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Elephant Insurance Summary
Elephant Insurance is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wales-based Admiral Group. Although Admiral owns a number of subsidiaries and is the third largest insurance group in the U.K., Elephant is the only one currently operating in the States. The company was created to expand Admiral’s operations overseas.
Like Admiral’s other companies, Elephant aims to provide car insurance at low rates. They sell policies directly over the phone and online, so there are no agent or broker commissions to increase rates.
Elephant sells only car insurance, although they partner with other companies to offer their clients assistance in purchasing home, life, and specialty vehicle coverage. Elephant currently writes insurance only in Illinois, Maryland, Texas, and Virginia, but plans to expand to other states in the future.
The company’s mascot, the elephant, is not only a symbol, but represents their charitable work with wildlife groups such as the Born Free Foundation and Tusk.
Insurance Products
Elephant is an auto insurance company, although they have developed partnerships with other companies to assist customers with other personal insurance needs. Auto is the only product they sell and underwrite directly.
Auto Insurance
Elephant advertises as a low-cost car insurance company, but offers a comprehensive auto insurance program. In addition to the usual liability and basic options, they also have extra add-on coverage available including customer parts & equipment and income loss coverage.
Elephant’s auto program offers some big discounts in order to further the goal of lowering rates. These include:
- Up to 20% off for multi-vehicle
- Up to 12% for quoting online
- Responsible driver
- Good student
- Paperless billing
Although Elephant doesn’t write their home insurance products directly, they still offer an auto/home discount for customers who purchase home insurance through their partner, Homesite.
They also offer discounts for purchasing other policies, including life and motorcycle, through their other partners. These discounts are more unusual with companies that don’t underwrite these policies directly.
Home Insurance
Elephant partners with Homesite to offer homeowner’s, condo owner’s, and renter’s insurance. Elephant doesn’t underwrite any of these policies, but does offer multi-policy discounts.
Life Insurance
Elephant partners with AccuQuote to provide customers access to life insurance quotes from more than 60 companies.
Specialty Vehicle
Elephant offers motorcycle insurance and ATV insurance through a partnership with Markel.
Elephant Insurance Rates
Since Elephant doesn’t offer coverage in our usual sample areas, we can’t do a direct price comparison. The company does offer online quoting, so insurance shoppers in their service area can obtain a price quote easily in order to compare rates to other companies. They also offer quick quotes over the phone.
As a direct-buy insurer, they do cut out the added cost of an insurance agent, and their list of discounts should make it easy for most drivers to save some money. It’s especially encouraging to see that bundling discounts are available in spite of the fact that Elephant doesn’t directly underwrite all of the products offered.
Claims
Elephant offers simple clams reporting either online or over the phone via a toll-free number.
After the initial report, a claims specialist is assigned to handle the investigation of the claim and review coverage. This same specialist handles the claim from beginning to end, and although there is no promised time for claims processing, they do promise to expedite things as much as possible.
Elephant offers a repair assistance program that includes a network of approved repair shops to expedite the process, although customers are free to use any shop they choose for repairs. The assistance program, however, includes a promise of regular updates as well as a guarantee on work done by in-network shops.
Customers can track the status of a claim by calling the claims line, contacting their assigned claims specialist directly, or by sending an email to the customer service department.
Windshield and glass only claims can be reported through the same toll-free number as all other claims, while roadside claims are handled through a different system.
Consumer Research and Complaints
Elephant insurance is Better Business Bureau accredited and has a rating of A+. Their BBB record shows a total of 64 complaints in the past three years, 37 of which were closed in the past 12 months. While that’s not a huge number, it’s generally higher than we like to see for a smaller insurance company like Elephant, which serves only four states.
Pissed Consumer has 57 reviews of Elephant Insurance, which point to good rates but poor customer service. Many of the experiences reported were from people who were involved in an accident with an Elephant insured, not all Elephant customers directly. Customers report bait-and-switch pricing and difficulty with billing and getting refunds.
In general, there are a few too many complaints for a company that is relatively small and fairly new to the insurance industry in the United States. While none of them are major red flags, the overall number of complaints does raise some concerns. Reviews do indicate that the company is offering good rates for their coverage, but poor customer service and claims handling make a low premium far less appealing.
Financial Strength
| Rating Company | Grade | Financial Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| AM Best | N/A | N/A |
| Fitch | N/A | N/A |
| S&P | N/A | N/A |
Bottom Line
Elephant is a low-cost insurance company that serves a small market in four states. They have a good auto insurance program and offer bundling discounts with their home, life, and specialty partners, which is unusual in an auto-only insurance company.
While Elephant does appear to have a pretty solid program, there are enough complaints about the company to be a cause for concern in terms of how well they are supporting their customers. Good drivers will most likely be able to get similar or better rates elsewhere with a company that offers a better customer service reputation, and Elephant is unlikely to compete with big players in the direct-buy market like GEICO.
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.
Scott says
I would stay away from Elephant insurance… They are slow to pay claims and will refuse to pay to repair your car to the condition it was in prior to an accident.
Anonymous says
Elephant insurance told me my new car was insured after my phone call with them. However, it took them a week to process this, in that week, I got a fine from the MVA stating that my car was uninsured. Then, after moving 10 minutes down the street within the same county, they raised my monthly payment from by 35$ just for changing my address. I asked for documentation and explanation and they said they could not provide me with this information. My commute time decreased and I now park in a gated garage with security. However, Elephant was not interested in any further details. I will be looking for alternate insurance and do not recommend Elephant to others.
Hector says
Thank you guys! I was deciding on whether or not to get this insurance company but I may take my chances! I’m sorry for y’alls losses.
