Freeway Auto Insurance Review 2022: Pros and Cons – NerdWallet

Freeway Insurance is a national chain that focuses on auto insurance for drivers considered “high risk,” such as those with at-fault wrecks, tickets or DUIs on their records. Freeway isn’t an insurance company and doesn’t underwrite its own insurance policies. Instead, Freeway’s insurance brokers check with several insurers to get quotes for you.

Having someone shop for insurance on your behalf can be convenient, especially if you’ve had trouble finding an insurer that will accept you. However, you may find more options and avoid extra fees by comparing quotes from several companies yourself.

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Freeway pros and cons

Pros

Cons

Available in all states.

Company may charge a broker fee for finding you a policy.

Offers website and agent assistance in both English and Spanish.

Some policies may come from insurers with high customer complaints or financial stability concerns.

Can get insurance quotes from multiple companies.

Online quotes may not include all fees.

How Freeway Insurance works

Freeway is an insurance brokerage, which typically means you pay the company a fee to find a policy that fits your needs.

In most states, brokers must disclose fees. Still, before you buy, always ask about extra charges on top of your premiums. Freeway operates in multiple states, each with its own laws, so fees will vary.

Broker fees are often nonrefundable. That means if you end up canceling your policy, you may not get back any of the money you paid the brokerage to find insurance for you.

To avoid a broker fee, consider buying auto insurance directly from a carrier or through an independent agent. A car insurance comparison tool can help you get multiple quotes.

Freeway auto insurance coverage

When you’re shopping for car insurance, it’s important to understand what car insurance coverage you want and what you’re required to buy. Most states require car insurance in order to drive a vehicle. Although minimum coverage requirements vary from state to state, they generally include liability insurance and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

If you want extra protection, you may be interested in full coverage insurance. Full coverage isn’t a specific policy type; it’s a combination of coverage types, like liability, collision and comprehensive insurance.

Check out the most common types of car insurance coverage below to see how they work:

Coverage type

What it pays for

Required?

Bodily injury and property damage liability

Costs for injuries, deaths or property damage from an accident you caused.

Typically required.

Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage

Medical and property damage costs after an accident with a driver who has insufficient insurance or none at all.

Often required.

Collision coverage

Repair expenses from traffic-related accidents, regardless of who’s at fault.

A car loan or lease may require it.

Comprehensive coverage

Repair costs from events outside of your control, including weather events, hitting an animal while driving, theft and vandalism.

A car loan or lease may require it.

Freeway says it can provide insurance for any driver, despite blemished driving records or other problems. The company can help place drivers with insurers that can file an SR-22 form, which many states require to prove you have insurance after a DUI or other serious violation.

Freeway sells policies from several large, well-known auto insurers as well as smaller companies that focus on coverage for high-risk drivers. Among its carrier partners for car insurance are:

Some of these insurers have solid financial strength ratings and draw relatively few consumer complaints to state regulators. Other Freeway partners, however, have high rates of complaints and questionable financial strength. When you’re offered a policy from a broker or agent, it’s important to make sure the carrier is a company you can trust.

Freeway Insurance may not give you quotes from all of these companies. The lineup of insurers available to you through Freeway depends on where you live.

Your coverage options and discounts can vary, depending on which carrier you choose.

See what you could save on car insurance

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Auto insurance buying guide

Before you compare car insurance companies, you’ll need to collect some basic information. This includes the driving history of everyone who will be on the policy, as well as facts about your car, such as safety features and annual mileage driven. You’ll also want to determine which types of coverage you need. For example, do you want only the bare minimum insurance that your state requires, or do you need more extensive coverage, such as gap insurance or rideshare coverage? Check that each company you’re considering has the options you want.

When comparing rates among insurers, make sure each is offering the same coverage limits and deductibles. You may not want to make your decision based on price alone. Look at how many consumer complaints each company has, as a high number of complaints could be a red flag about the quality of service you’ll receive.

Depending on which company you choose, you may be able to buy insurance online, over the phone or through an agent. For more guidance, see how to get car insurance.

More about Freeway auto insurance

Website: On the Freeway website, you can request a quote, locate an office and learn about payment options. However, only customers in Illinois and Indiana can pay online through Freeway. Policyholders in other states may be able to make online payments through their carrier’s website. Other online services, such as viewing policy details or filing a claim, may be available through the insurer providing your policy.

Freeway’s website is available in English and Spanish.

Other insurance from Freeway

As a brokerage, Freeway sells many other types of coverage in addition to auto insurance. Coverage types include:

• ATV and snowmobile insurance.

• Business insurance.

• Commercial auto insurance.

• Homeowners insurance.

• Landlord insurance.

• Life insurance.

• Motorcycle insurance.

• Motorhome insurance.

• Renters insurance.

• Watercraft insurance.

• Health insurance.