Many car insurance companies now have mobile apps for their policyholders. Apps make it easy for you to check your auto policy information and contact your company while virtually anywhere with online access. They also give you more control over your policy and often allow you to update information and have a handy insurance payment option right there on your phone. This quick access with mobile apps can be a blessing, particularly if an accident occurs and you want to file your claim as soon as possible.

While it's not uncommon for an auto insurance company to now have a mobile insurance app, we highlighted a few that Clearsurance users frequently discussed in their reviews. For our list, we chose insurance companies that had 50 or more car insurance reviews discussing the app. Below you can find key features of each app as well as what Clearsurance users said about them.

If you're shopping around for car insurance, make sure to check out our rankings of the best car insurance companies, and enter your ZIP code into the box below to see quotes from companies in your area.

Car insurance companies in this article:

• Allstate
• Esurance
• Geico
• Progressive
• State Farm
• USAA

Allstate Mobile

Key features:

• File and manage claims
• Contact your agent instantly
• View your digital insurance card
• View policy documents and agent information
• Access Drivewise program information (Allstate’s driver tracking program)
• Request roadside assistance – Good Hands Rescue
• Parking reminder and gas finder

Common themes in reviews:

Many users who discussed the Allstate Mobile app in reviews on Clearsurance praise the app for its quick and easy claims service. Consumers like that they can do almost everything in the easy-to-use app. Many policyholders also enjoy the Drivewise program on the app, which tracks a policyholder’s driving and qualifies them for potential discounts for safe driving.

Although many people are satisfied with the services Allstate provides through its app, a few consumers complained about issues with roadside assistance not working through the app. One reviewer said, “When my wife had an accident on a dark secluded road late at night Allstate's "roadside assistance" was a joke!! Whats the point of having emergency help when the APP doesn't work...”

Esurance

Key features:

• Manage policy
• View your digital insurance card
• Update information
• Add vehicles to your policy
• Check payments schedule and make secure payments
• File and manage claims
• Request roadside assistance

Common themes in reviews:

Esurance exists to provide a modern approach to insurance utilizing technology – it's in its name, after all! Does Esurance's mobile app live up to the expectations of policyholders? According to reviews, it generally does. Insurance customers at Esurance have frequently commented on how the “handy” app is very easy to use and is good for people on the go. A user noted their experience saying, “My husband wrecked his car in a single vehicle crash. We used the Esurance App to start our claim and the whole process could not have gone smoother! Within an hour a rep contacted us to arrange a rental vehicle and within a week they reimbursed us for our new car seat. We love Esurance!”

Geico Mobile

Key features:

• View your digital insurance card
• Request roadside assistance
• Virtual assistants available 24/7 for customer service
• View vehicle care information – your car’s service history, recalls and maintenance schedule powered by CarFAX
• Make payments
• Update and manage your policy

Common themes in reviews:

Consumers commonly noted in reviews that the Geico app is one of the best things about the company. People enjoy its convenience and user-friendly features. The features of the app that most popularly received high remarks in reviews are being able to view your insurance card, keep track of your bill and submit claims. One consumer said, “Of all the Insurance Companies I have used, Geico stands out with its Smart App. I can pretty much do anything I want from my mobile and skip the long customer care calls.”

Although there were not many complaints about the app in reviews, a common one involved the roadside assistance. Some people complained of confusion with the roadside assistance being an option on the app regardless of if it's included on your policy or not. One reviewer warned others that the app grants all people on your policy access to your information.

Progressive

Key features:

• View your digital insurance card
• View policy details and information
• Make payments
• Report and track claims
• Request roadside assistance
• Contact your agent or claim representative

Common themes in reviews:

In reviews, consumers frequently remarked on how much they love the feature that allows them to chat with customer service representatives through the app. According to reviewers, the app is easy to understand and convenient. Consumers like that they don't have to call Progressive and can use the app instead. One person wrote, “They are really easy to work with and had the best price for my husband and I. They make everything really simple and all your insurance cards are through an app which most of us don't ever drive without our phones, so that makes it really easy to not lose your registration card! Really enjoy using their plans.”

There were only a few minor complaints about the Progressive app in reviews. Some people complained about the roadside assistance taking too long. Another person wished there was direct contact on their claims process rather than having everything in the app. However, overall the app received high praise in the remarks for its availability of features.

State Farm Mobile – Pocket Agent

Key features:

• View your digital insurance card
• Submit a claim
• Find an agent

Common themes in reviews:

Consumers discussing the State Farm app in reviews frequently commented on how the app presents a quicker and easier way to file a claim. One reviewer said, “Submitting a claim took less than 5 minutes on the app - much easier than the last time I had to (a year ago) over the phone. I was on the phone for 30-45 minutes.”

Additionally, Pocket App users enjoy the convenience of having their insurance card on their phone and the ability to use the app to track their driving to earn discounts.

While the app is well liked among the Clearsurance community, some users noted a few issues. Users don't like that the app requires cell phone data usage when using it for the tracking device. A few users reported bugs that they encountered in the app, including it not being able to process photos for a claim because of the file size. Additionally, another user reported not being able to log into their app because their mailing information was not updated by their agent.

USAA Mobile App

Key features:

• View your digital insurance card
• Request roadside assistance
• Report a claim
• Review accident checklist to make sure you have completed all necessary steps

Common themes in reviews:

Clearsurance users really enjoy the USAA mobile app and its features overall. Customers found the app to be easy to navigate and secure when making payments. One user discussed the app saying, “We love our USAA app. When we recently had an accident, we just opened up the app and a tow truck was on the way in minutes. We were also able to immediately attach pictures of the accident to the claim. Very easy process.”

Like some of the other company's apps with features that are similar, customers want an easier, more transparent claims process through the app. In regards to the USAA app, one user had confusion when submitting a claim because they talked to one person in the app and had to call USAA for the claim and ended up having to talk to another person and explain the claim over again.

What's the bottom line?

Auto insurance applications can be a great way for you to stay connected with your insurance company and manage your policy. They can often have helpful features that can help you to make sure your information is correct and stay up to date on your payments. Auto insurance mobile apps are improving and some even allow you to handle your entire claims process in the app.

The usage-based insurance programs many companies offer allow you to lower your auto insurance rates while improving your driving skills. Safe drivers tend to save around 10%-15% on average with these programs. Some companies even offer a discount just for signing up. Nationwide and State Farm both advertise savings over 30% with their usage-based programs, but your experience may vary.

Be sure to check with your insurance carrier to see if they offer an app and to learn more about all of its features. And if you have experience using an insurance company's app already, write a review to better inform other insurance consumers.

If you're shopping around for a new auto insurance policy, keep the reviews above in mind, especially if you prefer to manage your policy online or you like having the peace of mind of knowing reliable roadside assistance is just a click away. Shop around for quotes by entering your ZIP code in the box below.

Image source: EA March/ shutterstock.com

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