Countrywide Insurance Review
A shaky financial standing and poor customer service means Country-Wide Insurance is not a good choice for most drivers.
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Editor's Rating
Country-Wide serves the New York City area, but its many downsides make it a poor choice. We recommend purchasing car insurance from another company.
Alternatives to Country-Wide auto insurance
These top New York auto insurance companies are alternatives to Country-Wide:
Pros and cons
Pros
Local to the NYC metro area
Cons
Lots of customer complaints
May have a hard time paying claims
Can't get quotes online
Country-Wide Insurance: our thoughts
We do not recommend Country-Wide Insurance Company (CWICO).
- The company has a poor customer service reputation, with 74% more complaints filed against it than a typical company of its size.
- It offers no helpful auto insurance coverage add-ons, such as roadside assistance or rental reimbursement.
- Most troublingly, the company's financial strength and stability is rated as C++ (marginal), according to A.M. Best. This means there's a risk that Country-Wide might not be able to pay its claims.
The process of getting a quote can be difficult. Like many small insurers, Country-Wide does not sell policies directly to consumers, but instead works through a network of independent brokers. To get a quote from one of these brokers, you'll need to call Country-Wide and ask for the independent agent assigned to your ZIP code.
When we tried to call the insurance office Country-Wide assigned to our sample driver's ZIP code, we found that it was only open from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, not during standard business hours.
Additionally, Country-Wide's website does not clearly explain which discounts it offers. Many other insurers name at least some available discounts on their website.
Bottom line: Other insurers offer a better shopping and customer experience, as well as a wider menu of coverages. New York City-area drivers should look elsewhere for their insurance needs.
Country-Wide coverages
Country-Wide offers only basic coverage options. New York drivers can purchase the following standard coverages from Country-Wide:
These coverages allow New York residents to meet the minimum state requirements for auto insurance, as well purchase full coverage to protect their car.
However, Country-Wide lacks common add-on coverages like rental car reimbursement or roadside assistance.
That leaves you on the hook for expenses like towing and temporary transportation after an accident.
Country-Wide customer service
Country-Wide's customer service reputation is consistently bad.
The website touts the company's face-to-face service through independent brokers. But that means you'll need to take the time to go into a broker’s office in person, while other companies offer online quotes in minutes.
Additionally, the company received 74% more complaints than a typical insurance company of its size, according to data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The most common complaints were about claim handling, including slow payments and settlements that were too low.
Rating system | Country-Wide score |
|---|---|
| NAIC Complaint Index | 74% more complaints than typical |
| A.M. Best Financial Strength Rating | C++ (Marginal) |
Shoppers should be aware that Country-Wide might be unable to pay out all of its claims from policyholders if financially strained by a large disaster. The company received a C++ Financial Strength Rating from A.M. Best, which means its ability to meet ongoing insurance policy and contract obligations is "marginal."
Even if Country-Wide had great coverage options and affordable rates, consumers shouldn't run the risk of buying a policy from a company with less-than-stable finances. We recommend avoiding Country-Wide and getting coverage from an insurer that can meet its obligations.
Contact Country-Wide
Country-Wide's contact system is somewhat confusing. While its website posts different numbers for general inquiries and claims, both numbers lead to the same phone tree — so it doesn't matter which number you call.
To file an auto insurance claim with Country-Wide, you can either call the claims phone number, (212) 344-8700, or the general customer service number, (212) 514-7000. You can then select your language from among English, Spanish and Chinese, and a phone tree will allow you either to report an accident or inquire after an existing claim.
Note that in the immediate aftermath of an accident, Country-Wide requests that policyholders call its insurance hotline: 1-800-79-NY-AUTO.
To make an auto insurance payment to Country-Wide, customers have one of several options.
- Make a payment online, either by logging into their portal or by using the "make a payment" page on the company’s website.
- Call the payment number at (877) 940-2167. Policyholders should be aware that using the payment phone number requires a $3 processing fee.
- Mail a check to the following mailing address: P.O. Box 7039, New York, N.Y., 10008-7039
Note that this address is different from the company’s general mailing address, which is:
Country-Wide Insurance Company, 40 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005 (the Trump Building)
About Country-Wide Insurance
Country-Wide Insurance, a subsidiary of Barbara Cheven Holding Company, was established in 1963. Contrary to its name, Country-Wide provides consumer and commercial car insurance products solely for the downstate New York area. The company markets its services through a network of independent brokers in the New York City metropolitan area and surrounding suburbs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Country-Wide Insurance Company (CWICO) good?
No, Country-Wide has a high rate of customer complaints. Plus, it received a C++ "marginal" financial strength rating from A.M. Best, meaning there's a risk the company might not have enough money to pay claims. Instead of Country-Wide, choose one of the best auto insurance companies in New York, such as Progressive.
What insurance company is better than Country-Wide in NYC?
Progressive has the cheapest car insurance for drivers in New York City and the surrounding areas. Other cheap car insurance companies in New York include Erie and Geico.
How do you file a claim with Country-Wide car insurance?
After an accident, call Country-Wide's insurance hotline at 1-800-79-NY-AUTO or the company's claims department at (212) 344-8700. Customers frequently report problems with filing claims with Country-Wide, so follow a step-by-step guide to car insurance claims. And, if needed, you can file a consumer complaint with the state of New York.
Sources
Our analysis of County-Wide insurance is based on information from A.M. Best and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), as well as the insurance company's website.
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.