Countrywide Car Insurance reviews are a piece of important information for people living in New York. Regardless of what you see in movies and TV shows, there are approximately 12,185,313 people in New York that operate a motor vehicle. With that said, there is a pertinent need for insurance to ensure that you are covered while on the road.
Finding the perfect policy not only protects you while driving but also helps you to protect your vehicle when it is parked, succumbs to natural disasters, and more. Countrywide is just one of the many insurance companies available in the state.
About Countrywide Car Insurance
What makes Countrywide unique is that they are owned and operated by a family. Over the years, they have expanded their reach to over 300 registered insurance agents in the state. The basis of the company is to provide insurance that gives you peace of mind and helps to cover every driver in your family.
As they are smaller than most of the large-scale insurance companies, Countrywide is highly recommended for someone searching for a more intimate relationship with their insurance provider.
Every policy from Countrywide is unique in the fact that it is put together by the individual and their assigned insurance agent. You’ll easily be able to sort through the types of coverage they have to offer in an effort to create a custom-tailored plan. This is essential for all drivers, as everyone has different needs to be met.
Countrywide Car Insurance Coverage Options
Similar to most other small insurance providers, finding information about the specific types of coverage Countrywide has to offer requires contact with an insurance agent. They specialize in face-to-face meetings, which means that you will have to visit a location in-person in order to sign up for a policy.
However, you can guarantee they offer at least the state minimums for New York, which include:
Bodily Injury Liability
In a car accident where the other driver is injured, bodily injury liability covers the medical costs of the other driver. This type of insurance kicks in if you are declared at fault in an accident.
Moreover, bodily injury liability may also assist with paying legal fees in the event that you are sued for the accident. In New York, the minimums for BIL are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
Property Damage Liability
It’s likely that your vehicle is going to damage someone else’s property in an accident, which is where this type of coverage becomes useful. To help pay for repairs to fences, homes, and other property items, you’ll need a minimum of $10,000 per accident in property damage liability.
Under/Uninsured Motorist
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to predict whether the other driver in an accident is insured or not. Underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage helps to pay for expenses if the other driver doesn’t have insurance or if their insurance is lacking.
At a minimum, New York drivers need to have $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
Personal Injury Protection
To help cover medical expenses, regardless of who is at fault, you need personal injury protection on your insurance. This may also include coverage for lost wages. In New York, the mandatory minimum for PIP is $50,000.
Apart from the state minimums, it’s highly likely that Countrywide Car Insurance also has add-ons that you can consider adding to your policy. These may include pet protection, towing, roadside assistance, and more. When speaking to an insurance agent, be sure to ask questions about any add-ons that you should consider.
Benefits of Countrywide Car Insurance Policies
Depending on where you look for reviews, you may find both positive and negative things said about Countrywide Car Insurance. However, this is typical for most providers.
Overall, Countrywide has a B- rating from the Better Business Bureau, and there are plenty of positive things to be said about their services. The most important advantages of getting your insurance from Countrywide include:
Local Knowledge
As Countrywide only operates in New York, you can guarantee the insurance agents know the ins and outs of the state’s driving and insurance laws. This can make it much simpler to make sure you are getting the perfect amount of coverage based on the likelihood of you getting into an accident. At times, it can be more comfortable working with a homegrown company.
Face-to-Face Services
What makes Countrywide a great solution for many drivers is the fact that they focus on face-to-face services. If you’re the type of person who prefers to have meetings in-person to discuss your policy or to ask questions, this is the insurance company to choose. You might find it’s a more personal experience.
Fixed Rates
An interesting feature that you might be eligible for is the ability to have fixed rates for your first year as a policyholder. This can help you to save a lot of money over 12 months, which is ideal for someone who is looking for the least expensive insurance options in their area.
Interest-Free Payment Plans
Depending on your personal financial situation and how you intend on paying for your insurance, you may be able to save even further with the help of interest-free payment plans. When signing up for a policy, ensure that you ask about interest-free payments, as it’s a great way to save even more on insurance.
Cons of Countrywide Car Insurance Policies
It’s impossible to please everyone, which is why you’ll find a lot of insurance companies with just as many negative reviews as positive reviews. There are a few very important disadvantages to Countrywide that you need to consider, such as:
No Online Tools
Unfortunately, there are very little tools for prospective policyholders online. You won’t be able to find any contact information for the insurance company, nor will you be able to gather an online quote through their website.
Because of this, it can be quite difficult to obtain quotes from different providers, as you will have to visit an in-person location.
Poor Settlement Process
There are numerous reviews that speak to the poor settlement process that Countrywide may put you through when working on a claim. Many customers have found that the process took much longer than it should have and that there were many problems with billings and coordination.
Overall, if you have to file a claim, it will take a while for you to see a resolution.
Poor Financial Creditworthiness
A.M. Best recently reduced their rating for Countrywide Car Insurance to a C+, which is quite poor when compared to other insurance agencies in New York. There is some speculation that they are unable to pay out all of their claims to their policyholders, which should be very concerning to drivers.
Countrywide Car Insurance Reviews: Final Thoughts
Though there are many positive reviews about Countrywide Car Insurance online, there are some negative ones to take into account as well.
With Countrywide, you’ll surely have access to a more personalized experience with your insurance agent, but you may also have to wait months before a resolution to your claim is provided. It’s highly recommended that you consider Countrywide Car Insurance reviews before becoming a policyholder.