Freeway Insurance is a national chain that focuses on car insurance for drivers considered \u201chigh risk,” such as those with at-fault wrecks, tickets or DUIs on their records. Freeway isn\u2019t an insurance company and doesn\u2019t underwrite its own insurance policies. Instead, Freeway’s insurance brokers check with several insurers to get quotes for you.<\/p>
Freeway advertises that it helps people nationwide find the best policy for their needs. It could be a good company for you if you need an SR-22 or are looking for high-risk insurance. The company also notes that its agents are bilingual, so if you are more comfortable handling your business in Spanish, you may want to consider it.<\/p>
Having someone shop for insurance on your behalf can be convenient, especially if you\u2019ve 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.<\/p>
Freeway Insurance was founded in 1987 by Kelly Turton in Orange County, California. Initially, the company\u2019s focus was private passenger automobile insurance, which was then acquired by Westline Corp. The latter was itself then acquired by Confie, one of the largest privately held insurance brokers in the United States and a portfolio company of private equity firm ABRY Partners, in 2008. <\/p>
Freeway Insurance has expanded through acquisitions made by Confie, including Colyer Insurance, DeFranco Insurance, CW Baker Insurance, and Lewiston Insurance. It predominantly sells within the non-standard auto insurance market.<\/p>
As of 2020, it sells homeowners and renter\u2019s insurance, health insurance, and motorcycle insurance. <\/p>
Freeway Insurance also provides insurance to high-risk drivers with poor driving records. There are 503 Freeway Insurance locations in the United States, with retail offices in 22 states.<\/p>
Since 2008, Freeway Insurance has operated in English and Spanish, and nearly 50% of its customers identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino. Freeway reports that nearly 70% of their insurance agents are multilingual. Freeway predominantly sells within the non-standard auto insurance market.<\/p>
In 2021, Freeway Insurance announced it would begin offering franchise opportunities to further develop its retail locations in the United States.<\/p>
While perhaps not as well known as some competing insurance companies, Freeway has been in business for more than 30 years. The company has more than 400 offices in 23 states and claims to write more than one million new policies each year. A subsidiary of insurance broker Confie Seguros, Inc., since 2008, Freeway describes itself as the largest privately held insurance company in the United States. <\/p>
Freeway is an insurance brokerage, which typically means you pay the company a fee to find a policy that fits your needs.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
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.<\/p>
When you’re shopping for car insurance coverage, it’s important to understand what car insurance coverage you want and what you\u2019re 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. <\/p>
Freeway says it will provide auto insurance coverage to any driver, including those with a less-than-stellar record. That includes drivers with multiple accidents or DUI, or who are required to have an SR-22 certificate of insurance. The SR-22 document is typically required for drivers deemed a high risk following an alcohol-related offense, uninsured motorist conviction, or other violations.<\/p>
Freeway also works with drivers with poor credit scores, and others who might have difficulty finding insurance elsewhere. For financially strapped drivers, it offers month-to-month payment plans with the option of paying in cash at any of their local offices. <\/p>
By working with a number of different insurance companies, Freeway says it can custom tailor a policy and offer competitive rates to drivers regardless of their record or financial status. Policy documents specify the name of the carrier, along with an agency broker agreement outlining Freeway services.<\/p>
Freeway policies can be purchased online, over the telephone, or through any over their local offices.<\/p>
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:<\/p>
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 will also vary, depending on which carrier you choose.<\/p>
Keep in mind, too, that some of Freeway’s carrier partners 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\u2019re offered a policy from a broker or agent, it\u2019s important to make sure the carrier is a company you can trust.<\/p>
You can lower the cost of your insurance premiums by taking advantage of discounts. <\/p>
Freeway auto insurance offers similar discounts to those found with other insurance companies, including reduced rates for good drivers, students, members of the military, and drivers or families with more than one vehicle. You can also get reduced rates for bundling an auto insurance policy with other coverage offered by Freeway, such as a homeowners or renters policy.<\/p>
Freeway offers a good student discount, which is common among car insurance companies. However, unlike most insurers, the company does not offer multiple car, safe driving, anti-theft, pay-in-full, paperless, defensive driving or airbag discounts.<\/p>
Freeway does offer more unique discounts, including locked garage, military background, homeowner and continuously insured discounts, which are not typically offered by most other insurers.<\/p>
Before you purchase a car insurance policy through Freeway Insurance, it may be a good idea to consider the pros and cons of working with the broker company.<\/p>
Pros<\/strong><\/p> Cons<\/strong><\/p> As a brokerage, Freeway sells many other types of coverage in addition to auto insurance. Coverage types include:<\/p> Freeway Auto Insurance prides itself on its ability to provide low-cost, high-quality insurance to all who need it. It also offers free roadside assistance to some California drivers. So if you live in the state, it\u2019s worth inquiring if you qualify for that free service.<\/p> Car insurance covers unforeseen bills and liabilities arising from an accident. It protects you from hefty out-of-pocket expenses, provided you don\u2019t exceed the coverage limit. Without it, you risk paying out-of-pocket to settle legal claims, medical expenses, and damages if you\u2019re at fault. Here are some other reasons you need auto insurance:<\/p> Most states require basic liability coverage before you can legally register and drive a car. Driving without valid car insurance may lead to fines or even license suspension.<\/p> Banks, credit unions, and other lending institutions will require valid insurance to finance a car purchase. Likewise, car dealers will require you to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage before leasing a vehicle. Car insurance protects the company against financial losses if you file a claim after an accident.<\/p> Although car insurance can be expensive, there are many ways that you may be able to lower your rate. Here are some potential options for getting a cheaper car insurance premium:<\/p> Since the price of car insurance varies by insurer and each company has its own proprietary rating algorithm, your premium may vary greatly depending on the company you choose. To find the cheapest company for your specific circumstances, you may want to compare quotes across various carriers.<\/p> Most insurance professionals recommend comparing quotes for the same coverage types and limits across carriers to get the most accurate comparison.<\/p> Almost every insurance company offers discounts that might lower your premium. Some discounts are more significant than others. You may want to review the discounts each carrier offers when comparing quotes. Discounts are commonly available for being a good student, remaining claims-free, driving a car with strong safety ratings and bundling your insurance policies.<\/p> You may also qualify for a discount if you pay your premium in full, enroll in paperless billing or set up autopay.<\/p> There are many different types of car insurance coverage, and the more you have, the higher your insurance premium typically is. Higher coverage limits also typically increase your premium. If price is a concern, you may want to review your policy to ensure you\u2019re only paying for the coverage types that you need and check for duplicate coverage.<\/p> For instance, you might already have roadside assistance through your credit card provider.<\/p>Other insurance offerings from Freeway<\/strong><\/h2>
What online auto insurance tools does Freeway offer?<\/strong><\/h2>
Why do you need car insurance?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>
Legal Requirements<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
Car lease or financing<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
How to save on car insurance <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>
Shop around and compare quotes<\/strong><\/h3>
Apply discounts<\/strong><\/h3>
Check your coverage<\/strong><\/h3>
Recommended Articles <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>
References<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>