Kemper Insurance Review 2024

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Written by Isabel Contreras
Lead Writer
Profile photo of Ben Moore
Edited by Ben Moore
Assistant Assigning Editor
Fact Checked
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Kemper

Kemper sells insurance to high-risk drivers, but has far more complaints than similar-sized companies.

Discounts

Average set of discounts

Ease of use

Above average

NAIC complaints

Far more than expected

Kemper

Kemper sells insurance to high-risk drivers, but has far more complaints than similar-sized companies.

Discounts

Average set of discounts

Ease of use

Above average

NAIC complaints

Far more than expected

NerdWallet was not able to rate Kemper for overall performance because there is no financial strength rating information available for the company. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and financial strength ratings.

If you’ve had trouble getting auto insurance elsewhere because of poor credit or your driving record, Kemper may be worth a look. The company is known for providing auto insurance for high-risk drivers, and its policies are available in most states through independent agents. You can also get life and business insurance through the company.

But while Kemper is a popular choice — it’s the 12th biggest insurer in the country, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners

— not all of its customers are happy with their experience. For its size, Kemper receives far more than the expected number of consumer complaints to state regulators.

Why you can trust NerdWallet: Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage so you can choose the insurance policy that works best for you. These carrier ratings are specific to auto insurance — a company's rating for other products may be different on our site. See our criteria for evaluating auto insurance companies.

In our auto insurance reviews, our editorial team considers both the customer and the insurer. These are some of the factors we take into account:

Financial strength. We use A.M. Best ratings to confirm an insurer’s long-term financial stability and ability to pay claims. NerdWallet does not recommend companies with a rating lower than a B. 

Complaints. These ratings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The best auto insurance companies have fewer than the expected number of complaints.

Ease of use. This category looks at how easily consumers can interact with an insurer through its mobile app and website. This includes how much coverage information is offered online, whether a user can start and track a claim online and get a quote and mobile app scores based on the Apple and Google Play store ratings.Discounts. We look at both the kind of discounts a company offers and the total number of discounts available.

Compare to other insurers

Current Product

Kemper Auto Insurance
GoAuto Insurance
Dairyland Auto Insurance
NerdWallet rating 

4.0

/5

Complaints to NAIC 

Far more than expected

NAIC complaints 

More than expected

Complaints to NAIC 

More than expected

Ease of use 

Above average

Ease of use 

Below average

Ease of use 

Above average

Discounts 

Average set of discounts

Discounts 

Very few discounts

Discounts 

Great set of discounts

Bottom line 

Kemper sells insurance to high-risk drivers, but has far more complaints than similar-sized companies.

Bottom line 

GoAuto offers a barebones option, but other companies have lower customer complaints and offer more discounts.

Bottom line 

Dairyland specializes in high-risk drivers, but with more complaints than expected, you may find better coverage elsewhere.

Kemper auto insurance coverage

When you're shopping for car insurance coverage, it's important to understand what car insurance coverage you want and what you’re required to buy. For instance, most states require a minimum amount of car insurance to drive a vehicle. Alternatively, if you want extra protection, you may be interested in full coverage insurance. Read about the most common types of car insurance coverage to see how they work.

Kemper auto insurance options vary by state. High-risk drivers buying nonstandard insurance from Kemper may have different coverage options than those buying standard policies.

For high-risk drivers, Kemper offers:

  • SR-22 availability. States often require an SR-22 form to prove you have insurance after a DUI or some other serious violation.

  • Insurance for salvaged vehicles. Kemper will insure most “salvage title” vehicles that were rebuilt after being totaled in an accident.

Auto insurance discounts

Kemper’s auto insurance discounts vary by state and type of policy. You may be able to save money by:

  • Insuring more than one car.

  • Owning a home.

  • Paying your full insurance premium upfront.

  • Having good grades, if you or someone insured on your policy is a student.

  • Completing a course in defensive driving or accident prevention.

  • Being covered with a previous insurer before switching to Kemper.

  • Getting a quote in advance of the policy’s effective date.

  • Being an active-duty member of the military or National Guard.

🤓Nerdy Tip

First time shopping for auto insurance? Unsure of where to start? Check out our guide on how to shop for car insurance.

Complaints and customer satisfaction

Kemper had far more than the expected number of complaints about auto insurance to state regulators relative to its size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Kemper ranked last out of 24 companies in J.D. Power's 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study

.

More about Kemper auto insurance

Website: Kemper’s website lets you search for an agent, manage your policy and make a payment. You can also report a claim and find a repair shop if your car has been damaged. 

Mobile apps: Kemper has a general auto insurance policy management app that allows you to view ID cards, make payments, track claims and find agency contact info.

Life insurance from Kemper

Kemper offers whole life, term life and guaranteed issue life insurance. Not all types of policies are available in all states.

To get more details about coverage options and discounts, see our Kemper life insurance review.

Other insurance from Kemper

Besides auto, home and life insurance, Kemper offers the following policies:

  • Flood.

  • Business.

  • Supplemental health.

Kemper sells the following policies through third parties:

  • Motorcycle.

  • ATV.

  • RV.

  • Boat.

Methodology

Insurer complaints methodology

NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2021-2023. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.

Auto insurance ratings methodology

NerdWallet’s auto insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints and discounts. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Using our editorial discretion, we also consider customer satisfaction surveys. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines and full ratings methodology for auto insurance.

In this review . . .

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