Tri State Auto Insurance was founded in New York in 1982 and currently offers its insurance policies exclusively to New York residents.
At first, their main objective was to provide affordable insurance to residents within the state; however, today, they also offer homeowners protection.
One of their main selling points is that their insurance agents are specialized, as they all live in New York and know what drivers in the area need better than any other provider.
Tri State Auto Insurance Policies
It’s essential to take note of the ins and outs of the insurance policies offered by any provider you might be interested in.
With Tri State Insurance, they have all of the typical policies you would expect to find with other providers, but what makes them unique is they offer one-year packages.
This process is particularly advantageous for good drivers who get into their first accident, as your plan will need to expire before you’re subjected to a rate increase.
However, there is also a downside to only having one-year policies, as you may be stuck with an increased rate until your plan ends, especially if you’ve had an accident within the last three years.
They are very unlikely to work with drivers who have been in an accident in the past.
Even if you have recently been in your first accident, it’s highly unlikely the company will take you on as a client.
This point is particularly crucial for high-risk drivers, as you will want to consider finding an alternate provider that specializes in non-standard insurance policies.
How to Contact Tri State Car Insurance
For drivers who have any questions or concerns, they can contact the company via phone at (800)-JOIN-NOW or (516) 681-9400.
Since they only offer insurance to drivers in New York, their sole office is at 575 Jericho Turnpike, Jericho, NY, 11753.
How to File an Insurance Claim
There are two main ways to file an insurance claim with Tri State, either by phone or to download the online forms and fax or email them to the provider.
On the forms, you’ll find there are a lot of fields to fill out, including the date and time of the occurrence, your policy number, and any injuries related to the accident.
As with any insurer, you must submit your claim quickly, even if you don’t know the above information.
The faster you can get your form into their offices; they can begin the process.
Many clients have found that Tri State typically pays out their claims within three days of them being filed unless it relates to a total loss, which can be a little more complicated.
How to Get a Tri State Insurance Quote
One of the most convenient features of Tri State Car Insurance’s website is that they have an online quote system.
Once you receive your quote, you can then use it to compare it to other insurers in your area to make sure you are getting the best rates.
It’s been said that prospective policyholders can expect to receive several calls from insurance agents trying to sell their insurance products after obtaining a quote.
You might also find that based on your driving history, you might not be eligible to receive a quote from the company since they only work with standard drivers.
For the most accurate quote possible, make sure you provide all of the necessary information.
Tri State Customer Reviews
Customer reviews for Tri State seem to be quite contrary, though you would expect this with the vast majority of insurers across the country.
The chief complaint you’re bound to find is that the quoting process isn’t as stable as you would expect since the rates may fluctuate when you talk to an actual agent.
Policyholders have noted that you’ll get a quoted price, and then during a second conversation, the quote might rise based on the original information provided.
This issue leads drivers to wonder how the company can provide a quote in the first place if they haven’t received all of the information they need to create one.
Also, customers have noted that their customer service is lacking, as it can be challenging to get in touch with an agent when you need one.
There have been many instances where drivers have left multiple messages, only to be called back several days later.
Drivers looking for a transparent insurance agency might want to consider searching elsewhere, as there are plenty of reasons as to why they might decline you as a customer.
Unfortunately, none of these reasons are outlined on their website or any accessible resource; you’ll find if you are insurable after submitting a quote.
For example, one customer noted that they declined their application because a second driver may drive the vehicle infrequently.
Tri State Insurance Agents
According to Tri State Insurance, their insurance agents are the perfect people for the job as they all work and live in New York, where they provide insurance.
The way they operate their business is said to put drivers at ease, knowing they are working with a knowledgeable professional who understands the ins and outs of personal auto insurance.
You will also find that the company doesn’t use independent agents, as this can increase the costs of the products they offer.
With independent agents, they receive a percentage of the policy that you sign up for, which can make your insurance more expensive; instead, Tri State hires directly.
Careers at Tri State Insurance
If you are interested in a career at Tri State Car Insurance, you will need to contact the company directly to find more information about their available job postings.
With that said, you will need to live in the Jericho area to qualify, as they don’t appear to allow telecommuting.
To find more information about potential job positions, you can call (516) 681-9400.
Final Thoughts
The main advantage of Tri State Auto Insurance is that you might be able to obtain low rates if you’re a standard driver with no violations or accidents on your record.
However, they have several customer complaints and concerns that you will want to consider beforehand.
With specialized insurance for New York residents, they might be a good option for some.