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Austin Mutual Insurance Company Summary
Formed in 1896 in Mankato, MN as State Farmers Mutual Hail Association, Austin Mutual took on a new name when the headquarters was moved to Austin, MN in 1909 and finally settled on Austin Mutual Insurance Company in 1930 with another move to Minneapolis. The headquarters moved to its current location in Maple Grove, MN in 2008. In the more than one hundred years since its inception, the company has expanded to cover home, auto, and commercial products. The company also provides Agribusiness coverage through its association with Cooperative Mutual Insurance Company.
Today Austin Mutual Insurance Company serves 17 states, and in 2012 became a part of The Main Street Insurance Group. Insurance policies are sold through independent insurance agents, however not all policy types are available in all of the 17 states. Currently online quotes are not available through the Austin Mutual website, but some of the agents offering their policies may have an online quote system. Agents can be found through the insurance company website.
Insurance Products
Austin Mutual offers a range of personal and commercial insurance products. Their most popular products are auto, home, and non-standard dwelling, as well as small business policies including commercial auto. Austin Mutual has a strong position in the agricultural business market.
Auto Insurance
Austin Mutual’s standard auto insurance policies provide both basic liability coverage, as required by law, and a wide range of optional coverage as well. Currently, personal auto insurance from Austin Mutual is available in 9 of the 17 states where Austin Mutual sells insurance. These states are Washington, Oregon, Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, and Wisconsin. Features of Austin Mutual auto insurance policies include:
- Single deductible across all Austin Mutual policies for losses that involve more than one policy, such as claim involved both home and auto.
- Multiple discounts including less common credits such as a Farm Territory Credit.
- Options for both 6-month and 12-month terms.
- Safe Drive Program
- Accident Forgiveness
Austin Mutual also offers auto insurance for classic and antique autos under specialized policies.
Home Insurance
Austin Mutual writes several types of home insurance policies. Standard homeowner’s insurance provides comprehensive coverage for single-family dwellings that includes personal property and liability coverage. In addition to standard homeowners, Austin Mutual can also provide coverage for several other types of homes:
- Mobile and manufactured homes
- Condos
- Rental homes
- Seasonal or second homes
Home insurance is available in the same states where Austin Mutual provides auto insurance, and also qualifies under the common loss deductible plan offered to multi-policy holders.
Commercial Insurance
Austin Mutual provides coverage for a variety of small businesses across all 9 states where the company sells personal lines products. Not all policy types are available in all states, and the type of business that is eligible varies by state. Policies available include:
- Business Owner’s Insurance: Comprehensive policies to cover all aspects of a small business, including retail, service, restaurant and more. These policies cover liability, business property, and employee liability among other features.
- Business Auto: Policies for the specialized needs of commercial vehicles, from passenger cars to trucks and trailers.
- Business Umbrella: Providing extended liability coverage for your business.
Agribusiness
Specific to businesses that involve commercial farming operations, Austin Mutual’s Agribusiness coverage is available in Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Austin Mutual has been affiliated with Cooperative Mutual Insurance Company since 2011 to improve Agribusiness products, and offers package policies covering a wide variety of agribusiness needs. AMIC Agribusiness is headquartered in Omaha, NE.
Additional Products
In addition to the basic personal and commercial lines policies, Austin Mutual also writes personal umbrella insurance policies to provide increased liability for individuals.
Austin Mutual Insurance Company Rates
Because Austin Mutual does not provide online quotes, premiums cannot be compared through quote comparison systems. Policies are typically aimed at people without considerable risks or credit problems. The company does offer a considerable list of available discounts to make premiums more competitive. Because the company is regional, premiums may not be competitive with larger, national companies for all customers.
While online quoting is unavailable, the Austin Mutual website does allow online bill payments, and there are a number of payment options available, including single pay, 4-pay, and monthly plans.
Claims
For personal and small business claims, Austin Mutual offers a 24/7 claims department, which can be reached through a toll-free phone number. Although an online claims reporting system is not offered, the Austin Mutual website offers contact information and claims instructions on their website to allow policyholders to reach them quickly. Claims can also be submitted through the insurance agent.
For Agribusiness claims, policyholders can contact a separate claims department by phone. These claims can also be filed through an agent.
Consumer Research and Complaints
Austin Mutual is not a BBB accredited business, and they are not rated . There are however, only three complaints listed, one of which was closed in the last 12 months – a very good record. We were unable to locate known government actions against the company.
Financial Strength
| Rating Company | Grade | Financial Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| AM Best | A | Stable |
| Fitch | N/A | N/A |
| S&P | N/A | N/A |
Bottom Line
Austin Mutual Insurance Company is a regional insurance company with a long history. They write mainly standard auto insurance policies aimed at drivers who have clean records and few problems in their history, but are unlikely to provide the best rates for drivers with higher risk levels. Drivers who carry other policies with Austin Mutual and qualify for a number of discounts are most likely to find the rates competitive. AMIC is a good choice for those seeking a smaller, regional company and for those needing specialized dwelling insurance or small business coverage, especially in agribusiness.
For a list of companies that we recommend, visit our Best Insurance Companies page.
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Review Information
I am a former insurance agent and banker turned consumer advocate. My priority is to help educate individuals and families about the different types of insurance they need, and assist them in finding the best place to get it.
Kim says
I’ve been with Austin Mutual for several years and have had positive experiences with them: Customer service, rates, and claims when I was deemed at fault. Can’t comment regarding how it is if another driver with different insurance goes through them for a claim since this hasn’t happened with me. They do charge a $3 fee to pay your bill online, however, there are options to avoid this by either paying with check or automatic withdrawal from an account. In addition, a $7 mailing fee exists if you choose to have your bill sent. However, you can avoid this if you pay the bill before it generates (Can call them and they will inform the generation date). Overall, I would recommend Austin Mutual!
Charlene says
I’m thankfully not covered by by them. One of their insured hit my PARKED car and they are still investigating to see if they can cover the accident. [Redacted] in the claims department is your stereotypical insurance agent. Her voicemail says she will return your call in 4 hours; however it took 6 DAYS, 3 phone calls AND the mention of getting a lawyer before she would bother to call me back. I dealt with my insurance and Austin Mutual with this accident. [Redacted] and Austin Mutual are the worst I’ve had to deal with. Good luck to all their policy holders, I hope you do not have to use your insurance.
Dave says
Austin Mutual has great rates and fortunately I have never had to file a claim so I cannot comment on how easy it is to file and deal with a claim. I do know that they have to have the worst customer service department of any insurance company operating in the 21st century. No policies available online. They charge you $3.00, soon to be $4.95 for every payment you make online. My agent has tried to add an additional driver to my policy and in 3 weeks the company has not made the change and just today sent me the dec sheets for my renewal 6 days before the renewal date and no driver has been added and there was no bill included. Must be a bunch of slow moving dinosaurs working there.