Reza says
I had an accident and even thou i had a full coverage and they deduct automatically from my account, they are giving me the run around going on the third week, they keep passing me from one person to another and my phone calls are not answered and messages are not returned. They did not provide me with a rental saying that is not part of my policy. They left me stranded with no car and no end in sight. They are trying to weasel out of paying and/or delay it as long as they can. They are the worse insurance company i ever dealt with. I have already filed a complaint with state of Maryland . Run for your life….don’t do business with them, they will rip you off and give you the run around when you need them
Julie Griffith says
This company is a COMPLETE [Redacted]. I have canceled my policy with them over 10 days ago and they are STILL holding on to my refund of $239.00!!!! I am now paying for 2 policies one with Elephant and one with State Farm. Do NOT INSURE WITH THEM, once they have access to your checking accounts and [Redacted] AUTO BILLING, you will never see your money again.
Ines Perez says
I’m shopping for a new company for auto insurance and reading the feedback from customers with Elephant Insurance has helped me decide to eliminate them from my list. I’ll continue with State Farm. Thank you people for posting your experience that make my life easier to decide who I need to go with.
greg says
i just had the best experience with what i would consider the best claims person that i have ever encountered. she works for elephant insurance and if the rest of our process is any indication as to what i experienced over the phone with [Redacted] i will be an elephant customer for life. Great Job
naomi says
This is the worst experience I have ever been in with an insurance company. You have put me through so much unnecessary stress, that I will spread the word regarding my experience. You keep charging my account without out my permission, on top of that, you keep double charging me. Making me wait for my own hard working money 5-7 business days. In 2 weeks you have done this 3times. Unacceptable! This makes no sense! The worst company ever! Your management say they will call me back an never do! My account still is in negative due to you. And you could give a [Redacted] about your customers! I will go to the better business bureau! My policy has been messed up since march an I continue to speak with you on a daily basis an nothing gets solved only worse. I’m still missing my $104.00 once again because you charged my account with no permission an double charged it! You have taken money that time [Redacted] was suppose to draft an now my cable is off an I have a return check fee!!! You could give two [Redacted] about your customers! This is by far the worst insurance company, I have told all my co workers and family and Friends! I will be getting quotes else where! To have me in tears is ridiculous! Why should I be crying over insurance! I still haven’t received my money back, nor a call from management like I was promised. This company is nothing but a scam an a rip off!!!!!!!!!!!!
Angela Lilly says
I agree. Brandon, Customer Service Representative lied to me about my quote. They need to train their staff or they just hire anyone off the street. This was the worst experience I ever had with an insurance company. THANK GOD I was able to reinstate with my old Insurance Company. Please do not get insurance from this company it is truly a scam!!!!!!!!!
Lamaas says
I’ve never been this frustrated in my life with an insurance company and I am canceling them as soon as possible
I mean it is really really really horrible there customer service
all I’ve been working for 2 days and getting information on whether or not my car is insured and they’re telling me that they won’t send me anything in the mail
and they’re telling me to fax stuff down from website
their website is giving me all kinds of problems and I’m pretty computer-savvy I’m just pretty frustrated right now
All I needed to do was go to the car and get me and insurance card and this would have been done they don’t even send you a preliminary insurance card if they do the rest of it you wouldn’t even care about but they won’t even send you one insurance card for the practicality of having it in your glove compartment that is stupid this company is stupid and because I didn’t know what I’m terribly frustrated
ezekiel says
The insurance agent told me my insurance was going u p and it would be 1400 premium for two cars, i told her i only had one car. I ask why was it going up she said that’s what insurance companys do.
i ask what was my insurance going to be for my one car she replied 1400. 1400 for two cars and 1400 for one car . They were good up until that.
M.Lindsey says
I have had nothing but negative experiences with Elephant auto Insurance. My car was rear-ended on 2/15/14 and as of today 3/11/14 it has still not been repaired because Elephant refuses to pay. The young lady who hit me was written a ticket for following too close so she was at fault. The insurance company says she was not insured, but the car (insured by Elephant) was insured by her mother. In Virginia insurance follows the car. My insurance company says they should pay. The agent at Elephant keeps telling me that he needs to discuss the investigation with his supervisor. This has been weeks now! Meanwhile I am driving a damaged car and spending hours on the phone.
Signed – Not Happy with Elephant
Gail Commings says
Thanks,
I’m looking for a reputable, and reliable, and reasonably priced insurance company for my homeowners insurance and auto insurance. This helpe me a great deal to make a decision.
My current insurance company, Farm Bureau insurance of Texas, sucks! They make it mandated that you pay for membership plus or else! they don’t give you the cheapest rate, they try to say they do, but they don’t and the rates keep going up. After all if they were the best, or even decent I wouldn’t be looking!
Is it the way it is, insurances companies and banks are just ripping us working people off??
Sarah says
my daughter wrecked my car that is insured through elephant on may 20,2016 and we still haven’t gotten it resolved, the wreck was her fault, she lives with me and the insurance should cover her, it suppose to, I keep getting the run around
M Padilla says
Same issue here. Hit by an Elephant Insured driver who has admitted fault. Three weeks and they still have not even approved the claim. They keep asking for more information and now they are challenging the repair shops estimate (their suggested repair shop). I am getting very frustrated. They told me to file a claim with my insurance company (State Farm) and have them subrogate to Elephant. Here I am being cooperative using their suggested repair shop. I have had to take it to the shop twice now once for an estimate , then for photos. After the photos they say I will probably have to take it back so they can send someone out to look at it. Ironically, that is what I asked them to do in the first place. At that time they told me they had no one in my area that could come to my house.