Acceptance Auto Insurance Review & Complaints: Auto, Motorcycle & Renter’s Insurance

Acceptance Auto Insurance is a non-standard insurer specializing in high-risk drivers. Operating in 17 states, the insurance company also offers renters insurance and motorcycle coverage among their products.

What is Acceptance Auto Insurance?

Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, Acceptance Insurance traces back to 1969. The company also operates under a few other names: First Acceptance Insurance, Yale Insurance, and Insurance Plus.

Acceptance Insurance operates throughout states in more than 350 neighborhood locations. Their focus is on the non-standard, high-risk auto insurance market, offering SR-22 coverage and insuring drivers that are unable to obtain coverage on the standard market for a variety of reasons.

Acceptance Auto also writes motorcycle and renters insurance and rounds out their product listing with hospital indemnity policies, something of an odd offering for this type of company.

What Types of Insurance Products Are Offered?

Acceptance Insurance’s main product is non-standard personal automobile insurance, though they have a few other products. In a practice that is common for this type of insurer, there is not much detail regarding their policies on their website. The product information is offered mainly as a general overview.

Car Insurance

Acceptance’s auto program is offered to drivers who are in need of coverage but have been turned down elsewhere. This is usually due to a problematic driving record, including major violations that may result in an SR-22.

Acceptance Insurance also writes insurance for people with credit problems or who are considered high risk for other reasons. They offer a non-owners insurance program designed for those who need liability coverage but don’t own a vehicle.

While non-standard insurance typically focuses on liability coverage that meets state minimum requirements, Acceptance Insurance also offers comprehensive coverage and collision coverage, as well as a roadside assistance program that can be added to the policy.

Motorcycle Insurance

The motorcycle insurance program offers package policies, including the option to add roadside assistance. The site also indicates that they provide custom motorcycle coverage choices and have a program for a military motorcycle insurance policy, although there is not a lot in regards to information as to what that means. The assumption would be that there is a military discount, but this is not made clear.

Renter’s Insurance

Acceptance writes renter’s insurance policies that cover liability and personal property for tenants.

While most insurers offer a discount when bundling auto and renters or homeowners insurance together, we were unable to find information in regards to this on the Acceptance website, which has very little real information about the products.

Other Products

Also listed on the Acceptance website are Ohio bonds and Hospital Indemnity Insurance products.

The Hospital Indemnity coverage is not offered in Alabama and includes $125 a day for hospital confinement, $10,000 in accidental death and dismemberment coverage, and $1,000 in excess medical payments.

Are the company’s insurance rates competitive?

Acceptance Insurance does have online quoting, which requires entering personal information including a driver’s license number and social security number for an accurate quote. Quotes can also be obtained over the phone or by visiting a local agency.

Because Acceptance is a non-standard insurer, their rates are unlikely to compare well to standard insurance companies, and should only be compared with other non-standard insurance companies.

Is the claims process simple?

Acceptance Insurance has an online claims reporting system that can be used either by their own policyholders or by another driver involved in a collision with an Acceptance insurance policyholder.

Claims can also be filed over the phone using a toll-free number; that line is not available 24/7, however. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Central time, and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Central time. There are separate toll-free lines for towing coverage or rental car assistance.

The company’s website also offers an email address for claims, which is a less secure option but may be useful when sensitive information is not being sent.

Are the Ratings and Consumer Reviews Positive?

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) gives Acceptance Insurance an A+ rating, although there are 292 customer complaints on file in the past three years. Of those complaints, 65 were closed in the past 12 months. While the BBB may consider that a low enough volume to maintain the highest rating, in our experience that number is a little on the high side for a company of this size.

The company’s Facebook page has 75 reviews, resulting in an overall 2.3-star rating from customers. The majority of the reviews are negative, with most focusing on the claims experience. Many customers complain that claims response is slow or non-existent, with filed claims being ignored for extended periods of time, in some cases weeks or months with no response. There are a few scattered positive reviews from customers, but the overall impression is negative. The company does appear to take the time to respond to the negative reviews from customers on the Facebook page, however, which shows interest in resolving complaints.

We found little else in the way of customer service reviews and complaints. Yelp has two reviews for this company, one of which is a positive experience with taking out a new policy, the other is negative but related to a fraud situation.

What’s the Bottom Line?

This company has enough negative reviews citing the same issues to give us pause. Non-standard insurance offering good service and a good value is a difficult thing to find, and further information on this company’s products and rates might help to determine what kind of value is offered. For those in need of this type of automobile insurance, it would be a good idea to check out options beyond Acceptance Insurance before making a decision.