment with a $500 deductible and $100,000 in personal property coverage.
Auto-Owners | 3.6 / 5 | #13 | 4.5 / 5 | 3.2 / 5 | 2.6 / 5 | Independent agent only |
State Farm | 3.9 / 5 | #4 | 4.4 / 5 | 3.5 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 | Exclusive agent or online |
Lemonade | 3.4 / 5 | #20 | 4.0 / 5 | 2.9 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 | Fully digital |
Nationwide | 3.4 / 5 | #22 | 4.1 / 5 | 2.9 / 5 | 3.2 / 5 | Agent or online |
Allstate | 3.2 / 5 | #28 | 4.2 / 5 | 2.6 / 5 | 2.9 / 5 | Exclusive agent or online |
The most useful finding in the table isn't Auto-Owners' overall rank, it's where that rank comes from. Its Customer Experience score of 4.5 leads every insurer in this comparison, including State Farm. Its affordability score of 3.2 outscores Lemonade, Nationwide and Allstate despite being agent-only and regionally limited, which runs counter to what most renters expect. Coverage options at 2.6 is the clear gap. Renters who want more endorsement flexibility will find more at State Farm or Lemonade.
Auto-Owners earns a 3.6 out of 5 MoneyGeek Score for good-credit renters, ranking 13th nationally among the 56 insurers we scored. Its Customer Experience score of 4.5 is the highest in our comparison, above State Farm's 4.4, and its AM Best A++ rating confirms its financial strength.
Coverage options at 2.6/5 trail every other insurer in our comparison. For renters with below-good credit or a need for high personal property limits, the affordability advantage fades.
If you're in one of its 25 states, have good-to-excellent credit and are comfortable working through an independent agent, Auto-Owners is worth getting a quote on. If you want online quotes, app-based claims filing or a wider coverage menu, State Farm or Lemonade will serve you better.
No. Auto-Owners sells renters insurance exclusively through independent agents. You'll need to contact an agent directly to get a quote. The Auto-Owners website has an agent locator at auto-owners.com.
Auto-Owners offers renters insurance in 25 states, primarily in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. It does not sell policies in West Coast states or most of New England. Check with an agent to confirm current availability in your state.
Claims go through your independent agent or directly to Auto-Owners by phone at 888-252-4626. Online and app-based claims filing are not available. Auto-Owners' NAIC complaint ratio is 0.4 against an industry average of 1.0, meaning it generates less than half the claim disputes of a typical insurer of its size. An adjuster is assigned after the claim is reported.
Yes, and it's the single biggest pricing variable in our analysis. Auto-Owners' overall score goes from 4.0/5 with excellent credit to 3.6/5 with good credit, then falls to 2.8/5 with fair credit. Renters with fair or poor credit rank near the bottom of the 56 insurers we scored on price. If your credit is below good, compare quotes from at least two other carriers before committing.
Not by default. Standard Auto-Owners renters policies pay personal property claims on an actual cash value basis, factoring in depreciation. A couch that cost $800 five years ago may pay out $300 at claim time. Replacement cost coverage is available as an add-on. It pays what the item costs to replace today, not the item's depreciated value.
How We Evaluated Assurant Insurance: Assurant appears in MoneyGeek's renters insurance scoring database, though it doesn't publish average rate data, so cost context in this review relies on quote estimates rather than proprietary pricing. Scores for affordability, customer experience, and coverage options reflect a standard profile: good credit, adult renter (26–64), apartment or condo, $100K personal property and liability coverage, and a $250 deductible. Coverage details come from assurantrenters.com directly. Complaint data draws from the NAIC's annual complaint index.
Read MoneyGeek's full renters insurance methodology.
Mark Fitzpatrick, a licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident expert in insurance and economics. He has spent nearly a decade covering the insurance market at LendingTree and MoneyGeek. There, he has analyzed hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.
His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR. He draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnerships affect his recommendations.
Mark studied at Boston College and later earned a master's in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University. He worked in financial risk management at State Street before joining MoneyGeek. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.
